Rebels target Kiwi star
25 Jan 2010
According to the Australian media, the Melbourne Rebels are ready to make a move for their first foreigner in Manu Vatuvei.
The ARU announced last week that the Rebels have permission to sign up to 10 foreign players to join the franchise and according to the Sunday Star-Times , Warriors’ New Zealand rugby league star Vatuvei is their first foreign target.
The wing, who has scored 11 tries in 17 rugby league Tests and 58 tries in 94 NRL appearances for the Warriors, has attracted interest from Japanese and French rugby union teams and American NFL franchises. But the Rebels are considered the first team who are set to make a formal bid.
‘It is definitely a genuine interest from Melbourne and they have money to spend. Manu would seriously consider it if the offer was right,’ a well-placed source said.
However, Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said Vatuvei is likely to remain at the rugby league franchise.
‘He loves the club and we love him and I’ve had quite a bit of dialogue with his agent recently and nothing concerning has come from that,’ Scurrah said. ‘I am sure [Melbourne Rebels CEO] Brian Waldron will field bigger offers to do other things than we would be able to make to Vatuvei, but he does really enjoy it where he is and I expect he wouldn’t leave lightly – but we certainly don’t take him for granted.’
Vatuvei’s agent Peter Brown refused to comment to the Australian media.
Meanwhile, newly appointed head coach Rod Macqueen has confirmed former Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock could sign for the Rebels.
‘Stirling has indicated he could be interested in Melbourne and it’s important to note we’re building a new team and Stirling would certainly fit into that,’ Macqueen told rugbyheaven.com.au.
7 Comments
25 Jan 2010, 07:03 am
Rebel Dragon!
25 Jan 2010, 08:16 am
this has the potential to cause trouble in aussie rugby….
25 Jan 2010, 10:57 am
10 foreign players???? Did someone say Arsenal?
Zero value to Aussie rugby if it means 5 extra players get game time.
25 Jan 2010, 11:12 am
NZ Rugby League players are so de rigueur in 2010, its the years must-have rugby accessory.
25 Jan 2010, 13:15 pm
who is this oke they have signed dont know him
26 Jan 2010, 03:22 am
They haven’t signed him, this is just a media bite to drum out the best offer the agent can get for his client.
If Melbourne can offer him a lot more then what he will get from the Warriors (the Kiwi rugby league team he plays for) then yes I am sure there is a chance.
For those that have seen him play he is another big winger (like a Tuuqiri or Sailor) , great on offence, will probably have some problems on defence . Unless he is very committed to making the switch and picking up the nuances between the codes he will probably not do well in union.
Bottomline as we all know it starts with the forwards and then the inside backs will do the work to set up half breaks for the wide men. Cant see anybody else wanting to sign on for Melbourne if they sign him. They should focus on an inside back, and sginificant forward overseas signings.
26 Jan 2010, 06:40 am
Good player, when he catches the ball. Big and strong with pace!
There have been times when he could’nt catch a cold never mind a rugby ball, but seems to have overcome that hiccup.
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