Melbourne Rebels chief executive Baden Stephenson got a sense that something special was brewing at the Super Rugby club during the pre-season.
But even he’s been surprised by the domination of the new-look Rebels, who sit on top of the entire Super Rugby standings after their undefeated start to the year.
It’s in stark contrast to last year when they managed just one win and finished dead last.
With the influx of a dozen Western Force players as well as their coach Dave Wessels after their club was cut from the downsized competition and the addition of Test halfback Will Genia, the Rebels were always going to be a much stronger outfit.
Their early-season dominance has answered questions about how quickly they would be able to gel as a unit after coming together with such divided loyalties.
“It was a little bit of an unknown but I just know that I’ve seen a lot of pre-seasons and I think Dave and the coaching staff, they work particularly hard to maximise every session available,” Stephenson said on Tuesday.
“I had a feeling that we’d start well but possibly slightly surprised that we’ve been as clinical as we have. But the quality of the players and the way Dave wants to play, we’ve had complete buy-in and I think the guys are enjoying their football.”
Stephenson said it was pleasing to see that Wessels aside, it wasn’t just the impact of the Force players proving the difference with 2017 Rebels such as Reece Hodge, Jack Maddocks, Amanaki Mafi and Tom English big contributors to the success.
The Rebels can make a complete a clean sweep of their Australian rivals with a victory against the Waratahs on Sunday in Sydney.
Stephenson said it would give Melbourne a very handy lead in the conference if they could upset the highly-rated Tahs.
“They will be our biggest challenge with four of the top players in the country in their side,” he said.
“It would be huge in regards to getting through the first four rounds and our Australian conference if we can somehow manage a win and would set our season up well.”
But the boss wasn’t allowing himself to get carried away after only three games.
He said there was still work to do to improve crowd numbers, commercial partnerships and the connection with the community.
Malo
Guest
You bunch of imbeciles.
Peter Kelly
Guest
Im just a fan who wants to see my team play well and win, its for far smarter than me to run the game and I could careless for the politics - i pay my memberships for myself and family - how someone else wastes the money i have little control over, I am not prepared to get elected for any office, much the same with the other taxes taken from my pocket, at least i choose to pay these ones - not going to change anything from a Roar forum - dont think RA board read or care.
Peter Kelly
Guest
Really like what is happening at Rebels but also waiting for them to face the NZ sides in NZ - we can then really see where we are at, for year 1 of this combined team to be the top Aussie team and get a home final I will be celebrating - total domination next will be fine although if it happens this year i wont be complaining - Go Rebels by 15+ ove Tahs
KFar
Guest
Maybe it has something to do with the new coach.
Bakkies
Guest
'I actually feel for the Force supporters and don’t think they should’ve got rid of the Force and actually think a merger between the Rebels and Brumbies could’ve worked.' Said it so many times why it would never happen and wouldn't work yet people still insist on suggesting it.
PeterK
Roar Guru
utter rubbish, find one post where I have said either Hooper or Beale are close to world's best? I have always maintained Pocock is better than Hooper and would use Hooper on the bench. I have always stated recent intl form is more important than any super rugby form when it comes to selection for intl games. I have posted all year that the tahs would finish either 3rd or 4th in the oz conference and lose to all sa and nz teams, but lets not facts get in the way. Team is quite weak in a lot of areas , lack of power and physicality in forwards, non creative 10 who makes a lot of errors, and a very poor coach number among them.
JP
Guest
You a little hard of reading ?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You completely miss the point... Those others have been given all the credit by the notion that the influx of players caused the improvement. Those players are mentioned to challenge this notion that it's all about the new players...
piru
Roar Rookie
Just thinking about Perth now. I seriously cannot stop laughing. YOU SHOULD HAVE TURNED UP! Where were you Perth rugby supporters? We averaged about the same as everyone else and have less population over all Doesn't it suck when your clever snipe turns out to be based on a falsehood, and now it's out online for everyone to see.
Malo
Guest
They have played the bottom 3 sides in the comp.
Malo
Guest
What promise
JP
Guest
So Malo when the Tahs lose this weekend will you keep your promise that you will leave this forum .
John R
Roar Guru
Sounds like good coaching EFF.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
Tend to agree.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
I actually feel for the Force supporters and don’t think they should’ve got rid of the Force and actually think a merger between the Rebels and Brumbies could’ve worked. Having said that, unfortunately the Force were cut and we should move on. Hopefully they can return in the future. To continue to refer to them as the Melbourne Force etc is disrespectful. There are a number of Rebels players who are adding to the current success (as well as Force players and coach).
GusTee
Roar Pro
"Melbourne Rebels chief executive Baden Stephenson got a sense that something special was brewing at the Super Rugby club during the pre-season." Baden, of course something special was brewing after the years of over capitalisation and non returns that make up the professional element of Victorian rugby. It is called the "Clyne/Clark/Pulver Lifeline" and it took the form of gifting you the team of another State to prop up your lot yet again. Its all a stolen moment, mate. The rewards, if any, will not be based on the true merit of your club/State.
UKKiwi
Guest
The commercial viability will come with increased crowd numbers. Increased crowd numbers will come if the Rebels keep winning.
Bakkies
Guest
Got another login Réalist?
Bakkies
Guest
'Question 1 – Would in your view the addition of these Rebel players strengthen or weaken last year’s Force? Hard to say, I think they’d strengthen it, but it’s doubtful they’d have come across en masse' Wouldn't have happened as the Force didn't have half of their squad for the following season left vacant.
Bakkies
Guest
Wessels had the intention of taking Force players to Munster had he got the job however without Irish passports that wasn't going to happen as the foreign player spots had mostly been taken up by the likes of Rhys Marshall, Jean Kleyn, Chris Cloete, Gerbrandt Grobler and Jaco Taute.