Rebels set to name eight signings

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-union/union...00314-q65t.html

THE Melbourne Rebels team that will join an expanded Super 15 competition next year will begin to take shape this week with the expected announcement of eight players for its inaugural squad.

The Rebels, who to date have only former England five-eighth Danny Cipriani on their books, are free to begin announcing the signing of players who are currently contracted to the four established Australian teams, after an Australian Rugby Union-imposed ban expired at midnight last night.

The players likely to be named this week include prop Laurie Weeks, back-rower Adam Byrnes and half-back Richard Kingi from the Queensland Reds, while hooker Adam Freier and academy winger Peter Betham have been enticed from NSW Waratahs.

Former Western Force and Waratahs forward Tim Davidson, former Waratahs utility back Lachlan Mitchell, who is currently at London Wasps, and former Queensland and Australian half-back Sam Cordingley, who is playing in France, will also be named.

Rebels officials would not comment on the expected influx. Chief executive Brian Waldron would say only: ''We're excited about what's going to unfold in the ensuing days and ensuring weeks.''

The Rebels failed to attract big-name players such as Berrick Barnes and David Pocock, and also missed out on signing emerging talent Daniel Halangahu, but they are believed to be chasing hard former NRL star Mark Gasnier, Brumbies back Christian Lealiifano, who was raised in Melbourne, Welsh representative Gareth Delve and former Wallabies captain Sterling Mortlock and utility back Mark Gerrard.

Rebels coach Rod Macqueen said the core of the squad would be revealed over the coming weeks.

''We're shifting though players with the attributes that we are seeking [and] the next couple of weeks will start to see the nucleus of the team coming together,'' Macqueen said.

''We didn't expect to get every one we were after, and on the other hand there's been a lot of speculation about players we were after that we actually weren't.

''There's no doubt that at this stage we're reasonably happy with where we are.''

REBEL RAIDS

?Laurie Weeks (Qld, prop)

?Adam Byrnes (Qld, back-row)

?Richard Kingi (Qld, half-back)

?Adam Freier (NSW Warathahs, hooker)

?Tim Davidson (former Western Force and NSW, No.8/flanker)

?Lachlan Mitchell (London Wasps, formerly NSW Waratahs, utility-back)

?Sam Cordingley (former Qld, half-back)

?Peter Betham (NSW Academy, winger).

ALREADY SIGNED

?Danny Cipriani (London Wasps, five-eighth/full-back).[/b]

They aren't exactly exciting signings (for the most part) but the Rebels have to start somewhere.

 

[munstermuffin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Mar 15 2010, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-union/union...00314-q65t.html

THE Melbourne Rebels team that will join an expanded Super 15 competition next year will begin to take shape this week with the expected announcement of eight players for its inaugural squad.

The Rebels, who to date have only former England five-eighth Danny Cipriani on their books, are free to begin announcing the signing of players who are currently contracted to the four established Australian teams, after an Australian Rugby Union-imposed ban expired at midnight last night.

The players likely to be named this week include prop Laurie Weeks, back-rower Adam Byrnes and half-back Richard Kingi from the Queensland Reds, while hooker Adam Freier and academy winger Peter Betham have been enticed from NSW Waratahs.

Former Western Force and Waratahs forward Tim Davidson, former Waratahs utility back Lachlan Mitchell, who is currently at London Wasps, and former Queensland and Australian half-back Sam Cordingley, who is playing in France, will also be named.

Rebels officials would not comment on the expected influx. Chief executive Brian Waldron would say only: ''We're excited about what's going to unfold in the ensuing days and ensuring weeks.''

The Rebels failed to attract big-name players such as Berrick Barnes and David Pocock, and also missed out on signing emerging talent Daniel Halangahu, but they are believed to be chasing hard former NRL star Mark Gasnier, Brumbies back Christian Lealiifano, who was raised in Melbourne, Welsh representative Gareth Delve and former Wallabies captain Sterling Mortlock and utility back Mark Gerrard.

Rebels coach Rod Macqueen said the core of the squad would be revealed over the coming weeks.

''We're shifting though players with the attributes that we are seeking [and] the next couple of weeks will start to see the nucleus of the team coming together,'' Macqueen said.

