Melbourne Rising
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Founded |
2007 Melbourne Rebels (ARC) 2014 Melbourne Rising (NRC) | |
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Location | Melbourne, Australia | |
Ground(s) |
Bailey Reserve (Capacity: 3,000) St Patrick's College (Capacity: 3,000) GMHBA Stadium (Capacity: 34,074) | |
Coach(es) | Eoin Toolan | |
League(s) | National Rugby Championship | |
2018 | 6th | |
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Official website | ||
melbournerebels |
The Melbourne Rising is an Australian rugby union team based in Melbourne that competes in the National Rugby Championship (NRC). The team represents the rugby community in Victoria and is organised and managed by Rugby Victoria with the coaching and training programs used by the Melbourne Rebels being extended to players joining the team from the Rebels, the local Dewar Shield competition, and local Victorian juniors.[1][2]
The NRC was launched in 2014, reinstating the national competition after an absence of six years.[3] The previous competition was the Australian Rugby Championship (ARC), which was discontinued in 2007 after only one season.[4] The team representing Victoria in the ARC was the Melbourne Rebels, organised and managed by the VRU. That Rebels team was the predecessor of the Melbourne Rebels team in Super Rugby and the Melbourne Rising team in the NRC.
Colours and logo
As of 2016, Melbourne Rising's colours of red, white and blue are those of the Melbourne Rebels,[5] although the side previously played in a navy blue and pink jersey, with white and electric blue highlights.[1] The team's current logo is also adapted from that of the parent franchise, with the name Melbourne Rising used instead of Melbourne Rebels.
History
In 2004, a consortium led by the Victorian Rugby Union entered the bidding process for a licence in the Super 14 competition to get a team in Melbourne for the 2006 season. The then Super 12 competition was expanding to 14 teams, with one new licence being allocated to an Australian team and another to a South African team. Victoria and Western Australia were the leading bidders for the Australian team and the licence was eventually allocated to Western Australia, creating the Western Force.[6]
For the Australian Rugby Championship in 2007, however, both Victoria and Western Australia were allocated teams. The Australian Rugby Union announced the new, eight-team national competition after setting up a consultative process in 2006 which culminated in a working session of some 70 delegates from around the country.[7] It was reported that New South Wales gave up a fourth team to enable Victoria to participate in the new national competition.[8][9]
Melbourne Rebels (ARC team)
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The Melbourne Rebels team was formed to participate in the Australian Rugby Championship (ARC) that started in August 2007. It was the only team in the ARC that was not directly linked to a Super Rugby franchise as Victoria did not have one at the time.
The Rebels' jersey had traditional navy blue and white hoops, the colours of the Victorian Axemen side that represented Victoria in the Australian Rugby Shield.[10] The Rebels name was chosen in consultation with the local rugby community. VRU officials decided on the name in reference to Victoria's first Wallaby, Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop.[11] At the official launch of the team’s name and jersey on 29 March 2007, former Wallaby Chris “Buddha” Handy said:
Like the great Weary Dunlop, Victorian rugby has a history of daring to be different, a touch of the larrikin, and always having a go. These qualities are what you want in a Rebel and characterize the way Victoria is successfully tackling this historic year.
— Chris Handy, at the VRU’s Weary Dunlop Rugby lunch at Crown’s Palladium, 2007.[11]
The Rebels' head coach for the ARC was Bill Millard, a former coach of the Australian Sevens and Sydney University.[12] Former Wallaby Fletcher Dyson was a coaching consultant. Former Rugby World Cup-winning coach Rod Macqueen was the No. 1 ticket holder and a passionate supporter of the club.[13] The Melbourne side was allowed to sign a number of players from the four Australian Super 14 franchises. This included three players from the Brumbies and Western Force, and one each from the New South Wales Waratahs and Queensland Reds.[10] David Croft was the 2007 captain.[14][15][16]
The Melbourne Rebels played their ARC home games at the Olympic Park Stadium located in inner Melbourne, but the team's first league game was an away win against the Canberra team in round one. The Melbourne Rebels played their first home match in front of 4,875 people at Olympic Park the following week, beating the East Coast Aces.
After finishing fourth on the league table, the Rebels defeated the minor premiers Western Sydney in their semi-final 23 to 3. The Rebels played the Central Coast Rays in the inaugural ARC Grand Final. The Melbourne team was defeated by the Central Coast 20 points to 12 in the Grand Final, finishing runners-up in the competition.
The Australian Rugby Championship was terminated at the end of 2007 after only one season of competition, with the Australian Rugby Union citing higher costs than budgeted and further projected financial losses.[17] The Melbourne Rebels side was disbanded with the end of the ARC, but was revived in 2010 under the same name as the Super 14 tournament was expanded to the 15-team Super Rugby competition to include the Melbourne Rebels for the 2011 season.
