Rebels captain Leota says team has a 'greater purpose' amid turmoil
Melbourne captain Rob Leota says Rob Valetini winning the John Eales Medal is proof of the talent in Victoria, warning the loss of the Rebels would have a “massive impact” on the state’s junior pathways.
Wallabies teammates, Leota and Valetini grew up playing with and against each other in Melbourne before the latter opted to take up a Super Rugby Pacific contract with the ACT Brumbies.
While the No.8 has flourished in the move to Canberra, this week named Australian rugby’s men’s player of the year, Leota said leaving Melbourne wasn’t the route that suited everyone.
With the start of the 2024 season two weeks away, the future of the Rebels is under huge threat beyond this year, with the financially-stricken club in voluntary administration.
Speaking at their season launch Leota says the players can only control what happens on the field.
“The big message is to control what we can control, we’re here for 2024, and our focus is to bring a title home for Melbourne,” he told AAP.
“It’s given us even greater purpose to really do a job and make Melbourne proud. We want to make the finals and have a really successful year as a club.”
Leota said many Victorian youngsters looked up to the Rebels, and aspired to play for their state.
The Rebels have produced home-grown Wallabies like Leota, Jordan Uelese and Pone Fa’amausili, while Sione Tuipulotu kicked on after four seasons in Melbourne to represent Scotland.
Other Test players to come out of Victoria include Christian Lealiifano and former Wallabies coach and prop Ewen McKenzie.
“Before the Rebels, guys had to go and chase their dream elsewhere so taking away the team will have a massive impact on Victorian rugby,” the 25-year-old back-rower said.
“When kids see us in Victoria, we’re able to be those role models and when they look at us they see something to strive for.
“Robby Valetini won the John Eales Medal so the proof is in the pudding – it shows how much talent we have down here.
“Not everyone wants to move away … my family was massive for me growing up and I wanted to be around them.”
Leota sat out the entire 2023 season after rupturing his Achilles but returned to play in Australia’s disappointing World Cup campaign.
With Test players Taniela Tupou and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto bolstering their forward pack he believes Melbourne could be a genuine finals force this season.
“The forward pack is going to be a big strength of ours and that’s what we’re trying to be, a real dominant pack, and hopefully it will go a long way towards us winning,” he said.
The Rebels host Fijian Drua in their final pre-season match next Friday.
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments