Melbourne Rebels
 | |||
| Union | Rugby Australia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Rebels | ||
| Founded | 5 January 2010 (2010-01-05) | ||
| Location | Melbourne, Australia | ||
| Region | Victoria | ||
| Ground(s) | AAMI Park (Capacity: 29,500) | ||
| Coach(es) | David Wessels | ||
| Captain(s) | Adam Coleman | ||
| Most caps | Laurie Weeks (85) | ||
| Top scorer | Reece Hodge (298) | ||
| League(s) | Super Rugby | ||
| 2018 | 2nd (Australian Conference) 9th (overall) | ||
| |||
| Official website | |||
| melbournerebels.com | |||
The Melbourne Rebels (formerly known as the RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels for sponsorship reasons)[1][2] are a professional rugby union team based in Melbourne. They made their debut in SANZAR's Super Rugby tournament in 2011. They were the first privately owned professional rugby union team in Australia, until 2017 when shares in the franchise were returned to the Victorian Rugby Union. The club shares its name with a former Australian Rugby Championship team, but is unrelated.
Contents
1 History
1.1 The 15th licence
1.2 Establishment
1.3 Foundation Team
1.4 Transfer of Shares to VRU
1.5 Sale in 2015
1.6 2017 and the threat of Super Rugby axe
2 Name and colours
3 Franchise area
4 Stadium and facilities
5 Development teams
5.1 Rebels A
5.2 Under 20
6 Supporters
7 Seasons
7.1 Pre-season 2011
7.2 2011
7.3 Post season 2011
7.4 2012
7.5 2013
7.6 2014
7.7 2015
7.8 2016
7.9 2017
7.10 2018
8 Season standings
9 Current squad
9.1 Supplementary squad
10 Staff
10.1 Head coaches
11 Ownership and management
11.1 Board
11.2 List of directors
12 List of former players
12.1 Australian Players
12.2 International Players
13 See also
14 References
15 External links
History
The era of professionalism in rugby union led to a restructuring of the Super 10 competition after the 1995 World Cup. SANZAR was formed to manage a 12-team provincial union from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. During the early years of 2000s South Africa and Australia pushed for additional teams each. Argentina also expressed interest. Discussions also included federated pacific island team in the vein of the West Indies cricket team, or individual island nations.
Bids for the 13th and 14th franchise opened in 2002. Melbourne had, to that point, successfully hosted several Wallaby test matches which the Victorian Rugby Union used to demonstrate a ground swell of support for rugby union by the Victorian public. Melbourne also hosted several World Cup matches hosted at Docklands Stadium[3] and drew 50,000 to the final day of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games Rugby 7s.[4]
The then Bracks government promised investment in infrastructure, considering a 25,000 seat redevelopment of Olympic Park Stadium or $100m for a new stadium.[5] The successful bid went to Western Australia, ultimately becoming the Western Force for the 2004 Super 14 season.
In 2006 the Australian Rugby Union, following the suggestions of a working party, announced the formation of a national domestic competition.[6] The Melbourne Rebels were established for the inaugural season of the Australian Rugby Championship by virtue of NSW surrendering a fourth team in favour of Victoria.[7] Coached by Bill Millard and captained by David Croft, the Rebels finished fourth (out of 8) and were runners up. The move was viewed as an interim step to a Super 14 franchise.
The VRU bid twice for a team in SANZAR's 'Super' provincial competition before being accepted for the 2011 season. Their winning bid was named after the team they fielded in the ARC.
On 29 July, at the Victorian Rugby Union's quarterly corporate luncheon, the Melbourne Rebels and the Victorian Rugby Union launched the playing strip, logo and club song "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from Les Misérables.
The 15th licence
With SANZAR announcing a restructure while renegotiating broadcast rights, an additional licence was created.[8] Ten bids were received: seven from Australia, two from New Zealand (Hawkes Bay and Taranaki)[9] and the Southern Kings from South Africa.[10]
The Australian expressions of interest included three from Victoria, one from Western Sydney, one from the Gold Coast, the New South Wales Country Rugby Union (backed by John Singleton)[11] and a second Queensland team.
Three expressions of interest came out of Victoria for new Super licence- the Vic Super 15 headed by Mark Ella and backed by Kevin Maloney along with three former VRU directors, a Belgravia Group bid led by Geoff Lord (on behalf of the Melbourne Victory)[12] and the Melbourne Rebels bid from the Victorian Rugby Union with backing from media magnate Harold Mitchell with assistance from corporate consultants, including KPMG.[13][14]
On 12 August 2009, the Australian Rugby Union endorsed Victoria as Australia's sole candidate state for the new licence in the Australian conference in the expanded 2011 Super Rugby competition.
They attempted to broker a deal that would consolidate the three bids as a singular entity that they hoped would be "overwhelmingly successful". The Melbourne Rebels bid petitioned the ARU to submit only one of the three bids to SANZAR.[13]
The efforts to amalgamate these bids was fraught with politics.[15] Investment banker John Wylie brokered a tentative agreement between the Melbourne Rebels and the Vic Super 15[16] that was announced at the 2009 Weary Dunlop Luncheon.[17]
Given that SANZAR could not reach a unanimous decision the matter was sent to arbitration. The arbitrators felt that the Southern Kings' bid was more advanced with regard to business and financial planning and organisation structure and governance. They also felt that the Southern Kings also had a stronger player base and rugby tradition. Revenue however, from the sale of broadcasting rights to Australasian broadcasters, would be reduced by US$15–20m over the course of a five-year agreement should the 15th team be resident in South Africa.[18]
On 12 November 2009, after an arbitration process between themselves and South Africa's Southern Kings, Victoria was awarded the 15th Super Rugby licence, as it was considered more financially viable to SANZAR.[19] The bid was provisionally offered to the Vicsuper 15 consortium[20] but when the ARU declined to offer a AUD4.3m grant commensurate with funding supplied to the other Australian franchise, the Mark Ella led consortium withdrew its bid.[21][22] The licence was subsequently awarded to the Victorian Rugby Union's Melbourne Rebels.
Establishment
The ownership licence was handed to Harold Mitchell's consortium on 5 January 2010.[23] The following day the ARU announced restrictions on the Rebels, gagging the franchise from announcing their signings from other Australian Super rugby team players until 1 June 2010.[24] The Melbourne Rebels and the Rugby Union Players Association threatened legal action and successful had the embargo moved to 15 March.[21]
Rod Macqueen was appointed Head Coach, and Director of Coaching, 12 January. Macqueen is former coach or the winning World Cup Wallabies, and is a former Brumbies administrator. Damien Hill, three time Shute Shield Sydney University coach, became Macqueen's assistant.[25] Former Western Force CEO Greg Harris was appointed general manager, Football Operations.[26]
Brian Waldron was initially appointed CEO, but resigned in April after being implicated in salary cap rorting while CEO of the Melbourne Storm. Auditor were called to examine Waldron's signings to ensure, as Wilson put it, "[Rebels] procedures are in accordance with the [ARU] protocols."[27]
Pat Wilson, a former CEO of the Manly Sea Eagles and NSW Waratahs, and former ARU general manager of high performance[28] became interim CEO in April,[29] until Ross Oakley was appointed in September. Oakley is a former AFL CEO and current CEO of the Victorian Rugby Union. Mitchell said he expected the Rebels to retain Wilson in some capacity.[30]
In September 2011 Oakley stood down from the Rebels and was succeeded by Steven Boland as CEO. The Rebels announced the succession plan, citing Boland's credentials as an executive at Visy and Veolia, and his presidency of the Parramatta Rugby Club during its rebuilding phase.[31]
On 15 April 2013, Harold Mitchell announced that CEO Steve Boland had resigned,[32] citing other opportunities. On 17 April, the Rebels announced the appointment of interim CEO Rob Clarke. Clarke, who had been CEO of the ACT Brumbies between 2003 and 2005 and chief operating officer of the Australian Rugby Union 2006–07, will fill the role until season's end.[33]
Eddie Jones said the Rebels should not have been added to Super Rugby: "The reason they're in is because of TV rights. The current 14-team competition is just starting to find its feet [and the] addition of another Australian franchise is not good for Australian [or Super] rugby ..." Jones went on: "Another Australian side is just going to weaken the third and fourth teams. ... It's unrealistic for Australia to have five teams and it will be bad for Wallaby rugby in the short-term, for the next 10 to 15 years."[34]
Contrary to Jones, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans stated the side's vast experience was an asset and predicted the Rebels could be competitive from the outset.[35]
Foundation Team
The first signing was London Wasps fly half Danny Cipriani[36] initially slated to play at fullback,[37][38] a position he's played on occasion for the Wasps.[39][40] Prop Laurie Weeks signed 18 March.[41] Welsh number 8 Gareth Delve signed 28 March saying, "The opportunity to test myself alongside the best players in world rugby in a competition I have grown up admiring, was one I couldn't refuse."[42] Stirling Mortlock signed 31 March, in a three-year deal for an undisclosed sum.[43][44]
Jarrod Saffy became the first Rebel to 'convert' from rugby league. The ARU was reluctant to allow the Rebels to sign rugby league players, due to a high number of converts returning to league.[45][46] In the case of Saffy they made an exception, considering his selection in the Australian school boys, the Australian U21s and the Australian Sevens sides.[47][48]
On 27 June 2013, the RaboDirect Rebels announced that foundation shareholders Harold Mitchell AC, Bob Dalziel, Lyndsey Cattermole, Alan Winney, Ralph D'Silva, Gary Gray, Paul Kirk, Leon L'Huillier, David Ogilvy and Michael Bartlett had signed a term sheet dealing with the 100% transfer of their shares to the Victorian Rugby Union.[49] The decision was made to promote the growth of Rugby in Victoria, with both the community and professional arms working together on joint objectives.
As part of the transfer of ownership, Melbourne Rebels chairman Harold Mitchell AC passed on his legacy to new chairman, Mr Jonathan Ling.[49] The two organizations combined operations, with Rob Clarke becoming CEO for both organizations, and Ross Oakley OAM stepping away from his role as VRU CEO.
Sale in 2015
The Rebels proved to be a financial drain on the Australian Rugby Union; the franchise was responsible for more than half of the ARU's deficit of A$6.3 million in fiscal 2014. In June 2015, the ARU announced that the Rebels had been purchased by locally based Imperium Sports Management.[50] The ARU is understood to have spent $15.6 million in the franchise.[51]
2017 and the threat of Super Rugby axe
During the 2017 season the ARU announced that one Australian franchise would be axed from Super Rugby, as the competition was trimmed to 15 teams. They announced that either the Rebels or the Western Force were at threat of the axe hoping to come to a decision by April at the latest. Rebels CEO Andrew Cox sold the franchise back to the Victorian Rugby Union for $1 in an attempt to protect and 'save' the Rebels as the VRU were unlikely to sell the franchise to the ARU as they would axe it,[52] whereas crucially the Force were owned solely by the ARU. On 10 August the Force were instead axed from Super Rugby with the Rebels surviving as a Super Rugby side.[53]
Name and colours
The logo used by the original Melbourne Rebels team that competed in the Australian Rugby Championship.
The Rebels name was chosen for the Melbourne ARC team in consultation with the local rugby community;[54] VRU officials decided on the Rebels name in reference to Victoria's first Wallaby, Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop. Chris "Buddha" Handy at the launch, said that "like the great Weary Dunlop, Victorian rugby has a history of daring to be different, a touch of the larrikin, and always having a go. These qualities are what you want in a Rebel and characterise the way Victoria is successfully tackling this historic year."[55] The name was retained for the Super team.
The Melbourne Rebels and the Victorian Rugby Union launched the Super Rugby logo and jersey at the Weary Dunlop lunch on 29 July 2010.[56] The logo's five stars represent the Rebel creed: Respect (yourself and the opposition), Excellence (highest standards in everything we do), Balance (sport and life, determination and humility), Ethos (team first, 'we, not me'), Leadership (challenge the status quo).[57]
The Rebels colours are based off the state of Victoria's traditional colour of navy blue. Both the logo and kit heavily feature navy blue, while the iconic five stars that run vertically down the centre of both are white, also a traditional Victorian colour. Red has also been incorporated to give the Rebels their own uniqueness and to slightly differ them to other Victorian-based sporting clubs.
The home kit is predominantly navy blue with navy blue shorts and socks, and also features red and white trimmings. The away kit is mainly white, but has navy blue hoops (similar to that of the Melbourne Rebels team which competed in the ARC), grey sleeves and a red trim. The kits are manufactured by BLK.
Franchise area
See also: Melbourne and Victoria
Franchise area of the Rebels.
The Rebels represent Victoria in the Super Rugby provincial tournament. The franchise area includes the 25 Victorian senior clubs of the Victorian Rugby Union, who view the Rebels as the final step for elite Victorian players to representative rugby.[58] The 2010 state trials experienced a huge increase in participation, attributed to the establishment of the Rebels.[59]
In addition to representing Victoria and the Victorian Rugby Union sides, the Rebels sought to build player pathways for South Australian rugby players. They developed a Memorandum of Understanding with the South Australian Rugby Union in 2011, with Brighton Rugby Club lock Andrew Brown being selected to play in the Rebels reserve side against Sydney Rugby Union representative side.[60]
Stadium and facilities
AAMI Park
Eastern Stand
The Melbourne Rebels play their home games at AAMI Park in inner Melbourne's Sport and Entertainment Precinct. The stadium has a capacity of 30,050, but is decreased slightly to 29,500 seats for Super Rugby matches.
The stadium officially opened 8 May 2010 after the Victorian government looked to build a specialised rectangular arena in Melbourne to accommodate the growing sports of soccer, rugby league and rugby union, and to also complement the circular MCG and Etihad Stadium.
AAMI Park was designed by Cox Architects (Sydney),[61] with input from Waratah and former Wallaby prop Al Baxter.[62]
Rebels training and administration will be based in Carlton North, in a specially upgraded facility at Princes Park stadium, which also hosts the Carlton Football Club.[63][64]
Development teams
Victorian rugby's two elite development squads just below full-time professional level are the Rebels A and Victorian Under 20 teams. These teams are closely aligned with the Melbourne Rebels and train at the same venues used by the Rebels. The Victorian Rugby Union also owns and manages a team in the National Rugby Championship as of 2014, the Melbourne Rising.
Rebels A
The Rebels A team plays matches against interstate and international representative teams, and has also competed in tournaments such as the Pacific Rugby Cup. Known by various names including Rebels A and Rebel Rising, the development teams are selected from the best emerging rugby talent in Victoria and South Australia. The squads are composed of Rebels contracted players, extended training squad members, Victorian Under 20s, and selected Dewar Shield club players.[65]
Under 20
The Rebels under 20 side competes in the National Under 20 Rugby Championship. Victorian teams played in the Southern States Tournament up until 2015 and also played occasional matches against other representative sides such as Pacific Rugby Cup teams. Prior to 2008, state colts teams at under 21 and under 19 age levels were fielded in national competitions
Supporters
In April 2009, Neville Howard and Gavin Norman created an independent supporter group to grow awareness of the bid at a grassroots level. The Rebel Army networked via Facebook and Twitter; in early 2011 the Facebook page was 'liked' by 4500 fans and 600 Twitter followers.[66]
The Herald Sun's Russell Gould compared the Rebel Army with Melbourne Storm's banner crew. Gould interviewed Rebel Army founder Gavin Norman who said: "The Rebels and the Waratahs have been talking up the interstate rivalries ... We are trying to make it a bit more tribal."[66]
After the licence was awarded to Australia and subsequently Melbourne, Victoria, the group became the Rebel Army, and were acknowledged on the Rebel website by hooker and media columnist Adam Freier who wrote:
"There are two types of people who watch sport. Their worth to us as players are equal, but there are some subtle differences. There are supporters and then there are fans- the fanatics who are crazy about their sport and team. The Rebel Army are beyond both ... My team mates and I love the fact that The Rebel Army are bridging the gap and making it easier for the players to follow our supporters."[67]
Adam Freier also referenced the Army in his column on 'Rugby Heaven' (Fairfax) "The Rebel Army motto is "by the fans for the fans" ... Never have I been a prouder player as I walk past the clan at the games, and never have I felt so normal when I swing by and have a chat. They are very much part of the Rebels team."[68]
Other sport reporters including Wide World of Sports' Matt McKay,[69] and The Roar's Brett McKay. McKay wrote:
"I’ve given the Rebel Army numerous raps this season, all of them well deserved. I think what they’ve brought to Australian Rugby has been a breath of fresh air within an environment that has ferociously stuck to its tweed coat and chardonnay stereotypes."[70][71]
Seasons
Pre-season 2011
The Rebels played two pre-season games against Tonga, and one against Fiji,[72] before facing the Crusaders (New Zealand),[73] a fortnight before Round One.[1]
The Rebels won both games against Tonga, 43–13 at Olympic Park[74] and 54–0 at La Trobe City Stadium in Morwell,[75] playing two uncontracted amateur players from Victorian Rugby Union clubs; Chris Slade from the Melbourne Unicorns[76] and Sam Latunipulu Jnr from the Southern Districts Pirates.[77]
Coach Macqueen said, after the contests with Tonga: "We were looking to try a few different things and a lot of them came off, so overall, we were happy with the performance; ... it's not about winning and losing, it's about trialling things under pressure. [We had pressure and] started to see a lot of the team structure, too, a lot of phases of play coming off. ... We are about to enter into one of the toughest competitions in world rugby. If we were playing like we are now, we wouldn't be successful ..."[78]
2011
The Rebels inaugural season kicked off on 18 February, with a Round One match against the Waratahs (NSW) at home, in front of over 24,000 people.[1] The Rebels made four changes to the starting 15 to take on the Brumbies on 25 February, in front of over 14,000 people. Huxley moved to inside centre (number 12), allowing Mark Gerrard to make his debut at full back. Danny Cipriani and Nick Phipps also took their places in the run-on 15 for their first times. It was Cipriani who scored the first points for the Rebels, with a successful penalty kick in the 15th minute. Captain Stirling Mortlock scored the Rebels' first try with eight minutes to go, to put the team in front 22–19. Shortly after, Brumbies' winger Henry Speight scored a controversial try, off what appeared to be a clear forward pass, and the Brumbies were ahead 24–22. In the final minute of the game, the Brumbies gave away a penalty 37 metres out from the Rebels line, after some push and shove in a Brumbies scrum. Danny Cipriani slotted the penalty, handing Melbourne their debut Super Rugby win, 25 points to 24.[79]
The Rebels won their Round Six home-game against the Wellington Hurricanes,[80] and their Round Seven clash against the Western Force. For Rounds 13 and 14 the Rebels travelled to South Africa for games against the Bulls and the Cheetahs. The Rebels lost 47–10 to the Bulls, yet Bulls coach Frans Ludeke expressed confidence that the Rebels could experience a rapid rise.[81]
Post season 2011
The Rebels finished 15th on the overall competition log and last in the Australian conference winning 3 games (eclipsing the Western Force's 1 win, 2 draws and 10 losses) and falling 3 log points short the Cheetahs debut season (who won 5 and lost 8 incurring 27 log points).[82] The franchise announced the morning after their final round loss to the Western Force they had signed a two-year deal with James O'Connor and Mitch Inman[83] in addition to Kurtley Beale from the Waratahs.[84] Rod Macqueen stepped down as head coach to take up a place on the board of directors and was succeeded as head coach by former assistant Damien Hill.[85] There were three retirees from the inaugural squad; Kevin O'Neill, Greg Somerville and Sam Cordingley while Luke Rooney returned to French rugby club Toulon.[86] The Rebels announced a week-long post season tour; playing Bath, Worcester and European champions Leinster.[87] At the 2011 Australian Super Rugby Awards Rebels incumbent scrumhalf Nick Phipps won the Australian conference Rookie of the year award.[88] New Senior Coach John Muggleton joined the Rebels as defence specialist after coaching Georgia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[89]
2012
It took until Round 5 for the Rebels to win under new coach Damien Hill. They would go on to win a further 3 games including a comeback win against the Crusaders and a first ever victory against the Auckland Blues in round 7. Kurtley Beale was named player's player of the year while Gareth Delve won the people's player of the year award. Caderyn Neville won Rookie of the year. Overall the Rebels finished 13th in the table.[90]
2013
The Rebels in 2013 were bolstered by the signings of Scott Higginbotham and Japanese hooker Shota Horie and these signings helped them achieve a 12th-place finish, securing a franchise record 36 points. The secured their first victory over a South African side when the defeated the Stormers and also claimed the Weary Dunlop shield when they defeated the NSW Waratahs. In 2013 the Rebels also hosted the touring British and Irish Lions side, although they were defeated 35-0 at AAMI Park. At the conclusion of the season that the Rebels had transferred their shares to the Victorian Rugby Union after three seasons of private ownership.[91]
