Picking a starting Rebels team for round one of Super Rugby Pacific
The Rebels will enter their 12th year with a new coach and determination to exceed expectations in Super Rugby Pacific. Most pundits aren’t giving them much of a chance after losing some high profile players, including Markia Koroibete and Isi Naisarani.
They have managed to retain 26 players retained from last year’s campaigns, and the players seem to be buying into coach Kevin Foote’s vision. If they get things to click they could upset a few teams.
Before the season kicks off, we have selected what we believe will be the starting lineup for the Rebels come round one of Super Rugby Pacific.
While pre-season form and fitness may still yet play a part in who is picked come the beginning of the campaign, these selections are largely based on the availability and squad status of players at the time of writing.
1. Cameron Orr
Cameron Orr has seized all his opportunities since joining the Rebels and this year is firmly in the frame to nab a starting spot at loosehead prop. With injuries plaguing hulking Wallaby squad member Pone Fa’amausili towards the back end of Super Rugby, an uninterrupted season from Orr will give him the opportunity to prove that he can mix it with the best.
2. Jordan Uelese
Finally fit and raring to go heading into a season opener, Uelese should have a lock on the starting hooker spot. Making it through a Wallabies campaign unscathed and being able to enjoy some downtime in Melbourne, it’s time for the 25-year old to make a mark on the competition.
3. Cabous Eloff
The Big Caboose has earned a cult following down in Melbourne due to his big frame and his choice of match-day attire (hint: pink Budgy Smugglers.) The South African-born tighthead prop doesn’t make the most glamorous plays but makes up for it in work rate and scrum nous.
4. Matt Philip
Back from his French sojourn with Pau, Philip fills a gap much needed by the Rebels and is expected to slot straight back into the starting side. His leadership and line-out expertise were sorely missed last year. Since regaining the Wallabies, he is now considered one of the best locks in Australia. His involvement will be pivotal for the Melbourne Rebels if they are to mount a challenge.
5. Trevor Hosea
A credit to the emerging rugby pathways in Victoria, 22-year old Trevor Hosea is among a number of ‘Burn Boys’ making a name for themselves in Super Rugby. Hosea has plenty of potential but needs to step up his physical presence in contact. The rangy lock toured with the Wallabies and has been focusing on putting on some size for the Rebel’s 2022 season in an effort to lock up the second spot in the second row.
6. Rob Leota
Another ‘Burn Boy’, Leota had a breakout season last year, getting a call up for national honours in the gold jersey. His aggressive play and hard carrying has earned him the reputation of an enforcer, but he also has silky hands and an ability to offload. Look out for his distinctive mullet.
7. Richard Hardwick
Namibian-born flanker Richard Hardwick was on the radar for the Wallabies after a massive season with the Rebels in 2019, but since then has fallen back in the pecking order. At his best, Hardwick is a damaging ball-carrier and is Pocock-esque over the ball. The Rebels have a number of players who can play in the back row, for the best balance Hardwick is poised to get the first crack at the coveted number seven jersey.
8. Michael Wells
Since joining the Rebels from the Waratahs in 2020, Wells has embodied the team’s values of hard work, determination and grit. By no means the flashiest player, Wells is built tough and gets through a ton of work that most backrowers shy away from.
Wells was recently named as captain for the 2022 season amongst a leadership group that includes Matt Philip and Reece Hodge, a just reward for a player that has embraced the Melbourne lifestyle. He can play throughout the back row but expect him to pack down at the back of the scrum to open the season.
9. Joe Powell
The move to Melbourne has re-invigorated Joe Powell’s career. Smokin’ Joe’s ball service and darting runs from the base of the ruck got the Rebels rolling when they needed it most last year. With the departure of Fiji international Frank Lomani, he will now be battling it out with recent Fiji debutant Moses Sorovi for the starting nine jersey.
10. Carter Gordon
Listed as the lone flyhalf in the Rebel’s squad, there are great expectations on young gun Carter Gordon. It has all but been confirmed by Rebels coach Kevin Foote that the blonde-haired, blue-eyed playmaker from Queensland will get first crack after impressing during Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. Gordon has packed on the muscle to prepare himself for the upcoming season, but by all reports hasn’t lost the ball-playing wizardry that caught the eye of rugby fans last year.
11. Lachie Anderson
There is no doubt that the biggest loss for the Rebels this year is Wallaby winger Marika Koroibete, and there are plenty of outside backs vying to take his place. Perhaps best positioned to get first shot is Lachie Anderson.
A sevens player by trade, he signed with the Rebels last year and has switched his focus to the fifteens game, where he can use his pace out wide and his brilliant tackling technique.
Look out for Ilikena Vudogo to get a chance too.
12. Matt To’omua
Veteran playmaker Matt To’omua is set to slot into inside centre after overcoming lingering concussion symptoms that plagued him most of last season.
To’omua’s role will be crucial in easing the burden off Gordon in his first full season in Super Rugby. He still has plenty to offer the Rebels with his ball-playing and kicking skills, and the side needs a big season from him.
13. Stacey Ili
Outside centre is an interesting one, following the departure of Campbell Magnay and the news that Jeral Skelton has been converted to a back. Stacey Ili was the incumbent last year, and has done nothing to suggest he should be dropped from the side. He had a strong campaign for Hawkes Bay in the Bunnings NPC and played for Samoa.
Rebels desperately need some punch at outside centre, and new recruit Ray Nu’u from Otago may be in with a chance.
14. Andrew Kellaway
The 2021 Rugby Australia Rookie of the Year will take his place on the right wing after a stellar debut season in gold. The Decision to return home and sign with the Rebels has paid off in spades. He was one of the best backs last year in Super Rugby and his efforts earned him a call up for national duties. Kellaway scored nine tries in 13 matches in 2021 for the Wallabies, and it is hoped that his try-scoring ability will translate to wins for the Rebels this year.
15. Reece Hodge
Reece Hodge is expected to play fullback for the Rebels this season but is considered a swiss-army knife in the backline, having the ability to fill in pretty much anywhere. He has previously expressed a desire to play flyhalf in the past, but fullback may be the position where is most valuable to Rebels, and he may look to make the position permanent with the race for the Wallaby fifteen jersey wide open. His booming boot will help the Rebels.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
17 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
17 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
7 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
7 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
17 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
17 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
7 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
17 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
14 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
17 Go to comments