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0 In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity and Wallabies legend Tim Horan is urging Rugby Australia to bolster the Waratahs and Force with Rebels stars following the club’s demise on Thursday.
Stan Sport expert Horan suggested Taniela Tupou, Andrew Kellaway, Carter Gordon, Rob Leota, Jordan Uelese and Darby Lancaster would be good fits with NSW, who will finish the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season with the dreaded wooden spoon.
Horan added that he would like to see Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham, Filipo Daugunu and Isaac Kailea join the Force, who are ninth place with one round to play before the top eight finals.
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Ironically, the Rebels – in their 14th season – have this year qualified for the finals for the first time.
RA said it had been working with the Rugby Union Players Association on contingency planning “and met with players last week to discuss options for player movement within Australian rugby.”
The process would continue “as RA engages with RUPA, players and other Super Rugby clubs regarding options for player movement.”
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Tupou tweeted a broken heart emoji as the Rebels were set to fly to Fiji on Thursday to prepare for Saturday’s final round game against the Drua.
“This is the news that the Rebels club and its supporters have been dreading since the club was placed into voluntary administration in January,” a Rebels statement said.
“It is important to note that all player and coach pathways programs remain in place, and there has not yet been a decision made on the future of the Melbourne Rebels Super W team.
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“While this is undoubtedly a sad day for the Melbourne Rebels, the clarity that this decision provides for our players and staff is welcome.
“The club will continue to work with RA and the Rugby Union Players Association regarding next steps for players and staff…
“We are proud of our players, coaches, and staff in delivering such a successful season in the most challenging of circumstances.”
Rob Leota, Carter Gordon and Taniela Tupou. Getty/Nine
Without taking any pleasure in it, ex-Wallabies forward Stephen Hoiles has long argued that Australia would be more competitive in Super Rugby with a less is more approach.
“We’re in a failing Super Rugby system,” the Randwick coach told Stan Sport after the Wallabies bombed out of last year’s Rugby World Cup.
“I say it on TV, getting paid from TV – broadcast wants more games and more products and more teams – but more teams makes us unsuccessful and it hasn’t helped for a long time.
Stephen Hoiles of the Waratahs drinks champagne after winning the 2014 Super Rugby title. Getty
“I played at the Brumbies, I played at the Waratahs.
“If it meant getting rid of one of them to make Australian rugby better, I’d be all for it because we don’t have the depth and talent to play this many players at a professional level.”
Australia hasn’t won a Super Rugby title since Hoiles’ Waratahs in 2014.
