Melbourne Squad @ 31/03/10

[zimeric]

Well you could hardly have called the Force outfit World class but we fielded a team of unknowns in 2006 and many of them have gone on to get green & gold.

i think theyre doing just fine..

[Burgs]

Somerville, Freier, Campbell, McDonald, Delve, Mortlock, Cipriani and Cordingley could hardly be regarded as no-names either, arguably past their peak but still plenty to offer at Super 15 level.

[TOCC]

Cipriani is a world class 5/8, he has represented england in that position, I imagine he will play 5/8 with Huxley at 15 and Hilgendorf on the bench

all they are really missing is a 12 and a lock, il be interested on what the Stanley brothers from the blues do
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[Darren]

Staniforth for 12? Rumors abound....

[jono]

am hearing a few that disagree with the ones that say he is going

[Burgs]

I wonder why it is that so many think Cipriani will play #10 when Macqueen himself said he was recruited to play #15...
Time will tell if he is lying I guess.

Have listed Huxley at #12 to fill the slot but I actually think he could be very good in that position, maybe not a modern version of a #12 but he has the skills.

[Pacman]

Well you could hardly have called the Force outfit World class but we fielded a team of unknowns in 2006 and many of them have gone on to get green & gold.

i think theyre doing just fine..

Cipriani is a world class 5/8, but he needs and will play at 5/8, not at fullback, 15 will be held down by Hux with Hilgendorf covering 10&15.

Out of the three players, only one is a world class 5/8 and with classy players around him - Mortlock, Hux, Cords, King, Hilf & co all they will need is a solid 2nd 5/8 and theirs the core of a title winning S15 back line, providing they pick up try scoring wings.

The current force back line is full of class, but with Hill at 5/8, (but played his best at 2nd 5/8 in '05 '06) just lacks a little something (a fill in)....a Carter, Stein, Gits, Barnes, Cooper they're world class....look at the players playing around these guys this year, Crotty, Olivier,Smith(s), Horne, Fainga - all excelling.

Luke Rooney and Mark Gasnier would be good pick ups and Luke McAlister at 2nd 5/8 would complete a great backline......McAlister dosn't need to be playing in NZ.


& yes, we have been going alright and produced green & gold players but this is not 2006, the ARU are playing with the big boys now and need to be sucessful from the get go and they will be, this Rebels outfit has a Brumbies/Storm feeling brewing.

[Burgs]

McAlister would be ideal for Melbourne, like the city he is four seasons in one day.
Used to be a fan but he is far to unpredictable as to who is going to turn up for my liking.

[Pacman]

McAlister would be ideal for Melbourne, like the city he is four seasons in one day.
Used to be a fan but he is far to unpredictable as to who is going to turn up for my liking.

hahaha - i agree.....I don't think the kiwi's would be to disappointed to see him leave prior to RWC '11

alot of hype to get him back to NZ but i dear-say thats died in the arse.

[TOCC]

I wonder why it is that so many think Cipriani will play #10 when Macqueen himself said he was recruited to play #15...
Time will tell if he is lying I guess.

Have listed Huxley at #12 to fill the slot but I actually think he could be very good in that position, maybe not a modern version of a #12 but he has the skills.

At the time they signed Cipriani they were still chasing Barnes and undoubtedly a few other 5/8s who have since signed elsewhere... Plans change

As it stands Cipriani is the best credentialled to play 5/8 in the squad
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[TommyM]

Jimmy Hilgendorf would be a great fit at 12 outside Cipriani. There's alot of class building up for the Rebels.

[jono]

where would we slide hux? will he start?

[welshrugbyfan]

where would we slide hux? will he start?

Fullback for sure.

[jono]

thats what i am thinking. but i wasnt sure because i havent seen him play this season
was he playing the way he was before he retired?

[James]

They lack a bit of edge in the back five but they are starting to look a lot better than a month ago.