2024 Melbourne Rebels Squad Dispersal

[GIGS20]

We all, so far, seem fairly forgiving on this point, but am starting to wonder about the caliber of individuals in these key seats.


Unfortunately we don't seem to be getting much of either- short term key signings or long term development signings. Mostly short term development signings seems the order of the day in WA and long term commitments ok in the East.

Crono was sounding pretty confident of getting some key signings for the Rebels shortly after the Super Rugby season wrapped up, then there was a side comment on the Rugby Wrap interview that things weren't going to plan, laying the blame pretty obscurely at RA's feet. Izack Rodda pretty much squarely said he'd signed overseas after pressure to move to the Waratahs in order to keep his top up.

Given the huge delay in contracts being finalised and those three hints I'm inclined to believe that the final signing authority is playing funny buggers in an attempt to continue the mantra "A strong Waratahs is essential for a strong Wallabies" and fuck everybody else.

[shasta]

Given the huge delay in contracts being finalised and those three hints I'm inclined to believe that the final signing authority is playing funny buggers in an attempt to continue the mantra "A strong Waratahs is essential for a strong Wallabies" and fuck everybody else.

This has been a long time MO of RA - and look what a runnaway success that has been. Got no hard data; just relying on memory but thinking back to the likes of Benny Mac, Brownie, Hodgo etc; Wallaby contract renewals either took an age or resulted in us losing the player to "The East". The more I see the more I'm worried the same strategies will have the same outcomes.

[GIGS20]

This has been a long time MO of RA - and look what a runnaway success that has been. Got no hard data; just relying on memory but thinking back to the likes of Benny Mac, Brownie, Hodgo etc; Wallaby contract renewals either took an age or resulted in us losing the player to "The East". The more I see the more I'm worried the same strategies will have the same outcomes.

My worry is similar to yours Shas, but at this point in time, it's really only adding weight to my shoulder chip.

I'll purchase a membership and willingly attend HBF simply as a year-long F-U to RA

[Leo86]

Makes me think of Jeremy Paul's comments. It's the same people still in the office/positions who have seen 5 different CEOs. Good reason why nothing actually changes. Even though its RA it's ran by mainly NSW and Qld who flat out refuse to think bigger than their own backyard

[GIGS20]

Makes me think of Jeremy Paul's comments. It's the same people still in the office/positions who have seen 5 different CEOs. Good reason why nothing actually changes. Even though its RA it's ran by mainly NSW and Qld who flat out refuse to think bigger than their own backyard

I really don't think any of the boards have been motivated to change it, because the cancer is organisation-wide.

[Tazzmania]

It appears that Kevin Foote is about to be announced as the next Junior Springbok coach

[Burgs]

Sam TALAKAI, 32, Prop, leaves the Rebels (AUS) to sign with Glasgow (SCO) , source Glasgow

[GIGS20]

Sam TALAKAI, 32, Prop, leaves the Rebels (AUS) to sign with Glasgow (SCO) , source Glasgow

FFS, we need at least one Super Ready THP, While Sam isn't a Wallaby he's an option. I hope to hell this isn't Force HQ stuffing up!

I think it's getting desperate for the fans to get some form of announcement about the plan to replace Santi.

[Tazzmania]

Please remember that a five minute highlight reel does not make a player. Coaches needed to look at a lot more than that, as well as what happens in and around training and on and off the field etc.

According to Christie Doran " Despite his experience and leadership, Talakai wasn’t strongly considered by most of Australia’s Super Rugby franchises and has consequently been snapped up by the Warriors in Scotland....."

So please stop with this incessant insinuation that the Force setup are always at fault.

[Tazzmania]

In regards to your concerns about a tight head prop we currently have Tiaan Tauakipulu who started to develop nicely last year, Siosifa Amone who is now playing Shute Shield after a year off from a knee injury and Harry Johnson Holmes who I suspect is the Santi replacement.

Tom Roberston can play both sides of the scrum.

I think it will be nice to get another tight head and an experienced one but I think desperation is not the point we are at.

[Burgs]

FFS, we need at least one Super Ready THP, While Sam isn't a Wallaby he's an option. I hope to hell this isn't Force HQ stuffing up!

I think it's getting desperate for the fans to get some form of announcement about the plan to replace Santi.

I assume you meant current Wallaby? He has been Capped.

[Burgs]

In regards to your concerns about a tight head prop we currently have Tiaan Tauakipulu who started to develop nicely last year, Siosifa Amone who is now playing Shute Shield after a year off from a knee injury and Harry Johnson Holmes who I suspect is the Santi replacement.

Tom Roberston can play both sides of the scrum.

I think it will be nice to get another tight head and an experienced one but I think desperation is not the point we are at.

To be fair Tazz, the below is what has been public to date-

Props
Charles Hancock 2025
Harry Hoopert 2025
Marley Pearce 2025
Harry Johnson-Holmes 2025?
Tom Robertson 2025

We may "currently have" the others, but would be nice to know they are actually locked away, which I think goes to the frustration in Gigs words.

[Burgs]

Isaac AEDO KAILEA, 23, Prop, leaves the Rebels (AUS) to sign with the Waratahs (AUS) for 1 year until 2025.

Mixed feelings on missing this one.
Prior to the Test season I genuinely couldn't remember who he was and research shows he didn't have a great deal of minutes or presence.
I think he has really risen to the occasion with the Test opportunities he has been given, but is still a young lad with plenty of growth, which isn't really the opening we have in the Force Roster.
Better for him to develop some more in the East and around Mike Cron, then pinch him in a couple of years...

[Garry Owen]

To be fair Tazz, the below is what has been public to date-

Props
Charles Hancock 2025
Harry Hoopert 2025
Marley Pearce 2025
Harry Johnson-Holmes 2025?
Tom Robertson 2025

We may "currently have" the others, but would be nice to know they are actually locked away, which I think goes to the frustration in Gigs words.

Amone had a great 2023 and hopefully stays.

Still no word on Pone, I hope we can land him and think we need him.

Don’t see any potential in Tiaan really

[GIGS20]

Please remember that a five minute highlight reel does not make a player. Coaches needed to look at a lot more than that, as well as what happens in and around training and on and off the field etc.According to Christie Doran " Despite his experience and leadership, Talakai wasn’t strongly considered by most of Australia’s Super Rugby franchises and has consequently been snapped up by the Warriors in Scotland....."So please stop with this incessant insinuation that the Force setup are always at fault.

I don't think you can call me "incessant" about force hq stuffing up, I've been far more on the side of RA shafting us and defending force hq.As for Sam's quality, I don't think I was overestimating it, however happy for others to have a different opinion.To clarify, I think Sifa is a great prospect and hope he continues to develop with us, but young props need time and lower minutes to build up to the rigours of professional rugby and that's why I think we need another super rugby ready, experienced thp (who for the record isn't tom Robertson, for similar reasons supporting Marley Pearce) to back hoopert up.With two experienced props and one prospect on each side of the scrum, the team has some cover for injury and the ability to manage workload between the group. Take away one of the experienced blokes and you need the other experienced player to run high minutes and you'll always have a youngster getting bench minutes. I think that's a concern when you look at the significant number of international players in the front rows of every other franchise.Does Sam have to be the other experienced thp?No, but thps are like unicorn shavings and, given we need one, I think it's ok to be concerned.