Aussie latest – Rebels reel in O’Connor

Aussie latest – Rebels reel in O’Connor

15 Apr 2011

Keo.co.za brings you news from Australia’s Super Rugby franchises.

Rebels reel in O’Connor – James O’Connor is believed to have signed a deal with the Melbourne Rebels.

According to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald, O’Connor will join Wallabies team-mate Kurtley Beale at the Melbourne franchise next year. O’Connor is only 20 years old but made his debut for the Western Force in 2008 and has already played 27 times for the Wallabies.

Brumbies bring in McCabe – Pat McCabe will start against the Force due to Henry Speight’s ankle injury.

Coach Tony Rea has also been forced to make a change at hooker, as a hamstring injury has prevented Huia Edmonds from training. Anthony Hegarty will make his first Super Rugby appearance at hooker with Elvis Levi coming onto the bench.

Francis Fainifo will start on the wing with Adam Ashley-Cooper moving to the bench. Dan Palmer also returns to the starting line-up at tighthead prop with Salesi Ma’afu demoted to the reserves.

Brumbies – 15 Matt Toomua, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau (c), 9 Josh Valentine; 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Anthony Hegarty, 1 Ben Alexander.
Subs: 16 Elvis Levi, 17 Salesi Ma’afu, 18 Colby Faingaa, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Tyrone Smith, 22 Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Dellit in for Shepherd – Force utility back Cameron Shepherd has been ruled out of the Australian derby in Canberra because of a head injury.

Pat Dellit will start at No 15 with James O’Connor switching to inside centre. Rory Sidey comes in at No 13 while Nick Cummins moves to the wing.

Prop Kieran Longbottom replaces Pek Cowan to earn his first Super Rugby cap.

Western Force -15 Pat Dellit, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Rory Sidey, 12 James O’Connor, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Jono Jenkins, 6 Richard Brown, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ben Whittaker, 1 Kieran Longbottom.
Subs: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Tom Hockings, 19 Tevita Metuisela, 20 James Stannard, 21 Gene Fairbanks, 22 Alfie Mafi.

Melbourne suffer Mortlock blow – Stirling Mortlock will miss Friday’s game against the Highlanders due to a hip strain. James Hilgendorf will take his place at inside centre.

Cipriani denies Europe return – Danny Cipriani has a two-year deal with the Melbourne Rebels and won’t be cutting that tenure short to return to England.

The Rebels have confirmed the signing of Kurtley Beale, who is currently playing flyhalf as well as fullback for the Waratahs. Despite speculation in the Australian media, Beale will not be going to Melbourne to replace Cipriani.

‘I signed a two-year deal when I initially signed and I’m happy with the situation I’m in right now,’ Cipriani told The Australian. ‘I’m enjoying my time here, enjoying the season. We’re going really well and I’d like to see us keep improving and moving forward.

‘I came out here to rediscover my love for the game because I was really close to not playing it for very much longer last year. And it’s done everything I wanted it to do. I’m loving rugby again and playing with a smile on my face.’


20 Comments

  • 1.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:03 am

    good for you, Cip. Stick around.

  • 2.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:14 am

    Good on ya. I am sure that England jersey will be yours very soon.

  • 3.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:17 am

    When is the Crusaders vs Chiefs game starting?

  • 4.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:19 am

    @iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-3:

    NZ clocks went back an hour recently so, by my reckoning, ko wont be for another 75mins yet (ie 8:45am UKT).

  • 5.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:22 am

    go danny! Super rugga is the shiznit… Yeah i guess them aussie birds aren’t too bad either ;)

  • 6.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:27 am

    WOW, now that would be a coup !

  • 7.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:38 am

    Rebels making moves….the Real Madrid of Aussie rugby. Where are the getting the dough from?

  • 8.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:46 am

    @iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-7:

    its the only private enterprise in the Super comp. They are also exempt from pay structures for the first 2-3 years so can pay over the odds whilst building their team.

  • 9.We are red: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:48 am

    @iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-7: They have financial backing from faixfax media. Their pockets are deep. The reds tried to get O’Conner to come home but we lack the cash I think. Quade is hogging most of our budget.

    WOnder what the backline combo will be next year if Cipriani, Beale and O’Conner are all playing. Maybe cips at 10, oconner at 12 and beale at 15. Then where do you put gerrard and mortlock, and Vuna. Decent backs. They need a big name second rower I think.

  • 10.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:48 am

    @iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-7:

    ps – Toulon are, officially, the ‘Real Madrid of rugby’. For eg they have 8 props on their books, 6 of whom are full Internationals (incl Carl Hayman, who never plays a full game).

  • 11.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:49 am

    @We are red(Redbull)-9:

    The Reds tried to get O’Conner to “come home” ?!

    how much IS a flight to Auckland International Airport these days ?

  • 12.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 08:53 am

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-10: Noted. @Black Panther(Black Panther)-8: Interesting.@We are red(Redbull)-9: Ok thats huge. That backline will be magic.

  • 13.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 09:01 am

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-11: cmon BP, its only ever NZ that “poach” players..

    out of interest, how many kiwis have turned out for Aussie recently.?

  • 14.The X-factor is staying at home.: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 09:06 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-13:

    exactly poops.

    look at yourself for example.

    an outstanding talent; poached by the basteraud aussies.

    not that I hear any kiwis complaining though.

    they seem to have taken your loss in their stride.

  • 15.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 09:14 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-13:

    quite a few but wayyyyyyy less than England

    UK papers here full of the next mercenary putting their hand up for Queenies team….D.Bowden, T.Waldrom

    to follow

    Hape
    Flutey
    Hartley
    van Gisbergen…

    yeah, those articles by Stephen Jones about NZ poaching, um, Kiwis seem to have gone a little quiet.

  • 16.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 09:35 am

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-11: Lol or a flight to OR Tambo International Airport!!

  • 17.Roar Loud: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 09:40 am

    The Rebs are cashed up big time and can buy their way to Super trophies :cool:

  • 18.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    15 Apr 2011, 11:49 am

    Rebels denied O’Connor move.

  • 19.We are red: Reply to this comment
    16 Apr 2011, 02:38 am

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-11: Mate the guy left NZ when he was 5. He is a product of Australian rugby. Does it make a difference where he was when he was sucking on his mums ***. He had never even touched a rugby ball before coming to Australia. He has lived here for 3/4 of his life, and developed through Brisbane schools.

    If you ask him where he’s from, he will say Queensland.

  • 20.We are red: Reply to this comment
    16 Apr 2011, 02:40 am

    @Roar Loud(RL)-17: takes a lot more than super stars to win suoer XV title,. Need combinations. They will be more competitive next year but please, lets not go overboard.

    I hope they keep taking waratah players. Nothing would give me greater pleasure then to watch the Tah’s fail

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