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MELBOURNE REBELS V
ACT BRUMBIES 7:45PM SATURDAY 15 APRIL AAMI PARK, MELBOURNE MATCH DAY PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY
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WELCOME REBELS V BRUMBIES SAT 15 APR PROGRAM CONTENTS
The game ahead:
Welcome 1 Main Story
2
Secondary Story
6
Meet #OurRebels
9
Team Lists
14
Week by Week
17
Training Gallery
20
Dewar Shield
22
Rebels U20s Gallery
23
The Melbourne Rebels return from the bye tonight as they host the Brumbies at AAMI Park. After four games against New Zealand opposition in the first five games of the year, the Rebels will contest their second Australian derby of the 2017 Vodafone Super Rugby season. The Rebels will kick-off their longest stretch of games in the club’s history against the Australian Conference leaders who sit 15 points clear of the Rebels with three wins from six games.
Following byes in the third and seventh round, the Rebels will play eight consecutive games before June’s international window. The Brumbies, who have claimed eight of 11 previous meetings between the two sides, are coming off a 43-10 victory over the Queensland Reds in Canberra on Saturday night. Tonight’s Round 8 match is proudly brought to you by both Rebels & Brumbies sponsor, Land Rover!
#OurRebels
Sponsors 26
Design & Pre-Press Daniel McEvoy, Lizzie Jackson, Ayden Hurst Content Creation Chris Gottaas, Fraser Stewart Images Getty Images, Mike Baker, Dave Callow, Michael Rummery, Andrew Stevenson
1
FEATURE STORY
2
A TON OF LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE’S CHAMP
Laurie Weeks’ influence at the Melbourne Rebels can’t simply be measured by statistics. No tackles, runs or tries can do justice to the impact that the 31-year-old has at the club on and off the field. Captain Nic Stirzaker has paid tribute to the only remaining foundation player as the heart of the Melbourne Rebels ahead of his 100th Super Rugby game on Saturday against the Brumbies. It will be Weeks’ second
personal milestone this season after he became the club’s most capped Melbourne Rebel against the Chiefs in Round 4. Stirzaker said it was fitting that the club celebrates the achievement of its stalwart at a poignant time. “It’s huge,” said Stirzaker of the milestone. “It’s kind of timley isn’t it? Laurie Weeks’ 100th on a weekend like this with all the speculation around the game.
3
“There’s a guy who’s just been here (at the Melbourne Rebels) for years and in Australian rugby for years.” After becoming the first player to ever sign for the Melbourne Rebels ahead of the club’s debut Super Rugby season in 2011, Weeks has become a fan favourite amongst members, fans and teammates. His tireless work ethic and consistency on the field from day one earned the prop the respect of the club’s adoring fans while his infectious personality and cheeky laugh underlines an energetic personality. “He (Weeks) is the lifeblood of this club” Stirzaker said. “He’s got so much energy, really great guy,” “He’s a much loved player for us and built the club around him.” Stirzaker said. Prior to joining the Rebels, Weeks made 23 appearances for the Queensland Reds following his Super Rugby debut off the bench against the Bulls in the opening round of the 2009 Super Rugby season.
4
“He (Weeks) is the lifeblood of this club” Stirzaker said. Weeks was named the Rugby Union Players Association ‘Newcomer of the Year’ in his maiden season, in which he started 11 of 13 games. The prop’s seven years at the club, which includes 76 games, was highlighted by Wallabies selection when he made two international appearances in 2014, including his debut off the bench against France in front of his adopted home. Congratulations to Laurie from everyone at the Melbourne Rebels. Here’s to another 100 more.
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STORY
REBELS SET TO CHANNEL FRUSTRATIONS AGAINST BRUMBIES
Captain Nic Stirzaker is urging his Melbourne Rebels to channel their frustrations into motivation for Saturday night’s game against the ACT Brumbies at AAMI Park. With the growing frustration and impatience of uncertainty engulfing the rugby community, Stirzaker said the players were trying to keep their focus on their second Australian derby of the season.
game and put the (decision) to the back of our minds. “Obviously it’s frustrating and a distraction absolutely, I’m here talking about all this instead of talking about the game on the weekend and that’s pretty annoying. “It’s been going for a while now so we’ve been trying to ignore it most of the season, obviously that’s been a bit harder this week.
