The Melbourne Rebels are excited to reveal its highly anticipated squad for the 2024 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Rebels will charge into the new season boasting arguably the Club’s strongest roster with an experienced top-end rich in capped internationals complementing a young, hungry and emerging group that continues to strengthen its TWI playing in valuable Rebels games outside of Super Rugby competition.
Headlining a record number of capped internationals is star signing Taniela Tupou, who will bolster an already talented forward pack of Wallabies including Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai and Victorian duo Jordan Uelese and Pone Fa’amausili.
Joining Tupou in Rebels’ colours for 2024 is Wallabies’ Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Filipo Daugunu, capped All Black Matt Proctor and capped English scrum-half Jack Maunder.
Reigning Players’ Player Carter Gordon will continue his ascension to rugby stardom as the twenty-two-year-old looks to build on his first full year of Super Rugby play.
Gordon’s form was so impressive it led to the young fly-half making his Test debut against the Springboks in South Africa. Gordon went on to play 8 Tests in his debut international season, including winning selection for the Wallabies at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Gordon is one of a number of rising stars coming through the ranks, with Lukas Ripley, Glen Vaihu, Josh Canham, Vaiolini Ekuasi, David Feliuai, Zach Hough, Angelo Smith, Daniel Maiava and Mason Gordon all set to play important roles in the season ahead following outstanding off-season campaigns.
Melbourne Rebels Head Coach Kevin Foote said he was delighted with his squad and eager for the new season ahead.
“I can’t wait for the season to begin,” said Foote.
“Our management has done an outstanding job with recruitment. We’ve signed world class players like Taniela, Luhkan, Filipo, Jack Maunder and Matt Proctor.
“We’ve also invested heavily in our staff - Brad Harris played a crucial role in Fiji’s historic World Cup campaign and has already hit the ground running, while Rob Taylor carries a wealth of international coaching experience and is someone we’re really excited to have at our Club driving our elite player development.
“We’ve got a passionate and hungry playing squad that will continue building on our fast, fearless and resolute gameplay, while driving to be the most physical team in Super Rugby.
“We’ve worked tirelessly to build a Rebels squad that embodies the spirit, fight and determination of Melbourne. We’re thrilled to have a group of players who are not only highly skilled, but also deeply committed to representing this incredible City and our amazing Victorian rugby community.
“The start of the season may still be some time away, but we’re already counting down the days to Round 1.”
The excitement at The Stockade is palpable, with the Rebels launching into their new season at home for the first time since 2018 with a Friday night battle against the Brumbies on February 23.
The following week, the Rebels will play Super Round hosts for the third consecutive year as part of a two-week homestand to kick off their 2024 campaign.
Overall the Rebels will host seven matches at AAMI Park including three New Zealand blockbusters, classic Australian derbies, and a Friday night clash against the Fijian Drua.
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Matt Gibbon
Cabous Eloff
Isaac Kailea
Alex Mafi
Jordan Uelese
Ethan Dobbins
Pone Fa’amausili
Sam Talakai
Taniela Tupou
Josh Canham
Luhkan Salakai-Loto
Angelo Smith
Tuaina Taii Tualima
Vaiolini Ekuasi
Zac Hough
Josh Kemeny
Rob Leota
Daniel Maiava
Brad Wilkin
Ryan Louwrens
James Tuttle
Jack Maunder
Carter Gordon
Jake Strachan
Mason Gordon
David Feliuai
Lukas Ripley
Matt Proctor
Nick Jooste
Lebron Naea
Divad Palu
David Vaihu
Filipo Daugunu
Lachie Anderson
Andrew Kellaway
Darby Lancaster
Joe Pincus
Glen Vaihu
