The latter would be the path of least disruption, given To’omua played well at inside centre for both club and country last year, but it would rely on the 20-year-old Gordon finding his Super Rugby feet immediately. “With England it hasn’t panned out as I’d wanted – I hoped to play for them week-in, week-out. Melbourne & Olympic Parks Update: February 12. The Rebels confirmed Cipriani, then aged 22, had agreed a two-year deal with them. Watch the best moments from Venus Williams V Arantxa Rus in the 2021 Melbourne Summer Series. While he did not feature at the 2011 World Cup, or any subsequent editions, he did earn further England caps – his current total is 16. The Melbourne Rebels snuck in for a maiden finals appearance last year by the barest of margins. Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU Round Two: Reds v Rebels 2 days ago Super Rugby - AU Queensland Reds hosted Melbourne Rebels in Round Two of Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU at Suncorp Stadium. Coming off their first-ever Super Rugby finals appearance, the Rebels should enter 2021 with plenty of confidence. RugbyPass is the premier destination for rugby fans across the globe, with all the best rugby news, analysis, shows, highlights, podcasts, documentaries, live match statistics, fixtures & results, and much more! But with the race for third place looking a much tighter affair this time around, the Rebels cannot afford to drop easy points or even give those two other teams bonus points. One player there they’d like to have fit, though, is Isi Naisarani, who missed a good chunk of last season. Lachie Anderson, Carter Gordon, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Lewis Holland, Marika Koroibete, Frank Lomani, Campbell Magnay, Tom Pincus, Joe Powell, Theo Strang, Young Tonumaipea, Matt To’omua, James Tuttle, Glen Vaihu, Ilikena Vudogo, Captain: Dane Haylett-Petty But their have an unhealthy proclivity to bottle matches against lowly opposition. Maybe. Melbourne (/ ˈ m ɛ l b ə r n / MEL-bərn, locally [ˈmɛɫbən]; Woiwurrung: Naarm) is the capital and most-populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in Australia and Oceania. Watch the best moments from Marc Polmans V Harry Bourchier in the 2021 Melbourne Summer Series. Faced with the bye in Round 1, they’ll have an extra week to prepare and scope out the opposition, which could come in handy once they take to the field in Round 2. Watch Super Rugby Aotearoa Live & On Demand, Premium feature exclusive to TheXV.Rugby - Free Trial. Given how frequently they’d managed to fall inches short of the post-season in previous years, making the 2020 prelim should allow them to play the closing rounds with more freedom and less fretting about getting that particular monkey off their backs. There are some more-than-handy new signings though, including fringe Wallabies scrumhalf Joe Powell, Argentinian duo Lucio Sordoni and Ignacio Calas, young flyhalf Carter Gordon, and Australian sevens trio Jeral Skelton, Lachie Anderson and Lewis Holland. He doesn’t have the Test caps to show for it, but Joe Powell has been one of the most consistent Australian nines for some time, an integral cog in the successful Brumbies machine. That was certainly true with Matt To’omua, whose time on the sidelines during the Tri Nations last year only reinforced his skill as an attacking (and defensive, to some extent) organiser. With his excellent defence and solid all-around game in attack, Powell is a significant improvement on both options, and if he strikes up a good combination with To’omua, you can bet on the Rebels unlocking plenty of opposition defences. You can often tell someone’s value in their absence. If you take out the first five minutes of their game, the Reds were perfect in their demolition of the Waratahs last Friday night.Up next is a clash with the Melbourne Rebels … Regardless of whether he plays 10 or 12, To’omua will be charged with directing Melbourne around the park and ensuring the attack runs smoothly. Making it two in a row could be even more difficult. Ignacio Calas, Ed Craig, Steve Cummins, Cabous Eloff, Pone Fa’amausili, Matt Gibbon, Richard Hardwick, Ross Haylett-Petty, James Hanson, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Rob Leota, Isi Naisarani, Cameron Orr, Jeral Skelton, Lucio Sordoni, Jordan Uelese, Rhys van Nek, Michael Wells, Brad Wilkin, Backs Ainsley is far from a high-profile name but got through a lot of good work in tight