Rebels 2014

[en_force_er]

Good stuff Arthur. Nice to know the club are seeing things along the same lines as supporters.

You know who would have been a shit hot flyhalf with this Rebels team? Ihaia West. Actually so unhappy he decided not to come over.

I don't understand how he missed out on all 5 Kiwi squads this year, given a few have seen fit to sign 3 5/8s.

I'd say he'd be as good as any of the starting 10s at the Blues or Highlanders. Less experienced, but he wouldn't have come with a big price tag.

We all got a reminder a few weeks back when Mr Lahiff pointed out the wide readership of this page.

Did I miss something? What happened?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Is it too early to talk Rebels Wallaby bolters?

Who's a chance? I'd say Pyle (though maybe not now), Inman, English, and Smith/Lahiff are all chances (some more than others).

You'd have to say Burgess is doing enough to be the 3rd 9, with his experience, and Higgers is doing more than enough to start, as such they don't fall into the 'bolter' category.

Surely Jones would have to top the list? Too many centres in front of Inman imo, and so far English hasn't shown enough at Super level to be considered for the tests. Smith could come into calculations for the front row if we lose a couple to injury but too many questions still about Lahiff to be considered yet.

 

[oztimmay]

Is it too early to talk Rebels Wallaby bolters?

Who's a chance? I'd say Pyle (though maybe not now), Inman, English, and Smith/Lahiff are all chances (some more than others).

You'd have to say Burgess is doing enough to be the 3rd 9, with his experience, and Higgers is doing more than enough to start, as such they don't fall into the 'bolter' category.

Jones is probably doing more than Pyle at the moment. After watching a few games (replays) and closely looking at our tall timber, I've come the the conclusion that Luke is higher in the pecking order. How that sits in the Wallaby pecking order could be a great debate; some say that Skelton is above Jones and I wonder how they came to that conclusion. Sure he's a massive lump of a lad but i think he's far off Wallaby standard.

Smith, Yes. Max, needs more time on the deck and you never know.

Inman, think the discussion on here the other day nicely summaries my views

English - 50/50. lots of winger in the mix, but we seem to get a lot of winger injuries. Could pull a Bradbury here.

 

[oztimmay]

Did I miss something? What happened?

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/community/threads/rebels-2014.12462/page-113#post-582279

We were paid a very timely visit my Mr Lahiff.

 

[Braveheart81]

The order I would put Rebels players in relation to 2014 Wallaby selection would be Higginbotham (highly likely to be in matchday 23), Burgess and Jones. I think Burgess is behind White and probably Phipps as a starting halfback but he is an excellent bench option given his running and tackling. Far more of a game breaker than the other two.

Purely on form, my two Wallaby locks would be Jones and Douglas but it's hard to see them leapfrogging Simmons and Horwill at the start of the test season.

 

[en_force_er]

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/community/threads/rebels-2014.12462/page-113#post-582279

We were paid a very timely visit my Mr Lahiff.

Seems pretty moderate for Mr.Lahiff all things considered. I'd hate to think what some of the other boy's Dads would have to say seeing as Lahiff's critiques are usually of the favourable, but work-in-progress, variety.

Jones is probably doing more than Pyle at the moment. After watching a few games (replays) and closely looking at our tall timber, I've come the the conclusion that Luke is higher in the pecking order. How that sits in the Wallaby pecking order could be a great debate; some say that Skelton is above Jones and I wonder how they came to that conclusion. Sure he's a massive lump of a lad but i think he's far off Wallaby standard.

Smith, Yes. Max, needs more time on the deck and you never know.

Inman, think the discussion on here the other day nicely summaries my views

English - 50/50. lots of winger in the mix, but we seem to get a lot of winger injuries. Could pull a Bradbury here.

Inman is a big centre. The only big centre we have in the Wobs right now is Kuridrani who's not having his best season due to this-and-that, but has plenty of time to sort himself. I think he's in career best form and isn't too far off.

Jones is one of those lock/6 players that are good to have but we already have Fardy and arguably Simmons in that role. I think he's sundry to requirements. I certainly don't think the selectors would be comparing him and Skelton for a spot.

We do have a lot of wingers but English is mighty promising. He's so good at finishing, except the whole dotting the ball down part. Wouldn't count him out as we lack a walk-up gasman winger until Speight gets qualified.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Considering Lahiff was sent back to club rugby on the weekend I'd say he would probably be the biggest bolter in history if he was picked for the mid year tests.

Certainly wouldn't rule out the bloke getting there, but surely isn't worth discussing as an option right now.

 

[en_force_er]

Considering Lahiff was sent back to club rugby on the weekend I'd say he would probably be the biggest bolter in history if he was picked for the mid year tests.

Certainly wouldn't rule out the bloke getting there, but surely isn't worth discussing as an option right now.

He's started 2 games so far and benched most of them, I wouldn't call EOYT out of the question.

If is pretty strange he was sent to club rather than resting though.

 

[daz]

Guys, just putting my mod hat on for a second, I would point out that discussions we have about players fall into two categories:

1) Abusing the player because we have had a rush of blood to the head.

2) Expressing frustration, and pointing out the player's faults and what they need to do to fix them (or who should replace them).

The first point is a clear breach of the forum rules and will result in a bottom being smacked. This happens very rarely in all honesty.

The second point is entirely acceptable and is really the basis for a fan forum.

I would caution only that any private conversation should be kept private unless the other party agrees to that conversation being made public.

