Rebels ready to produce in 2018 – Super Rugby 2018 Preview
The Rebels have something to prove in 2018 – the general consensus was that they should have been cut instead of the Force last year.
We have seen minimal improvement since the Victorian-based franchise joined Super Rugby in 2011, and last year was the worst finishing with a 1-1-13 record. In the AFL-mad state, the Rebels long-term viability doesn’t look strong. The team has received $30 million in funding and loan write-offs, double the amount given to the Force but that cost looks like a bad investment at this stage with little success to show for it.
Now more than ever the Rebels need to step up and deliver and they have never been better placed to do so. The injection of talent following the demise of the Force has changed the make-up of the team remarkably, taking in 12 ex-Force players.
Established Wallaby utility Reece Hodge recently told rugby.com.au of the team’s high ambitions.
“All we’re focused on is round one against the Reds in Melbourne and how we can build over the course of the season to hopefully win a Super Rugby title, we’re not coming into come second or third or fourth or improve on last year, we’re coming to win the thing, so that’s our focus at the moment.
The reality is this side has little in common with last year’s squad.
The four-year tenure of head coach Tony McGahan has ended. Despite some reasonable seasons in years two (7-9) and three (7-8), seeing the back of McGahan is probably best for the club who will also be without incumbent captain Nic Stirzaker who has been let go in favour of marquee signing Will Genia.
Also arriving from the Force is McGahan’s replacement – young coach Dave Wessels, who orchestrated the turnaround of the Western club in 2017 finishing with the equal best record in Australia and second place in the conference. Wessels appointment could be a winner with so many ex-Force players already familiar with his approach.
Wessels has promoted Wallaby and ex-Force lock Adam Coleman as club captain, who will lead a young second-row with school leaver Trevor Hosea one to watch if he debuts, will long time Rebel Tom English also shares leadership duties.
While Sean McMahon is the highest profile exit, the backrow stocks still look strong with Colby Fainga’a, Jordy Reid and Japanese international Amanaki Mafi. Ross Haylett-Petty and Richard Hardwick come across from the Force to bolster flanker depth.
Fullback Dane Haylett-Petty will be a big addition, forming a dangerous back three combination with Wallaby wings Sefa Naivalu and Marika Kororibete. He is just the type of fullback that could get the best out of the two speedsters. Young fullback Jack Maddocks is a highly touted prospect that will provide cover.
The Rebels midfielders look promising with a host of Australia’s best young talent on the books. Reece Hodge, Waratahs recruit David Horwitz and Force recruit Billy Meakes provide experience but youngsters Hunter Paisami, Semisi Tupou and Sione Tuipulotu can provide power running and athleticism. Australian Sevens recruit Henry Hutchinson was also a standout schoolboy centre who can cover wing
Tuipulotu in particular, is ready for a breakout year. The Rebels first ‘home-grown’ player debuted at 19-years old in 2016 and has had three years in the Australian under-20 system. He will turn 21 next week and will hopefully be one of the stars for the Rebels for years.
One of the biggest question marks for the Rebels is over who will play flyhalf. Ex-Force journeyman Jono Lance was penciled in to join the side before joining the Reds at the last minute.
Jackson Garden-Bachop and Ben Volavola have been released leaving youngsters Jack Debreczeni, Jack McGregor and NRC upstart Tayler Adams as potential starters. Debreczeni is the most established of the three, but seemed out-of-favour with former coach McGahan. He signed with Japan side Honda but has made a surprising return to the squad.
This is a stacked side ready to reward Rugby Australia’s unwavering commitment to them, albeit with the helping hand of the Force. The Rebels need to prove that the narrative around ‘four teams being stronger than five’ rings true, with Australia’s talent spread (disproportionally) across the teams.
2018 Predictions
Australian Conference Placing: 3rd
Player of the Year: Amanaki Mafi
Rookie of the Year: Jack McGregor/Tayler Adams
Breakout Player: Sione Tuipulotu
Best Signing: Adam Coleman
Franchise History
Best finish: Tenth in 2015
Worst finish: Eighteenth in 2017
Squad Movements
In: Jermaine Ainsley (Force), Tayler Adams (NSW Country Eagles), Adam Coleman (Force), Ben Daley (Force), Tetera Faulkner (Force), Will Genia (Stade Français), Richard Hardwick (Force), Dane Haylett-Petty (Force), Ross Haylett-Petty (Force), David Horowitz (Waratahs), Trevor Hosea (Melbourne Rising), Henry Hutchinson (Australia Sevens), Bill Meakes (Force), Hunter Paisami (Rebels), Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Phillip (Force), Anaru Rangi (Force), Michael Ruru (Force), Sam Talakai (Reds).
Out: Cruz Ah-Nau (Zebre), Steve Cummins (Scarlets), Dominic Day (Saracens), Jack Debreczini (Honda Heat), Murray Douglas (Hurricanes), Harley Fox (Connacht), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Hurricanes), James Hanson (Gloucester), Mitch Inman (Oyonnax), Kentaro Kodama (Wild Knights), Patrick Leafa (Vannes), Tyrel Lomax (Highlanders), Sean McMahon (Sungoliath), Ben Meehan (London Irish), Tim Metcher (Nanaimo Hornets), Will Miller (Waratahs), Dennis Pill-Gaitau (Greater Sydney Rams), Jonah Placid (Toulon), Culum Retallick (Bay of Plenty), Jake Schatz (London Irish), Siliva Siliva (Melbourne Rising), Hugh Sinclair (Sydney Rays), Toby Smith (Hurricanes), Michael Snowden (Released), Nick Stirzaker (Saracens), Ben Volavola (North Harbour).
Squad: Adam Coleman, Alex Toolis, Amanaki Mafi, Anaru Rangi, Ben Daley, Bill Meakes, Colby Fainga’a, Dane Haylett-Petty, David Horwitz, Dominic Shipperley, Esei Ha’angana, Fereti Sa’aga, Geoff Parling, Harrison Goddard, Henry Hutchison, Hunter Paisami, Jack Maddocks, Jack McGregor, Jermaine Ainsley, Jordan Uelese, Jordy Reid, Laurie Weeks, Lopeti Timani, Marika Koroibete, Matt Philip, Michael Ruru, Pama Fou, Reece Hodge, Richard Hardwick, Robert Leota, Ross Haylett-Petty, Sam Jeffries, Sam Talakai, Sefanaia Naivalu, Semisi Tupou, Sione Tuipulotu, Tayler Adams, Tetera Faulkner, Tom English, Tom Moloney, Trevor Hosea, Will Genia.
Comments on RugbyPass
Anna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
61 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
8 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
61 Go to comments