Melbourne Rising 2018

[Scooter]

So there isn't a lot of Melbourne in the Rising this season or should that be Rising in Melbourne?

Round 1 Sat 1 Sept v Fiji Drua Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori 3pm
Round 2 Sun 9 Sept v Qld Country at Mike Carney Park, Townsville 3pm
Round 3 Sat 15 Sept v NSW Country at Glen Willow Sports Stadium, Mudgee 1pm
Round 4 Sat 22 Sept v Brisbane City at Bailey Reserve, Adelaide 12:30pm
Round 5 Sat 29 Sept v Canberra Vikings at Viking Park, Canberra 7pm
Round 6 Sun 7 Oct v Western Force GMHBA Stadium, Geelong at 3pm
Round 7 Sun 14 Oct v Sydney at St Patrick's College, Ballarat 1pm

So home games in Adelaide, Geelong and Ballarat. So looks like a road trip or two coming up. St Patrick's is my old school so hopefully I can make that one.

Good to see the competition taking matches to new locations.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

I'll try and get to the Ballarat game. A bit disappointed and somewhat bewildered that there won't be any games in Melbourne.

 

[RugbyReg]

that's a fair bit of bloody travel!

 

[Scooter]

It is a truckload of travel Reg. 2 countries, 4 states and 1 territory.

 

[Rebel man]

Any idea what our squad will look like?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Like the Rebels minus a few Wallabies I'd think.

 

[Rebels3]

Unlike the past 2 seasons I want to see teams put out every week that are a little bit more towards getting results than developmental, a strong balance between the two. The past few have swung too far towards development than results, our players junior or senior need more matches in their seasons (minus the wallabies players) to gain a better feel for the game.

Wouldn’t mind seeing the following, a combo of youngsters, players that need to develop parts of their game and some senior players for experience to the youngsters.

Sa’aga
Rangi
Ainsley
Phillip
Jeffries
RHP
Hardwick
Cottrell/Leota
Goddard
Debreczini
Tupou
Meakes/Tuipulotu
Tuipulotu/English
Naivalu
Maddocks/English

Or something fairly similar

 

[Rebel man]

Unlike the past 2 seasons I want to see teams put out every week that are a little bit more towards getting results than developmental, a strong balance between the two. The past few have swung too far towards development than results, our players junior or senior need more matches in their seasons (minus the wallabies players) to gain a better feel for the game.

Wouldn’t mind seeing the following, a combo of youngsters, players that need to develop parts of their game and some senior players for experience to the youngsters.

Sa’aga
Rangi
Ainsley
Phillip
Jeffries
RHP
Hardwick
Cottrell/Leota
Goddard
Debreczini
Tupou
Meakes/Tuipulotu
Tuipulotu/English
Naivalu
Maddocks/English

Or something fairly similar

Seeings that Aus rugby and the Rebels see Maddocks as a fly half wouldn’t it make sense for him to play 10 for the Rising?

 

[Rebels3]

Seeings that Aus rugby and the Rebels see Maddocks as a fly half wouldn’t it make sense for him to play 10 for the Rising?

I don't believe Maddocks will end up as a 10, the Rebels most likely signing To'omua and Hodge playing the season out as 10 i think indicate this. He might get a run this campaign at 10, just to expose him to something else or necessity but don't think it long term it's what will happen.

But you never know

 

[Rebel man]

I don't believe Maddocks will end up as a 10, the Rebels most likely signing To'omua and Hodge playing the season out as 10 i think indicate this. He might get a run this campaign at 10, just to expose him to something else or necessity but don't think it long term it's what will happen.

But you never know

What makes you think they have had a change of heart? And both he and Hodge have been shuffled around a lot, where would you say their best positions are?

 

[Rebels3]

Maddocks natural position in my eyes is full back, Hodge deployed as a defensive wing or 12/13 (depending on the centre partners attributes).

Too late to move him now but the best make shift 10 we could have would be DHP. He's got a passing game, kicking game but most importantly time on the ball.

 

[Getwithme]

Yeah I'm a fan of Maddocks in fullback and I think he would've learnt a great deal this year from DHP. I don't see the transition to 10 but I see a really top class fullback developing

 

[Getwithme]

Also on the developmental v results line, IMO results help development. I.E. pick strong NRC sides, see who is up to the challenge and if they are that bodes well for combinations and their development, as well as prepping the side for Super Rugby. Players who are not up to that level have the opportunity to continue to get better, through the other pathways (URC, Club Rugby, 7's tournaments) and when they are maybe a year or two older, will be better for the experience and ready for the opportunity.

Could be wrong but I don't think many teams in the ITM cup pick development sides. They usually pick the best they have available.

 

[Rebels3]

Agreed, it's something the NRC could improve on. Last couple of years its annoyed me that players like Fainga'a, English, etc. have been deliberately left out of NRC sides the Rising have picked for younger players. I get that you need a good combo of experienced players and youth but the aspect of learning how to play with each other/combos is very underrated by Aus teams. Each team at least loses 5-6-7 players to Wallaby camp, these spots should be taken by youngsters the rest should be the best available in their spots.

 

[Jerry West]

1. Faulkner
2. Rangi
3. Talakai
4. Phillips
5. Jeffries
6. RHP
7. Hardwick
8. Cottrell
9. Ruru
10.
11. Naivalu
12. Meakes
13. English
14. Tupou
15. Maddocks

16. Charles
17. Sa’aga
18. Ainsley
19. Haangana
20. Leota
21. Goddard
22. Tuipolotu
23.

It will be a quality outfit if they put this team together

 

[swingpass]

the 10 question is intriguing, No McGregor (Force) no Debra (Northland) no Adams (Southland) so leaves Maddocks (who isnt a 10) and who else / some one from Sydney Shute Shield, is there anyone playing Dewar who might be reasonable. Not Llyod J agai
again !

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

the 10 question is intriguing, No McGregor (Force) no Debra (Northland) no Adams (Southland) so leaves Maddocks (who isnt a 10) and who else / some one from Sydney Shute Shield, is there anyone playing Dewar who might be reasonable. Not Llyod J agai
again !

Rohan Saifaloi from Southern Districts would be worth a look. I've always wondered why he's never had an opportunity at a higher level.

 

[Getwithme]

I can confirm Jake Stratchan from Sunnybank in Brisbane is playing for the Rising this year. Stratchan plays 10 and has featured in the NRC sporadically for the last couple of seasons for Brisbane City. He's about 21 and his strengths would lie in his passing, support play and he doesn't mind taking the ball to the line. Here's a highlight video I found.

 

[amirite]

Apart from that Quins #10 (Peter Breen) has played plenty of Mitre 10 cup and I'm sure Melbourne's #10 will be an ample back up.

 

[swingpass]

^^^^^^^ thanks.