and at the set-piece, and his call-up to Dave Rennie’s Australian squad was deserved. If he misses too many, it’s hard to see them making the finals. Melbourne Rebels boss Baden Stephenson has alerted his board that the club may soon have to deal with a significant mental health issue as the … Coach: Dave Wessels, Reece Hodge. The Melbourne Rebels snuck in for a maiden finals appearance last year by the barest of margins. Former Wallaby Morgan Turinui has explained why Queensland Reds centre Hunter Paisami was so fired up to prove a point with his massive hit on Melbourne Rebels … Drew with eventual finalists the Reds, then needed extra time to beat the wooden spoon-bound Force the week after, Put 27 first-half points on the Brumbies, then went tryless in their next three halves of rugby, Required a last-ditch try against the Force to scrape into the finals, before giving the Reds a proper test in the prelim. New Zealand seems to want uncertainty to prevail when it comes to major coaching roles. featured alongside some of Australia’s most prominent sports journalists. The evolution of Danny Cipriani ? View our range of fitness gear, equipment and accessories available online or in a rebel store near you - Find all the latest fitness equipment and gear from top sport brands in Australia. Making it two in a row could be even more difficult. Free Click & Collect, Afterpay Online & now In Store, Price Match Guarantee* Lewis Holland, Young Tonumaipea and Ilikena Vudogo could all be thrown straight into the starting line-up on day dot, although that’d be a tough initiation away to the Reds. The last few seasons, it’s been a tough ask for Wessels to find his first-choice midfield due to an overabundance of options, but it could be a problem area for the side this year for the opposite reason. 'This isn't sour grapes' - Healey says Biggar cajoled ref and says he'd have... 'I have a few tricks': New meets old as Sevu Reece prepares for showdown... Super Rugby Aotearoa: Highlanders player ratings vs Chiefs. While it wasn’t quite the maul-spawning behemoth the Brumbies boast, it was a source of reliable ball, with hooker Jordan Uelese throwing well and lock Trevor Hosea starting to grow into an outstanding receiver. He’ll also carry the additional responsibility of captaining while Haylett-Petty is out, not to mention taking goalkicking duties. If he plays all eight games, Melbourne could genuinely challenge the Reds and Brumbies. Cipriani – who was in a relationship with model Kelly Brook – said he hoped the move Down Under would “prolong my international career in the long run”. Marika Koroibete, meanwhile, is lethal out wide and has been one of the Wallabies’ best over the past two seasons. Last year, the now-departed Ryan Louwrens played a few strong games before injury ended his season early, while Frank Lomani didn’t really impress in his first year in Melbourne. Without a massive amount of depth at prop, it could leave the Rebels’ scrum vulnerable, particularly against the strong front rows of the Reds and Brumbies. Consistency. On this day in 2010 Wasps announced Danny Cipriani would leave the club at the end of the season to join newly-formed Australian team Melbourne Rebels. The Rebels had intended to fly to Sanctuary Cove for effectively a two-week build-up to the opening game – they have a bye in Round one next Friday – but those plans were immediately scrapped. Melbourne’s see-sawing 2020 form was nothing short of maddening. Both are roles he handled last year, captaining well and going at an 86 per cent clip from the tee, but even so it’s a lot on one player’s plate. On this day in 2010 Wasps announced Danny Cipriani would leave the club at the end of the season to join newly-formed Australian team Melbourne Rebels. The Melbourne Rebels snuck in for a maiden finals appearance last year by the barest of margins. The Rebels have far fewer playmakers to call on than the national team, too. Reece Hodge is a potential fill-in flyhalf but is needed at the back in Dane Haylett-Petty’s absence, and while Carter Gordon is a promising talent, he’s yet to step on the field in a Super Rugby match. Live Super Rugby Scores & Results. Become a member to join in Australia's biggest sporting debate, submit articles, receive updates straight to your inbox and keep up with your favourite teams and authors. How Blues’ forwards went from easy beats to heavy hitters to challenge Crusaders’ supremacy. marginalised on the