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'Super Rugby is a place for men': Rebels issue stern warning on eve of Super Rugby

By Online Editors

30 Jan 2020

(Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

“Super Rugby is a place for men, it’s not a place for boys.”

That was the ominous warning from Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels on the eve of the Super Rugby season as his three Australian rivals prepare to experiment with young flyhalves.

A trio of 20-year-olds will start at No.10 in round one for the NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies, while 52-test veteran Matt Toomua will steer the Rebels.

Continue reading below…

It means every team has a different flyhalf to round one last season and Australia’s changing of the playmaking guard comes as a new World Cup cycle begins.

Fijian international halfback Frank Lomani and Toomua will replace former Wallabies halves pair Will Genia and Quade Cooper when the Rebels face the Sunwolves in their opener on Saturday.

Captain Dane Haylett-Petty says his club did the best job of retaining talent post World Cup and wants to capitalise on it after narrowly missing finals the past two seasons.

Roberts is set for his Super Rugby debut. https://t.co/cmKn71n45g
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 30, 2020

“We’re pretty excited about the direction we’re heading in, the club has done a really good job retaining our group so we can build off the back of last year,” he said.

“We’ve also recruited really well, we’ve got Matt Toomua who’s an international flyhalf, we’ve got Frank Lomani who is an international scrumhalf.

“Quade and Will would have been a big hole to fill but we’re expecting these boys to really step up.

“We’re not expecting to be perfect round one but we’re expecting to grow and improve throughout the season.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B79fFbyAZeS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Fullback Haylett-Petty admitted he was still growing into the captaincy after taking over last season but Wessels said he had great support around him.

“Dane is really enjoying having the experience and intellectual capital that is around him at the moment in the backs,” Wessels said.

“They’re really engaged and sharing a lot of great ideas and you can just see the learning of the group is going through the roof.

“That’s the beauty of having some more experienced players, particularly in your key driving positions.

“Super Rugby is a place for men, it’s not a place for boys. And Matt (Toomua) is certainly a man.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

Icefarrow 53 minutes ago

2024 in review: Beauden Barrett’s brilliance sparks thrilling All Blacks win

Yeah, Perofeta's injury opened the door for Love to debut. Love's injury in NPC ruled him out of the Bledisloe Cup matches, but Robertson saw potential in him, so he kept him around for the EOYT. However, Perofeta's recovery meant he could return, hence Love being played on the Wing.

Robertson's attitude was just pissing me off near the end of the year, with how he'd go around complimenting the new guys as if he'd always seen potential in them, despite only giving them a chance due to injuries.

4 Go to comments

SO 1 hour ago

Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’ under Razor

I would remove J Barrett from that list ofbacks with outstanding seasons

12 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I really enjoyed a couple of new locations this year. I think both stadiums crowds were pumping!?!

I said it to NB, but wasn't thinking of 3 match tours when I did (just the RC home/away games), and it would be even better to have a 5 week tour during the 6N right? Play a couple of warm ups against a SAmerican team and Jaguares, then 3 tests in a row?

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

What age do the kids come out of Varsity Cup, both the most talented and others that have to go all the way through?

They've tried it but I don't think their version of Currie Cup was ever able to sustain itself (if the CC does).

So you're not longer a primary Currie Cup fan? Can I ask when that changed?

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

In 2021, Daily Maverick crunched the numbers and found that upwards of 500 South Africans were playing professional rugby for foreign clubs around the world.

197 Go to comments

Cantab 2 hours ago

Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’ under Razor

It will happen. Watch for Hotham to become understudy to Roigard for instance. As the formerly tried & true depart there are always up & comers ready to fill the gap.

12 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

He said "if" Graham

if they had Japan type interest and Money

Its a lack of ability by SARU thats the problem. SA has plenty of wealth to be able to support it.

I think by wealth he meant rugby wise, at least that's how I read it, as he's clearly saying SA can't do it.

At least not on a big stage, it's relatively accessable to do things like inter varisty competitions, and your guys just took out a competition in Dubai? NZ does stuff like that but I don't get an excitement that their activities can ever amount to much. I'm sure theres a much different feeling of excitement within SA.

In saying that, that sort of thing is actually how they could make money too. But can they dictate things for themselves by forming an African league? That would require some wealthy individuals for sure. Personally I think they should be happy just being a part of someone else idea, or a mutual one, as it will still take the game there to the next level. You just won't get rich by doing it.

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Again, what's your point?

If it's anything to do with the discussion going on, I'll just say it's not going to happen in the future, as the Tuipulotu's aren't going to have grandparents from another country.

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Any your point is?

No one's begrudging them that. JWH just said it's not a great look for the game, and it isn't.

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

That's a bit of a naive statement Nick. Have a read of this article School boy contracting

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Whatya mean?

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

He included NZ in his point. They won't profit from it because it's now a 5 year residency requirement.

Are you arguing for that to return Nick? I think it would actually be great if kiwis could play for heritage countries like that and still remain eligible for the ABs. I don't think NZR arguing for that change is likely to happen, so it has to come from another means. The new Chairman?

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

When was the last time SA won a series in NZ (actually I was thinking about NZ in SA), or the RC? Was that the point you were trying to make?

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Well said, the immediate situation is well in hand as all it would take is a little rigging. The real discussion is what happens after that, but I guess people just want to gossip about the short term.

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Do you know how it's shared? Split over each URC team? Well said. The new club owners could spice things up right?