Melbourne Rebels: Take 2. Rebels with a Cause

Melbourne Rebels are sure to go well in the upcoming Super 15 season. It would be hard to call them a ‘surprise package’, considering the superstar entities going by the names of James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale entering the line-up. The Melbourne Rebels are developing at a great rate.

As a UK-based rugby fan, Melbourne Rebels grabbed my attention through the signing of the England-calibre fly half, Danny Cipriani, Welsh international Gareth Delve, England international Michael Lipman and ex-Wasp Lachlan Mitchell. Going into their first season, I was keen to watch the substantial coverage of the Super 15, provided by Sky Sports. And I was not disappointed.

Highlights of the season include their first franchise win against the Brumbies in round 2, Danny Cipriani’s solo try at home to the Sharks in round 4, their defeat of the Hurricanes at home in round 6, and their victory in Perth against Western Force by a point in round 7; with the greatest moment coming at the end of the season, being the acquisition of James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale.

The Melbourne Rebels will possess a backline with serious firepower: Nick Phipps, the current Australian Rookie of the Year, at 9, fly-half Danny Cipriani, midfielders James O’Connor and Stirling Mortlock, and gliding Kurtley Beale at fullback. Blending solid performers such as Lachlan Mitchell, Mitch Inman, and Mark Gerrard, Rebels fans must be excited.

With the backline requiring quick ball, Melbourne Rebels recruitment have done well and continued with  back-row players Gareth Delve, Michael Lipman and Jarrod Saffy; standout players for the Rebels in the pack. All looks promising for on-the-field success in 2012.

Their off the field performance seems to be progressing well also. Being in sporting Victoria, the AAMI Park with a capacity of 30,000, provides a great home for them and their already solid fan base.

Their UK development tour was a great surprise also as they played Bath and Worcester in the off-season; testing the youth in their setup and projecting their name overseas. Their arrival at The Rec, where I was a spectator, was well received with a good crowd for a Bath Rugby pre-season game.

With their name in the rugby world developing alongside their on-field progression; the Melbourne Rebels are on an exciting journey. As a fan, I am looking forward to the start of the Super 15 season.