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Super Rugby Official Melbourne Rebels thread

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kronic said:
Some have heard rumblings that the ARU might be looking to push name changes (as well separate entities) for the other franchises. I know the Waratahs are 50/50 on this, but are setup and ready to go.

I've emailed Harold regarding the name, but seems they've stuck with the 'Melbourne Rebels' name: http://www.melbournerebels.com.au
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So going to more city based names? Perhaps the rebels have some inside knowledge. It wouldn't bother me as it would, in one fell swoop, create something more akin to the NRL with the international flavour of (say) the NHL.

As long as there is consistancy. Perhaps the ARU are looking forward to the day when provinces have more than one team?
 
The super rugby model is franchises but set around the provinces, (QLD, NSW, ACT, WA) so I'm disapointed they have gone with Melbourne and not Victoria. I suppose Melbourne slips off the tongue better.
 
Brian Waldron was just interviewed on SEN. Had I heard it earlier, I would give you advance notice, but in lieu of that, here is a summary of what was discussed:

- It’s a slow process to start the franchise, but it’s a process we need to get right. Having plenty of meetings and discussions with various parties at the moment to get groundwork in place.
- He was very happy at the Storm but from a career point of view, it was an opportunity to become part of something he’d never done before. Feels he left the Storm in a great position.
- Rugby Union is a bigger sport that what he originally appreciated having done plenty of research in the past few weeks.
- A rough timeline for developing the brand is about 12 months. It takes longer to establish brand without players to sell it.
- He noted how hungry for sport the city of Melbourne is. Mentioned the success tasted in other codes such as League, AFL, A-League as well as the baseball team that just won the national championship. Melbourne is am amazing city for success and sporting expectation.
- Securing Rod Macqueen as coach was a huge boost. Rod has done a lot of things in his career (particularly in business) and knows how he wants to run his football department. He was undertaking a consultancy role in founding the new team and is excited to be moving to Melbourne and getting to know the culture down here.
- There’s only been one Australian team to win the Super 14, so it’s a great attraction/challenge.
- He thinks we can put together a fantastic off field team. The off field culture is vitally important. He made specific mention of the Geelong Football Club and the culture/expectations upheld over the past few years (not counting the past week). Said that if the Rebels can be half as good as the Cats or the Storm are in all aspects, they will be successful long term.
- This is a fantastic opportunity in the sporting capital of Australia and the world.
- Melbourne people will love it and thrive on another code with iconic players. We are in a great position to attract some fantastic players.
- In the process of creating a business plan to get the brand right. When he knows what the franchise has to sell, they will start selling and getting commercial partners on board.
- Greg Harris (former Western Force CEO) is consulting and they are aware of timelines that exist to sign players.
- Also ware that unlike League, when you sign a kid to a contract, he can walk to a better offer, so they need to be diligent in list management.
- The club needs to sign 30 players. There is a limited market in Victoria and they have opportunities to look overseas as there are a number of people with genuine interest.
- South Africa has a quota system in place and there are fantastic academies there that we will search.
- The end goal is to secure 4-5 iconic players (either current Wallabies or future Wallabies)
- We will get there, but it will take time for the franchise to evolve.
- We need to earn our stripes and show players that we are the right place for them to play rugby.
 

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kronic said:
Some have heard rumblings that the ARU might be looking to push name changes (as well separate entities) for the other franchises. I know the Waratahs are 50/50 on this, but are setup and ready to go.
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What is O'Neill thinking? Surely the NSWRU will tell him (rightly) to **** off and stop meddling in the state unions affairs?
 
ERead said:
Of the Melbourne Rebel's first year supporters, I wonder what percentage will be brand new, and what percentage will be switchers from other teams?

I wonder how many switchers will be people that live in the other states?

I think it should be the Victorian Rebels too. I understand that Victoria is the most urbanised, centralised state in the country (true?) so calling them Melbourne covers more people than (say) calling the QLD Reds the Brisbane Reds. Up to 40% of the state lives outside of Brisbane in QLD.

Still, it is a bit inelegant. Like having QLD Roar in a competition of city-based teams (notwithstanding they have now changed to Brisbane Roar).
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The Southern states are all pretty centralised arent they? I'd imagine Adelaide and Perth hold a fair portion of their respective states populations, compared with NSW and Qld which have a lareger amount of regional centres and higher populated regional centres.
 
