The Rebels dramatic victory over the Highlanders encapsulated the Rebels’ first three years in Super Rugby.
Part I – Signs of improvement
Inconsistency, an improving attack, a defence that still struggles especially when the opponents get quick ball (which they do too easily), a growing team spirit, continuing turnovers in personnel, and a core of supporters who can make it sound as though they are much greater in number thanks to the fabulous acoustics of AAMI Park.
Three seasons have proven enough for the private equity holders.
Continuing losses led them to return their licence; it will now be in the hands of the Victorian rugby union. Makes one wonder why John O’Neill fought so hard to keep it away from the VRU.
But rugby in Melbourne, Victoria and Australia owes a big thanks to Harold Mitchell and the others who contributed their money, time and connections to help establish a necessary part of Australia’s rugby fraternity.
The team still has only limited local support. Just like the Storm, the Rebels have a small core following.
Lacking their NRL counterpart’s on-field success, they have yet to attract much public awareness.
But they have been able to attract a large number of occasional customers who are expatriate supporters of the Kiwi and South African sides: there were even folk from the Eastern Cape supporting the Kings.
A big loss in 2013 was the Rebel Army. I’m unsure what happened and why, but their absence was very noticeable; it was hard to get restrained supporters to make much noise except when matches were close.
Just like after the previous two seasons, there will be a big turnover of players and, this time, staff.
Recruitment has been a major problem for the Rebels. Even more so than other additions to Super Rugby, the Rebels suffered from timing.
Their initial recruitment was restricted by the understandable unwillingness of established players to move to a new club in a year when they hoped for 2011 Rugby World Cup selection.
As a consequence, they ended up with a roster with too many players who had experience but who were too slow or too prone to injury, and too many journeymen.
None of the original ‘oldies’ are still on the playing roster, although a few have remained in off-field roles.
The ten players who were farewelled on Friday – well, nine, as Kurtley Beale didn’t return to Melbourne – was the smallest end-of-season turnover the Rebels have so far experienced.
Changing one-third (or more) of the playing squad every season, together with the changes to the coaching staff after the 2011 and 2013 seasons, would have made it hard for even a well-established club to perform consistently.
This year, unlike previous ones, some of those departing are ones the Rebels would dearly have loved to keep.
Gareth Delve has been a true leader, on and off the field, even if his form faded this season.
Ged Robinson has been an unsung hero, playing all but two games in his three years and making his mark at the set pieces as well as around the field.
And while he hasn’t been influential on the field, Tim Davidson has been a key leader off it.
I think Nick Phipps’ departure will be keenly felt. He has improved significantly in all aspects of the game during his three years at the club, especially his running.
Luke Burgess is probably still a better defender but he can’t pass as far or as quickly as Phipps. Watch out for Nic Stirzaker, he has talent.
The turnovers off the field will be just as important for the future of the Rebels.
Not only are the two senior coaches (Damien Hill and John Muggleton) departing, there continue to be changes in the support staff and administration.
Here, as with the future coaching and playing staff, some consistency would be helpful.
Part II – Future prospects
The Rebels will be looking to their newly appointed head coach Tony McGahan, an experienced head coach with a record of success at this level, to reduce inconsistency.
His key task will be to improve the Rebels’ defence. Damien Hill did many good things but his – and chief defensive coach, John Muggleton’s – failure to stop the Rebels leaking tries was the death knell for them.
This failure was a surprise: Muggleton had an enviable record as Australia’s defence coach.
In their first year the Rebels had too many players who were just too slow and a lack of familiarity with their systems but they weren’t the problems in 2013.
There were still a large number of missed or ineffective tackles.
As well, their breakdown work was inconsistent.
Sometimes they were extremely competitive, unlike their dismal work in this area in their first season.
In other matches they fell away at times, which frequently led to tries being conceded when their defence was unable to scramble well enough after conceding quick ball.
Club management seems to have decided that the experiment with big-name, big-ego players has been a failure. Danny Cipriani (in the first 1.5 seasons), Kurtley Beale and ‘Brand’ O’Connor have all done breathtaking things on the field.
However, they’ve also been a disruptive influence off the field, even though O’Connor’s recognition and popularity among kids (and kids at heart) was a significant attraction.
O’Connor’s insistence earlier this year that he had to captain the team (which he did for just one match) seemed to sum up his attitude.
Still, his ability to draw multiple defenders that created the match-winning try on Friday will be missed.
I owe Scott Higginbotham a huge apology. I thought he’d fit into the same category: someone coming for the money who would continue to play for himself, as I thought he did too often at Queensland.
But he turned out to be a marvellous team player and leader, someone who will be a good successor to Gareth Delve on the field.
The absence of the ‘star’ players will be felt at five-eighth. Bryce Hegarty could develop into a good player but he has a lot to learn – including how to pass to his right.
The other area where further work is needed is in the scrum. Only when Greg Somerville played at tight head in 2011 have the Rebels been competitive in this area.
The rest of the pack is looking promising. Hugh Pyle, Caderyn Neville and Luke Jones have all been impressive.
Jarrod Saffy has been tireless in defence and a strong runner. This year his breakdown work improved markedly.
Scott Fuglistaller made a difference at number seven. With Colby Fainga’a’s arrival the Rebels will actually be well stocked in the back row.
Mitch Inman continued to impress this year but inside centre remains a problem. Rory Sidey toils honestly but has little to offer in attack.
At the back the crowd will miss Cooper Vuna. I think he’s been a disappointment.
He has a great gift for scoring tries but his judgement in defence remains very poor, and he is weak under the high ball, both defensively and offensively.
Jason Woodward has shown why he had such big raps. If he could improve his consistency, especially in kicking (for goal, at kickoffs and out of hand), he will be even more of a handful.
Tom English showed some nice touches in his limited game time.
Tony McGahan and the team will have a lot to do.
If they can continue to attack with variety as they did this year and improve their defence, breakdown work and scrummaging, they will become feared opponents.
A playoff place in 2014 remains a step too far, but I hope to be surprised.
RebelRanger
Guest
Ah crap. Not looking forward to 2014 as much as I was 10 minutes ago.
RebelRanger
Guest
I know two of those guys don't want to play for Rebels because they don't want to live with famiily. So VRU may not be entirely to blame. Hows Daniel Yakopo developing? Could be our answer at second five.
Robbo
Guest
Great article David - not much in there that I would disagree with, so just a few personnel comments on the recent past and the future: 1. Who will me miss the most - Ged Robinson. I am no scrum expert but I do not think many of our problems there came from him. His work around the field has been terrific and he is usually responsible for most of our go forward from the rucks. His arse is so close to the ground nobody seems to be able to knock him over. I have no idea of who we have for next year but I am reasonably sure that Shota Horie will not be the answer. 2. Biggest surprise from last Friday - no it was not the second half comeback. That has been a standard for three years, especially at home - the one difference this time being that we did not fall short. My big surprise was the form of Jordy Reid and Paul Alo Amile off the bench. Hell, Jordy did not give away a penalty that I saw (contrasting with his being hooked after 5 mins in the fourth "quarter" of the trial match against the Hurricanes in Geelong in January after three penalties) and he ripped the joint up. With "Baby" Fingers joining next year there will be some competition for the 7 jersey. Paul Alo Amile is finally starting to show some form and maybe (just maybe) the next big thing in the Rebels front row. 3. Most looking forward to next year - no "Amigos" of any stripe. I agree we need a 10 and a 12 in the backs (athletic ones who can catch Burgess's errant passes), but I will settle for someone who does not regularly show up in the social pages. I know they have big wraps on Roberts but he has shown absolutely nothing this year and Hegarty needs more time - so no Idea who. 4. Biggest highs of the year - well I was working in Samoa at the time watching it on a tiny TV in my hotel but beating the the Tah's was sweet - stick your 5 point bye where the sun don't shine. Beating the Stormers was also good but the next best thing was almost, almost running down the Crusaders in Christchurch - for me that was the turning point of the season. 5. Biggest lows - nah, there gone - let's look forward to next year - I'm picking eight wins next year - including two against the Tahs and finally getting one over the Reds
Ath
Guest
No Foley sadly, he decided to stick with Tahs. Wonder how that will go for him with Beale and Folau on the team.
Morfs
Guest
We still need to beat the Reds to complete the whole set of Aussie teams, but yes, home & away wins over the 'Tahs would be sweet.
Chairman Kaga
Guest
You would be loving it that they build a half billiion dollar rugby specific stadium up the street from your joint. Great ground if anyone out there has not been yet, make the effort. It is the new benchmark of rugby grounds.
RebelRanger
Guest
Didn't we sign Foley? He will be much better than Hegarty. With Beale gone we should keep Woodward at 15. Kingston and English will be our best wingers I think and Inman is a solid (not spectacular) 13. In regards to the backline, we just need a decent 12 and we would be holding our own. In the fowards, I have no idea about our front row stocks. We have good locks in Pyle and Neville. Our backrow could line up as 6. Timani Jr 7. C. Faingaa 8. Higgers which looks pretty good on paper. Wish we had a strike running 8 like Auelua of the Brumbies (who warms the bench anyway) and Higgers played 6 but developing the front row should be our priority. I think we will do better next year. Looking forward to 2014.
