Rebels will be a Super15 Rugby 'hit': Macdonald

[TRF_Cymro]

Melbourne Rebels Super 15 Rugby recruit Hoani Macdonald has said that he is confident that his team will be a 'hit' in their first year of Super Rugby.

New Super Rugby franchises usually struggle in their first years of competition as they try to establish a brand of playing style and a team.

The Rebels have recruited players wisely from across the globe and on paper the team looks like it will be competitive.

Melbourne Rebels Head coach Rod Macqueen has had the players sweating it out in training since early October as he plans to surprise a few teams this coming season.

"A lot of new teams try and develop in those first few years, but (coach) Rod (Macqueen) wants us to be competitive," said Macdonald.

"Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australasia and they demand results."

http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=28206​

 

[Cthulhu]

I think they will, they have a pretty strong side and have a lot to prove and I also think they can win over fans in Melbourne. Now a hit maybe in the future but they wont be the worst team in the league thats for sure

 

[Seaton]

I see them getting hit as opposed to being a hit

But hopefully there plan works out and they are competitive from the start

 

[nickdnz]

I admit that I can't see them doing as well as they're hyping. Short of a very few key signings like Mortlock, Summerville and Delve, I don't think they'll be able to compete with experienced squads that have already had key combinations worked over several seasons, with plenty of test players.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Yeah but all it takes is for the squad to fire together and you have a mean team, Look at the Reds 2008 - Hopeless, 2009 - looked semi decent for a hopeless side, 2010 - Melded together and played fantastic rugby, however I don't expect a big season from the Reds.

The Rebels might meld perfectly and have an amazing squad, whereas squads that have been around for a long time fall flat on their face *Cough* Sharks *Cough* but anything is possible in rugby.

 

[Seaton]

Yeah but all it takes is for the squad to fire together and you have a mean team, Look at the Reds 2008 - Hopeless, 2009 - looked semi decent for a hopeless side, 2010 - Melded together and played fantastic rugby, however I don't expect a big season from the Reds.

The Rebels might meld perfectly and have an amazing squad, whereas squads that have been around for a long time fall flat on their face *Cough* Sharks *Cough* but anything is possible in rugby.

Agree with you on the Reds, think people got to enthused by Genia/Cooper twinkle toes

As for the Sharks, we'll see this year what happens when we have our first and second choice fly-halves available (assuming our new ones dinnae get injured 2 weeks before the competition starts, again :s)

 

[Feicarsinn]

I think they'll most definitely struggle next season. Just look at their squad. Their backrow is very poor, their halfbacks are less than awe inspiring and their back three look pretty cack. They seem to have little or no depth in the other areas where you would say that their starters might be okay.

It's going to be a tough first few seasons for the Rebels methinks.

 

[Dougydeluxe]

Does anyone have a guess on what their starting XV would be?

 

[ranger]

I think they'll most definitely struggle next season. Just look at their squad. Their backrow is very poor, their halfbacks are less than awe inspiring and their back three look pretty cack. They seem to have little or no depth in the other areas where you would say that their starters might be okay.

It's going to be a tough first few seasons for the Rebels methinks.

They will have problems, but i dont think they will be in the areas you highlighted

 

[lance2010]

Does anyone have a guess on what their starting XV would be?

1.Greg Somerville
2.Adam Freier
3.Rodney Blake
4.Hoani McDonald
5.Kevin O'Neal
6.Tom Chamberlain
7.Micheal Lipman
8.Gareth Delve

9.Sam Cordingley
10.Danny Ciripiani
11.Peter Bethem
12.Lachlan Mitchell
13.Stirling Motlock
14.Cooper Vuna
15.Mark Gerrard

I'd go with this team for my starting Rebels line-up.

 

[gingergenius]

they ought to do well, australia need something to celebrate...

 

[Conal]

1.Greg Somerville
2.Adam Freier
3.Rodney Blake
4.Hoani McDonald
5.Kevin O'Neal
6.Tom Chamberlain
7.Micheal Lipman
8.Gareth Delve

9.Sam Cordingley
10.Danny Ciripiani
11.Peter Bethem
12.Lachlan Mitchell
13.Stirling Motlock
14.Cooper Vuna
15.Mark Gerrard

I'd go with this team for my starting Rebels line-up.

to me it looks half good/ very good players eg mortlock cipriani (when on form) somerville

but there looks like a lot of journey men lipman and delve for example

 

[MichaelBoard]

I wish them all the best and hope that they do well in their first year. On paper they have the potential to be very good but who knows how or how long it will take for them to gel

 

[Shaggy]

Well if they are from the sporting capital of Australasia ... actually, it will be interesting to see what support they can generate from the general public, particularly if they get off to a loosing start.

The team itself looks a little like "Dads Army" to me, as some of there name players are getting a little old, and i'm not sure if the player depth in the squad will be good enough if they incur a few injuries.

 

[Wally]

I think they'll most definitely struggle next season. Just look at their squad. Their backrow is very poor, their halfbacks are less than awe inspiring and their back three look pretty cack. They seem to have little or no depth in the other areas where you would say that their starters might be okay.

It's going to be a tough first few seasons for the Rebels methinks.

Wrong

At halfback they have former Test player and veteran Sam Cordingley and TWO of Australia's best young prospects in Nick Phibbs and Richard Kingi, both who have toured with the Wallabies. In the back three there is Cooper Vuna, who I believe was leading try scorer in the NRL last year, a solid player in former rugby league Test representative Luke Rooney and Mark Gerrard, one of Australia's best players when he was at peak fitness yet is still only 28.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Curious about how they will preform. Should provide some decent footie.

 

[lance2010]

to me it looks half good/ very good players eg mortlock cipriani (when on form) somerville

but there looks like a lot of journey men lipman and delve for example

Yes indeed,but been there 1st year it be good to have a few old timers around.They have a pretty limited squad at the present time,give then 2-3 years and they could be pretty good.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Wrong

At halfback they have former Test player and veteran Sam Cordingley and TWO of Australia's best young prospects in Nick Phibbs and Richard Kingi, both who have toured with the Wallabies. In the back three there is Cooper Vuna, who I believe was leading try scorer in the NRL last year, a solid player in former rugby league Test representative Luke Rooney and Mark Gerrard, one of Australia's best players when he was at peak fitness yet is still only 28.

Okay, a guy who hasn't played pro Union before, a guy who was barely up to scratch at ITM cup level and Gerrard, who admittedly a decent player. Don't forget about Cipriani too, bloody useless.

They're hardly awe inspiring options.

 

[MichaelBoard]

I think Delve will be good over there and hopefully he'll become a better player from the experience

 

[Dizzy]

Wrong

At halfback they have former Test player and veteran Sam Cordingley and TWO of Australia's best young prospects in Nick Phibbs and Richard Kingi, both who have toured with the Wallabies. In the back three there is Cooper Vuna, who I believe was leading try scorer in the NRL last year, a solid player in former rugby league Test representative Luke Rooney and Mark Gerrard, one of Australia's best players when he was at peak fitness yet is still only 28.

Dont be so sure of yourself.. his first game in NZ for Hawkes Bay was complete crap, his second found no improvement and Rooney found himself dropped from the team altogether...