The Melbourne Rebels’ signing spree has continued, with ex-Western Force Test players Matt Philip, Billy Meakes and Richard Hardwick joining the Super Rugby club.
Philip enjoyed a breakout season for the Force in 2017, playing ten games and starting all but two on the field. A little under two weeks ago, he made his international debut for the Wallabies after coming on for Adam Coleman in the second half against Japan.
Sydney-born Meakes played most of his club rugby for Gloucester between 2014 and 2016. In 45 appearances for the Cherry and Whites, the centre crossed the line five teams.
He signed for the Force in 2016 and made 14 starts last season, finishing first at the club for tackle busts.
Hardwick, on the other hand, started in every game for the former Super Rugby franchise in 2017 and was notorious for his ability to force penalties.
He made his Wallabies debut in June against Fiji.
Former New Zealand junior international five-eighth Tayler Adams was also announced as a new recruit on Thursday.
Wallabies Philip, Hardwick and Meakes will reunite with their Western Force coach David Wessels in Melbourne until the end of the 2019 season.
“We’re delighted to have Matt, Dickie (Richard) and Billy join us,” Wessels said.
“All three of them work incredibly hard and want to be part of the Wallabies team at the next World Cup. They’ll be a great addition to our squad both on and off-field.”
– With AAP
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Have you seen the current admins' finances? For reference, the Force's modelling showed their cash position reducing annually unless they achieved 8 wins (I think once in 12 seasons they managed that). How was that sustainable? Based on their own submission, they would go broke over around 6 years.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah a Perth and Melbourne merger would never work. You'd just kill 2 supporter bases. And RA could never force a merger.
ChipandChagger
Roar Rookie
Agree - the merger was the best decision for Australian Rugby so as not to alienate one supporter base if one team HAD to be cut. But RA went with the chop. I would have prefered that it had not got to this. Thats been done now and the Rebels have been most active in signing quality Force players along with Genia from O/S. While the likes of Inman, English, Ellison, Burgess and Debrezceni have all been pretty solid - they never really fired the backline or created excitment. As a Tahs supporter living in Melbourne and having been to many games at AAMI Park over the years, the 2018 Backline is by far the most promising since the clubs inception.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What squads are expanding? If the Rebels sign the 2 more required hookers they need they'll have 6 less players signed than last year... And if they pay an extra 10 players for 2018 they still save more than they would have paying 30+ players for 2018, 2019 and 2020...
Ex force fan
Guest
But no sustainable business model. The lost opportunity was a merger would have ended up with the same team without alienating WA.
Ex force fan
Guest
With the expected expanded squads and spending more then the cap the expected savings from axing the Force is evaporating... Still the dumbest decision of the century!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yes and no. I actually think the Rebels would be close to cap compliant. Pretty sure Parling and Mafi won't count towards the cap. Pretty sure Toby Smith, Sean McMahon, Jack Debreczeni, Jonah Placid and Mitch Inman would all have been on quite good money. Then I'd imagine Meehan, Leafa, Volavola, Ah-Nau and Lomax are on similar money to what players like RHP, Philip and Hardwick are on. I'd say McMahon would cancel out Genia, but then Inman and Smith would have been on more than any other incoming players (unless they sign Coleman). Then there's other little factors like the Rebels had 4 hookers in 2017. One of them has left so that's one salary to go to another position. Currently the Rebels have 8 players less signed than last year. They need at least 2 because they only have 1 hooker under contract (Hanson). It also sounds like Shipperly will re-sign (likely for less) and I think that Siliva Siliva will also re-sign for less. But if they re-sign Uelese he'll likely eat up those savings.
RocSing
Guest
@TWAS i think the players who left v the players they have gained would be worth a lot more money??
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So ASIC isn't independent and works under direction of the Senate? Doesn't sound like a conflict of interest at all...
ChipandChagger
Roar Rookie
The Rebels have one meaty backline now! Genia Hodge Meakes DHP Korobete Naivalu Maddocks Shipperley
Bakkies
Guest
Yes as no of their mates and previous reviews have done that effectively.
andrewM
Guest
"Three more Wallabies hop to the Rebels for 2018" Has the Roar made an editorial decision to avoid mentioning the Force in a headline? Would have been more factually correct
Bakkies
Guest
The franchise went ahead and appointed their board. Most of the boys have now been reappointed to the new taxpayer funded Rebels.
Steve
Guest
As revealed during the senate inquiry, they were told it wasn't them.
piru
Roar Rookie
They also said "48 - 72 hours"
Dat Mavis
Roar Pro
The ARU, as i recall, said they would guarantee any remaining time on contracts for Force players
Train Without A Station
Guest
Plenty will. It’s not a firm directive. What are the senate going to do? Try and reprimand an independent body for not complying when they try and tell them how to do their job?
Train Without A Station
Guest
He might not have agreed to offers yet.
Train Without A Station
Guest
What extra salaries? For every new player signed, I can tell you a player who has left.
Fionn
Guest
I agree, it's probably a stronger team on paper than many of those last year. The only problem is how much stronger the other teams have gotten... Need a good defensive centre and a power lock.