Our group (Rebel Army) has mostly Victorians. We have a few from interstate and ex-pats (NZ, Sth Africa) but mostly locals.

Don't worry to much about the name and logo. From what I've been told, it's subject to change.
 
Sponsor hunt:
Anyone heard Tom Walkinshaw has signed Holden Special Vehicles up courtesy of Chairman Mitch?

Given Walkinshaws involvement at Gloucester:
LIONS legend Sir Ian McGeechan was yesterday described as 'the best rugby coach in the world' by Gloucester chairman Tom Walkinshaw after it was announced he would be joining the club.
more@
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co...pointment/article-1825111-detail/article.html

Good get Mitch, if true???
 
_shifty_ said:
I wanted him until yeserday.
sure, we could play him at 12, but it's to much money when we already have Cipriani
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The word is that McQueen wants to play Cipriani at fullback which I think is an enlightened move on his part.

My preference would be to recruit Toomua from the Brumbies where he's probably getting a little dissatisfied being behind Giteau and support that with an older, wiser head to help guide Toomua's precocious talent and provide a solid if not fantastic backup to him.
 

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Says Richard Kingi might be signing for you guys as well. That would be a great signing for you lot. He is gonna be a very good player. Reminds me a lot of Genia.
 
kronic said:
Gareth Delve is signed (awaiting ARU clearance), Julian Salvi not far off either.

http://www.rebel-army.com
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Salvi is solid, but who is Delve?

Swans120 said:
Says Richard Kingi might be signing for you guys as well. That would be a great signing for you lot. He is gonna be a very good player. Reminds me a lot of Genia.
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Impressive in the 7s, but not sure how he goes in the 15 man game. Also, Genia is God. :D
 
Delve is this Welsh no.8 who has played a few tests. I think he is about 27. Havent seen much of him.

Kingi is gonna be really good. Not comparing him to Genia but as a running halfback he will be really good. Though he is very small he is surprisingly strong. Ive seen him play 7's a bit but also play club footy very well. If he gets a shot with the Rebels he will go well.
 
Swans120 said:
Delve is this Welsh no.8 who has played a few tests. I think he is about 27. Havent seen much of him.

Kingi is gonna be really good. Not comparing him to Genia but as a running halfback he will be really good. Though he is very small he is surprisingly strong. Ive seen him play 7's a bit but also play club footy very well. If he gets a shot with the Rebels he will go well.
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Great to hear. :thumbsu:
 

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http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26867251-5002381,00.html

Laurie Weeks signs with the Rebels. Good signing for Melbourne, this guy is a good player. Rookie of the year last year and improving every week this year. Must have got a great offer, cause he was building an awesome young front row with Faingaa and Daley that could have become one of the best in the Super 14 over the next few seasons. Bolter for Wallabies squad this year and for the RWC.

Great guy too, came to the 1st and 2nds trainings in my last year at school for a few weeks of "scrum school" with Jeremy Tilse and not only helped our scrum heaps but was a really nice guy. I was playing TH at the time too and he really helped me change my body shape in engagement.
 
Swans120 said:
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26867251-5002381,00.html

Laurie Weeks signs with the Rebels. Good signing for Melbourne, this guy is a good player. Rookie of the year last year and improving every week this year. Must have got a great offer, cause he was building an awesome young front row with Faingaa and Daley that could have become one of the best in the Super 14 over the next few seasons. Bolter for Wallabies squad this year and for the RWC.

Great guy too, came to the 1st and 2nds trainings for a few weeks of "scrum school" with Jeremy Tilse and not only helped our scrum heaps but was a really nice guy. I was playing TH at the time too and he really helped me change my body shape in engagement.
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Great signing, but I hate to see the Reds yet again depleted of players upon the arrival of a new team. I wish the Rebels would take players from the other super teams. :D
 
Pawtucket Patriot said:
Great signing, but I hate to see the Reds yet again depleted of players upon the arrival of a new team. I wish the Rebels would take players from the other super teams. :D
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A took Lloyd Johansson and Digby Ioane, so we have a valid reason to take 2 players back, unlike the Force.

Let's not forget the franchises have been taking our players for a few years now, especially the Brumbies.
 

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