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It was finally announced on Saturday that James O’Connor will join close friend Kurtley Beale at the Rebels in Super Rugby season 2012. O’Connor and Beale are seen as the bright future of Australian Rugby, both in anyone’s starting XV for the Wallabies.
They join a backline full of other big names – Phipps, Cipriani, Mortlock, Gerrard.
So will the Rebels ‘suffer’ the tag of being the Real Madrid of Super Rugby?
It’s something the Brumbies know all too much about.
In 2010 the Brumbies successfully lured Matt Giteau and Rocky Elsom back to Canberra (from Perth and Europe respectively).
They combined to form a roster with 13 players on ARU contracts, the most of any province at the time.
Fittingly, they were dubbed the Real Madrid of Australian Rugby at the time.
When the dust settled on the 2010 Super 14 season, the Real Madrid of Super Rugby had finished 6th on the table, missing out on the finals. We all know about the subsequent events in season 2011.
For the Rebels in 2012, the yardstick would be a big improvement on winning the dreaded wooden spoon.
To keep things in perspective though, the Rebels exceeded all expectations in 2011, obtaining three wins (their first ironically against the Brumbies in round two).
By their own standards, the players would admittedly be disappointed with some performances, missed tackles, wasted opportunities and so on. Especially for a team who highly respect their fans and are in turn respected by their fans.
Moving forward a season, the Rebels can expect greater expectation from their fans, which is understandable, as well as the forever critical media (especially those north of the border).
The addition of Beale and O’Connor magnifies this (the pros outweigh the cons). Both can also expect potential individual pressure, again by the forever critical media. Obviously this comes with the territory.
This brings us to the million dollar question, at the start of every season: what is an acceptable pass mark for the Rebels?
In season 2011, it was simply being competitive, which was lacking at times (coming from a loyal supporter). The Rebels of 2012 will be more youthful, skilful and have more knack for flair then its counterpart in 2011. This is further signified with Hill stepping up to replace Macqueen in the coach’s box.
Ideally the Rebels should get the four points against some of its great Australian rivals (Brumbies and Force) and the lesser performing sides from 2011 (Chiefs, Lions and Cheetahs). The best indication of improvement would be to claim victories against teams that were pushed at times in 2011, such as the Sharks, Waratahs and the Reds.
Team cohesion aside, the best insight supporters will get will come in the upcoming Tri-Nations series and subsequent World Cup.
As I alluded to earlier, Beale and O’Connor are expected to be in the starting XV, with Phipps, Mortlock and Gerrard potential bolters. Cipriani is also a likelihood, provided Martin Johnson can put aside what is seen as a petty gripe.
Unfortunately, the Rugby world will have to wait seven or eight months to truly see if the Rebels of 2011 will revel or suffer in their role as the Real Madrid of Super Rugby in 2012.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.