Rebels 10 Year Favorite XV - Captain

Yep were in lockdown in Melbourne and there's no local rugby, but we still got together this month for a chat and a bit of fun.

With so many positive responses from last months meeting, we carried on with the same theme - the Rebels 10 Year favorite XV. This time we asked a little more from the group, those nominating a candidate had to debate the merits of their nomination within a strict time limit of 60 seconds.

There was a strong field of contenders, with very compelling arguments given, but when it came to the voting there was overwhelming support for our winner, MARK ROWE! Although our Favorite XV has been a bit of fun for us - its great that we can give a shout out to one the Rebels hardest working and longest serving team members. Congratulations on your 150 game milestone Rowey. 

The vice captain winner may sound a bit controversial, but hey, remember this activity is for fun! Joint vice captains are Kurtley Beale | James O'Conner | Danny Cipriani. Their case was admirably argued by the elected Honorary Chairman of Selectors for the 10 Year Favorite XV - Hamish Bertram. 

Thanks to everyone who joined in and gave your communication skills a work out! 

Rebels 10 Year Favourite XV

As part of our last education and social get together the VRRA membership was invited to vote for their favourite All Time Rebels XV to join in the 10 year celebration of our local (and for some, favourite) Super team.

A comprehensive list was compiled that included every player to earn a cap for the team over the 10 years - 165 in total.

Like most elections with non compulsory voting, the  turnout was slightly disappointing. But as we all know, if you don't vote you forgo your right to complain about the outcome. i.e. don't blame us for the results if you didn't vote 😄

The final results were an interesting mix, with nostalgia appearing to play a factor in the forward pack, whilst the backline was dominated by current and more recent selections. Perhaps this says something about the recruitment strategies across the years with a focus put on the forward pack initially and a bit of a revolving door in the back line?

A number of players who won Wallaby caps missed out on making this auspicious team which was an interesting outcome.

Your VRRA Rebels 10 Year Favourite XV

1. Toby Smith

2. Shota Horie

3. Laurie Weeks

4. Adam Coleman

5. Luke Jones

6. Scott Higginbotham

7. Sean McMahon

8. Gareth Delve

9. Will Genia

10. Matt Toomua

11. Marika Koroibete

12. Stirling Mortlock

13. Tom English

14. Reece Hodge

15. Dane Haylett-Petty

Honour boards now live on our website

Traditionally clubs and associations have large wooden boards in their club and meeting houses, that list office bearers and award winners. These physical reminders invoke a sense of history, foundation, and a way for new members to connect with past members.

We don't have a clubhouse and our typical off field presence in this day-and-age is online. So I'd like to introduce to you our Virtual Honours Board (or click on the tab Honours at the top of this page). Take a look around for some familiar names - many popping up over and over.

These records have been compiled from hard copy and digital meeting minutes, actual shields, assorted documentation and a little bit of member memories. If you spot typos, or know first names of people that can replace an initial, or have documents from the 80's or earlier that can shed light on more of our history, please email vrrasecretary@gmail.com.

Scrum review activity

Need to or want to, brush up on scrum process? A great way to do this is to look at a full games worth of scrums and plan what your communications, actions and decisions should be at each one. Context matters - that's why you watch a whole games worth.

Use this scrum review template (in Library > Learning Resources) to list out each scrum, the action the referee should do, what the players are doing, what talk from the ref is required and a description of context.

To use as a development tool - watch one of your own games. What you choose at home on paper, might not be what you did on the day - but this is how you can implant better actions and outcomes in your mind, ready for the next game. Even if you don't have videos of your own game, use this as a learning tool by watching any other game! 

Of course, this template is already filled in - use it (and the videos linked) as a guide but make a copy, empty it out, and try it with your own.

Education meeting for June - Scrums

Join us next Wednesday 17th at 6:30pm ONLINE for our next education session. The session will be about scrums.

Similar to previous sessions, this is best attended on a computer, a tablet or phone can be used but may limit your participation.

When you join, please be respectful of others by initially muting your microphone and not showing your video immediately. Discussion and sharing may already have commenced.

Join the Zoom meeting at https://rugbyau.zoom.us/j/95942743577

In memoriam Brett Waterford

1 Nov 1972 - 28 May 2020

It is with great sadness that we share with you the news that after months courageously battling illness, Brett has passed away.

Having served as an accredited club assistant referee at Power House Juniors since 2015 (where he also served as the club's Junior Coordinator) Brett undertook the referee's Foundation Course in 2016, and later that season received his accreditation and orange shirt. In 2017, he joined the VRRA Committee as Treasurer, and in 2018 moved to the role of VP Recruitment & Retention. He was then again elected to that position for 2019 and despite his illness he insisted on continuing in the role. It was this spirit of commitment that led him to being awarded the VRRA 2019 Best Clubman Award.

Aside from these formal roles, there was nothing that Brett didn't want to get involved in. A keen supporter of the Saturday Shuffle - he was very happy to cross town for a big breakfast even if it meant sprints with Shannon! Brett was first to volunteer for any tournament rugby. He would be there with not just a flag and whistle but enough sweets to keep everyone going all day or weekend. And his super powered camp chair was always on offer to all.

Brett was a strong supporter of the Victorian rugby youth, actively seeking out opportunities where kids could referee and play, no more so than with his own son Finn. Brett shared his love of all things rugby with Finn supporting him to be a better player and referee.

To read about Brett’s equal immersion in club rugby see this Power House tribute.

In memoriam David Bertram

14 Jan 1938 - 22 May 2020

It is with great sadness that we share with you the news that David, a long serving and valued member of both the Victorian rugby and refereeing community, has passed away.

David was completely involved in Victorian Rugby in every capacity. From player to coach, to administrator and supporter, he was immersed in the game at all levels.

David was a member of the VRRA between 1965 and 1967 and continued to referee when needed after this time. When needed? David would often get a call from the appointments officer saying he was appointed to a game.... coincidentally a game he was intending to play in. With the choice of either refereeing the game or the game not going ahead, of course he would referee it for the benefit of his club and teammates.

For a great more detail about David’s playing and coaching roles and influences, please do read this great dialogue shared by the Moorabbin Rams.