Melbourne Rebels not distracted from finals focus by bottom-line attacks
Attacks on the financial viability of the Melbourne Rebels coming from inside Australian rugby are ill-informed but won’t deter the new boys from making history.
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A false war over financial credibility won’t distract Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels from the task of creating history.
Wessels hit out at “disappointing” reports which surfaced hours before the Rebels loss to the Waratahs last Friday suggesting the Melbourne outfit was in financial dire straits.
Privately club officials feel they are facing a battle not unlike every Australian Super Rugby franchise and that information leaks were emanating from those trying to destabilise the club.
But Wessels said the mood in Melbourne was all positive and he and his staff wouldn’t take their focus off guiding the Rebels to the finals this year, and being better again in the future.
“I don’t think that (report) appeared by chance. That’s the environment we work in Australia. I think people put that there on purpose on a game day, which is disappointing,” Wessels said on Thursday.
“I don’t think anyone gets in to sport to make money. I think our club is lucky we have a lot of people who care deeply about it and we are in the same position as all the Australian franchises.
“Do I think the lights are going off tomorrow? No, definitely not.”
Wessels confirmed the Rebels would go in to Saturday’s clash against the Crusaders without star halfback Will Genia, while both Quade Cooper and Marika Koroibete would start from the bench in Christchurch.
Despite being $7.50 outsiders to topple the home team on Saturday, the Rebels remain $1.30 with the TAB to finish in the Super Rugby top eight for the first time.
Melbourne has been in the eight all season, and a final round win, over the Chiefs at home, should be enough to make the playoffs.
It’s a position the Rebels have never been this late in the season and despite the clear challenge in front of them, Wessels was buoyed by the opportunity to control their own destiny.
“To be successful you need a whole squad effort. We have more depth, more guys who can play at this level, and as a result we are more competitive,” Wessels said.
“If we can win even just one of these last two games we are in the playoffs but we will also be the most successful Rebels team in history. There are a lot of things going well.
“The challenge is to get over the sadness of a performance like the Waratahs, we were frustrated and angry and we’d be disappointed if we didn’t feel like that.
“But there’s nothing that reshapes the focus like a trip to Christchurch.”
CRUSADERS V REBELS
Christchurch Stadium, Saturday 5.35pm
Watch live on Kayo
$1.09 Crusaders v Rebels $7.50
Odds: TAB
REBELS:
1. Tetera Faulkner
2. Jordan Uelese
3. Sam Talakai
4. Matt Philip
5. Adam Coleman
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Richard Hardwick
8. Isi Naisarani
9. Michael Ruru
10. Matt To’omua
11. Tom English
12. Bill Meakes
13. Reece Hodge
14. Jack Maddocks
15. Dane Haylett-Petty (c)
Reserves
16. Anaru Rangi
17. Matt Gibbon
18. Jermaine Ainsley
19. Luke Jones
20. Ross Haylett-Petty
21. Harrison Goddard
22. Quade Cooper
23. Marika Koroibete
CRUSADERS
1. Joe Moody
2. Andrew Makalio
3. Michael Alaalatoa
4. Scott Barrett
5. Samuel Whitelock (C)
6. Whetukamokamo Douglas
7. Matt Todd (VC)
8. Kieran Read
9. Bryn Hall
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. Braydon Ennor
12. Ryan Crotty (VC)*
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Sevu Reece
15. David Havili
Reserves
16. Ben Funnell
17. Tim Perry
18. George Bower
19. Luke Romano
20. Jordan Taufua
21. Ereatara Enari
22. Brett Cameron
23. Ngane Punivai
Originally published as Melbourne Rebels not distracted from finals focus by bottom-line attacks
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