Mr Rugby
Guest
No doubt about it Mark the original Rebels board have a lot to answer for can't lay any blame on Harold as his knowledge of the game was minimal. The problem was he was led by a board who had never strapped on a boot and an ex coach who laid out a plan which was never adhered to.Let's hope the ARU are competent enough to ensure the new board understand the needs of a professional rugby franchise and are commercially capable of running the show without incurring further massive losses.The major problem is the cupboard is bare as far as players and funds are concerned and although they have appointed a very capable CEO and Chairman the Rebels are back where they started 3 years ago.Winning games is one way of improving the financial position but with the exodus of such name players as we have just witnessed the new coach will certainly have his work cut out.Unfortunately his knowledge of the local player base will be no better than the previous coaches and the VRU are the organisation responsible for bringing players through and have been for the last 3 years but we have lost so much talent.Hopefully the new coach wont be as reliant on Uni players as the last and will be more focused on local talent.I have been involved with Victorian Rugby for over 15 years and the Grand Final is still played at Box Hill I just hope the new board has a lot more vision than that ! I will certainly supporting the Rebels next year but probably from the cheaper seats.
PiratesRugby
Guest
I just want us to win two games next year, both of them against the Waratahs. Oh that felt so good.
Mark Robinson
Guest
The scrum has been woeful without yoda there is no doubt and my opinion on that area is unimportant. What is important is Victoria has produced some very good frontrowers who have been completely ignored. John Ulugia -Waratahs, Siliva Siliva - Brumbies, Ole Avei - Bordeaux and Manu Samoa, Tetera Faulkner - Western Force, Barry Faumasili - Montpelier all played junior club and representative rugby in Melbourne. Why has not even one of these guys been signed? In fact there is Victorians signed on full time contracts by every Super franchise in Australia except for the Rebels. The likes of the above mentioned as well as Tala Gray - Biaritz (recently signed by the waratahs) Daniel Yakopo- Australian 7's, Christian Lealiifano-Brumbies and Wallabies, Digby Ioane - Reds and Wallabies, Ben Tapuai Reds and Wallabies, Peter Samu - Randwick and Waratahs Dev these are guys that the Rebels need to look at. There were two groups going for the licence the current one got the nod because they professed to be all about local. I wonder if the Victorian rugby public realise yet how they have been taken for a ride. Now the VRU will take over-wow!
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Chairman, I think you're jumping to some incorrect conclusions. For starters I don't need a lecture about how things are in Melbourne, I've lived here for many years and actively support Richmond, the Storm, the Victory and of course the Rebels. I'm not complaining about Victorians not understanding rugby, merely asserting the fact. They don't "have to learn about it" and most have no inclination whatsoever to do so. If the Wallabies happen to win a RWC every few years they're happy to jump on the bandwagon for a bit, but that's not enough to change a culture of understanding that they don't see needs changing. Which I'm saying is ok, rugby or any sport for that matter doesn't need to take on AFL in that regard, just to grow for the sake of it. Also it isn't relevant to the discussion how many people don't have Fox or let it go, what is relevant is that rugby followers here subscribe to Fox for that very reason. If Fox dropped rugby coverage i would drop my subscription immediately and so would many others i know. I still remember when the cable was rolled out past my house, it was at the start of a super season and i was on the phone to them nearly every day trying to get priority for my street. It finally got connected at around 4.30pm on a Friday and an hour later i was watching Christian Cullen running in a try from 90m out. Heaven.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Too true Kaga, The lack of media coverage of Rebels' games (as well as any other media coverage regarding their activities for that matter) could, I think, become a serious issue. Rebels coverage is almost non-existent in Melbourne. I often think of the time my daughter and I bumped into a schoolfriend of hers, also with her dad, whilst on the train to a match. They were going to watch Collingwood at the MCG on the same night. The looks they gave us as we explained we were off to Aami to watch the Rebels... "You mean the Storm?" "No, they're League. We're going to see the Rebels. The Rugby Union team" "Oh. So they're playing the Storm then...?" As for radio, I've heard ABC give the occasional update of the score every now and then when a game is being played, but I would have thought that the Rebels should have set up their own online radio broadcast by now. Is the lack of radio coverage endemic amongst the Australian super teams? A stipulation that they're not allowed to compete with Foxtel maybe?
