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‘I have high hopes’: Sevens star Darby Lancaster signs with Rebels

(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The Rebels have pulled off a coup by luring young Sevens ace Darby Lancaster to Melbourne on a two-year Super Rugby Pacific deal.

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Australian clubs as well as NRL sides have been clamouring to sign the 20-year-old winger, who was one of the breakout stars of this year’s World Series Sevens.

From Kempsey on the NSW north coast, Lancaster scored 20 tries in 34 matches to also catch the eye of Junior Wallabies selectors.

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He was named in the Australian U20s squad who will play two matches against New Zealand in Wellington next week before their world titles starting next month in South Africa.

Lancaster had been working with the NSW Waratahs Academy when he was surprised by the opportunity to join the Sevens program, making his debut last year.

The Australian men qualified last weekend for the Sevens competition at next year’s Olympics in Paris, which Lancaster could still be a part of following the Super season.

The Rebels said they would be “encouraging” him to play in the Olympics, with their coach Kevin Foote a former South Africa Sevens representative.

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Lancaster follows former Sevens representatives Lachie Anderson and Joe Pincus to Melbourne, with both making an impact in Super rugby this season.

“The Rebels play an exciting and expansive style of rugby which will suit me as an outside back,” Lancaster said in a statement.

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“Obviously seeing the success of Joe Pincus and Lachie Anderson as former Sevens players, I can take great confidence in the Rebels ability to help me transition successfully back into XV’s.

“Both players are role models of mine and I hope to follow in their footsteps.

“I have loved watching them play this year and look forward to hopefully playing alongside them next year on AAMI Park.

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“I have high hopes for next year to be successful alongside a handful of new signings complimenting a strong core group of players there.”

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AM 43 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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