Rebels to keep flanker in sight after impressive preseason

The 23-year-old enjoyed a four-month train and trial stint with the Super Rugby club, highlighted by an imposing performance against the Queensland Reds.

DETERMINED: Matt Gicquel in action for GPS. Picture: Brendan Hertel/QRU.

RUGBY UNION: Melbourne Rebels officials will keep a close eye on Maleny’s Matt Gicquel after he exceeded their expectations during his preseason with them.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a four-month train and trial stint with the Super Rugby club, highlighted by an imposing performance against the Queensland Reds.

His efforts drew high praise from Rebels general manager of rugby Nick Ryan.

“He really impressed the coaches and management group, and everyone involved,” he said.

“He really ripped in, with a great attitude to his training, and he fitted in really well around the group.”

A Maleny junior, he played for the Bushrangers in the Sunshine Coast reserve grade competition.

He also had a season with Caloundra.

In Brisbane, he linked with GPS, coming through their Colts and then starring for their Queensland Premier team and earning an invitation to the Rebels.

“He’s certainly exceeded our expectations,” Ryan said.

Gicquel is a workaholic flanker.

“He’s a very tough competitor, very abrasive,” Ryan said.

“His physicality for his size is a real strength for him. He punches above his weight.

“He’s got a really good work rate around the field and is a very dependable guy, who doesn’t make many mistakes.”

The Rebels will watch him play for GPS this year, when he could also play some Rebels A games.

“He’s certainly got a bright future in the game and we’re going to keep a very close on him this year … and see where that might take him in the future,” Ryan said.

While it appears there is no room in the Rebels squad for Gicquel at the moment Ryan said, “we wouldn’t have any hesitation in bringing Matt back on a more permanent basis”.

“He certainly showed a good commitment and aptitude to his rugby, and a good capacity to work with others,” he said.

“He showed a competency that was in alliance with being a professional rugby player.”

Gicquel said he enjoyed his pre-season with the Rebels.

“I feel like I had a pretty good preparation with my fitness but being in a professional environment for the first time was just massive,” he said.

“Just how well my body was coping with the amount of running and work you’re doing because you’ve got all these people looking after you was quite amazing.

“I had a good game against the Reds. I found the physicality wasn’t as big a shock as I thought it might be but the standard impressed. It was quite a fast pace.”

He said he’ll “rip in” for GPS and will “see what happens next year”.

Originally published as