Tony McGahan is thrilled with the Melbourne Rebels’ growing presence at international level

THE Melbourne Rebels had eight players involved in the Australian spring tour of Europe, something Tony McGahan says will only lift the club’s Super Rugby standing.

Lopeti Timani showed great signs while playing for Australia. Picture: Mark Dadswell

TONY McGahan says the increasing number of Melbourne Rebels players featuring in Wallabies sides is indicative of his club’s growing stature in Super Rugby.

The Rebels had eight players involved in the squad for the just-completed spring tour of Europe.

Centre Reece Hodge (four starts), No. 8 Lopeti Timani (three starts), winger Sefa Naivalu (two starts and two substitute appearances) and loose forward Sean McMahon (one start and two substitute appearances) were mainstays of the tour.

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Marika Koroibete gained “invaluable” experience as he makes the transition from the Melbourne Storm NRL team, while halfback Nic Stirzaker and prop Toby Smith spent the last two weeks in camp after getting late call-ups.

Lopeti Timani playing for the Wallabies against Wales. Picture: Getty Images

Hooker James Hanson was tipped for significant game time only to break his jaw in training before the first game against Wales early last month, but McGahan said that injury would not prevent him from returning to Rebels pre-season training alongside his other Wallabies teammates on January 8.

McGahan said the best thing about his eight international representatives is that they have all played significant portions of their careers at the Rebels.

“We didn’t necessarily have the resources to go and buy existing Wallabies in to the program,” McGahan said.

“But we’ve made a really conscious effort to run a program good enough to create our own.

“That’s certainly where the Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies have dominated over the years and on the back of team success have had the majority of players in Wallabies camps, but hopefully we can continue to work towards that team success that will give us even greater representation.”

McGahan said he expected the confidence of Timani, 26, to soar on the back of an eye-catching tour and also said Hodge, 22, had handled an arduous year both in club and international rugby “exceptionally well”.

Reece Hodge attempts to break a tackle against England. Picture: Getty Images

Koroibete hasn’t even trained with his new Rebels teammates yet, but McGahan said the winger’s Wallabies experience would be of benefit to him in the long run despite only seeing game time against the French Barbarians.

“You’re training with the best players in Australia,” he said.

“He’s come out of one of the most professional training environments in the country at the Storm, so I don’t think it’s his professionalism he needs to work on, it’s more the little nuances of the game.

“They’re the things that will be invaluable for him.”

Originally published as Tony McGahan is thrilled with the Melbourne Rebels’ growing presence at international level