England front under Martin Johnson. With a full pre-season to prepare, Naisarani should return to being one of the most damaging ball-runners in Australian rugby, and if his fitness is up to scratch, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t challenge Harry Wilson for the Wallabies’ number eight jersey. While depth is a bit of an issue elsewhere on the park, Melbourne have a long list of loose forwards to call on, and should be able to cover an injury or two to the back row. Obviously I need to see what is the best way for me to prolong my England career. Rebels captain Matt To'omua - as always - is all class as he fronts up for a post-match chat with Stan Sport after missing the game-winning kick. The lineout was a source of real consistency for Melbourne. Sign up to our mailing list for a weekly digest from the wide world of rugby. Athlete tested sports wear and accessories. England have always been my ambition and hopefully this move will prolong my international career in the long run. Nike, adidas, Under Armour, Garmin + more. The Melbourne Storm is a rugby league team based in Melbourne, Victoria in Australia, that participates in the National Rugby League.The first fully professional rugby league team based in the state, the Storm entered the competition in 1998. I know it’s a long plane ride, but it’s only one transfer and there are end-of-season tours and autumn internationals. Following the announcement that all of Victoria will enter a five-day, stage four lockdown, all Melbourne & Olympic Parks’ (M&OP) venues will be closed to the public from 11.59pm Friday 12 February to 11.59pm Wednesday 17 February. ... UP NEXT. (Photo by Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images). With To’omua running the show, Naisarani enjoying a full season, and Hosea continuing to blossom, Melbourne will make it consecutive post-season appearances, although making it all the way to the final looks to be beyond them. Faced … The Melbourne Stars will be without their frontline spinner for their first BBL game of 2021 after Adam Zampa was handed a ban for an on-field remark picked up by a stump mic. If I’m playing well in the Super 15 against the 10s they have out there, hopefully I’ll be able to play a part.”. If all three sides are fully fit, the Rebels should back themselves to claim it for the second year in a row: they have far more Wallabies on their list than the other two, are a more settled squad, and just look to have a stronger first XV. The loss of caller Matt Philip will hurt that department, but given he hadn’t run a lineout before last season, forwards coach Geoff Parling will fancy his chances of having a fully-functioning unit once again with Hosea and Igancio Calas in the second row. Faced … Forwards Matt To’omua. “This change is about me becoming a better rugby player, for me to develop as best I can. That ultimately wasn’t an issue last year, when the Waratahs’ lethargic start essentially ended their finals hopes before the halfway point of the season and the Force were several lengths of the straight behind the other four sides. Lock Matt Philip is the big loss, and each of Jermaine Ainsley, Billy Meakes, Andrew Kellaway, Ryan Louwrens and Andrew Deegan have also left the club. In Super Rugby AU, they: When they play their best rugby, Melbourne are clearly capable of matching it with and beating the Reds and Brumbies. The round three game moves to Canberra, while the Brumbies' return bout against the Rebels - which was originally set for Canberra Stadium - will be played in Melbourne … The Melbourne Rebels will be without captain Dane Haylett-Petty for their opening match of the season as he continues to work his way back from a concussion sustained while playing for the Wallabies last year. The news came with the fly-half, who had seven caps to his name, marginalised on the England front under Martin Johnson. The Roar's Super Rugby AU season preview: Western Force. He joined Sale, then returned to Wasps in 2016 before moving on two years later to Gloucester, leaving in December last year. Joe Powell, shown running from Canberra to Melbourne. How will the Super Rugby standard setting Crusaders be preparing for a fifth consecutive year of glory? Old footage surfaces showing Owen Farrell pulling off same move as Dan Biggar. Find more Super Rugby Scores & Team News, Results at FOX SPORTS Philip’s improvement from fringe Wallaby to first XV regular in 2020 was one of Australian rugby’s good news stories, and with him gone there’s now an awful lot of pressure on Trevor Hosea to dominate at lock. Now the Rebels will play in Canberra next week before flying to Perth to meet the Western Force the week after. Its name refers to an urban agglomeration of 9,993 km 2 (3,858 sq mi), comprising a metropolitan area with 31 municipalities, and is also a common name for its city centre. We want to see it! If injuries bite hard, they’ll struggle – but you can say that about every side in the competition. BLK Sport maintain an endless desire to provide athletes with high quality sports apparel to allow them to perform … The Rebels confirmed Cipriani, then aged 22, had agreed a two-year deal with them. If there’s one area the Rebels have noticeably improved over the off-season, it’s at scrumhalf. You must provide an email address to create a Roar account, When using Facebook to create or log in to an account, you need to grant The Roar permission to see your email address, By joining The Roar you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. The race for that last finals spot looks like it’ll be a close-run thing between the Rebels and Force, and maybe even the Waratahs too. pic.twitter.com/QYaIwxcaGQ. “I have been given no indication that I’m pushing for a place with England at the moment,” he said. It was a major issue for last year’s Rebels, and something they desperately need to address in 2021. Up front, losing Matt Philip and Jermaine Ainsley is a major blow to the side’s forward stocks. With Billy Meakes and Tom English gone (although the latter missed all of the 2020 AU season anyway), and Dane Haylett-Petty’s injury surely enough to push Reece Hodge to 15, who lines up in the centres is uncertain, doubly so with Campbell Magnay no sure starter due to an injury of his own. 2021 NRL Team Previews: Wests Tigers ... Rebels star crushed by epic hit Shop Online or In Store. "Disappointing but a … (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images). That’s a big ask of a 21-year-old who’s still got years and years of improvement ahead of him. Buy the Back to School online - rebel is Australia's prefered retailer of biggest sports brands at best prices. Making it two in a row could be even more difficult. Read the latest Super Rugby News. When you consider To’omua is also the Rebels’ best midfield defender, there are not many aspects of the side’s play which doesn’t revolve around their star Wallaby. Oops! Another option would be deploying young Carter Gordon at flyhalf and shifting To’omua to 12 to add some experience to the midfield. Tony Brown can already be compared with coaching genius Wayne Smith. Or rather, the lack thereof. A new crop of Kiwi 10s are set to make names for themselves in Super Rugby Aotearoa. Cipriani’s time with the Rebels, which saw him score 122 points and included him being stood down for a month in 2011 following a breach of club discipline, ended in April 2012. window.scriptsToInit.push('BrightCoveEmbeddedScrollVideo.init("6233319021001");'); Cipriani had slipped down the pecking order amid reports his public profile and attitude had put him on a collision course with England’s management. “If I go to Australia and do well against guys like Dan Carter and Matt Giteau, I’ll still be putting my hand up for the shirt. (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). “I haven’t written off playing in the (2011) World Cup at all. Then they can turn their attention to their first home game in … A career-threatening ankle injury and broken leg restricted his appearances but after making full recoveries he found himself exiled to the Saxons squad. It’s therefore critical he gets through the full season in good health – something which is no cast-iron certainty considering his injury history. While much of Melbourne’s 2020 core is going around again – Matt To’omua, Dane Haylett-Petty, Jordan Uelese, Marika Koroibete and Reece Hodge all remain – there’s been a fair bit of turnover from last year’s squad. The game kicks off at 7:15 pm with Melbourne Victory heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? Super 15 rugby is the best place for me to develop myself in the short term. In Matt To’omua, Dave Wessels has arguably the best playmaker in Australian rugby to call on, and international Reece Hodge provides an excellent second kicking option, whether he’s used at fullback or in the centres. Anyone can contribute to The Roar and have their work