Wallabies outside back Dane Haylett-Petty will captain Melbourne Rebels again as the Victorian club strives for a first Super Rugby finals spot.
Entering their tenth season Melbourne have never logged more than seven wins, a tally they have achieved in four of their last five campaigns, some of which they started well only to fade in the closing stages.
Haylett-Petty, who plays winger or fullback, retains the role he held in 2019.
“Last year I took over just before round one, it felt like I was winging it a bit,” Haylett-Petty said.
“I definitely learnt a whole lot of lessons as the whole team did.
“But we’ve talked a lot about being a start up (franchise) and we’re only ten years old and being innovative.
“I feel like the leaders have had a lot of say, taken a lot of control, a lot of responsibility, a lot of ownership, we’ve had a lot of fun with it.
“The big strength for us is the stability we’ve got. It’s the first time we’ve had in our ten-year history the same chairman, CEO, head coach, captain, all the coaching staff are the same.
“We’re just building from a strong foundation.”
Haylett-Petty felt the Rebels’ 2020 roster had a lot of depth.
“I think the Rebels have done a really good job in their off-season in terms of recruiting,” the 30-year-old said.
“We’ve lost some young guys but we’ve replaced them with a lot of Super Rugby experience.
“Guys like Wellsy (backrower Michael Wells), (back Andrew) Kellaway, (halfback) Ryan Louwrens.
“They are going to add a lot to our season.
“We used the least number of players in Super Rugby last year and I really think we’ve got a lot of depth to get us through this season.”
The Rebels play the Brumbies in a trial in Albury on Thursday before starting their Super campaign against Japan’s Sunwolves in Fukuoka on Saturday week.
Melbourne’s Super W side will have co-captains, with PNG international and new recruit Mel Kawa joining 2019 skipper Meretiana Robinson.
Malo
Guest
Bring in new talent, players like Toomua, KB, DHP, Simmons, Genia & Speight & JOC should be barred from the wallaby jersey. A new era awaits.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Apparently English is. I saw something about him signing which indicates he may have a short term deal in Japan.
Shed
Roar Rookie
English is up in Japan and not sure that he is back for the SR season. If DHP is captain and an automatic selection therefore, I would like to see how he goes at 13. Hodge needs to be given the chance to develop into a Latham-type fullback and this starts in SR. Toomua at 10, Meakes at 12, DHP at 13, Kellaway and Koriebete at 11 and 14 with Hodge at 15.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Meakes is their best centre by far.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
A good choice as I don’t think Rennie will need him.
Jonesy
Roar Rookie
I would guess Meakes and English. Magnay doesn’t seem to have developed on his early promise but hopefully he proves me wrong.
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
"We've lost some young guys but we've replaced them with a lot of Super Rugby experience." Doesn't say much for development pathways in the south.
jameswm
Roar Guru
A big question is who plays in the centres. Hodge, Meakes, English and Magnay from memory.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Agreed. But I think that was more so that it kept Meakes and English in the centres. When Meakes/English/Hodge was disrupted they didn't play as well.
Jonesy
Roar Rookie
I felt the rebels were a bit stronger last year when hodge filled in at 15 whilst dhp was injured (could be other reasons for this). I wonder if there will be any temptation to swap them around between wing and fullback?