The RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels have released the following 30-man squad for its upcoming tour of the UK and Ireland that includes a clash with Worcester Warriors at Sixways Stadium on Monday, August 15 (kick-off 7.45pm).
30 Man Squad
Eddie Aholelei*
Nigel Ah Wong*
Peter Betham
Rodney Blake
Danny Cipriani
Sam Cordingley
Tim Davidson
Pama Fou*
David Hardisty*
Nic Henderson
James Hilgendorf
Luke Holmes
Mitch Inman
Lloyd Johansson*
Luke Jones
Richard Kingi
Michael Lipman
Hoani Macdonald
Ben Matwijow*
Lachlan Michell
Stirling Mortlock
Cadeyrn Neville*
Hugh Pyle
Ged Robinson
Jarrod Saffy
Greg Sommerville
Heath Tessmann
Cooper Vuna
Laurie Weeks
Liam Windon*
*indicates non contracted Rebels player
The club has named the strongest possible squad with various players unavailable due to injury and World Cup commitments (Byrnes-Russia, Delve-Wales, Gerrard-Australia and Phipps-Australia).
RaboDirect Rebels Head Coach Damien Hill said that the upcoming tour would be a fantastic opportunity to develop the side ahead of the 2012 Super Rugby season.
“This tour is all about development, our players will be able to test themselves against some of Europe’s top sides and we believe that this experience will be invaluable. Also, we are taking 9 new faces with us, with all of these players except for Mitch Inman, competing for their chance to play Super Rugby with the Rebels next year.
“We are also pleased to see that 2 Victorian players have made the squad in David Hardisty and Lloyd Johansson. Both of these players have been very impressive in training and I am confident that they will make the most of this opportunity. Their development, alongside the other new faces, bodes well for the future of the RaboDirect Rebels.
“It will also give us a final opportunity to farewell retiring Rebels Greg Somerville and Sam Cordingley. Both these players have been invaluable to the club on the field and have been fantastic in guiding our young players. Their contributions to this club are highly valued and along with Kevin O’Neill, their expertise will be missed next year,” Hill said.
RaboDirect Rebels Chief Operating Officer Steve Boland said that the club was also excited about opportunities off the field.
“We are very excited to take the RaboDirect Rebels brand to the UK and Ireland. Our players will gain valuable experience competing in this environment and we believe it will be terrific for the squads development. We also see this as an opportunity to promote our club and hopefully convince some rugby fans in the UK and Ireland to make the Rebels their second team,” Boland said.
Tickets remain on sale for the Melbourne Rebels clash. Season Ticket holders can buy a ticket for the Melbourne Rebels game for the discounted rate of just £10. Adult tickets are £15 and Junior tickets are just £5.
Under-11s gain entry to the Rebels game for FREE when accompanied by a paying adult. Please note this offer is only available direct by calling or visiting the Warriors Box Office and not online.
For more details call the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183.