The RaboDirect Rebels’ squad for 2013 is almost complete with nine new faces joining the club, plus five new recruits in the Extended Playing Squad (EPS), and a further spot yet to be filled as the club enters its third season in the Super Rugby competition.
With the departure of players such as Stirling Mortlock, Al Campbell, Mark Gerrard and Adam Freier, there has been a clear adjustment in age, which brings a great opportunity to many new faces to build on the strong foundations that they have left behind.
“We planned from the outset to recruit experienced players in our start up seasons to assist with the development of a strong culture and playing style,” said Head Coach Damien Hill.
“The involvement of these foundation players will continue in other ways; Sam Cordingley has stayed with the organisation in a recruitment capacity and Stirling Mortlock will play a part in our coaching structure next season.”
Headlining the new arrivals is current Wallaby and 2012 ARU Super Rugby Player of the Year runner-up Scott Higginbotham who joins the club from the Queensland Reds. His athleticism and aggression will complement high-class back-row options for Hill such as current captain Gareth Delve and Jarrod Saffy.
“Scott is an important recruit for the organisation as we step up for 2013,” said Hill.
“We are building an exciting, well balanced squad with the likes of current Wallabies James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale, Scott Higginbotham, Cooper Vuna and Nick Phipps, and several other players including Luke Jones, Hugh Pyle, Caderyn Neville, Mitch Inman, Laurie Weeks, Richard Kingi and Jarrod Saffy who we also expect to push for Wallaby selection.
“There are also several young players, such as Nic Stirzacker and Angus Roberts, who are to impress next season.
“The exciting thing is that there is still one final spot available. We have a few options that are more than capable of playing Super Rugby, but it will come down to who wants it more.”
Twenty-two year old Alex Rokobaro joins the club having spent the past 12 months in France with Stade Francais. The versatile outside back will be familiar to the club’s supporters having been part of the Rebel Rising program in 2011.
Rory Sidey is another player with great versatility who will become a RaboDirect Rebel next season. At only 26, the experienced Sidey has had a taste of European Rugby with Newport-Gwent Dragons, and has spent the last three seasons in Super Rugby with the NSW Waratahs and Western Force, collecting 30 caps.
Ryan Tyrrell will join Sidey at the Rebels in 2013. The hulking 112kg hooker will provide competition for the number two jersey with incumbent Ged Robinson after the losses of Freier, Luke Holmes and Heath Tessmann at the end of last season.
Wallaby squad members Hugh Pyle and Cadeyrn Neville, and powerful young lock Luke Jones have been joined in the second-row by experienced line-out specialist Chris Thomson. Standing at an imposing 204cm Thomson will be the tallest Australian player in Super Rugby, and he is keen to prove himself in the competition once again after spending the past two seasons with Narbonne in France.
After some eye catching displays in the NSW Shute Shield competition, 22-year old fullback Angus Roberts has earnt an opportunity in Super Rugby. The exciting and versatile back demonstrated great composure with Sydney University this season at both flyhalf and fullback.
Excitement machine and former Brumby Kimami Situati joins the club having represented Queensland and Australian Schoolboys teams in his junior days, as well as winning a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the Australian 7’s team along with current Rebels halfback Nick Phipps.
After a fantastic Junior Rugby World Cup in 2010 where his New Zealand team went through undefeated, Jason Woodward joins the Rebels having spent time with the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup competition. He can cover a number of positions including fullback, wing and flyhalf.
Scott Fuglistaller joins the club from the Wellington Hurricanes. The openside flanker graduated to their full-time squad in 2012 from the Wider Training Group.
2013 Rebels Memberships go on sale today, with priority tickets for The British & Irish Lions to members who join prior to October 31.
