Melbourne Rebels First signed player is..

[Geeves]

former England five-eighth Danny Cipriani.  He has signed a two-year deal and will be used as the catalyst to sign many more.

Although not the best 5/8 going around (yes we all know it Carter , except for last night ) he is still young (22) enough (unlike Spencer and Pretorious) to provide a real contribution and learn from what Macqueen can teach.  His international experience is a huge asset.

With the Rebels not being allowed to mention that that have secured current signed Aussie based Super 14 names they really needed a high profile player to start attracting a number of players.  A wild guess there will be a number of forwards from both Argentina and SA really considering moving to Melbourne while a couple of Pacific island backs never hurt.

[Geeves]

Things are about to get a lot more interesting with players now being signed from 11 March .  Originally players could not be signed until the end of the season but now we already have the ACT wishing Mortlock well in joining the Rebels.

The only thing I can say is suffer to all the other Aus based franchises as unlike when the Force extracted the heart and soul out of QLD, this time I reckon that the Reds will get of relatively lightly compared to NSW, the Force and ACT.

[McCaw33]

No doubt the Rebels will be scouring the family trees of plenty of young NZ NPC players as well...It will be interesting to see the effect of the Rebels on the other Australian teams, and whether it will be similar to the Farce recruiting debacle. Also being 3 weeks into the super 14 with no AUS teams in the top 4 you have to wonder what 'thinning' these teams further will do to them next year.....

I would like a real international feel to the Rebels...It's good to see players like US no. 8 Todd Clever playing for the Lions (in good form as well), and i hope the Rebels are able to draw similar players into the super 14. It's good for rugby and will avoid decimating the other AUS S14 teams...

[gluck]

Be a professional Pacific Island side in disguise.

[Gwynn]

There's a few local rugby clubs here in Melbourne, so hopefully they'll pick some players up locally too rather than them moving to NSW for more playing time.  I'm even investigating pulling back on my rugby boots now that I'm getting settled in as a Melburnian... only problem is finding a pub that plays the rugby rather than AFL.

[Geeves]

.. as a Melburnian... only problem is finding a pub that plays the rugby rather than AFL.

Best of bloody luck!

[Gwynn]

This weekend I might find one, at least tomorrow night I might be able to, problem is finding one in Abbotsford, I know that the Turf on Queen Street will be showing it, but I won't be in town unfortunately.

[Geeves]

This weekend I might find one, at least tomorrow night I might be able to, problem is finding one in Abbotsford, I know that the Turf on Queen Street will be showing it, but I won't be in town unfortunately.

You could always phone the people at Inside Rugby Magazine 102 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141‎ - (03) 9823 6333‎  and ask them for the best place in town?

[Geeves]

Well the Rebels have been allowed to tell the media who they have signed from Aussie franchises since Monday.

Since Monday they have not mentioned one player.

Slightly disturbing.

[Geeves]

There has been a lot of speculation that Nuciforia who is now in charge of player contracts with the ARU is being really tight with the ARU budget.

This has held up a lot of negotiations for all sides.

The Rebels have grabbed 2 starting players off the Reds in Weeks (TH prop) and Byrnes (lock) and grabbed Kingi (halfback/wallaby tourist).  Weeks played for Sydney Uni who's coach is now in charge of the Rebels forwards and I'm disappointed to see him go especially in the way Link was told.  Via the media. Byrnes is an idiot and is often sin binned and has been shuffled to the bench.  Kingi is disappointing but understandable as he is Genia's understudy and won't get a hell of a lot of game time.

[Gwynn]

Mortlock, some Welsh #8 too.

Not a bad little recruitment drive they've got going on.

Plus I've discovered that the Richmond Town Hall Hotel plays Super 14 games.  The owners are from NSW, so we get to watch Rugby instead of AFL (WOOT!).

Also has Monteiths Golden on tap, Monteiths Cider in the fridges, and cans of L&P!

Not surprisingly it attracts a lot of expats and tourists.  Sat with a tourist from Wellington and watched the Canes pieter out against the Sharks.  I'm hoping they'll be open tomorrow so I can watch Canes v Crusaders.

[Geeves]

Hope you are enjoying Melbourne Gwynn and keep enjoying your local.

It will be interesting to see their final squad.  In regards to Morlock.  A 3 year contract for a player past his prime is arguably not the best.  As Morlock has been injured a hell of a lot lately I believe the money coudl ahev been spent better.

[Gwynn]

I disagree, they need someone to help pull together what will be a squad light on Super 14 experience, and Mortlock for 3 years, while past his best, is still going to bring more to the table than some up and coming star who'll likely be a shining light in the darkness.  Certainly in 3 years time he'll be used far less than he is now, but hopefully by then he's helped create a solid culture at the Rebels.

[Gwynn]

And now Sommerville (32) is being linked to the Rebels.  Would be a great signing, while past the peak of his powers too, his experience will be instrumental in wielding together a Rebels side coming from all over the world.

[Geeves]

And now Sommerville (32) is being linked to the Rebels.  Would be a great signing, while past the peak of his powers too, his experience will be instrumental in wielding together a Rebels side coming from all over the world.

Sommerville I understand as a prop as his experience combined with Weeks is fantastic.  As a prop he can be a bit slower than in his prime but 32 isn't that old for a prop.

If you see what the reds are doing with their backline the pace the game now has is simply running the opposition off their feet.  I just can not see Morltock being fit enough for the 3 year contract.  2 years I understand.