Melbourne Rebels recruit Andrew Kellaway says he’s disappointed by the departure of Jack Maddocks even if it helps him break into their Super Rugby line-up.
While sad to see Jack Maddocks leave Melbourne, new recruit Andrew Kellaway knows it could also help him break into the Rebels Super Rugby starting side.
Maddocks departed the Rebels earlier this month to join the Waratahs, citing a personal desire to shift home.
Kellaway was disappointed to lose his former schoolmate without playing a game together, even if it could work in his favour.
“Jack’s a huge loss, he’s a very talented player,” Kellaway said on Tuesday.
“There’s lots of depth in the outside backs but it does make life a little easier for people like me trying to break in there.”
Standing in his way are current Test players Marika Koroibete, Dane Haylett-Petty and Reece Hodge while Billy Meakes, Tom English and Campbell Magnay are among the other contenders for starting positions.
A stand-out of the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign, Koroibete in particular has impressed Kellaway.
“He’s a freak,” Kellaway said.
“He’s very fast, very strong, he gets on with his work and doesn’t say much.
“He’s awesome – a great guy to play with and a great guy to hang around and he’s teaching me some Fijian which is pretty nice.”
Kellaway has also been soaking up the knowledge of Rebels skipper Haylett-Petty, whose career followed a similar path with an early stint in Super Rugby and then a stint overseas before returning to Australia.
“He’s a quality player for me to be able to sit there and pick his brain and watch what he does, probably more off the field than anything, that’s pretty cool,” Kellaway said.
Spending the past 12 months playing in the UK with Northampton and Counties Manukau in New Zealand, Kellaway returned to Australia with the ultimate goal of a Wallabies berth.
The 24-year-old, who had 25 Super Rugby matches with the Waratahs between 2015 and 2018, hoped his versatility would be an advantage as well as his oversea experience.
“I can fit into multiple spots and that’s valuable asset for the team,” he said.
“It’s not something you want to do all the time but if it’s beneficial for the team than that’s the way it’s got to be.
“I feel like I’m in the best place I’ve been for a while with my rugby and I probably wouldn’t be there if not for my experiences.”
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Kelloway can tackle. HP and Hodge don’t.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
You could be right. Still not sure about Hodge’s best spot though.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I think he’s likely to slot in on the wing with DHP at 15 and Kori on the other. I see the rebels running a 10, 12, 13 of Toomua, Meakes and Hodge. Maybe Deegan and Magnay or Tupou on the bench.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
Ok nice one. Thanks for that. Be interesting to see how he fits into the Rebels backline with Hodge, DHP, Koroibete. The loss of Maddocks to the Tahs should help his cause though.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
He has always played in the back 3 and can cover them all. He's got good vision for reading the play and being in the right spot and has a decent, or at least servicable boot. Plus he knows how to find the tryline. That would probably suggest he's a FB/Wing. But I see alot of AAC in him. Which makes me wonder if 13 is where he might be best suited. It was AAC's best position after being shuffled all over. If he has bulked up to 106kg he must have dropped some pace. Something he didn't have a huge amount of to begin with. Though I'm sure he could still burn DHP without breaking a sweat!
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
What's his best position do you think Paul. I haven't seen a lot of him....
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Glad he's back, but its a shame we couldn't get him back in NSW. What he lacks in raw physical traits he makes up for with rugby smarts. Although, the Rebels are listing him at 106kg? Either he's bulked up alot or someone is telling porkies.