Rebels coach Tony McGahan aiming to boost Melbourne’s Wallabies contingent
TONY McGahan wants Melbourne to become a more productive Wallabies breeding ground as the Rebels reflect on a win over Western Force.
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TONY McGahan wants Melbourne to become a more productive breeding ground for the Wallabies as the Rebels reflect on a precious Super Rugby win over fourth-placed Western Force.
The Rebels have only one regular Australian Test representative — Scott Higginbotham — and their coach McGahan has ambitions for Melbourne to eventually emulate the Brumbies’ international production line.
Elated by his 13th-ranked team’s gritty 22-16 win over the Force, McGahan lavished praise on lock Luke Jones, who is rapidly shaping as Melbourne’s next Wallaby.
The young forward has been in scintillating touch this season and would probably lead the club’s unofficial player of the year standings.
Jones, 23, has impressed in almost all of Melbourne’s eight matches with his relentless running. fearless presence at the ruck and endless ball-carrying ability.
“Luke has been fantastic for us this season and to back up what he did last week against the Chiefs last week, to get those two games back to back was great,” McGahan said.
“Luke, through the pre-season, was certainly one of our best trainers. He doesn’t miss any, or very, very few, sessions.
“The thing we really tried to work on with Luke this season was consistency of performance. I think some of the performances he has put in this year have been first rate.
“We’re delighted he’s now been able to string back to back performances together instead of one week on, one week off.
“The metres that he does in carry and the work around corners is what every good lock needs to have.
“I think he’s been excellent for us in that regard and he’s been a real leader for the tight five.”
While the Rebels have five regulars who have played Test rugby — Higginbotham and Luke Burgess (Australia), Shota Horie and Male Sa’u (Japan) and Tamati Ellison (New Zealand) — Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie has singled out several others as potential international candidates.
Toby Smith, Max Lahiff, Jones, Hugh Pyle, Cadeyrn Neville, Sean McMahon and Tom English are among the eligible players previously nominated by McKenzie.
McGahan, who is demanding more composure and poise from his young squad, craves more homegrown internationals.
“We want to turn young men like Luke, Sean McMahon, Nic Stirzaker and Mitch Inman and other players into Wallabies,” he said.
“We want to have a program that sets them on that path — it’s not an easy one — but certainly they’re in the right direction.”
Friday’s win was due reward for the Rebels after fine performances against Crusaders (loss), Brumbies (win), Highlanders (loss) and Chiefs (loss).
“We’ve certainly gathered some confidence over the last five weeks with strong performances against the Crusaders and the Chiefs and the win over the Brumbies,” he said.
“Our reviews continually bring up things we need to improve on, such as our kicking game and other basics, but rather than our fundamentals we need to work more on our composure and responding to the pace of the game.”
Force coach Michael Foley paid tribute to the Rebels, saying they had been more intense at the breakdown in an attritional battle between blue collar teams.
Melbourne has a bye next week before facing competition leader Sharks at AAMI Park on May 2.
Now coached by Jake White, the Sharks have won six of their first seven matches to have the best points differential of the 15 clubs.
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