Melbourne Rebels launch probe into woeful start to 2017 Super Rugby season

MELBOURNE Rebels owner Andrew Cox says a “comprehensive review” into his club’s shocking start to the Super Rugby season will take place in the coming days.

MELBOURNE Rebels owner Andrew Cox says a “comprehensive review” into his club’s shocking start to the Super Rugby season will take place in the coming days.

Despite being lumped with one of the toughest early round draws of any team in the competition, Cox said there are no excuses for such poor performances in heavy losses to the Auckland Blues and Wellington Hurricanes.

Rebel Ben Meehan hands off during the weekend’s slaughter at the hands of Ardie Savea and the Hurricanes. Picture: Getty Images

Coach Tony McGahan is not out of contract at the end of the season, nor is his job understood to be in any danger.

Instead the heat is likely to turn on to the club’s on-field leaders over the course of the next 10 days, as the Rebels prepare for their next encounter — the Waikato Chiefs at AAMI Park on Friday week.

The Rebels started brightly enough in both Round 1 and Round 2, but were unable to turn the tide when the opposition ramped the pressure up.

@MelbourneRebels outrun and outgunned by the highest quality opposition. why keep kicking the ball away to the most lethal team in rugby ?

— Peter Deveny (@PetefromRye) March 4, 2017

Looks like it’s going to be a long season for the @MelbourneRebels. 😞

— Tom Pollock (@tomwrp) March 4, 2017

Watching the replay & how easily @Hurricanesrugby making @MelbourneRebels simply look second rate #HURvREB #hardtowatch

— Scott Jeffrey (@SJJoff) March 4, 2017

Hurricanes score against Melbourne Rebels 71-6!!! Did like only one guy pitch up to play? 😨

— Antoinette Pillay (@Annie_Pillay86) March 4, 2017

The Blues scored 48 of the last 54 points in the last 54 minutes of the season opener at AAMI Park, before the Rebels led 6-0 after 15 minutes against the Hurricanes only to lose 71-6.

“We’re incredibly disappointed as an organisation with the performance in the last two games,” Cox said.

“We’ll conduct a comprehensive review with a view to making sure that we don’t perform like that again.

“We recognise that, with results like that, we’re not delivering for our members and our fans and we have to be significantly better.”

Melbourne Rebels boss Andrew Cox has launched a review into his side’s early season struggles. Picture: Supplied

There have been injury concerns, most notably to highly regarded Wallaby lock — and leader — Sean McMahon,

But McGahan has stated repeatedly that the matchday squad should be able to get the job done.

“Operationally as an organisation we’ve done everything we can,” Cox said.

“We’ve provided all of the resources, all of the facilities.

“Our facilities are absolutely world class, our resources are world class.

“Ultimately our coaching staff and players, they are all great on paper in their roles.

“But we have to perform in the reality of the professional rugby competition we’re in.

“It’s no good making excuses about the draw being tough. The reality is, if we want to be a serious player we have to be able to beat the New Zealand teams, and we have to beat all teams in the competition.

“And we have to turn up to play.”

Rebels star Sean McMahon has been a notable absence to a Melbourne side that has been hammered in the opening two rounds. Picture: Getty Images

Originally published as Melbourne Rebels launch probe into woeful start to 2017 Super Rugby season