Reds need to show ‘more fight’
The Reds are desperate to make up for a shocking half of football when they host the Rebels at Suncorp Stadium.
The Reds are desperate to make up for a shocking half of football when they host the Rebels at Suncorp Stadium.
Positional battles take centre stage as Wallabies coach Dave Rennie sorts through an intriguing weekend of Super Rugby AU action ahead of the upcoming international season.
Young giant Trevor Hosea will become the fourth Victorian player to get a run-on for the Rebels this season bringing with him the “Burn Boys” mentality to fight for the underdog.
No-one should be kidding themselves that Australia’s five-team domestic competition is at the same standard as New Zealand’s, but that’s hardly the point, as rugby fans witnessed on the weekend.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson gave under-performing Bernard Foley a public lashing ahead of his showdown with Wallabies rival Quade Cooper.
Damaging runner Isi Naisarani has re-signed with the Rebels and the club has no plans to stop there.
Rugby Australia is at an all-time low. The Wallabies are out of form, Super Rugby crowds are dropping and the Israel Folau scandal haunts the code. Club rugby, though, is thriving and it’s all thanks to the AFL.
The battle is on to save Super Rugby: While Sydney’s club competition flourishes, the conference-leading Brumbies have their lowest crowds ever, Waratahs interest has waned and the only team drawing fans is getting kicked out of the competition.
Nothing happens in Australian rugby without a good conspiracy theory and there may be more reason to certain selections around the country than we think, JIM TUCKER writes.
Melbourne Rebels will make an 11th hour fitness call on superstar Will Genia – who was knocked unconscious against the Sunwolves – as the club chases a maiden Super Rugby finals appearance.
Melbourne’s may have kept their quest for a maiden finals appearance on track with their big Super Rugby win over the Sunwolves – but victory came at a steep cost.
Melbourne Rebels players have ruled out an attack on bad boy Amanaki Mafi in Tokyo despite the Japanese international leaving the club in disgrace after allegedly bashing former teammate Lopeti Timani.
Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/melbourne-rebels/page/14