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Why the Rebels could be sweet in 2020 if they can cash in on the Saracens saga
The Melbourne Rebels of 2020 are the liquorice all-sorts of Australian rugby as within their squad, one will find South Africans, New Zealanders, Australians, Fijians and even an English lineout coach for good measure.
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Among these united nations of rugby identities, this Rebels squad comprises of emerging talent, journeyman seeking fresh opportunity and proven international class that makes this side an interesting prospect for this year’s Super Rugby.
Standing at 193cm and 125kg at the tender age of just 19, South African import Cabous Eloff is chasing his professional rugby dream by taking up an opportunity offered by head coach Dave Wessels, who had identified him as a talent prior to the 2019 Currie Cup.
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Eloff, who was a member of the Blue Bulls squad as a reserve tighthead prop, has earned a reputation for being physically aggressive and for his ability to gain meters.
Although untested at Super Rugby level, he does appear to have the physical attributes and skill to obtain his dream. Under the tutoring of Rebels scrum coach, former Wallaby Nic Henderson, Eloff may yet finish the season as the starting No. 3.
Joining him at the Rebels is compatriot Gideon Koegelenberg, who at 25 could be described as somewhat of a rugby journeyman.
The 199cm, 118kg lock was a member of the 2012 South African schoolboys team and earned his first professional contract in 2015 when he moved to Italy to play for Zebre.
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After earning 39 caps with the PRO14 club, Koegelenberg showed enough potential to obtain a Super Rugby contract with the Sharks in 2017 and went on to make his debut in 2018.
Failing to become a regular starter for the Durban club, the Cape Town native found an opportunity at Melbourne for the 2020 season and no doubt will be pressing for selection in the starting side.
These two South Africans have joined a squad that has proven international class within its ranks.
Considering the squad features seasoned Wallabies such as Matt To’omua, Dane Haylett-Petty, Marike Koroibete and Reece Hodge, the Rebels are a side has the potential to win the Australian conference, but only if they can develop a playing system that all these international identities can buy into, and each individual brings their own prowess into the equation in just one season.
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That is the foremost challenge for head coach Dave Wessels.
Using the proven experience of Wallabies duo Will Genia and Quade Cooper in 2019 to play a flat attacking system, the Rebels were damaging.
However, when they lacked forward momentum and were challenged by defensive systems that possessed line speed and connectivity, the Rebels were frustrated and were found to be mentally brittle in the heat of the contest when it mattered most.
In 2019, they lacked combat flexibility to adapt and overcome obstacles in the moment and present a coherent attacking alternative, but with To’omua available to play at flyhalf, the Rebels have reason to have confidence in 2020.
As a different type of playmaker to Quade Cooper, we don’t know what the 47-test veteran’s best position is. It could be flyhalf or perhaps inside centre, but his best position for the Rebels in 2020 is in the first receiver role.
To unlock the full attacking potential of the Melbourne backline, the Rebels can ill-afford to break-in a new starting flyhalf this season.
Their forwards may not be pushovers, but if the Rebels are to be successful this season, they will need to maximise their opportunities while in possession, and To’omua affords the requisite experience and guile to do so.
The loss of Wallabies starlet Jack Maddocks to the Waratahs will not be fatal to the Rebel’s cause, although their depth may be exposed if senior players start picking up injuries – an issue every Super Rugby franchise encounters.
Wealthy European clubs can afford bolstered depth with star-studded benches, yet seldom will one find experienced test-capped players spending extended times on the bench.
Relevantly, there is perhaps an opportunity on the horizon for the Rebels to lure former Wallabies lock, Will Skelton, back to Australia.
The giant New South Welshman has played his best rugby for English powerhouse club Saracens, who managed to get the 27-year-old fit (finally!).
Skelton last year confirmed his commitment to Saracens by signing with the club until 2021, thus turning down a World Cup opportunity with Michael Cheika’s Wallabies in doing so.
Times can change quickly in professional rugby, though, and as the Saracens saga unfolds, it appears the North London club are due for relegation, leaving the exorbitant player wage bill unsustainable.
Big Will may be out of a job very soon and that is where the Melbourne Rebels and Rugby Australia could pounce.
BREAKING:
Saracens relegation has been confirmed. https://t.co/KrEkWtypv7
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 18, 2020
While it is averred that if Skelton were interested in returning to the Australian game, his choice would be to return to his former side, the Waratahs. However, their roster may be full.
Perhaps the opportunity to work with Rebels lineout coach Geoff Parling, himself a former English and British and Irish Lions international, could lure Skelton to AAMI Park.
Northern hemisphere coaches have, after all, assisted in turning Skelton from an orb capable of short-term destruction whilst searching for the next breath and void of lineout skills into a genuine, hard-working lock forward of international class.
Whatever transpires in the Saracens saga, the Rebels have a shrewd head coach in Wessels who will have an astute plan for his 2020 side, but they will need to be adaptable as the game presents.
Powerhouse forward Matt Philip will be looking to impress new Wallabies boss Dave Rennie, and I expect he and the twice capped back-rower Richard Hardwick to be the heartbeat of that Rebels pack.
But, with the Rebels lacking an internationally experienced forward with more than a handful of test caps within their ranks, their key weakness is evident.
Perhaps Will Skelton could be lured to the liquorice box if the deal is sweet enough?
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Must be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
3 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
3 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
3 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to comments