Rebels ready for first outing

[TRF_Cymro]

Melbourne Rebels coach Rod Macqueen says his players are itching to get into action ahead of the team's historic debut against Tonga on Saturday.

The newly-formed Super Rugby side will play two trial matches against Tonga (January 15 and 21) before meeting Fiji (January 29) and the seven-time Super Rugby champs, the Crusaders (February 5).

The Rebels have been training solidly for three months and the trial couldn't come soon enough for Macqueen's side.

"It's interesting to see, we've got a situation where everyone's been together for three months and everyone's getting very edgy," Macqueen told AAP.

"We're all ready to get on the field for the first time."

Macqueen added that the matches against Tonga will help him decide on a starting XV, while the further matches will give the team an opportunity to gel before the season opener against the Waratahs on February 18.

http://www.planetrugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,16024_6655218,00.html​

Delve always has a black eye whenever I see him :lol:

 

[Dougydeluxe]

The Rebels getting a chance to play Tonga and Fiji before the start of the season will give them a huge chance in winning the first couple of games in my opinion.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Any idea if any of these'll be televised?
Pre-seasons normally aren't, but they are playing a national team...
I'm very interested to see how they go

 

[Amobokoboko]

same here. Should be some good matches

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Any idea if any of these'll be televised?
Pre-seasons normally aren't, but they are playing a national team...
I'm very interested to see how they go

I would be surprised, probably on the Rebels website or live stream!

 

[Hulk Hogan]

The Rebels getting a chance to play Tonga and Fiji before the start of the season will give them a huge chance in winning the first couple of games in my opinion.

In my opinion it will give them a huge chance of injuring their best players before the season has even started.

 

[Seaton]

In my opinion it will give them a huge chance of injuring their best players before the season has even started.

Hear hear

oh, and playing the Crusaders seems a wonderful idea (until the match is in progress of course)

 

[Hulk Hogan]

They would have been better playing some ITM club teams or something a little lower than Super Rugby (Not saying ITM cup teams aren't hard, hell they would probably smash them), just to give them more experience, hell even play some Shute Shield teams first.

 

[Dougydeluxe]

I might be wrong, but aren't most of Fiji's and Tonga's top choice players playing in England & France. So would this not be a lower level team then Super Rugby, given them the experience with less risk of injury. They have also been training for 3 months, which is a hell of a long time without a game. So I think they need this more even with the risk of injury.

 

[Seaton]

I might be wrong, but aren't most of Fiji's and Tonga's top choice players playing in England & France. So would this not be a lower level team then Super Rugby, given them the experience with less risk of injury. They have also been training for 3 months, which is a hell of a long time without a game. So I think they need this more even with the risk of injury.

I think with the Fijians/Tongans fielding less experienced sides may result in an even tougher game physically
But they still could have gone for 'easier' sides, maybe an Aussie University team, or as somone mentioned an ITM Cup side