Melbourne Rebels’ pre-season training camp in Ballarat was billed as a chance for squad members to bond ahead of the upcoming Super Rugby season.
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And at least two players got very familiar with one another on Thursday afternoon.
The Courier photographer Dylan Burns captured images of teammates Michael Ruru and Matt Philip in a heated battle at St Patrick’s College.
The fight left Philip with blood on his face and saw him leave the field to get his head bandaged.
“The pair are good teammates, but neither were prepared to take a backwards step during an intense and competitive pre-season training session,” a Rebels spokesperson said.
“The two players shook hands at the end of training.”
In a tough session in extreme heat, a heavy knock floored Angus Cottrell, who was then attended to by club trainers.
The Rebels are in Ballarat until Saturday, with the club using the trip to prepare for the new season, which gets underway with a game on February 23.
New Rebels head coach David Wessels said the camp was also about getting to know key parts of the club’s history, which has strong ties to Ballarat.
The Melbourne Rebels’ name, logo and creed was inspired by the Battle of the Eureka Stockade.
