Aussie Pro Rugby
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@Mr-Fish said in Reds v Force:
I can see Donaldson being used at fullback.
I don't think Wright is up for it. Kellaway on form is probably the best option. Wouldn't actually mind seeing Carter Gordon given a run there in July...
That would leave Lolesio as five-eighth.
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@antipodean said in Reds v Force:
@Mr-Fish said in Reds v Force:
I can see Donaldson being used at fullback.
I don't think Wright is up for it. Kellaway on form is probably the best option. Wouldn't actually mind seeing Carter Gordon given a run there in July...
That would leave Lolesio as five-eighth.
As opposed to who, Gordon? You really need Ryan Lonergan, Lolesio or Donaldson on the field to kick goals (there might be an option or two I'm missing), it's a bit of a pickle.
Lonergan at halfback over McDermott (or White)? I think that's a decent option. Do you then opt for the Brumbies combo and run Lolesio at 10? I don't think Gordon has shown enough consistency to necessarily lead the team around the park from 10 but I'm certainly not sold on Lolesio either (who's had quite a few chances but never quite taken to Test rugby, nor bossed the Brumbies around regularly in Super Rugby games against top opposition).
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Wouldn't mind seeing Tom Lynagh at 10 but not sure he's quite ready for it. Then again, not much is likely to change between now and November and you don't really want him debuting against the Lions next year...
Can't see Schmidt bringing in a Foley or a Cooper to help ease Lynagh in and mentor him until he's ready, you really need to entrust the keys to a player on day dot and let them find their way. Donaldson might actually be the safest bet...
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Only three men have played for both the Wallabies and All Blacks. A fourth is set to join them
Kiwi-turned-Queenslander Alex Hodgman is on track to become one of the rarest things in trans-Tasman sport: a Wallablack.
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@NTA this will make it very hard for them to get up on Saturday knowing they won't be in the comp next year.
I've already heard the Canes are in talks with Matt Proctor so there's that rumour already.
I hope most of the players stick around in Super Rugby to make the rest of the Aus teams stronger.
Guys like Leota, Tupou, Lancaster, Uelese, Daugunu, Salakaia-Loto and Gordon will be hot property noting that Kellaway has already signed with the Tahs. Tupou and Loto might return to the Reds.
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i still think there is something to be said for MP and the rebels to merge and try and tap into the expat community in Melbourne...its a hell of a lot bigger than the Australian old boys rugby network here
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i always use the term "pull the trigger" as more of a positive thing, going to start something...rather than the more literal "kill it"
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@NTA without seeing their business case i can only assume it didn;t hold up long term...and only hope RA did enough due diligence to work that out
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Rugby Australia statement regarding Melbourne Rebels
Rugby Australia (RA) advises that the application from a Consortium seeking a Participation Agreement for the Melbourne Rebels to participate in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition has been unsuccessful.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Aussie Pro Rugby:
@NTA without seeing their business case i can only assume it didn;t hold up long term...and only hope RA did enough due diligence to work that out
Why would they start now?
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@NTA said in Aussie Pro Rugby:
If the private consortium was willing to pay the bills, why cut them?
They address this in their statement. Basically:
The Consortium has made it clear that it is seeking a contribution from RA of several million dollars to cover forecast operating losses – this is in addition to the standard funding that would be available under a Participation Agreement.
The identity of the Consortium members has not been disclosed to RA and, as a result the credentials of the Consortium were unable to be fully assessed.
Key advisers to the Consortium include one or more former directors of Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union Pty Ltd (MRRU), meaning that an individual or individuals involved were responsible for the governance of MRRU during the period in which the Administrator considers the company may have traded while insolvent.
Since the Rebels’ inaugural year in 2011, MRRU has not been independently financially sustainable despite significant additional investment by RA over and above committed club grants. There is nothing in the Consortium’s proposal which demonstrates with sufficient certainty that this will change.
The Consortium has claimed to have committed $18m in funding, though no documentary evidence has been provided to support this.
No material has been provided outlining the new ownership structure, the new delivery model across two locations (AAMI Park and Tarneit) or how the historic financial challenges faced by MRRU would be mitigated under the new model.
