- Tim Horan describes Melbourne Rebels attackers as ‘soft’
- The Rebels lost 30-3 to the ACT Brumbies
- The Rebels’ future is in doubt due to the club’s financial problems
Wallabies legend Tim Horan described the Melbourne Rebels’ forwards as ‘soft’ during their shock 30-3 first round defeat to the ACT Brumbies and believes the club are suffering from off-field issues.
The financially stricken club appears headed for closure after this season, with a debt load of more than $20 million.
Horan appeared on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven programme, slamming the club’s forwards after the first match of 2024.
“I thought the rebels were very poor,” Horan said.
‘(Before the season) I thought (general manager) Nick Stiles had his fingerprints all over this team (with players like) Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and (Filipo) Daugunu. I thought, “This is as good a list as the rebels have had.” They were poor.
Wallabies great Tim Horan described the Melbourne Rebels’ attacking pack as soft after the team was knocked off the park in their first match of the Super Rugby season
Horan expected a much better performance from the Rebels’ big men, with the club counting Wallabies giant Taniela Tupou (pictured) among their stars
“The rebel forward platoon was as soft as I have seen them.
“I really hope they bounce back this weekend because Andrew Kellaway at fullback was the one bright spot for that Rebels team.”
Melbourne believe the Western Force would have regarded their Super Round rugby match on Friday night as a must-win as both teams look to bounce back from disappointing opening losses.
The teams clash as part of the competition’s annual Super Round at AAMI Park, with all twelve teams playing over three days at the Melbourne venue.
Of the Australian teams, the NSW Waratahs and Crusaders face each other on Saturday evening, while the ACT Brumbies and Chiefs meet on Sunday afternoon and will be followed by the Reds and Hurricanes.
Rebels attack coach Tim Sampson described their performance against the Brumbies as ‘deflating’ after two strong performances in pre-season.
“After the pre-season build-up to the first round, the first home game, it was quite deflating,” Sampson told AAP.
‘The way we performed was well below our expectations and it was across the board in every area of the game.
Melbourne will look to make amends when they take on bottom-placed Western Force next week. The Perth side were hammered 44-14 by the Hurricanes to start their campaign
‘We were very average, with a lot of mistakes and poor decision-making.’
He said some match statistics were positive, such as 42 defenders beaten and 17 opposition entries (22), but they frustratingly failed to convert those chances into tries.
Sampson said their choppy lineout, spelling errors and handling errors all contributed to the ugly score.
He refused to blame their off-field problems – the financially stricken club appear to be heading for closure after this season – on their actions, but said club psychologist Andrew Waterson would work closely with the players this week.
Former Force head coach Sampson said the Perth club would not have been happy with their own performance and were valuing their chances against the Rebels, who finished higher up the 2023 ladder.
“Coming to their home field, where they are proud of their victory, they were quite successful there last year, winning five of the six home games,” he said.
“They will try to bounce back because they are in a similar situation to us and I’m sure they have already circled this game and put it on their calendar a while ago.”
The Rebels are not expected to make many line-up changes apart from the addition of new signing, one-Test All Black Matt Proctor in the centres.
The Force will have to make do without mainstay Marley Pearce, who was suspended for four weeks for a high tackle during the Hurricanes match on Tuesday.