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National Rugby Championship
In December 2013, the ARU announced that the national competition was to be relaunched, with the National Rugby Championship (NRC) commencing in 2014.[18] Expressions of interest were open to any interested bidders, with the accepted tenders finalised in early 2014. On 24 March 2014, it was announced that the Melbourne Rising would play in the NRC competition.[19][20]
The Rising's jersey for the 2014 season was predominantly navy blue and pink, with white and electric blue highlights.[1] The team's logo incorporated a rising star, representing future talent; a floral arrangement of Pink Heath, which is the state flower of Victoria; and the five stars representing the Melbourne Rebels.[1]
For the 2014 NRC season, the Melbourne Rising secured RaboDirect as the main jersey sponsor.[21] Sean Hedger and Matt Cockbain were appointed as head coach and forwards coach of the Rising. Both were assistant coaches at the Rebels. Craig McGrath, coach of the Melbourne Harlequin club, was appointed as backs coach. The Rising's training base is also at the Harlequin club in Ashwood.[1][22] Nic Stirzaker was named as captain with Mitch Inman, Patrick Leafa and Pom Simona in the team's leadership group.[23] Scrumhalf Luke Burgess played for both the Melbourne Rebels ARC team in 2007 and the Melbourne Rising NRC team in 2014.
Home grounds
The Melbourne Rising team has scheduled home matches at the following locations for the 2018 season:[24]
City | Venue | Capacity |
---|---|---|
Adelaide | Bailey Reserve | 3,000 |
Ballarat | St Patrick's College | 3,000 |
Geelong | GMHBA Stadium | 34,074 |
Other home venues used in previous seasons:
City | Venue | Capacity |
---|---|---|
Ashwood | Ashwood Reserve | 3,000 |
Frankston | Frankston Park | 8,000 |
Melbourne | AAMI Park | 29,500 |
Morwell | Latrobe City Stadium | 4,000 |
For the Rising's initial season, the team played at AAMI Park, located in inner Melbourne.[25] Opened in 2010, the stadium's major tenants include the Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City FC.[26] Smaller venues were preferred from 2016 onward.[27]
Current squad
The squad for the 2018 National Rugby Championship season:[28]
Props
Hookers
Feta Luamanu Anaru Rangi Andrew Tuala
Locks
Will Clift[29] Esei Ha'angana Trevor Hosea Sakaria Noa Matt Philip
Loose Forwards
Angus Cottrell (c) Richard Hardwick Rob Leota Isi Naisarani George Noa Ikapote Tupai Kojiro Yoshida[30]
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves
Archie King Jack Maddocks1
Centres
Fabian Goodall Angelo Leaupepe Bill Meakes Sione Tui Sione Tuipulotu
Wingers
Tom English Justin Masters Sefa Naivalu1 Kitione Ratu
Fullbacks
- (c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes player is internationally capped, 1 denotes allocated national player additional to the contracted squad.
Records
Honours
- National Rugby Championship
- Horan-Little Shield
- Season winners: 2014
- Australian Rugby Championship (Rebels)
- Runners-up: 2007
Season standings
National Rugby Championship
Year Pos Pld W D L F A +/- BP Pts Play-offs 2018 6th 7 2 0 5 239 192 +47 5 13 Did not compete 2017 9th 8 1 0 7 193 357 –164 0 4 Did not compete 2016 4th 7 3 0 4 260 262 −2 4 16 Semi-final loss to NSW Country by 50–24 2015 3rd 8 5 0 3 220 251 −31 0 20 Semi-final loss to UC Vikings by 50–34. 2014 1st 8 8 0 0 399 184 +215 8 40 Semi-final loss to Perth Spirit by 29–45.
Australian Rugby Championship (Rebels)
Year Pos Pld W D L F A +/- BP Pts Play-offs 2007 4th 8 5 0 3 170 206 -36 4 24 Runners-up
Head coaches
- Eoin Toolan (2018–present) [31]
- Zane Hilton (2015–2017)
- Sean Hedger (2014)
- Bill Millard (2007) – Rebels ARC
Captains
- Angus Cottrell (2018–present)
- Steve Cummins (2017)
- Nic Stirzaker (2016)
- Colby Fainga'a and Scott Fuglistaller (2015)
- Nic Stirzaker (2014)
- David Croft (2007) – Rebels ARC
Squads
2018 Melbourne Rising squad – NRC The squad for the 2018 National Rugby Championship season:[32] Props
Hookers
- Feta Luamanu
- Anaru Rangi
- Andrew Tuala
Locks
- Will Clift
- Esei Ha'angana
- Trevor Hosea
- Sakaria Noa
- Matt Philip
Loose Forwards
- Angus Cottrell (c)
- Richard Hardwick
- Rob Leota
- Isi Naisarani
- George Noa
- Ikapote Tupai
- Kojiro Yoshida
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves
- Archie King
- Jack Maddocks1
Centres
- Fabian Goodall
- Angelo Leaupepe
- Bill Meakes
- Sione Tui
- Sione Tuipulotu
Wingers
- Tom English
- Justin Masters
- Sefa Naivalu1
- Kitione Ratu
Fullbacks
- Kemu Valetini
- (c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes player is internationally capped, 1 denotes allocated national player additional to the contracted squad.
