The Rebels were wholly disappointing in 2014. Will a second year under Tony McGahan yield any improvements?
2014 recap
2014 started positively with strong pre-season performances followed by a trouncing of the Cheetahs in Melbourne. From there it was a litany of disappointments, with close losses compounded by regular on-field brain fades.
While the Rebels had few shining lights to turn to, the Melbourne Rising in the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship lit up the competition with a string of mercy rule victories at home and away. Young guns Sean McMahon and Jack Debreczeni came into their own, with McMahon being rewarded with a place on the Wallabies’ end of season European tour.
The Rebels have had a relatively minor turnover of players compared to previous years, and the coaching staff has been bolstered by the inclusion of Todd Louden as Assistant Coach, with a focus on attacking systems.
Changes
The Rebels have recruited quietly in the off-season, adding a mix of youth and experience to cover gaps in the squad. New faces this season include Jed Gillespie (EPS) and Tim Metcher (EPS), Radike Samo, Steve Cummins (EPS), Sefanaia Naivalu, Dom Shipperley, Cam Crawford and Jonah Placid.
Jonah Placid was at times electric in the NRC, adding real pace on the counterattack. Seeing how he and the veteran Radike Samo contribute to the squad will be interesting.
Sefanaia Naivalu joins the Rebels from Melbourne’s Box Hill, making him the first player to be elevated from the local Dewar Shield competition onto a Super Rugby contract. That he’s making the transition is fantastic in itself and indicates that the hours of community development the Rebels and Rugby Victoria have invested are starting to pay dividends.
The 2014-15 off season was positive for the Rebels, recording the lowest number of squad changes in their short history. Maintaining the squad has been a challenge to date, with high turnover of players crippling efforts of building momentum.
Last season was the final in Rebels colours for Eddie Aholeiei, Max Lahiff, Steve Fualau (short contract), Hugh Pyle, Chris Thomson, Josh Holmes (short contract), Angus Roberts, Lalakai Foketi, Lachlan Mitchell, Male Sa’u, Alex Rockobaro and Jason Woodward.
Of these losses, those of Hugh Pyle and Jason Woodward hurt the most, with the majority of the others being fringe players and those who may have struggled to hold a position this year.
Luck of the draw
The Rebels start 2015 with an away match against the Crusaders. The corresponding fixture in 2014 was an exciting game, with the Rebels being pipped by a fast-finishing Canterbury outfit.
Again, the tour to South Africa takes up the last two rounds of the season. As the Rebels have been vying for the wooden spoon in recent years, the long trip to SA has proven tough with lacklustre results from the final matches.
The first home game is against the defending champion Waratahs. Australian conference matches tend towards being dour affairs, and the Rebels will need to be on their toes to get on top of the galaxy of stars the Waratahs will be fielding.
The Rebels in 2015
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Props: Paul Alo-Emile, Laurie Weeks, Toby Smith, Cruze Ah-Nau, Jed Gillespie, Tim Metcher.
Hookers: Shota Horie, Tom Sexton, Pat Leafa.
Locks: Caderyn Neville, Steve Cummins, Luke Jones, Sam Jeffries.
Flankers: Colby Fainga’a, Scott Fuglistaller, Sean McMahon, Jordy Reid.
No.8s: Scott Higginbotham, Lopeti Timani, Radike Samo.
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Scrumhalves: Nic Stirzaker, Luke Burgess, Ben Meehan.
Flyhalves: Bryce Hegarty, Jack Debreczeni,
Centres: Tom English, Mike Harris, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Sefanaia Naivalu.
Wingers: Tom Kingston, Telusa Veainu, Dom Shipperley.
Fullbacks: Cam Crawford, Jonah Placid.
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Coaching staff
Tony McGahan, Head Coach, Todd Louden, Assistant Coach, Zane Hilton, Assistant Coach, Baden Stephenson, GM Rugby Operations
Biased starting XV
Forwards: 1. Toby Smith, 2. Shota Horie, 3. Laurie Weeks, 4. Caderyn Neville, 5. Luke Jones, 6. Scott Higginbotham (c), 7. Sean McMahon, 8. Lopeti Timani.
Backs: 9. Nic Stirzaker (vc), 10. Bryce Hegarty, 11. Tom English, 12. Mike Harris, 13. Mitch Inman, 14. Telusa Veainu, 15. Cam Crawford.
Off field entertainment
The Rebels have mixed up their approach to entertainment over the years, with the whole gamut of performances being trialed with varying degrees of success. We’ve seen bikers on Harleys, marching drummers, opera singers, anti-gravity cheerleaders, a mascot in confused attire, and the dulcet tones of Adam Freier.
Hopefully the music policy will continue to improve, and the playlist and volume reflecting the age and tastes of the audience, rather than the blaring electronica of earlier seasons.
As well as an on-point music policy, I’m hoping the Rebels match day management turns down the volume and confiscates the microphone from the ground announcer. Too often announcers try to manufacture excitement, and in doing so crush grass roots crowd involvement. The Rebels fans are knowledgeable and passionate and need no encouragement to stretch their vocal cords.
Prediction
The Rebels entered 2014 hubristically bullish after a solid preseason and ended up eating humble pie many many times. The scrum will be one of the better ones in the Australian conference; the backs, while lacking the flair and pizzazz of the northern teams, are solid and can break lines.
How McGahan and the coaching staff manage the back row balance will be crucial; with a plethora of flankers available on both sides of the scrum. A similar conundrum is in the midfield, with many players jostling for the 12 and 13 jerseys.
I think the Rebels will finish fourth in the Australian Conference and record their first wins in New Zealand and South Africa. Consistency is the key, and if they can string together some wins on the trot, my modest expectations will be met.
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