After a debut season that placed the team at the bottom of the pile, as was largely expected, the Melbourne Rebel, after some intense recruiting will be looking to improve on last spot on the log.
James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale are the two big name signings that will add some much needed spark to this backline, but with a reasonably unknown pack, getting the ball to the backline will still be where it will be won and lost.
The two purchases will join English international Danny Cipriani and Wallabies Stirling Mortlock and Mark Gerrard in a talented backline, run from the base of the scrum by the ever present Nick Phipps.
It would be easy to say keep an eye on O’Connor or Kurtley Beale, as they will stand out in this team, but a name worth mentioning is the former rugby league star Cooper Vuna on the wing, who will be relishing the opportunity to finish off in the space created by the above mentioned players.
In terms of their season, I think the inclusion of big name players could make a difference in close matches, and they will not finish bottom of the pile again. They should be fighting it out for third with the Brumbies, looking at about 10th or 11th spot on the log if things go well.
2012 Melbourne Rebels Core Playing Squad (alphabetical order)
1. Paul Alo-Emile *
2. Kurtley Beale *
3. Rodney Blake
4. Adam Byrnes
5. Alister Campbell
6. Danny Cipriani
7. Tom Chamberlain
8. Tim Davidson
9. Gareth Delve
10. Adam Freier
11. Mark Gerrard
12. Nic Henderson
13. James Hilgendorf
14. Julian Huxley
15. Mitch Inman *
16. Lloyd Johansson *
17. Luke Jones
18. James King *
19. Richard Kingi
20. Michael Lipman
21. Lachlan Mitchell
22. Stirling Mortlock
23. James O’Connor *
24. Nick Phipps
25. Hugh Pyle
26. Ged Robinson
27. Jarrod Saffy
28. Heath Tessmann
29. Cooper Vuna
30. Laurie Weeks
2012 Extended Playing Squad (EPS)
1. Eddie Aholelei *
2. Luke Holmes
3. Isaiah Mosese *
4. Cadeyrn Neville *
5. Nick Stirzaker *
*denotes new signing
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Some serious cash must have been spent on luring O’Conner to the Rebels …what a player.
and Kurtley Beale. If they get some decent ball then their backs could be dangerous.
Lloyd Johansson was once this tree trunk legged youngster with a promising future. Now he’s a bit of a mystery signing
@beet (Comment 3).:I think he’s been in France for the past few seasons. He did have some serious thighs giving McAllister a run for his money
@slammerboy (Comment 4) : Thanks
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