Roar Rookie
Joined September 2018
2.6k
Views
1
Published
134
Comments
Published
Comments
As a rugby evangelist, I was doing my best to convert my non-rugby mate so he would finally sit down and watch the Wallabies…
Except that “magic dust” turned out to be asbestos.
Great article Geoff.
The Wrap: Code Orange as looming Rebels decision places rugby pathways at risk
Canham jumped up a whole other level last season. Easily 50% better than his previous season. Hoping for more out this young bloke and hopefully he’ll be boosted by a experienced head like LSL. I’m predicting another good season from him.
'How do I get out of Australian rugby?' Wallaby's anguish after year from hell - and why there are 'no excuses' for Rebels
Anyone else feel like giving themselves an uppercut this morning? 😱
'Bloody disappointed: Wallabies OUT of World Cup as nation to miss finals for first time, Eddie fights for survival
“No, no, dig up stupid!” – Officer Wiggam.
I fully expect to see more “digging up” mentality leading up to Wales. I’m consoling myself with the fact that despite this whole debacle and witnessing what feels like the end of quality rugby in Australia this whole thing is rather…entertaining. At least if the Wallabies don’t make it’ll be all in for me with Fiji.
COMMENT: Eddie must be axed if he can't beat Wales - or the game will be in deep trouble in Australia
I would have thought, being in France, he would harness his inner Van Gogh and give it to an unexpectimg woman of the night to hold onto. What a great RWC souvenir!
Revealed: The bloody ear that has proved a Rugby World Cup headache as Wallabies seek lineout fix
Lonergan makes sense to me as Tate works well around the rucks with getting fast forwards to get the go forward. I’m not sure if I could see that happening against the Boks or foresee that happening against Los Pumas. Lonergan has a more consistent pass than Tate
Wallabies CONFIRMED: 10 changes with McReight in for Hoops, Eddie's bench gamble, Rebel's debut and Suli dropped
We know Marika will be there ready to pounce… but will Suli? Hopefully we can finally see him at to speed
Wallabies CONFIRMED: Why Jones opted for Hodge at 12 as Suli starts and four debutants named for Boks clash
I thought it was injury that kept him off the field
Exclusive: Rebels sign ex-All Blacks gun as Hodge replacement, Brumbies hang onto Wallaby
I didn’t really understand what happened with Ili. I thought he made Carter Gordon look better with him as a steady straightening force at IC. Our best backline this season was Gordon, Ili, Hodge, Kellaway at FB and Anderson and Ioane on the wings. I didn’t think it was his size that let us down he was a decent defender with the ability to use his feet to make meters and straighten up the attack. I would like to understand why this changed throughout the season. Ripley, Jooste and Feliluai didn’t reach the same heights I felt. Wish we’d seen Ray Nu’u this season. Shame he’s leaving.
Exclusive: Rebels sign ex-All Blacks gun as Hodge replacement, Brumbies hang onto Wallaby
Not to knock our current wingers but if you compare the size (height and body) and speed of these 3 players to our current wingers its a significant drop. [On a side note: Why we didn’t use Tuqiri’s height more against the much shorter Jason Robinson in the ’03 RWC is beyond me. Especially since it came off initially.] Sailor, I’m sure, is still the biggest for size and speed ratio we’ve ever had. Naiyaravoro too slow in comparison.
Exclusive: Wallabies star turns down offers overseas to re-sign despite NRL frustration, Petaia's massive setback
This is a perfect suggestion Spew: “make the ball be played after one stop, not two. It’s often the second shove that gets the ball over the line”
I’d personally reduce the amount for a rolling maul try to 4 points or even not allow a conversion afterwards.
'The most boring play on a rugby field': Why Wayne Smith is right to call for radical rule tweak
Yeah the chasing seemed poor by the Rebels this week. I’m not sure what happened because last week they were much better. Ioane was immense from each kick off. Pressured the catcher each time. I feel like he’s turning into a MK as he’s doing a great job looking for work and with better footwork. If only he could learn the Marika special ie. bust through the ruck when no one’s paying attention
Five things we learned: The day Australia's playmakers arrived in thrilling RWC audition for Eddie
I don’t know, he looks pretty slow on the video 😉
Exclusive: 'Better than Suaalii' - Schoolboy sensation turns down NRL to sign with Rugby Australia
Clearly you’ve been putting in a great preseason Harry. I challenge you to use “abstemious” in as many articles as possible before the RWC finals 😂 and here I was thinking it was just the analysis that’s performing at a top international level
'Fewer nonsensical cliches, less platitude soup' - Eddie's first squad fails to tackle biggest concern
Ioane is not a polished product, yet. He’s fast, has some decent footwork, is quite strong and most importantly goes looking for work. A much more promising player than Vunivalu has been. Korobeite wasn’t much of a polished product when he first started at the Rebels but gee he improved his stocks while there. I thought Lachie Anderson was a liability last season and previous but he’s really stood up this year. I bet Hardwick is disappointed he missed out on this match. We could have done with his pilfering in the first 20 min.
'They've got that wrong': Reds denied in wildly controversial finish as Rebels hold on in epic comeback win
And also tries to run through players ie. the run down the sideline through Jock Campbell 😂
'They've got that wrong': Reds denied in wildly controversial finish as Rebels hold on in epic comeback win
Larry Johnson Holmes? Harry’s twin brother? 😛
'Shake up this comp': Fearless Rebels punish 'loose' Waratahs in huge upset as Hardwick, Gordon shine
Ha! Petaia definitely doesn’t look like the happy go lucky type.
'Shake up this comp': Fearless Rebels punish 'loose' Waratahs in huge upset as Hardwick, Gordon shine
That’s an interesting conundrum TWAS. Not sure what I’d choose. Size (ie muscle bulk) might be easier than speed but speed might be more necessary in today’s game. I wonder what the size andspeed stat’s are for Wright v Wilkin? They seem a bit similar in stature for me.
'Shake up this comp': Fearless Rebels punish 'loose' Waratahs in huge upset as Hardwick, Gordon shine
Hooper is the exact sort of player you need against a skilled Irish side that thrives off of quick ball from ruck after ruck. Someone who going to be there to disrupt each one. In that saying that, gee Hardwick has been immense this season! Too bad he won’t be available. It’s almost like the Waratahs last season. A lot of young players getting used the year before and then stepping up for the following season. The biggest turn around being Josh Canham and Lachie Anderson. Louwrens also had his best game he’s had for the Rebels last night.
'Shake up this comp': Fearless Rebels punish 'loose' Waratahs in huge upset as Hardwick, Gordon shine
😂
Scribble and dribble: Eddie on being caught with his plans down, MCG as world's best rugby ground and needing more redheads
Ioane left due to mental health reasons and moved to Melbourne to be closer to family. I believe he’s still eligible but needed time away. Italy are playing so well at the moment. We never should have fielded an experimental b side against them.
'Shake up this comp': Fearless Rebels punish 'loose' Waratahs in huge upset as Hardwick, Gordon shine
He seems to have the ability Quade does with fast flat passes on either side. But also knows when to stand deep. Would love a bit of mentoring from Quade for the young lad
'Shake up this comp': Fearless Rebels punish 'loose' Waratahs in huge upset as Hardwick, Gordon shine
I love watching McDermott play but it think it would take a lot to outshine White. His experience and consistency stands out every game he plays. I’ve been really impressed with how well Ryan Lonergan is playing too. Would love to swap him for Louwrens at the Rebels but highly doubt he’d want to do that.
COMPLETE SRP teams Round 3: Brumbies unleash Test duo, Reds pick and stick, Cron wields axe, Wallabies back for Tahs
Anyone know what happened with Ryan Louwrens and why he wasn’t picked this week? To me, one of the biggest weaknesses for the Rebels throughout their tenure has been a lack of settled combinations. We have seen good 9s and 10s but rarely anything established. There has been great talent unearthed at the Rebels but as soon as they’ve shown significant promise they last 1-2 seasons max. Especially in the second row and centres. Also we’ve seen top players poached but rarely ever settled for long. I won’t mention the first 5 years or so but this list includes off the top of my head JOC, Beale, Cooper, Genia, Toomua. Luke Jones, Sean McMahon, Matt Phillip, Richard Harwick some names that have put in the years and should been held onto a bit tighter. Every new player, regardless of ability, takes time to establish an understanding of each other’s abilities, nuance and to understand their role in the team structures. As a Rebels fan last year was absolutely the most entertaining season I can remember. Louwrens and Carter seemed to know each other well and Carter was well serviced by a quality forward pack with a top back row and Stacey Ili at IC.
I worry about the combinations this year with so many new players but at least many of the new signings have played together before.
I hope Carter and Maunder go well together. I feel that Foote and co. has done well with the cattle and combos they’ve had and hoping this is their year to shine with everyone with their backs to the wall.
The results of this season won’t make or break rugby in Victoria but it’ll sure be interesting to see how the boys stand up against adversity this year.
All the best for this season.
Now or never for the Melbourne Rebels, as Australia’s five-franchise structure faces the final test