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Beale: Rebels can win Super Rugby ***le
- Thread starter TRF_Ezequiel
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Having O'Connor and Beale doesn't change the fact that they are very weak in defence. Like you said Nick, their scrumpack is the weakest of all. I still feel that Australia as a nation is not big enough to have 5 Rugby Union franchises to compete at Super Rugby level.
Darwin
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I actually think the Rebels will be a stronger team this year - if they perform to their potential they may even manage to get off the bottom of the table!
As others have mentioned, they have a very weak tight-five (probably even weaker than last year now that Sommerville is gone). Their loose-forward trio is actually pretty good (Saffy, Lipman, Delve) but they are really lacking depth behind this top trio. Their likely starting backline (9. Phipps, 10. Cipriani, 11. Vuna/Mitchell/Kingi, 12. O'Connor, 13. Mortlock, 14. Gerrard/L Mitchell/Kingi, 15. Beale) could be quite effective on attack if they are given some good ball to work with (a big if), but (as had already been mentioned) look very weak on defense. Cipriani and Vuna are shockingly poor defenders, and Mortlock's lack of pace is a big worry, especially as it look like he will be starting at 13 rather than 12 this season.
As others have mentioned, they have a very weak tight-five (probably even weaker than last year now that Sommerville is gone). Their loose-forward trio is actually pretty good (Saffy, Lipman, Delve) but they are really lacking depth behind this top trio. Their likely starting backline (9. Phipps, 10. Cipriani, 11. Vuna/Mitchell/Kingi, 12. O'Connor, 13. Mortlock, 14. Gerrard/L Mitchell/Kingi, 15. Beale) could be quite effective on attack if they are given some good ball to work with (a big if), but (as had already been mentioned) look very weak on defense. Cipriani and Vuna are shockingly poor defenders, and Mortlock's lack of pace is a big worry, especially as it look like he will be starting at 13 rather than 12 this season.
their scrum was good this year the general idea was that if you can hold of the rebels scrum they weren't a threat anywhere else. But one obvious factor there is that Greg Summerville has left. he was very impressive for them this year - maybe slowed down a bit towards the end of the season.
Defense was their weak point, Cipriani was a revolving door and they couldnt hide him like the reds hide Cooper.
Other than that I admit I cant rate them, they were stronger at home and I think that will carry on this year. Nailing O'Connor and Beale is pretty awesome. I'd say that on it's own is enough to ensure that that won't be bottom of the table. But to win you need a tight 5 that operates close to top class international level - usually stacked with test players.
Defense was their weak point, Cipriani was a revolving door and they couldnt hide him like the reds hide Cooper.
Other than that I admit I cant rate them, they were stronger at home and I think that will carry on this year. Nailing O'Connor and Beale is pretty awesome. I'd say that on it's own is enough to ensure that that won't be bottom of the table. But to win you need a tight 5 that operates close to top class international level - usually stacked with test players.
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