2014
2014 saw change for the Rebels with Tony McGahan taking over from Hill as head coach and 15 Rebels making their debuts across the season. Despite this upheaval the Rebels still secured 4 wins including a 35-14 win against the Cheetahs, their highest ever winning margin, and a first victory over the Queensland Reds. 2014 could be seen as a season of near misses though for the Rebels as they either defeated or secured a losing bonus point against 6 of the 8 top finishers in the table that season.[92]
2015
The Rebels in 2015 was a settled outfit with 20 of the players from the previous season being retained. Young players including Jack Debreczeni, Nic Stirzaker and Sean McMahon all flourished as the Rebels secured 7 wins across the season, the most in a season since its inception. They achieved their first ever overseas victory against the Crusaders and 5 Rebels were selected for a preliminary Australia squad in July. At the conclusion of the 2015 season the Rebels were sold to Imperium Sports Management led by Andrew Cox.[93]
2016
The 2016 season started with the Rebels signing two local talents, Sione Tuipulotu and Rob Leota, who would become the first players to come from the Victorian rugby system to play for the Rebels. The Rebels also signed Reece Hodge from the pathway although he was not a local player. The Rebels won 3 of their first 4 games and after defeating the Cheetahs in round 9 were top of the Australian conference, however an injury crisis would see them fall to 3rd in the Australian conference and 12th overall.[94]
2017
2017 was a season of struggle for the Rebels, as the threat of the axe by the ARU hung over their head across the season, and a horrific run of injuries saw 39 different players play across the season, and a further 13 signed to help deal with this injury crisis. The Rebels had recruited strongly in the off season with Welsh international Dominic Day, Japanese international Amanaki Mafi and NRL star Marika Koroibete joining along with a selection of young talent including another young Victorian talent Jordan Uelese, who would win his first Australian cap at the end of the season. Kiwi fly-half Jackson Garden-Bachop would become the 100th player to represent the Rebels, while the only remaining foundation player, Laurie Weeks, became the most capped player. The Rebels only won once across the season, a 19-17 victory against the Brumbies, while there was also a 9-9 draw against the Sharks in Durban as the Rebels finished 18th and bottom of the Super Rugby ladder. The threat of the axe from Super Rugby continued to hang over the Rebels well into the off season when it was announced that the Western Force would be axed and the Rebels saved, with CEO Andrew Cox transferring his shares back to the Victorian Rugby Union to secure the future of the Rebels. At the end of the season coach Tony McGahan departed the club the become the Reds' assistant coach.[95]
2018
2018 saw great change for the Rebels, as 28 players departed the Rebels and 20 new players debuted, 12 of them new signings from the now defunct Force. David Wessels was appointed the new coach, moving from the Force, and major signings were made in Australian international scrum-half Will Genia, Australian international lock Adam Coleman and former England and British and Irish Lion Geoff Parling. On the field the Rebels made a significant improvement winning 4 of their first 5 matches, although they would only win 3 more narrowly missing out of their first appearance in the Super Rugby playoffs. Jack Maddocks finished the season as the Rebels top try scorer with 9 tries, including the first ever Rebels hat-trick in Week 3 against the Sunwolves, while Reece Hodge overtook Jason Woodward as the Rebels leading points scorer, with his 117 points in the season putting him on 298 points total for the Rebels. The season though ended on a sour note for the Rebels as disciplinary problems involving players Amanaki Mafi and Lopeti Timani before a nightclub incident involving Hunter Paisami led to an integrity review being ordered by the Rebels.[96]
Season standings
Season Pos Pld W D L F A +/- BP Pts 2011 15th 16 3 0 13 281 560 −279 4
242012 13th 16 4 0 12 362 520 −158 8
322013 12th 16 5 0 11 382 515 −133 9
372014 15th 16 4 0 12 303 460 −157 5
212015 10th 16 7 0 9 319 354 −35 8
362016 12th 15 7 0 8 365 486 −121 3
312017 18th 15 1 1 13 236 569 −333 3
92018 9th 16 7 0 9 440 461 –21 8
36
Current squad
The squad for the 2018 season:[97][a][b]
| Rebels Super Rugby squad | ||
|---|---|---|
Props
Hookers
Locks
| Loose forwards
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves
| Centres
Wingers
Fullbacks
|
(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped. SUP indicates a member of the supplementary squad that appeared for the senior team. ST denotes players on short-term contracts included in matchday squads.
