Rebelsfan
Billy Sheehan (19)
Does he play second div now then (what they call Premiership)? Because I don't think Southern have a team in the Dewer Shield comp this year
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GoMelbRebels
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Must do, you are correct, the Pirates are not in the Dewar Shield any more.
elementfreak
Trevor Allan (34)
It's not, but it's better than nothing.
199madmave
Ward Prentice (10)
So where is Nick Stirzaker? Still contracted? I would have him in the squad going to SA
He's gone to Saracens.
Pone's Mullet
Alex Ross (28)
He's signed for Bristol Rugby who've just been promoted, should get a good run as their squad doesn't have too many half backs
swingpass
Peter Sullivan (51)
a few observations from the last four games.
the Rebels continue to push passes when not necessary
the skill execution remains substandard, two forward passes (under no pressure) last night killed momentum
the defensive pattern virtually conceding the outer 1/3 of the pitch causes massive problems, gives the opposition 20 - 30 m or more every time and makes the ensuing tackle much harder, which is why the missed tackle stat is so high, especillay for the poor bunny (Koroibete, Maddocks, English, Naivalu) who has to rush up.
Just a thought - Rebels 2017 were really as bad as the results, and Western Force 2017 played way above themselves for the season, the amalgamation hasnt produced a super side at all, just one with some potential and perhaps better than the other Oz teams.
edit: still not as bad as the Reds eh !
the Rebels continue to push passes when not necessary
the skill execution remains substandard, two forward passes (under no pressure) last night killed momentum
the defensive pattern virtually conceding the outer 1/3 of the pitch causes massive problems, gives the opposition 20 - 30 m or more every time and makes the ensuing tackle much harder, which is why the missed tackle stat is so high, especillay for the poor bunny (Koroibete, Maddocks, English, Naivalu) who has to rush up.
Just a thought - Rebels 2017 were really as bad as the results, and Western Force 2017 played way above themselves for the season, the amalgamation hasnt produced a super side at all, just one with some potential and perhaps better than the other Oz teams.
edit: still not as bad as the Reds eh !
KevinO
John Hipwell (52)
Killer
Cyril Towers (30)
you only got the Force forwards, the Captain and most of the backline went elsewhere.
The problem seems to be the backs.
swingpass
Peter Sullivan (51)
Killer - DHP, Ruru and Meakes and the coaching/tactical staff and the conditioning staff. this is a whole of club problem. i wasn't blaming the Force, just commenting that the expectations of this combined group may have been unrealistic.
Killer
Cyril Towers (30)
No I wasn't taking exception to what you said.
2017 Force had 3 very good complimentary 10's and all very accurate goal kickers, in Lance, Grant and Prior.
3 very good young energetic wingers in Penni, Newsome and Verity Amm
Aust OC in Rona
On field leadership in Hodgo, Taf, Tessmann and Prior.
Rebels backline does not gel it seems, maybe the 10's, and you seem to be missing on field leadership at this point. Maybe someone will rise up? but they don't seem obvious.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
The current form of the Rebels has to be the most disappointing part of the 2018 Super Rugby season. Not only because the reduction to four sides was the supposed panacea to all of Aus rugby's problems, but because with the talent available to them, they really were the best hope of one of the Aus sides having a somewhat successful season. There seems to be little hope of that happening now.
I would also argue that had the amalgamation occurred in Perth, then the side would have been somewhat stronger than the one based in Melbourne. The 2018 Rebels are a combination of perhaps the best of the 2017 Rebels complemented by around half of the 2017 Force. The alternative would have been more like the best of the 2017 Force complemented by say half of the 2017 Rebels. In that case, the likes of Rona, Peni, Verity-Am, Newsome, Ruru, Vui, Erasmus and maybe TPN would have stayed while Coleman, Philip, RHP, Cottrell, and DHP would presumably still be there as well. I assume also that Genia would still have moved to the new side as he was otherwise without a contract. That looks to be a stronger team list than the one currently with the Rebels.
Nevertheless, I have to say that our hopes for a strong Rebels showing this year are starting to fade.
GoMelbRebels
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Our loss was at least not as bad as the Reds’ or Waratahs’ (hey, I’m grasping here!).
OneOrThree
Herbert Moran (7)
MLR kicked off this weekend in the States. I wonder if Tim Metcher will get a run for the Seattle SeaWolves. You can watch it stream on the MLR FB page 10am tomorrow.
ForceFan
Chilla Wilson (44)
I disagree. The Western Force 2017 finally started to play to potential and show how they could play when united behind an inspirational skipper - Matt Hodgson. There was a growing sense of belief which culminated in the thrashing of the Wallabies-studded Waratahs in Round 17. Young players such as Verity-Amm and Newsome rose to the occasion. Peni & Rona were starting to settle into Union. For these 4 it's been trying to re-establish themselves in new player groups.
Therein lies the travesty of axing the Force.
Totally agree. Tragically no-one has stepped up during the fade-outs, even when Coleman, Genia and English were all on the field.
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