''We didn't expect to get every one we were after, and on the other hand there's been a lot of speculation about players we were after that we actually weren't.

''There's no doubt that at this stage we're reasonably happy with where we are.''

REBEL RAIDS

?Laurie Weeks (Qld, prop)

?Adam Byrnes (Qld, back-row)

?Richard Kingi (Qld, half-back)

?Adam Freier (NSW Warathahs, hooker)

?Tim Davidson (former Western Force and NSW, No.8/flanker)

?Lachlan Mitchell (London Wasps, formerly NSW Waratahs, utility-back)

?Sam Cordingley (former Qld, half-back)

?Peter Betham (NSW Academy, winger).

ALREADY SIGNED

?Danny Cipriani (London Wasps, five-eighth/full-back).[/b]

They aren't exactly exciting signings (for the most part) but the Rebels have to start somewhere.
[/b][/quote]
I heard that Mark Gasnier can be a star if he can adapt.
But same was said about Andy Farrell

 

[munross]

Richard Kingi would be the most promising player out of that lot...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Bruising backyard battles with his three brothers mean Wallabies bolter Richard Kingi has no fears about running into the hard men of northern hemisphere rugby on the upcoming spring tour.

Kingi, 20, was arguably the most surprising of the seven uncapped choices in the 35-man Australian squad for the tour of Japan and the United Kingdom.

One of three 20-year-old backs in the squad along with NSW duo Kurtley Beale and Rob Horne, Kingi has very little senior experience.

An Australian under-20 and sevens representative, the New Zealand-born halfback has made just two Super 14 appearances off the bench for Queensland.

He is not even on the senior Reds roster for next year, just an Academy contract, though it's believed new coach Ewen McKenzie could review the youngster's status.

What he lacks in senior experience he makes up for in toughness, mainly due to the schooling he got from his siblings.

Even before moving to Australia with his family at the age of 15, he was used to copping knocks.

Long before he joined the Wallabies, Kingi was hurtling around the backyward with his older brothers Niheta and Heperi and younger sibling Rauru, as they grew up in Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty.

"I have two older brothers and they used to rough me up when I was younger," Kingi told reporters.

"You can say on the rugby field that you learn rugby, but mate, nothing compares to backyard footy with your brothers.

"That's where you get your older brothers running at you and you're tackling them, you're fearless when it comes against the Jonah Lomu-like people, it's just easy."

Kingi showed his willingness to mix it in the Wallabies intra-squad hitout in Sydney last Thursday, where he spent time in the unfamiliar position of wing and also picked up some scrapes.

"I love the battle scars, it means that you've got in there and done the business," Kingi said.

He said he played for his family and that the brothers described themselves as "the Four Kings" and his mother had told him his talent would get him places.

At 20, he already has plenty of responsibility with a fiancee and three young children aged three, 21 months and 10 months and has worked outide rugby as a scaffolder.

"I am a family man. You do what you have to do for the money to look after your family," said Kingi.

New Wallabies vice-captain Berrick Barnes has been impressed with Kingi's approach.

"Richard Kingi is a great story, he supports the whole family with his rugby and he's doing a great job," said Barnes.

Kingi performed well enough at this year's IRB Junior World Championship to make the shortlist for its Junior Player of the Year.

Described as a "wildcard" with potential by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, Kingi will start the seven-game tour behind Test incumbent Will Genia and Luke Burgess.

Kingi said he intended to "soak up" and learn as much as he could from the Wallabies tour, where his best chance of playing would appear to be the two mid-week non-Test matches.

"Just try my best and learn as much as I can and show not only Robbie (Deans) but everyone around the world I am here to do the deed," Kingi said.

Kingi said he was shocked by his selection while his fiancee screamed loudly in a mall.

"Everyone was probably looking at her going `what is she on? Has she won Lotto or something?' But she was just so proud," Kingi said.[/b]

Source

 

[feicarsinn]

Gasnier has been pretty damn good in France so at this point his conversion to union can't really be considered a flop. I'm worried about the rebels, I just dont' think there's the talent in Oz to support a fifth Super 15 franchise. It could be a painful few years for them. That said, I'll be cheering for them.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

They're permitted to sign 10 non-Aussie players in their first season I think. That should help make up for the fact that there aren't currently enough quality Aussies in the Super 14 - the Western Force fiasco is proof of this.