“We’ll definitely try to (channel that frustration) and we’ve spoken about “There’s not a lot we can do about it doing that this weekend,” Stirzaker said. so it’s just been a case of just trying to focus on the games we’ve got.” “We know as much as you guys so all we’re trying to do is focus on the Fresh off the bye, the Rebels return
to action in search of their first win of the season against the Australian Conference leading Brumbies, who are coming off a 43-10 victory over the Reds.
“We’re back at home this weekend and we’ve been playing better at home than away so it’s nice to be back and hopefully we can turn it around,” Stirzaker said.
The two sides have always shared an intense rivalry since the Rebels posted their maiden Super Rugby victory with a heart-stopping 25-24 win over the Brumbies at home in Round 2, 2011.
“Our last couple of home games we’ve been good in patches with 65 minutes against the Chiefs and 75 minutes against the Waratahs so we’re searching for that 80-minute performance this week.”
Stirzaker said the team was pleased to be back at home after two positive performances against the Chiefs and Waratahs but the side couldn’t afford anything less than a complete performance.
The Rebels will have additional motivation on Saturday night with foundation player Laurie Weeks set to celebrate his 100th Super Rugby game.
MEET #OURREBELS The extended playing squad to battle it out for Super Rugby glory
9
10
For more info on #OurRebels head to
melbournerebels.com
11
The Choice of the Wallabies
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7:45PM SAT 15 APRIL AAMI PARK, MELBOURNE
MELBOURNE REBELS 1
Fereti SA’AGA
2
James HANSON
3
Laurie WEEKS
4
Steve CUMMINS
5
Dom DAY
6
Lopeti TIMANI
7
Colby FAINGA’A
8
Amanaki MAFI
9
Nic STIRZAKER
10
Jack DEBRECZENI
11
Marika KOROIBETE
12
Mitch INMAN
13
Tom ENGLISH
14
Sefanaia NAIVALU
15
Reece HODGE
KEEP SCORE TRIES PENALTY GOALS CONVERSIONS DROP GOALS TURNOVERS
14
LINEBREAKS
TOTAL
KEEP AN EYE ON... DOM DAY
THE BENCH 16. Siliva SILIVA 17. Tom MOLONEY 18. Tyrel LOMAX 19. Culum RETALLICK 20. Mick SNOWDEN 21. Jake SCHATZ 22. Sione TUIPULOTU 23. Ben VOLAVOLA
OFF-FIELD TEAM Head Coach: Tony McGahan Asst. Coaches: Zane Hilton, Craig McGrath, Morgan Turinui Ath Performance: Damian Mednis S&C: Shane Lehane, Brendan Whelan Team Manager: Mark Rowe Analysts: Eoin Toolan, John Batina Doctor: Dr. Asheer Singh Asst Manager: Chris Thomson Head Physio: Cullan Ball Rehab: Nick Court GM Rugby: Baden Stephenson
TEAM LISTS
KEEP AN EYE ON... HENRY SPEIGHT
THE BENCH 16. Saia FAINGA’A 17. Nic MAYHEW 18. Ben ALEXANDER 19. Tom STANIFORTH 20. Jarrad BUTLER 21. De Wet ROOS 22. Andrew SMITH 23. James DARGAVILLE
OFF-FIELD TEAM Head Coach: Stephen Larkham Forwards: Dan McKellar Scrum: Dan Palmer Defence: Peter Ryan Analyst: Trent Hopkinson Team Manager: Sam Rolfe Head Physio: Byron Field Doctor: Dr. Stephen Freeman Ath. Performance: Ben Serpell
ACT BRUMBIES 1
Scott SIO
2
Robbie ABEL
3
Allan ALAALATOA
4
Rory ARNOLD
5
Sam CARTER
6
Scott FARDY
7
Chris ALCOCK
8
Jordan SMILER
9
Joe POWELL
10
Wharenui HAWERA
11
Tom BANKS
12
Kyle GODWIN
13
Tevita KURIDRANI
14
Henry SPEIGHT
15
Aidan TOUA
KEEP SCORE
TOTAL
TRIES PENALTY GOALS CONVERSIONS DROP GOALS TURNOVERS LINEBREAKS
15
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2017 DEWAR SHIELD DRAW
V1 as at 23 Nov
Round 1 Moorabbin v Endeavour Hills v Footscray v Souths v Melbourne Uni v
25 March Power House Box Hill Melbourne Harlequins Bye
Round 10 Power House Box Hill Melbourne Harlequins Bye
Round 2 Melbourne Footscray Box Hill Souths Power House
1 April Endeavour Hills Harlequins Melbourne Uni Moorabbin Bye
Round 11 Endeavour Hills v Harlequins v Melbourne Uni v Moorabbin v Power House v
10 June Melbourne Footscray Box Hill Souths Bye
Round 3 Harlequins v Endeavour Hills v Moorabbin v Melbourne Uni v Box hill v
8 April Power House Souths Footscray Melbourne Bye
Round 12 Power House Souths Footscray Melbourne Bye
v v v v v
17 June Harlequins Endeavour Hills Moorabbin Melbourne Uni Box hill
Round 4 Souths v Melbourne v Box Hill v Footscray v Endeavour Hills v
22 April Melbourne Uni Moorabbin Harlequins Power House Bye
Round 13 Melbourne Uni Moorabbin Harlequins Power House Bye
v v v v v
24 June Souths Melbourne Box Hill Footscray Endeavour Hills
Round 5 Power House Harlequins Melbourne Uni Melbourne Bye
v v v v v
29 April Souths Moorabbin Endeavour Hills Box Hill Footscray
Round 14 Souths v Moorabbin v Endeavour Hills v Box Hill v Footscray v
1 July Power House Harlequins Melbourne Uni Melbourne Bye
Round 6 Harlequins v Moorabbin v Endeavour Hills v Box Hill v Souths v
6 May Melbourne Melbourne Uni Power House Footscray Bye
Round 15 Melbourne Melbourne Uni Power House Footscray Bye
8 July Harlequins Moorabbin Endeavour Hills Box Hill Souths
v v v v
v v v v v
v v v v v
3 June Moorabbin Endeavour Hills Footscray Souths Melbourne Uni
13 May Endeavour Hills Box Hill Footscray Melbourne Bye
Round 16 Endeavour Hills v Box Hill v Footscray v Melbourne v Bye v
15 July Moorabbin Power House Melbourne Uni Souths Harlequins
Round 8 Footscray v Box Hill v Power House v Endeavour Hills v Melbourne v
20 May Souths Moorabbin Melbourne Uni Harlequins Bye
Round 17 Souths Moorabbin Melbourne Uni Harlequins Bye
Round 9 Souths Melbourne Melbourne Uni Footscray Moorabbin
27 May Box Hill Power House Harlequins Endeavour Hills Bye
Round 7 Moorabbin Power House Melbourne Uni Souths Harlequins
v v v v v
v v v v v
Finals
P1, P2, P3 - Four Team Playoff 5 August - Semi Finals SF 1 - Team 1 v Team 2 SF 2 - Team 3 v Team 4 12 August - Preliminary Final Loser SF 1 v Winner SF 2 19 August – Grand Final Winner SF1 v Winner PF Game Management Match Starting Times: Dewar Shield 3:10pm Premier 2 1:30pm Colts 12.00pm Premier 3 12:00pm (Field 2) Women 1.30pm (Field 2) Premier 4 3:00pm (Field 2) Match Duration Premier 1 & 2 Premier 3 & 4
Halves 40 Min 35 Min
Stoppage Time Yes Yes
Season Break : Easter (15 April) Melbourne Rebels Fixture Red denotes home match Opposition
Time (local)
Thus 23 Feb
Blues
19:30
Sun 4 Mar
Hurricanes
15:15
RND
Date
1 2
ROUND 3 BYE 4
Fri 17 Mar
Chiefs
17:30
5
Fri 24 Mar
Waratahs
19:30
6
Fri 31 Mar
Highlanders
17:35
ROUND 7 BYE 8
Sat15 April
Brumbies
19:30
9
Sun 23 Apr
Sharks
3.30
10
Sun 30 Apr
Kings
3.30
11
Sat 6 May
Lions
15:00
v v v v v
22 July Footscray Box Hill Power House Endeavour Hills Melbourne
Round 18 Box Hill v Power House v Harlequins v Endeavour Hills v Bye v
29 July Souths Melbourne Melbourne Uni Footscray Moorabbin
12
Sat 13 May
Reds
19:30
13
Sun 21 May
Waratahs
16:05
14
Sat 27 May
Crusaders
19:30
15
Sat 3 Jun
Brumbies
19:30
16
Fri 7 Jul
Force
19:55
17
Fri 14 Jul
Jaguares
19:30
REBELS U20S
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