2013 RABODIRECT REBELS SQUAD
1. Eddie Aholelei
2. Paul Alo-Emile
3. Kurtley Beale
4. Tim Davidson
5. Gareth Delve
6. Scott Fuglistaller
7. Nic Henderson
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. Mitch Inman
10. Luke Jones
11. James King
12. Richard Kingi
13. Lachlan Mitchell
14. Cadeyrn Neville
15. James O’Connor
16. Nick Phipps
17. Hugh Pyle
18. Angus Roberts
19. Ged Robinson
20. Alex Rokobaro
21. Jarrod Saffy
22. Rory Sidey
23. Kimami Sitauti
24. Nic Stirzaker
25. Chris Thomson
26. Ryan Tyrrell
27. Cooper Vuna
28. Laurie Weeks
29. Jason Woodward
30. TBC
RABODIRECT REBELS EXTENDED PLAYING SQUAD (EPS)
31. Trent Dyer
32. Tom English
33. Bryce Hegarty
34. Patrick Leafa
35. Jordy Reid
IN:
Scott Fuglistaller - Otago Highlanders
Scott Higginbotham - Queensland Reds
Angus Roberts - Sydney University
Alex Rokobaro - Stade Francais
Rory Sidey – Western Force
Kimami Sitauti - ACT Brumbies
Chris Thomson - Narbonne
Ryan Tyrrell - Cardiff Blues
Jason Woodward – Wellington Lions
Trent Dyer (EPS) - Sydney University
Tom English (EPS) - Sydney University
Bryce Hegarty (EPS) - Brisbane Broncos
Patrick Leafa (EPS) - Canberra Vikings
Jordy Reid (EPS) - Manly Marlins
OUT:
Rodney Blake - TBC
Adam Byrnes - Russia
Alister Campbell - Retired
Danny Cipriani - Sale Sharks
Tom Chamberlain – TBC
Adam Freier - Retired
Mark Gerrard – Toyota Shokki
James Hilgendorf - TBC
Julian Huxley - Narbonne Racing Club
Lloyd Johansson - TBC
Michael Lipman - Retired
Stirling Mortlock - Retired
Heath Tessmann - TBC
NEW PLAYER INFORMATION
Scott Fuglistaller:
- Former New Zealand Under-19 openside flanker.
- Has been a part of the Wellington Hurricanes Wider Training Group and the Wellington Lions ITM Cup squads for the past few seasons.
- This season he was drafted into the Otago Highlanders Super Rugby Squad as cover for injuries.
- A hard on the ball flanker who is renowned for his scavenging of opposition ball.
Scott Higginbotham:
- Current Wallaby who has 20 Test caps to his name.
- Played for the past 5 seasons with the Queensland Reds, playing 64 games and scoring 85 points.
- Finished runner-up to Reds teammate Will Genia as the ARU Super Rugby player of the year in 2012.
Angus Roberts:
- Fullback for Shute Shield club Sydney University in 2011.
Alex Rokobaro:
- Former Sydney University and Stade Francais outside back.
- Played for the Rebel Rising in 2011 and for the original Melbourne Rebels in the 2007 ARC competition.
- Is of Fijian heritage.
Rory Sidey:
- Found his professional way in Europe as a rookie with the Newport-Gwent Dragons.
- Spent one year with the NSW Waratahs in 2010 and the Western Force from 2011-2012.
- A hard running 12, 13 or wing, who is known for his versatility and impact off the bench.
Kimami Sitauti:
- Has been a squad member at both the Reds and the Brumbies in 2012.
- Is a right-winger of Tongan Heritage.
- Represented the Australian 7’s team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.
- Represented Australia at the 2011 IRB Junior Rugby World Championship.
Chris Thomson:
- Played three years with the NSW Waratahs between 2008-2010.
- Spent the past two years with Narbonne Racing Club in France.
- Will be the tallest player in the Australian conference at 204cm.
Ryan Tyrrell:
- Played for the Western Force in 2011 before joining the Cardiff Blues for the 2012 season.
- He started his career at Rockingham, winning the 2008 PG Hampshire Award as the best player in the WA Premier Grade, before making his way through the Rugby WA Academy into the senior ranks.
Jason Woodward:
- A member of the undefeated NZ U20 IRB Junior Rugby World Championship team of 2010.
- Debuted with the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup Competition in 2011 season scoring three tries on debut.
- In addition to being able to play fullback, Jason has the ability to cover 10 and wing and is studying to become a pilot.
Trent Dyer (EPS):
- Joined the Sydney University Club in 2008, covering all back row positions.
- Australian 7’s player in 2011. Returned to the 15 man game via the National Rugby Academy.
Bryce Hegarty (EPS):
- Goal kicking fullback for the 2011 and 2012 Brisbane Broncos U20’s.
- Played Rugby at secondary school for Gregory Terrace in Brisbane and is studying Law.
Tom English (EPS):
- Former Waverly College and NSW Schools product, gained an opportunity with the 7’s program via the National Academy in the 2012.
- Plays his Rugby at the Sydney University club, covering 13 and wing.
Patrick Leafa (EPS):
- Hooker from the Vikings Club in Canberra.
- Awarded the MacDougal Medal for the player of the Canberra competition for the 2012 season, and represented the Brumby Runners in that same year.
Jordy Reid (EPS):
- Openside flanker from The Shore School in Sydney, playing Colts for the Manly Club in Sydney, where he graduated into The National Academy.
- The 21 years old was one of the form 7’s in the Shute Shield Competition in 2012.
Click HERE to find out all about the 2013 RaboDirect Rebels membership program.