2017 Melbourne Rising squad – NRC The squad for the 2017 National Rugby Championship season:[33] Props
- Angus Arundel
- Tom Moloney
- Rory O’Connor
- Fereti Sa'aga
- Toby Smith1
- Mahe Vailanu
Hookers
Locks
- Steve Cummins (c)
- Pone Fa’amuasili
- Esei Ha'angana
- Alex Toolis
- Emmanuel Maufou
Loose Forwards
- Josh Fenner
- Simei Kolio
- Rob Leota
- Sean McMahon
- Sione Taufa
- Lopeti Timani1
- Ikapote Tupai
Scrum-halves
- Maradona Farao
- Harrison Goddard
- Nic Stirzaker
Fly-halves
Centres
- Lloyd Johansson
- Angelo Leaupepe
- Hunter Paisami
- Oliva Sialau
- Sione Tuipulotu
- Semisi Tupou
Wingers
Fullbacks
Notes:
(c) Team captain
Bold denotes internationally capped players at the time
1 National player additional to contracted squad.
2016 Melbourne Rising squad – NRC The squad for the 2016 National Rugby Championship season:[34] Props
Hookers
Locks
Loose Forwards
- Colby Fainga'a
- Harley Fox
- Ikapote Tupai
- Rob Leota
- Sean McMahon1
- Jordy Reid
- Sione Taufa
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves
Centres
- Lloyd Johansson
- Taiso Silafai-Leaana
- Sefanaia Naivalu
- Sione Tuipulotu
- Elias Vole
Wingers
- Tom English
- Dom Shipperley
- Ah-Mu Tuimaleali'ifano
Fullbacks
Notes:
(c) Team captain
Bold denotes internationally capped players at the time
1 National player additional to contracted squad.
2015 Melbourne Rising squad – NRC The squad for the 2015 National Rugby Championship season:[35] Props
- Cruze Ah-Nau
- Duncan Chubb
- Tim Metcher
- Fereti Sa'aga
- Mike Tyler
Hookers
- Mitch Andrews
- Patrick Leafa
Locks
- Steve Cummins
- Murray Douglas
- Sam Jeffries
- Luke Jones1
- Sakaria Noa
Loose Forwards
- Colby Fainga'a (c)
- Scott Fuglistaller (c)
- Sean McMahon1
- Jordy Reid
- Pom Simona
- Sione Taufa
- Lopeti Timani
Scrum-halves
- Maradona Farao
- Ben Meehan
- Junior Paila
Fly-halves
Centres
- Lloyd Johansson
- Taiso Silafai-Leaana
- Leo Taliu
- Sasa Tofilau
- Sione Tuipulotu
Wingers
- Tom English1
- Stacey Ili
- Filipe Vilitati
- Dom Shipperley
Fullbacks
- Justin Marsters
- Jonah Placid
Notes:
(c) Team captain
Bold denotes internationally capped players at the time
1 National player additional to contracted squad.
2014 Melbourne Rising squad – NRC The squad for the 2014 National Rugby Championship season:[36][37] Props
- Cruze Ah-Nau
- Paul Alo-Emile
- Fereti Sa'aga
- Finbar Simpson
- Toby Smith
- Tui Tuiatua
Hookers
- Greg Bauer
- Patrick Leafa
- Tom Sexton
Locks
- Frank Amituanai
- Angus Hamilton
- Sam Jeffries
- Luke Jones1
- Cadeyrn Neville
Loose Forwards
- Scott Higginbotham1
- Sean McMahon
- OJ Noa
- Reuben Rolleston
- Pom Simona
- Sione Taufa
- Lopeti Timani
Scrum-halves
- Luke Burgess
- Ben Meehan
- Junior Paila
- Nic Stirzaker (c)
Fly-halves
- Jack Debreczeni
- Shane Imo
- Martin Naufahu
Centres
Wingers
- Tom English
- Joe Kamana
- Telusa Veainu
Fullbacks
- Rennie Lautolo-Molimau
- Jonah Placid
Notes:
(c) Team captain
Bold denotes internationally capped players at the time
1 National player additional to contracted squad.
2007 Melbourne Rebels squad – ARC Props
- Scott Cameron
- Heamani Lavaka
- Dan Palmer
- Mike Ross
Hookers
- Nick Churven
- James Hanson
- Nick Hensley
Locks
- Matt Cockbain
- Liam Shaw
- Richard Stanford
Loose Forwards
- David Croft (c)
- David Dennis
- Dave Haigh
- David Haydon
- Matt Hodgson
- Shawn Mackay
- Filipe Manu
Scrum-halves
- Luke Burgess
- Jon McGrath
Fly-halves
- Michael Hobbs
- Dan Kelly
Centres
- Luke Cross
- Jack Farrer
- James Lew
Wings
- Digby Ioane
- Peter Playford
- Peter Owens
- Nathan Trist
Fullbacks
Notes:
(c) Team captain
Bold denotes internationally capped players at the time
Gallery
- Melbourne Rising depart the field after a win over Greater Sydney Rams
- Melbourne win a lineout against the Rams in Round 8
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "NRC update part 1: Queensland, Perth, Melbourne and Canberra". The Roar. 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
- ↑ "Rising season ticket". Melbourne Rebels. 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ↑ Harris, Bret (24 March 2014). "ARU announces national club competition". The Australian. News. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
- ↑ "Australia relaunches National Rugby Championship". rugbyweek.com. 24 March 2014. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ↑ "Rebels sign son of a gun Tyrel Lomax" (Press release). Melbourne Rebels. 19 July 2016. Archived from the original on 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- ↑ Fuller, Mark (11 December 2004). "Picking up our ball and going home". The Age. Fairfax. Archived from the original on 13 December 2004. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ↑ "2006 Annual Report: Rugby services" (PDF). Australian Rugby Union. 31 May 2006. p. 47. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- ↑ "New national rugby competition for 2007". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. 31 May 2006. Archived from the original on 22 June 2007. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ↑ "New national rugby comp for 2007". news.com.au. Retrieved 3 March 2006.
- 1 2 Donaghy, Dave (29 March 2007). "Rebels show true colours". Herald Sun. News Limited. Retrieved 29 March 2007.
- 1 2 "Melbourne Rebels on the rugby march". Sports Australia. 29 March 2007. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ↑ "Victorian Rugby appoints Millard and Dyson to key coaching positions". rugby.com.au. 11 November 2007. Retrieved 29 March 2007.
- ↑ Hill, Craig (3 August 2007). "The ARC Vic Team: Melbourne Rebels". Rucks and Rolls. Archived from the original on 8 November 2007. Retrieved 29 March 2007.
- ↑ "Croft named Rebels captain". foxsports.news.com.au.
- ↑ "Melbourne Rebels Update". vicrugby.com.au. 3 August 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
- ↑ "Meet the AAMI Melbourne Rebels Squad". vicrugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
- ↑ "ARU pull plug on Australian Rugby Championship". ESPN Scrum. 18 December 2007. Archived from the original on 12 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
- ↑ Orme, Steve (10 December 2013). "ARU unveils new national rugby championship for 2014". Sportal. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
- ↑ Horne, Ben (24 March 2014). "Bill Pulver says National Rugby Championship will make money". Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ↑ "Australian Rugby Union says National Rugby Championship to start in August". ABC. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ↑ "Melbourne Rising fixture announced" (Press release). Rising Media Unit. 16 Jul 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- ↑ "Melbourne Rising announce coaching setup" (Press release). Melbourne Rebels. 19 June 2014. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
- ↑ "Stirzaker to lead Melbourne Rising" (Press release). Rising Media Unit. 11 August 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- ↑ "Fiji and Adelaide on the itinerary as Melbourne Rising NRC draw confirmed". Melbourne Rebels (Press release). 4 July 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
- ↑ "Rising to play at AAMI Park". 24 March 2014. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ↑ "Melbourne Rectangular Stadium". austadiums.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
- ↑ Newman, Beth (29 June 2016). "Tries more valuable in new NRC". Australian Rugby. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ↑ 2018 Rising Squad Announced. Melbourne Rebels. 24 August 2018.
- ↑ "NRC Teams: Powell to start for Vikings". Rugby.com.au. 21 September 2018.
- ↑ "NRC Teams: Injuries force Vikings reshuffle". rugby.com.au. 28 September 2018.
- ↑ "TOOLAN & SIMONA TAKE REIGNS OF RISING". Melbourne Rebels. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
- ↑ 2018 Rising Squad Announced. Melbourne Rebels. 24 August 2018.
- ↑ Rising name youg squad for 2017 NRC. Melbourne Rebels. 15 August 2017.
- ↑ EXPERIENCED RISING SQUAD FOR NRC
- ↑ 2015 Melbourne Rising squad announced
- ↑ Melbourne Rising announce playing squad
- ↑ Qantas Wallabies player alignments unveiled for 2014 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship