All the talk ahead of the Melbourne Rebels’ second Super Rugby season can be summed up in five words; James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale.
Two of the most exciting talents in the game, the prospects of last years wooden-spooners have suddenly brightened with the Wallabies stars now on deck.
Damien Hill has taken over the reins from Rod Macqueen, who has moved into a coaching director role at the club.
Hill admits expectations have risen with the arrival of the dynamic duo, who have impressed in the Rebels opening trials.
“You could say that it probably does increase expectations,” he said.
“Last year the only Wallabies we had were Mark Gerrard and Nick Phipps so we’ve doubled that with those two so it’s fair to say expectation is going to be fairly high.
“They’re two world-class players; they’re exceptional attacking players in particular, and that what we lacked last year.”
What the Rebels also lacked in 2011 was any semblance of a defensive system, easily leaking the most points in the competition.
The arrival of former Wallabies defence guru John Muggleton has already made a dramatic difference if trial form is anything to go by.
Tackle-shy five-eighth Danny Cipriani pulled off a try-saving effort in their match against the Blues while another turnstile from last season, winger Cooper Vuna, also impressed.
In the forwards the cornerstone of their scrum, former international prop Greg Somerville retired.
Heralded as a future Wallaby, Laurie Weeks looks ripe to step up.
Hill said he was happy with the way his forwards were developing and predicted a big year from one of their best performers in 2011, Welsh No.8 Gareth Delve.
“Gareth had a good season last year but with his head now being right across Super 15 and his body in really good condition, I think we’ll see another level from him.”
He also noted the pre-season efforts of Tim Davidson, Jarrod Saffy and Hugh Pyle.
Englishman Cipriani drew the headlines in their debut year – mostly for his off-field indiscretions – but Hill believed the 24-year-old has matured.
“Last year he was a 23-year-old kid living away from home, away from family and support and under a fair bit of scrutiny and he didn’t handle it as well as he could have,” he said.
“This year he’s focusing on how he’s best going to perform on the paddock rather than off the paddock.”
Hill isn’t one for bold predictions, only saying they want to win more games than in their debut season – three – and they want to perform consistently.
“The three wins we got were hard-fought wins and there were other games where we could have won and sections of play that I think were as good as anyone,” Hill said.
“The confidence that comes with success; being able to replicate it and trust it, that’s what this side is developing.”
