Melbourne coach Kevin Foote is calling on his Wallabies players to do more to arrest their disappointing Super Rugby Pacific form-slump that has left them winless after four rounds.
The Rebels fell 36-17 to the Brumbies on Friday night at AAMI Park and while showing some promising patches, they were no match for the unbeaten Canberra outfit.
The Brumbies scored six tries to two, with four in the bag before the home side crossed the white stripe.
The Rebels have been missing a number of players through injury, but many of those available have been below par in attack and also in their physicality in defence.
Foote says he needs his senior players, including Test veterans Matt Toomua and Reece Hodge and fellow Wallabies Joe Powell, Andrew Kellaway and Jordie Uelese to be at their best.
The coach, in his first season, said his stars were in agreement about their form.
“We definitely need to see more,” Foote said.
“They know themselves – we’ve got a rating system where each individual player gives themselves a score after the game and we do the same and we see where we’re at.
“The guys are brutally honest and the scores aren’t very high at the moment and they aren’t where they want to be and they’re taking that quite hard.
“The senior players know they haven’t hit their straps and we need them desperately to do that.”
Foote said he felt some players, such as Hodge, were possibly trying too hard, while confidence was low across the board.
He said he had also questioned his own messaging and whether he was negatively impacting the mindset of the team.
Winger Kellaway made his first appearance of the season after a foot injury and played only 60 minutes, but Foote said it was just managing his return and he would be available for the full 80 against the Waratahs next Saturday night at the SCG.
robbo999
Roar Rookie
The situations are not exactly the same but it is not that long ago that Brad Thorn was being pilloried for not winning games with too many young players and only a few seasoned hands. Much of that was Thorn's choice. As Geoff says below the Rebels have a strong strategy of building a "local" team that sticks around longer term. It was going well until the last week of preseason . What was it Lennon said: "Man plans - God laughs". Whatever the outcome of this season, a lot of the younger ones will come out stronger.
carnivean
Roar Rookie
Yeah I figured that the underlying problem was player numbers. Still not a good situation they've put him in.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Probably due to injuries to others and uncertainty around Nu’u at 12 too. Looked really good in trials too. So might have just thought he was further along than he is. I’m all for investing in your players to develop. But you can’t just ignore bad errors from them. It’s not that he’s playing but seems to just need time. They’re really bad errors that are costing attacking opportunities and letting in tries.
carnivean
Roar Rookie
Then why play him there in the first round? With a young player surely you either have to throw them in and give them confidence by continuing to back them, or you send them somewhere to gain polish before letting them into the team. Picking and immediately benching him seems the worst possible option.
Simon Richardson
Guest
First season watching the rebels.I feel there attacking is weak.Allways in the wrong half.Most of the game they are defending.They need to come up with some new ideas and play a different game.Very disapointing
MichaelJ0
Roar Rookie
lol
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
To’omua was average for the Rebels in 2019 and played his best rugby for them in 2020 and 2021
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Over the past 5 years where they’ve been the 2nd or 3rd best Australian team in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and just shaded for 3rd in 2021? The rebels have issues and have underachieved. But they haven’t been consistently at the bottom. Their issue is they’ve been consistently at the middle, unable to progress from that.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Same with the Reds 2009 to 2011. You can learn defence. You can’t learn attack in the same way.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not playing his natural game. Haven’t seen him being used on a hard line at the defenders outside shoulder once. That’s where he excels.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
To'omua's game has gone down the tubes since 2020 imo. He's got adequate involvements but it's his execution that's declined. He's still a better Test centre than Paisami imo but a shadow of his form of 3-4 yrs ago.
Darren WA
Roar Rookie
100% agree!!
Darren WA
Roar Rookie
Rebels need betting coaching staff, Kevin Foote and his offsider are good but not suited to this role.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Thanks for the insight Geoff. I thought as much. Headlines are not long enough to paint a full picture. The whole Oz conference, not too mention the Wallabies, need the Rebels to fire a shot, and soon. The way that they’re going they may inherit some recycled Tah jokes. I remember when the Rebels beat the Saders in 2011, against the odds as a very green team, with a very ‘mature’ Mortlock. They don’t have the new kid on the block excuses any more. Injuries (and the Drua) came at a rough time.
Rob
Guest
Long times rebels fan. Long time loser. You’d hope they are getting some coin. We’ve had some big time names with little success. This year we will be bottom. 8 people attend the games and not super star to lead the pack will show.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
I was there in the room Ken, and as well, spoke separately with the coach for five minutes afterwards. This angle is just one of many points and questions that were raised. There is a lot of work going on at the club - within the admin and the rugby staff - to develop young players and to craft a team that has a strong Melbourne identity. But of course, in addition to that, they need their experienced guys to fire.
piru
Roar Rookie
Something is up with Hodge, he's not been himself all year
piru
Roar Rookie
Excellent direction from the coach there: "be less rubbish". How much do these guys get paid, cos that's exactly what I was thinking.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Mad Yes agree on Kellaway - very unfair. He was probly their best player last night :)
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
I agree with Coach Foote But this has been a recurring problem for the Rebels over past 5 years. They're same as the Force were in their 1st 12 years of SR - terminal losers. At end of day it's the coach's responsibility to get all players firing to potential. Rebels have not had 1 coach so far who's been able to do it. And this years crew look the worst of all. Comp wooden spoon is waiting for them imo :laughing: