With the 2014 Super Rugby season (finally!) under way, I am going to make a wild prediction. 2014 is going to be the year of the Melbourne Rebels.
I am not going to say anything as wild as ‘They are going to go undefeated and take home the trophy’, because I would never say that about any team. But the Rebels, they are a team that is going places and 2014 is going to be a magical one for the Melbourne-based franchise.
“And what makes you say that?” you may ask, and justifiably so.
Of course, I could give you a long-winded answer, but I think what it comes down to, at the most basic level, is the new team environment which has followed the appointment of new coach, Tony McGahan. It is widely acknowledged that McGahan is a ‘tough love’ type of coach who puts great emphasis on hard work and staying grounded – as a team – and as individuals.
After the highly publicised off-the-field antics of ex-Rebels Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor, it seems McGahan feels this is an imporant quality for the team to foster. In a recent interview McGahan stated, “There are no compromises, no exceptions to team dictates and certainly no egos” (Herald Sun, Feb 2014), a warning of sorts that any player who thinks he is greater than the team will not be tolerated.
Working as a team unit seems to be a key focus for McGahan and the Rebels. In the same interview McGahan went on to say, “There’s some really good attributes in the group and they’ve got a great spirit and mateship about them. They work exceptionally hard for each other. Those qualities are evident.” (Herald Sun, Feb 2014) It doesn’t take a genius to work out that if players in a team are working hard for each other, as a cohesive unit they are going to play better.
Since the Rebels pre-season began late in 2013, there have been several accounts in the news media, as well as on social media, about what a hard trainer McGahan is. He has commented that the Rebels defense is a key area for the team to work on, and although he has been running the players ragged, it seems to be paying off.
The Rebels went into the first of the 2014 trial (pre-season) matches having NEVER won a trial match against another Super Rugby franchise. With the trial matches now over and done with, what is their win/loss record for 2014 so far? Three wins and no losses against the Waratahs, Hurricanes and Reds.
People say that trial matches don’t count for a lot, but for a team like the Rebels, who hadn’t won a single trial match before 2014, those three wins can only bolster their confidence and get the into a great mindset for the season proper.
It seems that the new look Rebels haven’t only caught the eye of fans either. On Friday after the Reds versus Rebels trial, Reds and Wallabies player, Will Genia said, “The Melbourne Rebels have acted wisely by clearing out the old guard and starting again in its quest for Super Rugby respectability.” (The Sydney Morning Herald, Feb 2014) It is clear that before the season starts, other teams are sitting up and taking notice of the ‘new’ Rebels.
And so they should.
A mention also needs to be made of Scott Higginbotham, a player that made a vital impact the moment he first stepped onto the field for the Rebels. After filling in for injured captain Gareth Delve in 2013, Higginbotham being named as Rebels captain for 2014 was an obvious choice. With 78 Super Rugby games under his belt, as well as 23 caps for the Wallabies, Higginbotham will be able to provide a wealth of experience and knowledge that will no doubt benefit the whole team..
While the Rebels aren’t a team full of Wallabies, they are a team with a perfect mix of skilled ‘old hands’ and impressive up-and-comers. Under the tutelage of the more senior players, the younger players are going to continue improve as the season progresses, and perhaps we will see players like Hugh Pyle, vying for a spot in the Wallabies.
I think the team in its entirety is a very exciting one, but as with all teams, there are a few key Rebels players to look out for this year:
- Hugh Pyle – fast and strong with an uncanny knack for stretching out and reaching the tryline. Go-go-gadget arms, anyone? Made the Wallabies wider training squad in 2013.
- Jordy Reid – the dreaded flanker had an impressive first season with the Rebels and looks to be in awesome physical form!
- Bryce Hegarty – possesses awesome speed and amazing footwork, as well as an excellent kicking game. Who could forget his two tries in the Rebels last Super Rugby match in 2013, against the Highlanders?
- Tom English – had a good season in 2013 and was a key player in each of the Rebels three trial match wins.
- Jason Woodward – it could be said (and I am saying it) he was the find of the 2013 Super Rugby season. Scored an impressive 56 points in his 12 games for the Rebels, equally dangerous with the boot as with the ball in hand.
Whatever happens, 2014 is going to be an exciting year for the Melbourne Rebels, and I am looking forward to bringing you regular updates as the season progresses.
Just don’t ask me who I will be supporting on March 14, when the Rebels play the Crusaders!
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