Former Wallabies hooker Brendan Cannon isn’t backing away from his pre-season prediction that the Rebels will finish bottom of the Super Rugby competition.
On Saturday night the Rebels face the Western Force, where Cannon was a foundation player.
Picking the Force to bounce back from their 51-16 loss to South African front-runners, the Stormers, Cannon said the wild inconsistency of the Rebels was their downfall.
Of the six rounds of competition they have won two matches – the last a rousing 42-25 win over the Hurricanes – and were unlucky in a third, while they have also delivered three shockers.
“I think the biggest challenge they’ve got is that the variance between a good and a bad performance has just been so extreme,” said Cannon, now a television commentator.
“I’m sure even the coaching staff wouldn’t know what side’s going to turn up on a game day basis.
“Their performance week to week has just been so erratic.”
He put the inconsistency down to the mixing pot of internationals in the line-up, injuries to key players, and just being a new side in general.
Before Melbourne’s debut match earlier this year the 42-Test veteran said the side would be unlikely to top the Force’s inaugural season performance of just one win.
While the record books show they have already done that, Cannon still believes the early Force was a better side.
“They have won more but the Force never really suffered the blow-outs that the Rebels have.
“The losing margins were far less so you could say the Force were more competitive, albeit only winning one game.”
Cannon, who also played for Queensland and NSW, said a positive to come from the Rebels was the opportunities afforded to players such as exciting young halfback Nick Phipps.
“He was really impressive against the Hurricanes and he’s certainly a player of the future,” he said.
Mark
Guest
Give them a break, the Rebels have played way above themselves. They have a very average side playing a game plan from 10 years ago and are still winning at home. Next year they won't match this year and teams like the Brumbies and the canes will take them seriously. Good on them.
ToddH
Roar Rookie
The Waratahs, Reds, and Force are consistent? Could have fooled me.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
It will take all this season for the Rebels to settle down and play consistent rugby. Next year will see the Rebels play as they should. And even then I don't think they will figure in any finals. Perhaps in 3 - 5 years we will see the true potential of the Rebels after they have nurtured some home grown talent and settled into the scheme of things. Rome wasn't built in a day and a new franchise is the same. A lot of things have to fall into place for a new franchise to take on a winning consistent culture and the Rebels are no exception. (A classic example is the Force, Brendan Cannon's old club) I do not think that the powers to be that instigated the commencement of the Rebels had any allusions that they would be winning finals in the first 2 - 3 years, a long term vision is what these people had in mind and I'm sure this philosophy will pay dividends in the long term. With mad sport watching Melbourne fans supporting them (and they will no matter what, it's the us against them mentality that Melbourneans love to embrace) the Rebels will go from strength to strength but it will take time.
Wingersliketowatch
Guest
I am not sure if mr cannon noticed the score that was posted against the force last weekend. Consistency? I really wonder if the word serves the game. We need players to be 'dependably good' not 'consistent' especially if they are consistently 'inconsistent'