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'We deserve it, and we need it': Rebels calling for Melbourne fans to show up
Melbourne attack coach Tim Sampson is urging Victorian fans to give the Rebels the crowd “they deserve” as they open their Super Rugby Pacific season against the ACT Brumbies.
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On the back of two wins in their trial matches against NSW Waratahs and Fijian Drua, the Rebels could be building towards their first-ever finals campaign.
However it could all come too late with Rugby Australia expected to hand down its decision as soon next month on whether to shutter the financially-stricken club after this season.
Sampson hoped that fans would turn out next Friday night at AAMI Park to show there was support in Melbourne for the team.
After a rough week, with administrators laying off 10 staff including long-time chief executive Baden Stephenson, Sampson said the team couldn’t wait to get the competition started.
“We have round one here and round two, Super Round, is here as well which is going to be great for us and also great for our supporters and members,” Sampson told AAP.
“Hopefully we’ll get some really good support next week and have a large crowd here because we deserve it, and we need it.
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“Round one can’t come soon enough for us and I’m sure there’ll be a few emotions around next week, but we’ll just have to keep a lid on that.”
The Rebels have assembled an intimidating forward pack, recruiting Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou and lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, while they can also call on Test forwards Rob Leota, Pone Fa’amausili, Josh Kemeny and Jordan Uelese.
They won multiple scrum penalties against the Drua and mauled the ball for two tries en route to a 26-21 victory on Friday.
Sampson said the pack would be a weapon for the side.
“They’re a big pack and I honestly believe they’re the most skillful pack in the competition, certainly in the Australian teams, and they’re very mobile and physical,” he said.
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Playmaker Carter Gordon looked in good touch against the Drua as he orchestrated the Rebels attack.
Sampson said a “stoic” Gordon had put the Wallabies’ World Cup debacle last year behind him.
“Carts has been impressive,” Sampson said.
“He’s training really well and did from day one when he came back from the World Cup, when he first came back into our program and he’s had a had a couple of really good trial games, and we can’t wait to see what he dishes up next week.”
Tickets for their opening match next Friday night at AAMI Park are still to go on sale.
With debt of more than $20 million, including monies owed to stadium operator, the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, RA had to renegotiate a new agreement for the Rebels to use their home ground.
The club says the deal is done with ticket sales set to open over the weekend.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji 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!
5 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.
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