Possible skipper: Gareth Delve
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With the new Super Rugby season looming large on the horizon we take a look at each of the 15 competitors. Next up, the Rebels!
Last Year: 2012 was an improvement for the Rebels. They rose off the foot of their conference table to finish fourth. They climbed over the Lions and the Force to finish 13th overall but they still struggled for consistency. When they hit their stride, combinations, confidence and cohesion shone through, which was demonstrated through their watershed win against the Crusaders. They also beat the Blues and the Western Force (twice). A combination of errors and nerves cost them dearly against the Reds, the Bulls and the Cheetahs. Then there were scoreboard blowouts like the 66-24 walloping against the Hurricanes and 37-6 against the Brumbies.
This year: Head coach Damien Hill oversees a solid coaching line-up with John Muggleton as senior assistant and defensive coach. Former Wallabies Matt Cockbain and Nathan Grey remain as assistant coaches. They've been aided by management who have recruited astutely; with youth policy that lowered the average age to 25. Their forwards should have plenty of endurance and energy, but a worrying lack of experience and leadership could find them wanting - particularly against the more scrum-savvy packs from New Zealand and South Africa. The draw hasn't been overly favourable for the Rebels. A challenging five day turn around between the New Zealand power houses; the Crusaders and the Chiefs. On their side is a home game against the debutant Kings, in the most "like-for-like" encounter to date.
Players to watch: Cadeyrn Neville had a break-out season in 2012. The lock-forward has a massive aerobic capacity, and a big turn of pace that sliced through the Force defence for his maiden try last season. Kurtley Beale should be primed for a season that many expected of him last year but saw him struggle with recurring hamstring niggle. The Rebels have yet to name their captain, but Gareth Delve is likely to succeed Stirling Mortlock. He's reliable, consistent and deputised for Mortlock when the latter was sidelined through injury.
Noteworthy signings: Scott Higginbotham (Reds), Shota Horie (Panasonic Wild), Jason Woodward (Wellington)
Noteworthy losses: Stirling Mortlock (retired), Danny Cipriani (Sale), Julian Huxley (Narbonne)
Prospects: On paper they are stronger and should easily cope with the challenges of the fixture. Their set piece has improved. As a result, the scoreboard blowouts should lessen, and a few near misses converted into wins. They've ambitiously been talking up their play-off chances but a 10th-placed finish will be a successful season for the Melbourne Rebels.
Fixtures:
15 February: v Force - Away
22 February: Brumbies - Home
1 March: v Waratahs - Away
8 March: v Reds - Home
24 March: v Sharks - Away
31 March: v Cheetahs - Away
6 April: v Force - Away
13 April: v Kings - Home
28 April: v Crusaders - Away
3 May: v Chiefs - Home
11 May: v Blues - Away
17 May: v Stormers - Home
24 May: v Waratahs - Home
1 June: v Reds - Away
7 June: v Brumbies - Away
12 July: v Highlanders - Home
By Paul Roberton
Comments
georgesmith says...
It seems like to many under-rated Kiwis in the Rebels team this year. Anyways... J. O' Connor should be the captain of the Rebels for as long as he plays for the franchise.
Posted 10:24 10th February 2013
ferdie says...
Jason Woodward is out for next six weeks, surgery on torn tendons in hand/finger. Cooper Vuna injured also. Gareth Delve names as captain.
Another noteworthy is Scott Fuglistaller, joining Wooward and Ged Robinson also ex Wellington players, SF a Taranaki man but played 54 for Wellington in NPC/ITM, NZ U-19s and two at Super level for Highlanders last year, was in Hurricanes squad but never got on the field for them. At 25 still a lot of good rugby in him.
Posted 01:18 08th February 2013
Startledwombat says...
Talking up their chances? That's unusual for an australian side.
Posted 20:39 07th February 2013
heathy says...
I agree with Trinats2, Danny Cipriani? Jeeps, we thought we'd got rid of the guy and now he's come skulking back. He can't even get a regular slot in the side he came back to (Sale Sharks) and they are rock bottom of the league!! A pom definitely must have written this (and I'm a pom!!). For the record, we haven't got much time for the prissy primadonna either. It's the press that always were the problem here as is always the case. The press in most countries don't help the propper educated fans.
Posted 15:34 07th February 2013
passtheball says...
Rebels - top six - yeah right, even with easy sides like Crusaders. Jason Woodward will be interesting to watch especially by the Aus selectors on a possible poaching mission.
Posted 13:24 07th February 2013
hybrid187 says...
I think youve mixed up your 'easy' sides with the entire Aussie conference !
Posted 13:10 07th February 2013
Trinats2 says...
No mention how they struggled with injuries and were down to their 4th choice No.10 last year. I reckon if they keep fit they could be a dark horse and make the top six (if they played the Crusaders, Blues, Cheetahs and Kings twice (easy sides). But if they play (twice) the Tahs and Brumbies, at full strength, they could struggle let alone the Reds !.
Noteworthy losses, Cipriani - really ??? a pom wrote this ?
A blessing for the rebels as far as I'm concerned.
Posted 11:54 07th February 2013