Chairman Kaga
Guest
Know what you are saying, but it is simply not correct. I disagree completely. The AFL just does not care about NRL or union. They are so tiny, they are in the same basket of "rival" sports as ice hockey or gridiron are in Melbourne. Outside of Melbourne, these sports are not played at all. Take it from me, I have lived here all my life and I have a fondness for rugby union and soccer. Do not get the point of league since union is professional however. If the AFL is what you say they are, then why didn't they stop the Victorian government building rectangular stadium? The stadiums the AFL uses are largely privately funded. Etihad is owned by a bunch of superannuation funds and the MCG is bankrolled by the 50,000 odd members of the MCC. You would think the Vic government favours the NRL, ARU and soccer bodies for building this for them. Particularly when you have public transport issues, police shortages, hospital bed issues, ambulance, schools..... on and on and on... In other words, the rival codes(not in Victoria they are rivals), get a massive leg up. They should have built their own and purchased the land too. Hopefully, this gives you a glimpse into reality down here in "Mexico". Also, do not complain that most people in Victoria have no understanding of Super rugby. How exactly are they going to learn about it? 80 percent of households do not subscribe to pay tv, maybe more. I know a lot of people disconnect it after a while and then still some folks just get the entertainment packs which do not include Fox Sports. What sport, that is only understood by a handfull of people to start with builds an interest in itself by limiting it's audience? It is madness and doomed to failure.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Chairman, 1. I'm not usually a subscriber to conspiracy theories but the AFL and Melbourne media are not about to allow the Rebels any free kicks to help them "grow". They never did it for the Storm and it won't change in the forseeable future 2. Free to air for Super Rugby just isn't going to happen. The TV networks don't have the money and it doesn't rate. Look how many years it's taken for State of Origin league to finally be shown live free to air in Melbourne. A proven winner at that. Rebels v Highlanders free to air?? As much as I love rugby, if I was running a tv network in Melbourne I'd be thinking that the only people interested in watching would be already at the game or have Fox. I'd go with re-runs of Pretty Woman every time.
atlas
Guest
and Chiefs/Waikato/NZ U-20 loosehead Toby Smith who joins them after the ITM season with Waikato
Sam
Guest
The Rebels have signed London Irish prop Pat Lahiff and Munster Hooker Tom Sexton. From all accounts, two young stout front row forwards in their early 20s. Hopefully their presence, along with Pyle, Jones, Neville should form an excellent tight five.
Freddie
Guest
I still believe that 10 will be the problem next year as Hegarty is still pretty green and looked much better at full-back and Roberts in all the games I have watched this year seems to lack confidence at Super 15 level. I'm tipping that the Rebels will recruit an experienced 10. With regards to the centres Inman and Sidey are probably too similar in style. They are both 100kg, good defenders and can hit the ball up but are not twinkle toed sidesteppers. Their style has worked well against some teams but probably a player with a point of diffeerence is needed. However solid 100% effort players like Sidey should not be discounted in a squad situation where injuries are inevitable. I dont know much about the front row recruits for next year but there does not seem to be any experienced replacements for Henderson or Robinson at the moment which could be a worry.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Defense has a lot to do with attitude, and team disharmony can effect it. Kiwi prop coming in, expect the Rebels to perform better next year. What are they doing at 2 and 12? Sidey should be in the team, but on the bench. Agree they should get some locals, that helps breed a following.
Chairman Kaga
Guest
If the Rebels are successful they will get larger attendances, but they won't ever become mainstream until they do something about getting onto free to air. Even SBS audiences are massive compared to what you can ever hope to get on pay tv. I realise the money issue, but it is just never going to grow using this formula. Someone needs to bend or something is going to break, simple as that.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Excellent summary David, thanks for putting this together. No question that things have come a long way since that first night 3 years ago against the Tahs, and I was delighted for the departing players that they could celebrate on Friday night with such a comeback win. And how frustrating at the same time to see JOC contribute the way he did. I don't rate Phipps as test class but he's been excellent for the Rebels, he always gives it 100% and he will be a big loss. That said I still don't understand why they chased Burgess so hard, he isn't at the same level and it would be a travesty to see Stirzaker held back. That recruitment energy and effort should have gone into the front row. More wins will help but i don't see much for potential for growth in crowds and membership. The Storm have shown that even being perennial winners, there is a cap to the level of support for the rugby codes in Melbourne. For as long as the majority who follow AFL can't make the distinction between rugby and rugby league, and the AFL continues to control/influence local media that's as good as it's going to get. Which is fine, we have a great stadium with a great surface and easy access in and out. And there are enough rugby supporters to provide a critical mass - no matter if they are local or expats from the northern states or NZ, SA or the UK. The biggest issue this year was the messy fixture and no continuity or flow in between home games - which hopefully will be fixed for next season. And... if they could get rid of that stupid song that would be a bonus!