|
Supplementary squad
In addition to the senior squad, the Melbourne Rebels also announced a supplementary squad consisting of the following players:[104]
Pone Fa'amausili (prop) [a]
Sama Malolo (hooker) [b]- Esei Ha'angana (lock)
- Trevor Hosea (lock)
- Jack Debreczeni (fly-half) [c]
Hunter Paisami (centre)- Pama Fou (wing)
Kitione Ratu (wing)
^ Fa'amuasili made an appearance for the senior team.[105]
^ Malolo made an appearance for the senior team.[106]
^ Debreczeni has made appearances for the senior team.[107]
Dom Shipperley (wing) was initially included in the Rebels' extended playing squad[108] before announcing his retirement during the season.[109]
Staff
Chief Executive Officer: Baden Stephenson
General Manager of Professional rugby & Pathways: Nick Ryan
Head coach: David Wessels
Assistant coach (Defence) : Kevin Foote
Assistant coach (Attack) : Shaun Berne
Assistant coach (Lineout) : Geoff Parling
Assistant coach (Scrum Consultant) : Nic Henderson
Coaching co-coordinator : Todd Louden
Team Director: Tony Thorpe
Logistics Manager: Mark Rowe
Lead Physiotherapist: Cullan Ball
Head of Performance: Will Markwick
Head Doctor: Bryn Savill
Head Strength & Conditioning coach: Shane Lehane
Head Performance Analyst: Eoin Toolan
Assistant Performance Analyst: John Batina
Head coaches
- Rod Macqueen (2011)
- Damien Hill (2012–2013)
- Tony McGahan (2014–2017)
David Wessels (2018–present)
Ownership and management
Board
The Melbourne Rebels are the first privately owned professional rugby union team in Australia. During its inauguration, the club was run by a board chaired by majority owner, media and communications millionaire Harold Mitchell.[110][111][112][113] Mitchell stepped down from the role in 2013 and was succeeded by businessman Jonathan Ling as the club's chairman.
The deputy chairman is Fred Hollows Foundation director Bob Dalziel.[114] The other directors are entrepreneur Lyndsey Cattermole,[115] former VRU president Gary Gray,[116] current VRU president Tim North, SC,[117] Aegis Media companies director Rod Lamplugh, Pacific National Rail director Angus McKay, and former Wallaby and the first ever Melbourne Rebels captain, Stirling Mortlock.
On 19 June 2015, the ARU announced that the franchise had been sold to the Melbourne-based Imperium Sports Management (ISM), returning the Rebels to private ownership, with the sale to be formally completed on 1 July. At the time of announcement, Peter Leahy stood down as CEO to allow ISM co-leader Andrew Cox to take that position.[118]
On 4 August 2017, with the threat of the Rebels franchise being 'axed' from Super Rugby, Imperium Sports Management and CEO Andrew Cox relinquished control of the Rebels, transferring its shares at $1 per share to the Victorian Rugby Union.[52] General Manager Baden Stephenson was named the new CEO of the Rebels following Cox's departure.
List of directors
On 23 February 2018, the VRU announced a new board of directors for the club. The following people were appointed to the Rebels board.[119]
President: Tim North
Chairman: Paul Docherty
Director: Lyndsey Cattermole
Director: Bob Dalziel
Director: Owain Stone
Director: Neil Hay
Director: Gary Gray
List of former players
- Players in bold denote players with international caps.
