Rebels announce three new Super 15 signings

[Intercept King JDV]

Former Reds and Wallaby halfback Sam Cordingley will return from France to play for the new Melbourne Rebels team in next year's Super 15 rugby tournament.

The Rebels also announced the signing of two other backline players Tim Davidson and Peter Betham.

Cordingley, who plays for Grenoble, was given his Wallabies debut by Melbourne coach Rod Macqueen in 2000.

Davidson played for the Western Force and New South Wales Waratahs, where Betham is currently playing.

This week, former Australia captain and 80-test veteran Stirling Mortlock agreed to a three-year deal with Melbourne, which has also signed two British internationals Wales No. 8 Gareth Delve and England flyhalf Danny Cipriani.

Source

Another very experienced player in Cordingley that the Rebels have signed, wonder who will be their 1st choice halfback, Cordingley or Kingi...probably Cordingley?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Cordingley is currently playing for a team outside the Top 14; Grenoble are in Pro D1. I imagine he's being brought in to add experience to the squad rather than as a first choice player.

 

[Thingimubob]

I've got a funny feeling that Same Norton-Knight might sign for the Rebels, see that he's on his way out from the Blues after a terrible season. Especially with Parks coming to Cardiff and Blairs not leaving, and with the Rebels building a squad and all.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I read some comments from Dai Young saying that Cardiff Blues weren't going to dump Norton-Knight but if the player found a suitable deal elsewhere, they'd probably allow him leave. Rebels could be an option.

 

[Thingimubob]

There was an article on the BBC website saying that it's very likely he's going to leave the Blues at the end of the season and that teams from Australia are interested in him. So wouldn't really be suprised if he did go back the Super Rugby.

 

[Cymro]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8599274.stm

 

[flat_eric]

That dude isn't a great player by any means. However when he is on form I suppose he would be of some value to the Rebels. He is at least capable of playing at Super 14/15 level in some capacity.

 

[Haysie]

Eric, Sam Norton-Knight was playing with the Waratahs and Brumbies for the majority of the last 5 years. I reckon he is a very good footballer and there is no WAY he will go back to the Waratahs, so the Rebels seems like a viable option for him.

 

[Thingimubob]

that's what I reckoned, I mean part of the reason he's been so shite for the Blues this season is that he's been desperate to play Fly-Half, when frankly, he's not very good there. Probably has something to do with him not really playing there for a long time. But he has been pretty good when the Blues have played him at fullback (I think he scored all 3 of his Blues tries from fullback), but with Ben Blair staying, and with players like Chris Czekaj (who was superb at fullback vs Ulster) and Halfpenny being able to play there, there's not that much room for him in the starting 15. If he does go to the Rebels I hope he has more luck with them than he has had with the Blues!

 

[Cymro]

Agree with Thingimubob.

He was poor at 10 for the Blues but at 15 did shine. Will add much needed experience to the Rebels.

 

[Gavin]

Source

Another very experienced player in Cordingley that the Rebels have signed, wonder who will be their 1st choice halfback, Cordingley or Kingi...probably Cordingley?

Kingi is the younger, more exciting version. He is like an even younger Genia.

 

[Intercept King JDV]

Melbourne Rebels sign Freier for Super15

Another good signing by the Rebels

 

[Cymro]

Wow ... cash must be flowing with the Rebels!

 

[Tomsey]

I've got a funny feeling that Same Norton-Knight might sign for the Rebels

I really hope your wrong....

 

[Ninja]

Greg Somerville is close to signing for the Melbourne Rebels...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-14/3579982/Ex-All-Black-prop-linked-to-Melbourne-Rebels

 

[bug]

it is rumoured that sam norton knight is on his way to the rebels

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Thanks for the confirmation!

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Jarrod Saffy jumps from League to the Rebels:

http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-unio...s--and-he-wont-be-the-last-20100417-slex.html

DRAGONS enforcer Jarrod Saffy has turned his back on the NRL and become the first league player to link with Super 15 rugby franchise the Melbourne Rebels.
In a massive coup for the Brian Waldron-led club, which has made clear its intentions to poach NRL players, 25-year-old Saffy will join Melbourne on a three-year deal in October worth considerably more than his St George Illawarra contract.
South African-born Saffy has been a mainstay of the Dragons pack since joining the club last year. His decision to leave follows the departure of fellow prop Justin Poore last season, and Luke Priddis is expected to retire at season's end.
Injured and not expected to return until round 10, Saffy is in Western Australia visiting family, and he and the Dragons club have been sworn to secrecy until coach Wayne Bennett has an opportunity to talk to the former Wests Tiger. It is believed Bennett wants reassurance from Saffy that he is committed to the Dragons' premiership charge.
''I'm not going to lie to you - he's coming,'' said Rebels CEO Waldron, who jumped ship from the NRL after five years as Melbourne Storm CEO.
''We sounded him out. We've had genuine interest in him and he's a player of great potential.
''He's a player with a solid rugby background and someone who we think will be great asset to the Rebels on and off the field.
''We've always said we were interested in NRL players with strong rugby backgrounds and he's a former junior representative.
''I think he's spoken with Wayne and he knows it's just a matter of working out a few things for him internally.''
Saffy was reluctant to discuss the move, which is sure to cause an uproar in the rugby league community; Melbourne insiders warn there will be more signings in coming months.
''We're going to have to get some league players - there's no doubt about it,'' the source said. ''Look at the talent pool in Australian rugby and what is already signed - you're going to have to look elsewhere. Don't be surprised to see a few jump ship.''
Saffy becomes the first forward since Brisbane Broncos' Peter Ryan (2000) and Brad Thorn (2001) to switch to rugby union. Both of them later won Super premierships.
The hard-working back-rower represented the Australian Sevens team in Hong Kong, where he played alongside Super 14 stars Adam Ashley-Cooper, Richard Brown, Ben Mowen and Peter Hewat. He is expected to play No.7 or No.8 for the Rebels.
The Australian Rugby Union has publicly baulked at signing rugby league converts following the acrimonious departures of Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Timana Tahu, but agreed to allow Saffy's signing given his rich rugby past. However, he hasn't be granted an ARU top-up contract.
Saffy joins former Broncos five-eighth Berrick Barnes and former Melbourne Storm flyer Will Chambers in rugby.

 

[Haysie]

Should be interesting to see who does sign up over the next few months. I predict one or two more leaguies.

 

[flat_eric]

Should be interesting to see who does sign up over the next few months. I predict one or two more leaguies.

Haysie mate was that you in today's courier mail carrying on about how you miss Barnes? If so man up.