Rebels foreign player quota is a blessing

As a former Queensland resident, my biggest problem is with the name, which will be shortened to Rebs. Queenslanders will be dreadfully confused as they are not the smartest, rejecting daylight saving because it will fade the curtains, and having to spell beer XXXX.

Patience big fella, Most potentials are on contracts (ARU rules). However that is just for a season or two, if any heads pop up then they will play their way in, all in good time.

CTPE - more like 50-60% were ACT locals, already playing for the ACT who beat NSW at Concord oval the season before (1995). They already had incumbent Wallabies - The Rebels just lost their only squad member (Weeks) and the other "prospects" like Kingi have not even been mentioned

Neville the mentors in the schools and clubs will be like the pillars with the ARC team; It won't happen and yes Mcqueen was into that one too. Go the Brumbies!

The Rebels recruitment is a disgrace, what happened to the local community push that they got in on. What a load of rubbish, you've been conned. Not one Victorian raised player in there. Digby and Ben both were whipped away at the age of 15 and 14 respectively, Digby leaving because the VRU said he didn't have what it took. He initially left to play league in Queensland following that. How about Christian Leafano and John Uluga both at the brumbies? Siliva Siliva and Tala Gray both in super programs at the Force and Brumbies respectively? Tetera Faulkner at Souths in NSW, named the best Loose head in the competition and keeping a S14 ex wallaby sitting on the bench. The four schoolboys from last year? The tighthead at Easts who last year kept Dunning on the bench? Yakopo in the Australian 7's team? 13 potentials and we don't get one? How many from Sydney University? How many will not be fit for half the games next season? The main difference between the Brumbies of '96 and the Rebels of 2011 the Brumbies had a third of their initial squad were locals.

Ioane played all his Jnr rugby in Vic. We have a vibrant Jnr comp down here. Ioane's younger brother monty plays U16's in Vic now. McKenzie the Qnslnd coach also played his jnr schoolboy rugby at Scotch college in Melb too. Credit where credit is due.

More like the 'Heart of Oz' Cup, Trophy and Plate (Invitation Only). It really is a very promising development and what is most interesting is the quality of individuals and their obvious ambition to do the job in what is generally regarded as no-man's land. Can't call it enemy territory because of what we know about the Vics love of all sports.

Thanks for the kind words Pete! Looking forward to the first game, it's going to be a great one!

James D I disgree re: Western Sydney. I was born and breed in Western Sydney so I am particularly familar with the area and demographics. It's a terribly underdeveloped region and that is in Rugby terms absolutely criminal. I started playing Rugby for the Campbeltown Harlequins. The closest other club was Camden and then Wollondilly. That's three clubs in an area that currently has a population of more than 300,000 people. A population that is expected to at least double in the next 20 or so years. Rugby has neglected this region for far too long. There are some 2.25million people and its the fastest growth region in the country. It could comfortably support a Super Franchise it just needs investment. Adelaide would be the next. They have a growing club competition but its not quite ready. Again it needs an increase in investment to see the required progress to be made. If they were to enter they have Hindmarsh Stadium at least in the short term. My issue with a Japanese team in Super Rugby is simple. They just don't appear all that interested. I'm sure they 'd have the money to buy a quality team ( they have a number of foriegn national in their leagues) but they seem happy with the prestige of winning the Top League. What the JRFU needs to do is figure out how they can draw on the games popularity at the University level into crowds and exposure for its flagship competitons. They in effect need to get the companies that own the teams to begin to view the game as a product to be sold and developed. If they can do that then they wouldn't need Super Rugby. As for the Pacific Islands. Currently there are 6 teams in the Pacific Rugby Cup. As you suggested the IRB should look to include perhaps the Cook Islands and definitely a Port Moresby based team. Such a team would go a along way in developing the game in the country, could even be the Puk Puks themselves to ensure they are competitive. Another option would be a New Zealand based team. It a must in my opinion. Such a commitment would demonstrate the IRB takes the Islands seriously and are looking to develop it further. IT may not ever make money but it only fair. As for the NT. Kovana's query has already been sufficiently dealt with. But it would be nice to see them figure out a way of competing on a more regular basis perhaps in the Brisbane Comp ( Yeah, I'm dreaming I know).

Nev, I've got 7 mates (Tahs fans) ready to fly down from Sydney for the first game vs. the Tahs. Looking forward to sitting in the Stockade (AAMI park) and giving it to the Army :) By the way, love the interest and passion you, Gav and co. have generated for the Rebels. When the players run out next year and look up into a full stadium they'll have to thank you. Australian Rugby needs more blokes like you. Now enough of the man love... the Tahs are going to kick your a*rse ;)

Kovana, there are a few very loyal hard working volunteers/supporters in SA and NT, but not enough interest to support a Super Rugby side for a long time (IMO). SA and NT are AFL States, and the population of Darwin is too small and transitory to have a Super rugby team (in fact I'm not aware of any NT teams in any national comps in Darwin). The 7s series are tourism drawcards, there are plenty of locals for these one off events, but there are plenty of interstaters in attendance. They are great for building general Rugby awareness in these areas.

There is not the depth of NZ but there is more depth than say Eddie Jones is trying to convince you we have. The foreigners i think in a funny way can help with the depth. They will draw more fans (ex pats obviously - NZ'ers there to watch Somerville Welsh there to watch Delve etc) These expats will then have kids who will play and this will eventually turn that into depth. Just need to be patient.

I agree on Adelaide but not on Western Sydney - Coming from the west i know the market is just not there they need to bite the bullet as they have done and start throwing serious time and effort at the two blues (Parramatta) to ensure that Western Sydney can have a conduit of players to the NSW level. The two blues started the season with only 2 teams and now they have 3 grades and two colts teams - the administrators are starting to get their heads right. The certain thing about western sydney is that it will not (can not) support its own super rugby team. Adelaide however should def be looked at for another Super franchise - the 7's is well supported and there are rugby people there. I know they struggle without a ground but in 5 - 6 years this may not be the case. I hear what your saying regarding Japan but for those guys it is a massive honour thing - so if we offer the invitiation for the best team in their Top League to join the super rugby tournament each year i am fairly sure it would not be the worst thing to happen to super rugby. Or Japanese rugby for that matter who can use it as a springboard for growth and show the game is not isolated. As for the pacific islanders someone (the IRB) needs to bite the bullet and throw a bunch of cash at the islands for development so that thier players stay around and they also need to expand the Pacific Nations Cup. Throw in PNG or the Cook islands or a few other Asian Nations near by and increase its length.

Yep both of them - now in the Force squad. Just be patient mate Rome was not built in a day.

Sixo, the three of them could play and challenge for the Johnny-Come-Latelies Cup!!

have they officially finished their recruitment?

Neville, I hope that the schools that they are dedicated mentors to are not just private schools - they have a golden opportunity to develop the game in the state schools as well - the greater awareness of the game is important not just their traditional base.