Wallabies great Tim Horan says the Melbourne Rebels’ forward pack was as “soft as I’ve seen” in their round one loss to the Brumbies and believes the embattled franchise is feeling the strain of off-field issues.
The Rebels’ continued existence is in serious doubt after they went into voluntary administration in January. Rugby Australia has not guaranteed their involvement in Super Rugby beyond this season due to significant financial problems, with the franchise in debt to the tune of more than $20 million.
On Friday, the team suffered a crushing 30-3 loss to the Brumbies at AAMI Park in front of just 4190 fans.
Speaking on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven program, Horan took aim at the Rebels’ forwards after a tryless first outing of 2024.
“I thought the Rebels were really 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.
Rebels prop Taniela Tupou during his side’s heavy defeat to the Brumbies in round one. Credit: Getty Images
“The forward pack of the Rebels was as soft as I’ve seen them. I really hope they bounce back this weekend because Andrew Kellaway at fullback was the only shining light for that Rebels team.”
Contacted on Wednesday morning, Horan doubled down on his comments. “I built them up all pre-season. Their big signings and the forward pack was soft,” the two-time World Cup-winner told this masthead. “Filipo wasn’t too bad. Yes, it’s only one game, but their forward pack needs a rocket. This is their year to do something. They are totally distracted – which is understandable.”
Rebels flanker Brad Wilkin, who made more run metres than any player in the match, was asked about Horan’s remarks on Wednesday, with the team’s next fixture against the Western Force at home on Friday.
“I haven’t heard Timmy’s comments, but I think we had an off night to be honest, just around our set-piece,” Wilkin said. “We’ve showed some good glimpses there in defence. It’s just a few teething [issues] getting some cohesion together. We’ve got a new forward pack essentially and new players. It might take a bit of time for us to be cohesive and put in that pack performance we are after.”
Horan was convinced the club’s off-field troubles impacted the Rebels’ performance.
“What is happening off the field is certainly having an effect on the players’ mindsets,” Horan said on Stan Sport. “[Players are thinking,] ‘Where am I going to be next year? Where can I play? I’m ringing my manager, can I go offshore? Is someone else in Super Rugby going to pick me up?’ It’s playing on their minds.”
Wilkin conceded it was hard to not think about what will happen beyond this year.
“It’s probably fair to say that the off-field stuff is probably on the back of some people’s minds, but that is just natural and that is just human nature,” Wilkin said. “I think everyone in life has things that are going on outside their work. At the front of our minds is putting in a good performance against the Force and rectifying our game on Friday.
“Job security in rugby is never safe. We’re used to this pressure. We can only control what we can control.”
Meanwhile, former Wallaby Cam Shepherd believes that Rebels and Wallabies No.10 Carter Gordon needs to lift his game.
“Carter Gordon, not trying to put more pressure on him after a pretty tough 2023, but he wasn’t good enough on Friday night,” Shepherd said on Stan Sport. “He really needs to step up this weekend.”
