Rebels go with experience for 2016
The announcement is a culmination of over two years of planning by head coach Tony McGahan and General Manager of Rugby Operations Baden Stephenson who are focused on building a team that is able to compete week in week out in Super Rugby.
With the retention of 24 returning players, the best in the club's history, and the additions of top local and international talent, McGahan is confident with his selection.
"Strong foundations in the playing group are imperative, we are fortunate with the caliber of people in the likes of Weeks, Jones, Stirzaker, Fuglistaller, Leafa, Reid and English."
"Having quality international and Super Rugby experience such as Jamie Hagan [Ireland], Adam Thomson [New Zealand] James Hanson [Wallabies] and Culum Retallick [New Zealand] will add considerable experience knowledge and skill set to the team."
"For the first time ever we have recruited locally with up and coming homegrown talents Rob Leota and Sione Tuipulotu, to join fellow returning Melbournian Siliva Siliva. I feel it's the right mix to take on what is arguably one of the toughest sporting competitions on the planet.”
At a time when some of the best Australian Rugby players are choosing to pursue contracts overseas, Stephenson believes the strategic recruitment is a reflection on the quality of the rugby environment and people.
"We focus on not just the talent and ability of the player on field but also their character and work ethic off field. There is no room in the Rebels for complacency or ego, each person knows their role within the team and is expected to contribute. No one joins the Melbourne Rebels because they think it will be easy but because they know it will make them a better Rugby player and person."
Stephenson does concede that there are some perks.
"Melbourne is a genuinely cosmopolitan, attractive and livable world-class city that embraces sport. We understand our point of difference and have made significant gains on the transition, support networks and welfare provided to all the players and staff who now call Melbourne home."
Though there is a warm welcome there is little fanfare for the new Melbourne Rebels players who are head down and hell-bent on getting the most out of a rigorous pre-season in preparation for the first trials in early February. With such depth in the squad, internal competition is fierce, especially as each player strives for selection. It makes for an exciting pre-season and an even better experience for the Melbourne Rebels fan come Round 1.
Melbourne Rebels: Cruze Ah-Nau, Paul Asquith, Ryan Cocker, Cam Crawford, Steve Cummins, Jack Debreczeni, Tamati Ellison, Tom English, Colby Fainga'a, Harley Fox, Scott Fuglistaller, Jamie Hagan, Mike Harris, James Hanson, Dan Hawkins, Reece Hodge, Mitch Inman, Sam Jeffries, Luke Jones, Pat Leafa, Rob Leota, Sean McMahon, Ben Meehan, Tim Metcher, Sefanaia Naivalu, Jonah Placid, Jordy Reid, Culum Retallick, Dom Shipperley, Siliva Siliva, Toby Smith, Mick Snowden, Nic Stirzaker, Adam Thomson, Lopeti Timani, Sione Tuipulotu, Laurie Weeks.
