Rebels add Waratahs duo for 2019

Yesterday at 8:22 PM Super Rugby
by Beth Newman


The Melbourne Rebels have signed Waratahs duo Brad Wilkin and Hugh Roach for 2019 and beyond.

Both came off contract in NSW this season and were hunting for new Super Rugby homes after mixed Sydney fortunes.

Wilkin made his Super Rugby debut in 2018 after two consecutive knee reconstructions before playing most of the back end of the season with Sydney Uni on their way to a Shute Shield title.

The 22-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Melbourne franchise, taking him through to 2020.

“I was stoked to make my Super Rugby debut this year and to win the Shute Shield with Sydney University," he said.

"I want to continue to improve and have huge aspirations of what I want to achieve in rugby and I have heard great things about the program in Melbourne that makes me want to be a part of it.”

“I’ve had a frustrating couple of years with injury, but I’ve got my body right and I really want to repay the faith the Rebels have put in me with my performances on the park for them over the next two years.”

Roach had fallen down the Waratahs' rake pecking orders after 41 Super Rugby games and his competition won't be any easier in Melbourne with Anaru Rangi and Jordan Uelese to contend with.

The 26-year-old said he was ready to embrace that challenge.

“I’m wrapt to be able to call Melbourne home next year. The Rebels are definitely a Club on the rise and I want to add real value to the squad,” he said.

“I feel like this new challenge is the right move for my career and it will be a great test to join the young and abrasive pack the Rebels are building.

"I really want to cement my spot as a permanent member of the 23 and I really can’t wait to get started.”

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/09...s-wilkin-roach

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The InnFORCEr

Yesterday at 8:22 PM Super Rugby
by Beth Newman


The Melbourne Rebels have signed Waratahs duo Brad Wilkin and Hugh Roach for 2019 and beyond.

Both came off contract in NSW this season and were hunting for new Super Rugby homes after mixed Sydney fortunes.

Wilkin made his Super Rugby debut in 2018 after two consecutive knee reconstructions before playing most of the back end of the season with Sydney Uni on their way to a Shute Shield title.

The 22-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Melbourne franchise, taking him through to 2020.

“I was stoked to make my Super Rugby debut this year and to win the Shute Shield with Sydney University," he said.

"I want to continue to improve and have huge aspirations of what I want to achieve in rugby and I have heard great things about the program in Melbourne that makes me want to be a part of it.”

“I’ve had a frustrating couple of years with injury, but I’ve got my body right and I really want to repay the faith the Rebels have put in me with my performances on the park for them over the next two years.”

Roach had fallen down the Waratahs' rake pecking orders after 41 Super Rugby games and his competition won't be any easier in Melbourne with Anaru Rangi and Jordan Uelese to contend with.

The 26-year-old said he was ready to embrace that challenge.

“I’m wrapt to be able to call Melbourne home next year. The Rebels are definitely a Club on the rise and I want to add real value to the squad,” he said.

“I feel like this new challenge is the right move for my career and it will be a great test to join the young and abrasive pack the Rebels are building.

"I really want to cement my spot as a permanent member of the 23 and I really can’t wait to get started.”

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/09...s-wilkin-roach

---

Must be pushing 60 for the 2019 squad, surely its a joke, when will the other SR teams start to bitch about this.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by UAUdiver1959

Must be pushing 60 for the 2019 squad, surely its a joke, when will the other SR teams start to bitch about this.

---

A primary focus of the ARU/RA is on increasing the revenue of the Melbourne Rebels in 2019, so if Melbourne wants an extra large SR squad or wants the salary cap lifted, then they'll get it - anything which will contribute to raising the profile of the Rebels in Melbourne and getting more punters to buy Rebels memberships and game day tickets in 2019.

BTW, scuttlebutt from "North Shore Sources" is that the ARU/RA is confident of getting reasonable compensation from World Rugby for the reduced number of Wallabies tests played in Australia in 2019, perhaps around $4M.

Apparently the Rabble are also targeting Campbell Magnay.

I suppose it must be Dave Wessels dream ... having virtual Carte Blanche on your squad numbers and player access . A pity it was not so with the Force where he and the players wanted to be .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FingerTips

A primary focus of the ARU/RA is on increasing the revenue of the Melbourne Rebels in 2019, so if Melbourne wants an extra large SR squad or wants the salary cap lifted, then they'll get it - anything which will contribute to raising the profile of the Rebels in Melbourne and getting more punters to buy Rebels memberships and game day tickets in 2019.

