Melbourne Rebels

[LostDoggy]

Club was unveiled today, all looks pretty good in my opinion.



By Paul Kennedy
Posted July 30, 2010

The Bledisloe Cup isn't the only major rugby event in Melbourne this week and Robbie Deans isn't the only coach in Australian ranks to be bubbling with excitement about the challenges ahead.

A bumper crowd of 1,300 people attended the annual Weary Dunlop lunch to see the new Melbourne Rebels unveil everything from colours to club song.

Coach Rod Macqueen was looking on, smiling.

Link

[jazzadogs]

Re: Melbourne Rebels

I was really excited about it, until my dad told me what their basic ticket prices/memberships are going to be priced at. Completely unrealistic for a team that needs to establish not only itself, but it's code.

I believe what he saw were during the planning stages though, so hopefully they've received suitable advice and decreased the prices.

Can't be as bad as the prices for the Bledisloe Cup tomorrow night, anyway. $58 minimum for concession, $89 minimum for adults.

[Scraggers]

Re: Melbourne Rebels

James O'Connor about-face to join Melbourne Rebels

WALLABIES wunderkind James O'Connor will play for the Melbourne Rebels next season after changing his mind about staying with the Western Force,

The 20-year-old gun utility back, who comes out of contract at the end of this Super Rugby season, told all prospective suitors - including the Rebels, Reds and Brumbies - last week that he would be staying in Perth for one more year.

But in the past 36 hours, he decided he did want to play in Melbourne after all.

O’Connor, who has played 27 Tests for Australia, joins great mate Kurtley Beale as part of a new-look Rebels backline that already boasts former Wallabies Stirling Mortlock, Mark Gerrard, Julian Huxley as well as Cooper Vuna.

His signing should give the Rebels a massive boost ahead of this Friday’s final game of the season, ironically against the Force.

LINK

[Scraggers]

Re: Melbourne Rebels

The headlines over here are Force Dumps O'Connor.

It's all a matter of perspective really

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Melbourne Rebels

With Kurtley Beale signing as well the Rebels have the start of a decent backline.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Melbourne Rebels

James O'Connor about-face to join Melbourne Rebels

WALLABIES wunderkind James O'Connor will play for the Melbourne Rebels next season after changing his mind about staying with the Western Force,

The 20-year-old gun utility back, who comes out of contract at the end of this Super Rugby season, told all prospective suitors - including the Rebels, Reds and Brumbies - last week that he would be staying in Perth for one more year.

But in the past 36 hours, he decided he did want to play in Melbourne after all.

O’Connor, who has played 27 Tests for Australia, joins great mate Kurtley Beale as part of a new-look Rebels backline that already boasts former Wallabies Stirling Mortlock, Mark Gerrard, Julian Huxley as well as Cooper Vuna.

His signing should give the Rebels a massive boost ahead of this Friday’s final game of the season, ironically against the Force.

LINK

Can't believe it yet. According to the media, i think this is the 3rd time Melbourne have signed him. He was deadset, no chance to leave the Force last week according to newscorp.
Rumours are the deal is done and just waiting ARU approval, but it's still just a annoying wait till we know.
Still, this could be a huge signing, JOC is close to the most talented back in the country

[LostDoggy]

Re: Melbourne Rebels

Rumours that Rod McQueen may quit. I would have thought keeping him is more important than signing O'Connor. Maybe one leads to the other.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Melbourne Rebels

Well that's disappointing then, coaches that win WCs are rare.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Melbourne Rebels

Apparently it was a planned move. The next coach is very highly rated by those who know him and McQueen moves into 'director of coaching' so he is still part of the team.

[Bornadog]

Re: Melbourne Rebels

Rugby Australia are shutting down the Rebels and they play their last game this week.

Unfortunately Rugby Union is not a popular sport in Melbourne, so it was always going to be difficult for them

[GVGjr]

Re: Melbourne Rebels

Rugby Australia are shutting down the Rebels and they play their last game this week.

Unfortunately Rugby Union is not a popular sport in Melbourne, so it was always going to be difficult for them

14 years based here, and aftervsomd heavy financial losses they've been wound up.