Wells Driven for a Bigger and Better 2022

Tue, Oct 26, 2021, 6:14 AM
Rebels Media
by Rebels Media
Wells continues to lead from the front during the early stages of pre-season.
Wells continues to lead from the front during the early stages of pre-season.

Reigning Spirit of Weary Dunlop recipient, Michael Wells, has quickly picked up where he left off, leading the way during the Rebels’ first block of pre-season training at MSAC.

The popular flanker’s run, physicality, and leadership skills have all been on full display over the opening four weeks, as the Rebels continue to ramp up preparations for the fast-approaching Super Rugby Pacific, kicking-off early next year.

“It’s nice to be able to get together as a group, have a run around and get the ball in our hands and begin shifting our focus to next season,” said Wells.

“The boys have been training really well - obviously we’ve had a lot of new guys coming in and they’ve really hit the ground running and have been really good at soaking up all the information and experience on offer.

“The older guys are brushing off a few cobwebs, but it’s been good having a break with the situation around Melbourne being what it was.”

Wells enjoyed an outstanding 2021 campaign, playing every game of the Super Rugby AU and Trans-Tasman competitions, recording over 1000 minutes, and finishing in his side’s best for tackles and lineouts won.

The former Sevens’ star entered last season with a renewed focus on offense, and it quickly showed, with Wells capturing a career-best hat-trick of tries across the two competitions.

The twenty-eight-year-old’s impressive form would later be rewarded with selection in Dave Rennie’s Wallabies’ training squad in June.

Receiving selection in this year’s training squad was a great experience and one that’s pretty valuable to my continued growth as a player.”

“The attention to detail really stuck out, because at the level, everything’s got a purpose, everything’s done for a reason, and everything’s broken down into really little things.

“It’s that attention to detail that if you can bring back to club level you can get a lot of benefit from.

“I’ll look to impart that on some of the younger guys so their development can be fast-tracked as well, which will only help our team grow.”

Despite a career-best individual season, Wells was anything but satisfied with how the Rebels’ campaign ended, placing a greater value on the team’s success rather than his own.

“Individually it was a nice year for me, but I’m not too concerned about that, I look more at the team aspect.”

“Whether you say we underperformed or performed poorly we’re judged by wins in this game and we didn’t win enough so that’s what the biggest improvement will be.

“We’re looking to fight for results, wins are what counts, and wins are what people want.”

With the easing of restrictions across Melbourne, and the release of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific fixtures on the near horizon, rugby is in the air once again across ‘Burn City.

Wells admitted the prospect of playing seven blockbuster home games back at AAMI Park, in front of the Rebels’ loyal members, has provided players with a major boost during the long days on the pre-season training track.

“It’s exciting to have rugby back, but it’s more exciting to just have rugby at home."

“I don’t think we’ve played many games at AAMI and it’s something we’ve missed as a team and it’s something that’s been on our minds and that we can’t wait to do again.

“We proudly represent the state of Victoria and the city of Melbourne, so being able to play back in front of our loyal fans is something really important to every player at the Club.”

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