MELBOURNE Rebels assistant coach Matt Cockbain says an association between the franchise and the Border is a “natural”.
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“Having been up there a few times — coaching the state team and then with Melbourne University — it is a good spot to meet teams, like the Waratahs or the Brumbies, half way,” he said.
“It would be good for the community, and Albury always puts on lots of hospitality and makes you feel welcome.
“I think it is something we can look into in the future and have regular trials up there to try to get more uptake of the game in the area.”
Click on the video below to see Melbourne Rebels' Tony McGahan and Tom English speak about their up-coming clash against the NSW Waratahs at Albury. (iPhone users go to the Video tab in Menu.)
The giant blindside flanker (1.98 metres, 108 kilograms) played 63 tests for the Wallabies — making his debut under Greg Smith in 1997 — and turned out 91 times for Queensland, before heading overseas to play in Wales and Japan.
He retired at the end of 2007 after playing for the Melbourne Rebels side in the Australian Rugby Championship where they were runners-up in the competition.
After coaching at the Queensland Reds, he coached Melbourne University and then accepted a role as Rebel Rugby coaching ambassador with the Melbourne Rebels in their first year in 2011 before becoming assistant coach.
Cockbain says the Rebels should have had more wins last season.
“It was almost as if we didn’t know how to win but that is something we have discussed,” he said.
“But there is a strong rivalry between us and the Waratahs, especially after last season and finally knocking them off after they kicked us in the bum in our very first game.”
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Things are likely to become heated on the field in more ways than one.
The game will probably be played in a temperature of 35 degrees-plus, which should mean every player in both squads takes the field.
“Our players should be well conditioned for the heat after the week of over 40 degree temperatures we had in Melbourne,” he said.
“Even though we trained early, it was still a hard week for the players.
“It will be very hot but there is nothing you can do about it so you have to forget about it.”
Cockbain makes no bones about the fact he likes coaching and wants to take it to the top level one day.
“It is a good way to stay connected with the game and is something I have loved doing, being involved with something I am passionate about,” he said.
“I would like to make it a life career, I guess.
“And yes, everyone wants to be the best they can be and coaching the Wallabies would be the pinnacle of your career.”