The headlines have been dominated in recent weeks with the potential code switch of Quade Cooper, who has allegedly been courted by the Parramatta Eels, yet last weekend it was another ‘Cooper’ who should have hogged the headlines.

Few in rugby would realise that Melbourne, beyond their inner city collection of world class stadia, has a 113 year old institution now referred to as Visy Park.

The Rebels roster is coming together, with some players still to converge on Melbourne, but one of their incoming stars is doing it the hard way.....

From 2011 the Australian selection table as it were will increase with the addition of the fifth rugby franchise in the form of our Melbourne Rebels.

John Eales has offered his usual insightful view in regards to where the Wallabies are in their difficult time with their Trans-Tasman rivalry, and for the future. 

It’s REALLY official now!

While the Melbourne Rebels launched at the Weary Dunlop Club lunch, there were two more established rugby teams preparing to commence hostilities in what is possibly world rugby’s most celebrated rivalry.