Wally
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This media release just in from the Melbourne Rebels; Lipman, Vuna sign
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, 24 May 2010
Rebels combine International experience and League youth
English 10-Test veteran and current captain of New South Wales rugby club, Warringah, Michael Lipman, has signed with the Melbourne Rebels. Born in London but raised in Australia, where he discovered his passion for the game at St Joseph's College before entering the NSW Waratahs Academy, Lipman was co-captain of Bath during Rebels Assistant Coach, Mark Bakewell's tenure at the English club.
"We've been in discussions with Michael for some time now and are delighted he's made the decision to come to Melbourne, having received the endorsement of the ARU. Since his return to Australia, Michael's attitude and achievements at Warringah, Rod Macqueen's club, have been outstanding. There's no doubt he will add metal to our forward pack and make a significant contribution to the establishment of our club culture." Bakewell said.
Lipman is keen to get back into top-flight rugby and the chance to play Super rugby is one he is more than ready for."Since I have been back in Australia I've had wonderful support and enjoyed the special team spirit at Warringah. I can't think of a better place to continue my rugby career than Melbourne with Rod Macqueen and his coaching staff." he said
Rod Macqueen and the coaching staff at the Melbourne Rebels are very happy with the way the new team is shaping up with the addition of two young league players with rugby roots. Recently signed 25-year-old Jarrod Saffy from Illawarra St George has been joined by 22-year-old Newcastle Knights winger, Cooper Vuna as the second Rebel convert from NRL.
In commenting on Saffy's decision to return to his original code, Bakewell said, "Jarrod has a strong rugby union background at national level with the Schoolboys, Under 21s and Sevens and when you combine those skills with the discipline and physicality he has learnt from the NRL, we have a rugby union backrower with a real point of difference."
Cooper Vuna was in awe as he had his first look at the recently opened AAMI Park yesterday.
"This is an incredible stadium and to play here in Melbourne presents such a great opportunity for me." Vuna said. "But my decision to become a Rebel next year is based as much on the off-field opportunities as the on-field. Rod Macqueen impressed me with his ideas about balance in life and what happens after rugby. I also want to make my dad proud."
the father of 3-year-old, Lincoln said.
"My time in Newcastle has been fantastic and everyone there has been a great support to me and my wife, Necia. While I'm really looking forward to next year and the big move, my focus will be with the Knights and my team mates until the end of the season."
Assistant Coach, Damien Hill highlighted Vuna's enthusiasm and athleticism in describing the young recruit.
"Coops is a strong, fast athlete who seems to relish the physicality of the game and he's young enough to make a real impact in rugby in the seasons to come. Cooper's having a strong season for the Knights, currently their second highest try scorer, which is his focus at the moment, but I know he's jumping out of his skin to start with the Melbourne Rebels in October."
The Melbourne Rebels now anticipates Mark Gasnier, the high profile player who made the switch from NRL to rugby, is likely to return to his League roots.
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, 24 May 2010
Rebels combine International experience and League youth
English 10-Test veteran and current captain of New South Wales rugby club, Warringah, Michael Lipman, has signed with the Melbourne Rebels. Born in London but raised in Australia, where he discovered his passion for the game at St Joseph's College before entering the NSW Waratahs Academy, Lipman was co-captain of Bath during Rebels Assistant Coach, Mark Bakewell's tenure at the English club.
"We've been in discussions with Michael for some time now and are delighted he's made the decision to come to Melbourne, having received the endorsement of the ARU. Since his return to Australia, Michael's attitude and achievements at Warringah, Rod Macqueen's club, have been outstanding. There's no doubt he will add metal to our forward pack and make a significant contribution to the establishment of our club culture." Bakewell said.
Lipman is keen to get back into top-flight rugby and the chance to play Super rugby is one he is more than ready for."Since I have been back in Australia I've had wonderful support and enjoyed the special team spirit at Warringah. I can't think of a better place to continue my rugby career than Melbourne with Rod Macqueen and his coaching staff." he said
Rod Macqueen and the coaching staff at the Melbourne Rebels are very happy with the way the new team is shaping up with the addition of two young league players with rugby roots. Recently signed 25-year-old Jarrod Saffy from Illawarra St George has been joined by 22-year-old Newcastle Knights winger, Cooper Vuna as the second Rebel convert from NRL.
In commenting on Saffy's decision to return to his original code, Bakewell said, "Jarrod has a strong rugby union background at national level with the Schoolboys, Under 21s and Sevens and when you combine those skills with the discipline and physicality he has learnt from the NRL, we have a rugby union backrower with a real point of difference."
Cooper Vuna was in awe as he had his first look at the recently opened AAMI Park yesterday.
"This is an incredible stadium and to play here in Melbourne presents such a great opportunity for me." Vuna said. "But my decision to become a Rebel next year is based as much on the off-field opportunities as the on-field. Rod Macqueen impressed me with his ideas about balance in life and what happens after rugby. I also want to make my dad proud."
the father of 3-year-old, Lincoln said.
"My time in Newcastle has been fantastic and everyone there has been a great support to me and my wife, Necia. While I'm really looking forward to next year and the big move, my focus will be with the Knights and my team mates until the end of the season."
Assistant Coach, Damien Hill highlighted Vuna's enthusiasm and athleticism in describing the young recruit.
"Coops is a strong, fast athlete who seems to relish the physicality of the game and he's young enough to make a real impact in rugby in the seasons to come. Cooper's having a strong season for the Knights, currently their second highest try scorer, which is his focus at the moment, but I know he's jumping out of his skin to start with the Melbourne Rebels in October."
The Melbourne Rebels now anticipates Mark Gasnier, the high profile player who made the switch from NRL to rugby, is likely to return to his League roots.
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