It is great that Mr Lahiff made the comments he did and we would certainly encourage that extra bit of insider knowledge, or clearing up a point where we may not have the full picture.

But as long as we are clean and respectful about a player, we should never be afraid to express an opinion, however distasteful that comment may be to a player or a family member.

 

[Highlander35]

Higgers is obviously right up there.

Burgess is behind the big 3 as a starting scrum half, but he's a better option than White or Phipps off the bench.

Jones is a chance, especially if Fardy is viewed as a blindside rather than a lock.

Slipper and Sio are probably ahead of Smith at blindside, but he's probably ahead of Cowan and Robbo on form. All it would take is an injury to either side (with slipper switching to TH) for an opportunity.

I don't see our backs getting a run in the short term. I think English is a good medium term option, covering Wing and OC, while Woodward (when eligible) is a fullback who can kick and play wing, something which may appeal to a back 3 that contains Speight and Folau.

McKenzie will probably stick with the twin playmakers at 10/12, ruling out Inman.

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[Dumbledore]

I don't understand how he missed out on all 5 Kiwi squads this year, given a few have seen fit to sign 3 5/8s.

I'd say he'd be as good as any of the starting 10s at the Blues or Highlanders. Less experienced, but he wouldn't have come with a big price tag.

If Arthur's mail on Woodward is correct, and the Kiwi teams didn't like the brainfarts he's prone to, I reckon it would be a similar situation with West. There aren't many under-the-pump teams who are willing to just hand over the reigns to a young gunslinger of a flyhalf, and the Blues and Highlanders were definitely under the pump coming into this season.

As for bolters, Jones is probably the only one in serious contention at the moment. I honestly don't think he's playing hugely differently than he has in the past, but everyone's noticed him now so hey. He's an athletic unit who's making tackles, carrying and hitting rucks. Good on the restart, solid set-piece work, and physical enough to go toe-to-toe with the English/Saffas etc. come the WC in England. Need to get him into the system sooner rather than later. Get him on the bench at least and he's able to cover lock, 6 and 8 at a pinch.

English could do a Bradbury, he's big and quick and nearly always beats the first man. Think he's got a few kinks he needs to work out on defence before he's ready for Tests. Probably in a fairly similar situation to Betham.

I thought Colby was in for a big year but he's been pretty disappointing so far. Smith looks good without being anything special. Lahiff is still catching up to the speed of the game down here. Pyle isn't playing nearly as well as he was last year, and Neville has regressed pretty badly.

A reallyyyy left field bolter would be McMahon. He still plays a bit like a 7s player, and I don't like how often he picks people up in the tackle, but he plays a lot bigger than his size. He's a ball-carrier with a lot of pop and that will always take you places. And let's face it, if Jake Schatz can make a Wallaby squad I reckon McMahon can too.

 

[Train Without a Station]

He's started 2 games so far and benched most of them, I wouldn't call EOYT out of the question.

If is pretty strange he was sent to club rather than resting though.

Clearly he is number 2 in the pecking order. When a max of 3 in any specialist position will be in a squad any player not separating themselves as a first choicer is going to struggle to be picked over any 3 of the 5 players that are starters getting game time at each team.

 

[elementfreak]

I thought Colby was in for a big year but he's been pretty disappointing so far. Smith looks good without being anything special. Lahiff is still catching up to the speed of the game down here. Pyle isn't playing nearly as well as he was last year, and Neville has regressed pretty badly.

A reallyyyy left field bolter would be McMahon. He still plays a bit like a 7s player, and I don't like how often he picks people up in the tackle, but he plays a lot bigger than his size. He's a ball-carrier with a lot of pop and that will always take you places. And let's face it, if Jake Schatz can make a Wallaby squad I reckon McMahon can too.

Watch the Brumbies game again, he played a very good game for his first full game. I think him at 6 and Fugi at 7 worked really well for us the other week and I would like to see the back 5 for the rest of the season as this:
4. Pyle
5. Jones
6 Colby
7 Fugi
8 Higgers

McMahon on the bench to cover if an injury happens, otherwise to come on with 20 to go to try and break the game open with his 7s style running.

 

[Dumbledore]

Sorry, should have qualified that by talking about his play at 7. I think I'm still a bit thrown by that Force game. He was very good against the Brumbies, especially in the second half. Totally agree about that back 5.

 

[Scooter]

Japan have named a 40 man squad for Asian 5 nations and both Shota and Male have been named. I suppose being named and being cleared by the Rebels are two different things.

 

[Highlander35]

From a Japanese perspective, yes they are playing minnows (as compared to the pacific cup) but this is also their WC qualification.

Its not unreasonable to at least request better players be available.

Is Tanaka named in the squad?

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[KevinO]

Japan have named a 40 man squad for Asian 5 nations and both Shota and Male have been named. I suppose being named and being cleared by the Rebels are two different things.

Would say we have no choice but to let them play for Japan, after all they are still contracted in Japan as well as with the Rebels.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Hey guys can anyone give me an update on the injury front for the rebels who is out and for how long?

 

[swingpass]

Hey guys can anyone give me an update on the injury front for the rebels who is out and for how long?

on the wbsite every monday
http://www.melbournerebels.com.au/news/article/injury-update-monday-april-7th-2014

 

[Scooter]

From a Japanese perspective, yes they are playing minnows (as compared to the pacific cup) but this is also their WC qualification.

Its not unreasonable to at least request better players be available.

Is Tanaka named in the squad?

Sent from my LG-P713 using Tapatalk

Yes, Tanaka is in the squad.