How does Adam Byrnes have a pro contract by the way?! He was shockingly bad at Leinster a few seasons ago.

 

[munstermuffin]

Is it just me or does anyone think Delve can be a star down there ????

His game is suited to Super 14 and the pacy game.

 

[dullonien]

Yup, would probably suit his game well. But I can't see any chance he'll take the offer. He'll either move to the Cardiff Blues (to enhance his chances of playing for Wales) or stay where he is at Gloucester where he's obviously considered a very important part of the team as captain. Can't see any reason's he'd go to Austrailia unless they're offering big bucks (unlikely). I'm tipping a move to the Blues.

 

[Wally]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Mar 16 2010, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

They're permitted to sign 10 non-Aussie players in their first season I think. That should help make up for the fact that there aren't currently enough quality Aussies in the Super 14 - the Western Force fiasco is proof of this.

How does Adam Byrnes have a pro contract by the way?! He was shockingly bad at Leinster a few seasons ago.[/b]

I don't know anything about his game at Leinster but his time in the starting side and off the bench has really been a benefit to the Reds. He adds a lot of beef and pure mongrel to the pack.

 

[munstermuffin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wally @ Mar 16 2010, 07:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Mar 16 2010, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They're permitted to sign 10 non-Aussie players in their first season I think. That should help make up for the fact that there aren't currently enough quality Aussies in the Super 14 - the Western Force fiasco is proof of this.

How does Adam Byrnes have a pro contract by the way?! He was shockingly bad at Leinster a few seasons ago.[/b]

I don't know anything about his game at Leinster but his time in the starting side and off the bench has really been a benefit to the Reds. He adds a lot of beef and pure mongrel to the pack.
[/b][/quote]
Is that same Adam Byrnes :lol:

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-union/union...00317-qfnj.html

Rebels quietly chase Folau

THE Melbourne Rebels are keeping it quiet, but they want Brisbane Broncos league centre Israel Folau. Aware that the former Melbourne Storm winger played rugby in his schooldays and a few months ago had shown some interest in a change of codes, the Rebels are looking at him as a potential midfielder or winger.

Although nothing official has been said, the Rebels know that if they enticed Folau, who is in his second year with the Broncos with an option for two more seasons, to the new franchise, he would lure numerous other players from both codes their way.[/b]

Wing is probably the easiest position to transfer skills from League to Union. Folau is only 20 or 21 so he'd have time to grow into the new sport and wouldn't have to be an instant saviour for the Rebels. Signing Folau would be a massive statement of intent from the new franchise.

 

[stormer2010]

Rumors in SA are that the Rebels have approached Duane Vermeulen (Stormers/WP) and the du Plessis brothers, Bismark & Jannie (Sharks/Natal). Vermeulen is woelig and Bissie is a brilliant hooker if he manages to keep his discipline. I've always seen Jannie as a bit of a liability though and one that doesn't contribute around the park as well. Doubt Vermeulen will take the offer up; seems very happy here but I wouldn't be surprised to see the du Plessis move; Smit and Burden both quality hookers and there seems to be something not quite right at the Sharks camp given the season they've had so far and that they aren't clear favourites against the Highlanders for the weekend speaks volumes IMO.

 

[Nickdnz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (stormer2010 @ Mar 19 2010, 02:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Rumors in SA are that the Rebels have approached Duane Vermeulen (Stormers/WP) and the du Plessis brothers, Bismark & Jannie (Sharks/Natal). Vermeulen is woelig and Bissie is a brilliant hooker if he manages to keep his discipline. I've always seen Jannie as a bit of a liability though and one that doesn't contribute around the park as well. Doubt Vermeulen will take the offer up; seems very happy here but I wouldn't be surprised to see the du Plessis move; Smit and Burden both quality hookers and there seems to be something not quite right at the Sharks camp given the season they've had so far and that they aren't clear favourites against the Highlanders for the weekend speaks volumes IMO.[/b]

They've signed Laurie Weeks as one of the front row.
http://www.allblacks.com/news/12458/Rebels...nd-Heaslip-next
Reds will be ******.