With former Western Force coach Dave Wessels on board, the Melbourne Rebels are hoping the combined knowledge and talent of two success-starved Super Rugby clubs means a change in fortune next year.
Wessels hasn’t officially started with the Rebels but is helping lure a group of as many as 10 Force players including Wallabies Dane Haylett-Petty, Richard Hardwick and lock Adam Coleman, who is being tempted by big money to play overseas.
Haylett-Petty’s brother Ross, Test prop Tetera Faulkner as well as young prop Jermaine Ainsley are expected to bolster the Melbourne squad while veteran utility back Jono Lance would bring some valuable experience.
The Rebels were relieved to be able to fend off a late offer from Irish powerhouse Munster to sign Wessels.
“We’re really quite excited about how things are coming together and obviously Dave’s influential there so securing his services was key to a lot of things so it was good to get him on board,” Melbourne chief executive Baden Stephenson said.
Melbourne are still to finalise their playing list and coaching staff and due to the change in ownership, their board.
Wessels meanwhile will bring along some of his Force staff which will help fast-track the squad.
Stephenson said the squad, which included in-form Wallabies Will Genia, Marika Koroibete and Reece Hodge, would “definitely have a new look and feel”.
“It hasn’t been the smoothest ride for Reece and Marika this year so it’s great to see them kicking on,” Stephenson said.
“I think Genia is just showing his maturity and class which is huge for us and he’s really looking forward to relocating and he’s quite excited to work with Dave.”
Following their worst Super Rugby season, which yielded only one win, Stephenson said the club needed a fresh start.
“We need to do things differently and we’re certainly ready for that and there’s lots of change which is quite exciting,” Stephenson said.
“The shared experiences that the Force had this year, Dave feels there will be a strong alliance and connection between staff and players and that’s part of his driver.”
Kirky
Roar Rookie
I know and everyone else knows that there was dirty dealings all the way through this whole farcical situation, and it's just coming to the pointy end of things right now! Not only were the hierarchy doing it behind a wall of bullcrap they were and obviously still are corrupt!! Twiggy Forrest has a wealth of knowledge on this whole thing and you can guarantee he's got the bit right between his teeth and bet on it he won't let it go! Clyne, Pulver and all their other corrupt cohorts should be be marched out of the EARU headquarters and bring their Lawyers with them!- They're history!
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
TWAS, You are misrepresenting the facts. Are you sure you aren't an ARU shill? Stooke voted against the reduction, he was then recused from all discussions and negotiations regarding the cull.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
ARU members voted 8(9?):1 to reduce the number of teams from 5 to 4. Stooke was the 1.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What press release? The quotes that have said "A $20 million package from the Victorian government to the ARU, securing Bledisloe Cup and British and Irish Lions Test matches in Melbourne over an eight-to-10-year period, guaranteed the future of the Rebels in the SANZAAR competition." All we know is there is at least one Bledisloe Cup and at least one BIL Test and they'll be over the next 8-10 years.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So Scott, exactly what the discussion between Piru and myself said? Forrest offered an amount. ARU specifically said a bigger amount, Forrest did not meet that? Turns out I was wrong and Forrest's $50M was in response to the ARU detailing the exact requirement.
scottd
Guest
Keyboard warrior!
scottd
Guest
https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-union/inquiry-hears-andrew-forrest-called-arus-bluff-ng-b88626600z Copy and paste this to your browser TWAS. It reports on the details that John Welborn gave the Senate committee today about what was tabled at the meeting he attended. Unless you also attended and have an alternative recollection ? Once again you make up facts mate but this time I have done the research for you. You are welcome :)
Ex force fan
Guest
TWAS it is not one WB vs AB test as they mentioned in the press release multiple All Black tests. Even if it is only 3 tests two AB and one Lions tests that is already worth more than the $15 million they are getting from the 8-10 year deal. It is the ARU that refuse to release details and for good reason...
Ex force fan
Guest
TWAS, if $50 million is not enough to pick the Force over the Rebel, why would you think $80 million will do it? Forrest will now put about $200 million of his own money up to start the IPRC. Cleary Forrest did not trust the ARU will so much - wise choice in my view. Better to pay more an control the competition than to be dependent on people that you know you cannot trust.
Ex force fan
Guest
With Clarke history at the Rebels and Brumbies he should have made it clear that he cannot perform the task of culling a team without a perception that he would favour the teams he was previously (and currently is) involved with. That is what a professional who cares about his integrity would do. Sinderberry said at the previous senate enquiry meeting that someone shown the VRU's president the clauses in the confidential agreement between the Force and the ARU . There were four people present at the meeting: The VRU President, Pulver, Richards (the lawyer) and Clarke. Both Pulver and Richard denied that they shown the agreement to North - it they tell the truth that leaves Clarke. Also the Rebels publicly stated that they received assurances from a senior person at the ARU that they will not be axed and that they rely on those assurances....Who ran the culling process? Clarke. Who resigned after the Force put pressure on him for being conflicted....Clarke. I think there is serious allegations that Clarke needs to clarify at the enquiry but do not expect the truth to come out.
Ex force fan
Guest
My maths is not a problem...I lectured maths at Uni level. A recent article mention ten 2017 Force players to join the Rebels as well as the Force's coaching staff... where do you think Wessels will look for injury cover? There would have been more if other franchises and overseas clubs did not sign these players as the Rebels is the least preferred options to go to. The Rebels do not deserve to play superugby next and that team and supporters will be reminded of this a lot in the coming years.
scottd
Guest
h
scottd
Guest
you have to copy the entire link into your browser mate as the link itself doesn't work if just clicked on
piru
Roar Rookie
CH this isn't working for me and I notice no one seems to be talking about it - what's the situation?
scottd
Guest
:)
scottd
Guest
He stated it in an interview with the West Australian mate.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Or what if it's 1 Lions test and 1 Bledisloe Test?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No we don't know that. We know it is over an 8-10 year period. Because 8 years is the next proposed Lions Tour. What if it's 1 Lions test, 1 Bledisloe than a bunch of June tests? Were the WA Government willing to pay $5M again? Were they willing to offer $20M for games over this period? With attendances and therefore interest on the decline, providing you can get a decent offer, locking in long term income is hardly a horrible strategy.
Ex force fan
Guest
We know it is 8-10 games include Bledisloe and Lions test and are valued by the ARU at $20 million of which $5 million will go to the VRU. Enough to know it is severely undervalued compared to the $5 million WA paid for a SINGLE Bleddisloe test. The rest the ARU refuse (with good reason) to disclose.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The only basis you have to say he was conflicted is because you think he made the wrong choice without considering the legal basis, or the separate market factors. It was never a pure Force vs Rebels decision. Because a number of factors are at play. It was Force vs Rebels + Legal basis + TV Market Value + Wallaby market value. You want to keep directing this to an argument that suits you (purely Force vs Rebels), not what a business actually would consider.