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This could be just the change of scene Crofty needs to make the next step.
Perhaps the responability of leadership will have a bit of a Troy Flavell effect on him.
David Croft to lead the Melbourne Rebels in new competition
May 23, 2007 - 6:40pm
Story by: QRU
Wallaby and QR Queensland Reds star flanker David Croft will captain the Melbourne Rebels in the inaugural Mazda Australian Rugby Championship, which kicks off in August.
Croft joins the Rebels with the blessing of Queensland Rugby to take a leadership role with the newly formed team, one of eight in the new national competition.
Croft said he was looking forward to the opportunity to be part of a new era for rugby.
“My heart and soul is, and always will be with Queensland and the Reds. This opportunity to play in new surroundings with a new challenge will help me develop as a player and come back recharged and keener than ever for next year’s Super 14 season,” said Croft, the 2007 Pilecki Medal winner who recently re-contracted to the Reds for another two years.
“It’s also vital for Australian and Victorian Rugby that the Rebels get off to the best possible start in this new competition, so it’s an honour for me to be invited to captain the Rebels, with the responsibility that goes with that.”
Victorian Rugby Union CEO Ron Steiner said David Croft was the consummate rugby professional and an inspirational player at that.
“He has proudly represented his country and has played over 100 games for the Reds, most recently as captain, and has a deserved reputation for giving his very best, at national, state or club level.
“He’s widely recognised as a great leader and role model for rugby on and off the field. He will set a standard we expect all others to follow,” he said.
“The entire Victorian rugby community is excited to have David Croft leading the Rebels’ charge in this new era for rugby in Victoria.”
ARU General Manager, Rugby Pat Wilson said Queensland Rugby’s decision to release such a valuable player as Croft for the good of the competition was to be commended.
“Australian Rugby is delighted that David has accepted this exciting opportunity and we congratulate Queensland on releasing him to play a leadership role for the Rebels in this new competition. He’ll have an important role to play and I know he will give it 100 per cent, as he always does. ”
The Melbourne Rebels first game is in Canberra on August 11 and the first home game is against Queensland’s East Coast Aces on August 18.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
The Melbourne Rebels now have their own web page from the VRU site:
http://www.vicrugby.com.au/Display.a...gby&tabid=2707
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
yeah and a pretty useless site at that!
crofty will lead melbourne well. as far as i know the rebels get 3 force players, 3 brumbies and one red and tah. any word on any of the other players heding to melb from other franchises? i really think they should be allowed more pro players, especially with the weak club comp here. they should encourage more s14 players to head to melb to create space for upcoming club players in states like WA. where their path will be blocked by a bunch of imported s14 players. therefore hardly any locals representing there state. if the ARU is serious about making perth a rugby centre they need to develop WA players
Looks a whole lot better than it did 12 months ago when it was just a RugbyNet site... Vic Rugby 2006
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
haha very true
but they need to get off their arses and create something useful to a rebels fan like me. croft got appointed captain and there is nothing on the current sight, all the signing news is well out of date too. like they happen weeks beforehand
Wow, great news, Melbourne has a rugby team and a fanOriginally Posted by felixnelson
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haha!
Probably get more when they got more to give Felix
I imagine now the Australian Squad is "taking shape" there would be a fair bit of negotiation going on behind the closed doors.
Personally I reckon they should have the right to select any player with Victorian origins in this first year.
I wrote up a list during last year, I'll try and dig it out during the day.
Wonder if Dave Fitter is sick of London yet....
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
2007 Melbourne Rebels Squad:
(22 named so 6 to come)
Looks like Melbourne are starting to get a roll on.
Players that have been signed for the 2007 season are as follows:
David Croft (Captain), Openside Flanker, Reds
Matt Cockbain, Lock/Backrow
Mike Ross
Nick Churven
Richard Stanford, Lock/Backrow, Brumbies
David Dennis, Backrow
Matt Hodgson, Openside Flanker, Western Force
Luke Burgess, Scrumhalf, Waratahs
Dan Kelly
Digby Ioane, Wing, Reds
Michael Hobbs, Flyhalf
Peter Playford, Wing, Brumbies
Nathan Trist
Scott Cameron
Liam Shaw, Lock
Shawn MacKay, Backrow/Lock
David Haigh
Jon McGrath, Scrumhalf, Western Force
Peter Owens, Wing, Warringah (NSW) ex Brumbies '05-'06
James Lew
James Hanson
Heamani Lavaka, Prop, Eastern Suburbs (NSW)
I'll do up a profile on these fellas over the next few days, stay tuned folks![]()
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Digby'll be homesick again...reckon he'll last half the games & then want to head back to Qld!!!!
CHEERLEADERS ROCK!!!
or Perth
A Melbourbe rugby fan that is not a Kiwi, surely not....ah, he doesn't live in Melbourne so that figures.Originally Posted by hopep
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Just happy to be here
i do live in melbourne now, its good to be home!
digby probably feels the same way!
i think his family now reside in qld, but he is melbourne born and raised im pretty sure.....raised anyway
also on the rebels squad, looks alright... would look much better with a hilgendorf, mackay or daruda though. A good playmaker would really help, altho i must confess i dont know anything about any of these club players.
anyone know how they fare?
burgess is a gun though, can he play 10? hes an aggressive little fella, owned the sevens...
Fair chance that Michael Hobbs, (son of New Zealand Rugby Union Chairman and former All Black Jock Hobbs) previously Flyhalf for NZ Schoolboys and Under 19's will be wearing #10 for some of the matches Felix.
Not sure how he qualifies for the ARC though (can't see him giving up his "birthright" to a Black jersey) as I was told directly that eligibility for the Spirit is the same as for Super 14, ie able to play for the Wallabies etc.
Perhaps Melbourne have some exemptions?
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
nah there is a marquee signing and an allowment for each team to have an international player. thats for every team...
Not according to RugbyWA HQ![]()
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.