BTW, scuttlebutt from "North Shore Sources" is that the ARU/RA is confident of getting reasonable compensation from World Rugby for the reduced number of Wallabies tests played in Australia in 2019, perhaps around $4M.

---

Is that $4mill to go to grassroots or paying off Cheika, or Folau's new contract I wonder?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FingerTips

BTW, scuttlebutt from "North Shore Sources" is that the ARU/RA is confident of getting reasonable compensation from World Rugby for the reduced number of Wallabies tests played in Australia in 2019, perhaps around $4M.

---

There's no way an extra 4 million will fund the Rebel's 84 man forward pack

The RA Chairman's 84 :eek:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FingerTips

A primary focus of the ARU/RA is on increasing the revenue of the Melbourne Rebels in 2019, so if Melbourne wants an extra large SR squad or wants the salary cap lifted, then they'll get it - anything which will contribute to raising the profile of the Rebels in Melbourne and getting more punters to buy Rebels memberships and game day tickets in 2019.

BTW, scuttlebutt from "North Shore Sources" is that the ARU/RA is confident of getting reasonable compensation from World Rugby for the reduced number of Wallabies tests played in Australia in 2019, perhaps around $4M.

---

2019 will still likely be a short of pocket year.

2.5m GBP = 4.55m AUD (on current rates, although the Aussie has likely upside which would drop the total)

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/spo...20-p504zd.html

That's actually not huge, but given the crowds they've been getting lately ...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Transiting

The RA Chairman's 84 :eek:

---

Chairman's LXXXIV, please. :hehehe:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bootsetal06

I suppose it must be Dave Wessels dream ... having virtual Carte Blanche on your squad numbers and player access . A pity it was not so with the Force where he and the players wanted to be .

---

That is why he never got the Munster job only allowed four non eligible player and one project. The IRFU won't allow three overseas flyhalfs.

In early May 2018, the Melbourne Rebels announced a partnership with Legacy Property and Investment Group. Some parties in the Fourth Estate called it a "major sponsorship deal".

The present status of Legacy Property and Investment Group Pty Ltd (ACN 613 469 202) is recorded in the ASIC database as "Strike-off Action in Progress", which means that the company is in the process of being deregistered.

Curious.

(From a source on the North Shore who obviously has too much time on his hands.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FingerTips

In early May 2018, the Melbourne Rebels announced a partnership with Legacy Property and Investment Group. Some parties in the Fourth Estate called it a "major sponsorship deal".

The present status of Legacy Property and Investment Group Pty Ltd (ACN 613 469 202) is recorded in the ASIC database as "Strike-off Action in Progress", which means that the company is in the process of being deregistered.

Curious.

(From a source on the North Shore who obviously has too much time on his hands.)

---

Oh dear. Not surprised there is very little out there about this company.

Jeez what a complete fuckup that organisation has been. It was laughable reading that plonker Parkes and sycophant TWAT deny an increase in wages after they have signed another brace of players.

Geoff got defensive when asked to produce the figures that News Limited put in to the Storm despite raising it in discussion himself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bakkies

Geoff got defensive when asked to produce the figures that News Limited put in to the Storm despite raising it in discussion himself.

---

I dug up some figures a while back and had their losses @ about $5 mill per annum. But in 2012, the year News Corp got shot of the money pit, the very knowledgeable Roy Masters claimed they were losing $8 mill a year, spending 2-5 million more than other NRL clubs. The new owners project they will break even by 2021 (we'll see!), so that would be 25 years of continuous losses. This is despite them being the most successful team by some margin over that time, with a membership of 15,000 and having built a surprisingly high profile down there. Some regulars, for example include John (Gaaarllton) Eliott and Sam Newman - who both went last week rather than watch Collingwood and Richmond going at it over the road. Newman attends whenever possible just to watch Billy Slater, he says. How TF can they still be losing a motza and have only really produced 1 first local grader in over 20 years; Mahe Fonua who they cut and now plays for the Tiges? I can't for the life of me, see any logic at all in the fasciation with Melbourne. I know the rights holders interest in TV exposure. But they gave it up as a loser. Why are the current owners persisting? Don't get it at all.