- Numbers in brackets indicates a players 'Rebel Number'. A 'Rebel Number' is the players cap number for the Melbourne Rebels. Where more than one player made their debut for the Rebels in the same game their 'Rebel Number' is sorted in alphabetical order. Current players are not included in this list.[120]
- Players are listed in alphabetical order, apart from international players who are listed alphabetically by nation first, and then by name.
Australian Players
- Cruze Ah-Nau (59)
- Paul Asquith (97)
- Kurtley Beale (37)
- Peter Betham (28)
- Rodney Blake (29)
- Luke Burgess (56)
- Alister Campbell (20)
- Sam Cordingley (2)
- Cam Crawford (84)
- Steve Cummins (79)
- Tim Davidson (27)
- Jack Debreczeni (71)
- Colby Fainga'a (65)
- Lalakai Foketi (72)
- Adam Freier (33)
- Mark Gerrard (23)
- James Hanson (86)
- Mike Harris (76)
- Bryce Hegarty (54)
- Nic Henderson (4)
- Scott Higginbotham (46)
- James Hilgendorf (5)
- Ryan Hodson (41)
- Josh Holmes (73)
- Luke Holmes (30)
- Julian Huxley (6)
- Mitch Inman (35)
- Lloyd Johansson (36)
- Richard Kingi (26)
- Tom Kingston (63)
- Sean McMahon (61)
- Ben Meehan (67)
- Tim Metcher (83)
- Will Miller (110)
- Lachlan Mitchell (9)
- Stirling Mortlock (10)
- Sefa Naivalu (77)
- Cadeyrn Neville (42)
- James O'Connor (34)
- Hugh Perrett (43)
- Nick Phipps (21)
- Jonah Placid (80)
- Hugh Pyle (25)
- Jordy Reid (51)
- Angus Roberts (52)
- Luke Rooney (13)
- Jarrod Saffy (18)
- Radike Samo (82)
- Jake Schatz (105)
- Dom Shipperley (75)
- Rory Sidey (47)
- Siliva Siliva (96)
- Hugh Sinclair (111)
- Kimami Sitauti (55)
- Toby Smith (60)
- Mick Snowden (92)
- Nic Stirzaker (38)
- Afusipa Taumoepeau (22)
- Heath Tessmann (17)
- Lopeti Timani (69)
- Laurie Weeks (19)
- Ben Whittaker (78)
International Players
Danny Cipriani (16)- Max Lahiff (64)
- Michael Lipman (7)
- Geoff Parling (127)
- Alex Rokobaro (48)
- Ben Volavola (103)
Jamie Hagan (90)- Tom Sexton (81)
Shota Horie (49)- Keita Inagaki (85)
- Amanaki Mafi (99)
- Kotaro Matsushima (91)
- Male Sa'u (70)
Tom Chamberlain (24)- Tamati Ellison (62)
- Scott Fuglistaller (45)
- Jackson Garden-Bachop (100)
- Daniel Hawkins (89)
- Patrick Leafa (57)
- Tyrel Lomax (104)
- Hoani MacDonald (8)
- Kevin O'Neill (11)
- Jono Owen (40)
- Culum Retallick (95)
- Ged Robinson (12)
- Greg Somerville (14)
- Adam Thomson (87)
- Jason Woodward (53)
Adam Byrnes (1)- Paul Alo-Emile (44)
- Steve Fualau (66)
Murray Douglas (108)- JP du Plessis (31)
- Eddie Aholelei (39)
- Telusa Veainu (68)
- Cooper Vuna (15)
Dominic Day (109)- Gareth Delve (3)
James King (58)
- Players that signed for the Melbourne Rebels but did not make an appearance are not included in this list. 18 players have signed for the Melbourne Rebels and not made an appearance: Ryan Cocker, Trent Dyer, Harley Fox, Jed Gillespie, David Horwitz, Henry Hutchison, Kentaro Kodama, Jono Lance, Frank Lomani, Jack McGregor, Isaiah Mosese, Dallan Murphy, Rory O'Connor, Dennis Pili-Gaitau, Chris Thomson, Alex Toolis, Ah-mu Tuimalealiifano and Ikapote Tupai.
See also
- Melbourne Rising
- Ganbatte Trophy
References
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External links
Official website
