Order signs Rickeh as permanent starter, adds tucks as head coach

With the end of the first round robin approaching, the Oceanic Pro League has seen a fair share of fixtures but has also left some of it’s best for last.

The returning 29-year-old has had a tenured career in CS:GO so far, playing for Aussie rosters Team Immunity and Renegades before moving to Counter Logic Gaming in 2017.

After eight months with CLG, Rickeh joined Rogue, then spent most of 2019 with Complexity Gaming. He last played for them in Berlin, at the 2019 StarLadder Major.

Back in Australia, Order has been left short-handed since the departure of Jordan “Hatz” Bajic to Renegades, and the retirement of Chris “emagine” Rowlands.

Rickeh has been playing as a substitute for the team in the ESEA Premier Division and the IEM Masters Season XIV Oceanic qualifiers since January 8. Now, the Melbourne org has officially welcomed the veteran star into a starting role in 2020.

“Today, we are excited to welcome Rickeh and Tucks to Order!” the team’s announcement read. “Having played with the team under a trial capacity since January 8th, we are very happy to finally be able to announce Rick becoming a permanent member of Order.”

Alongside the Rickeh announcement, Order also confirmed rumours that tucks—who had been listed on the team’s ESEA page since February 5—would be taking over the coaching role for the Melbourne team.

Tucks’ has been a powerhouse in the Oceanic scene since its inception, representing the Chiefs Esports Club at multiple international events, and leading them to a host of LAN titles at the ESL ANZ Championships and CyberGamer Pro League, and more.

The 23-year-old’s crowning moment came at IEM Sydney back in 2017, when he and the rest of the Chiefs marched to a 16–5 victory over Renegades, and a 16–13 triumph over North. The Chiefs ended their IEM campaign in 5th, defeated by OpTic Gaming 16–10.

According to tucks, the move is the “perfect fit,” especially considering the “eagerness” the roster boasts. On top of that, he told Snowball Esports, he has full faith everyone involved will be able to “listen and apply anything [he] brought to the table.”

That’s not to say he hasn’t had a quick glance over his shoulder before departing the playing life. He spent years under the Chiefs banner, and the move “is a bit sad,” but it’s one that he has to make to keep progressing, he explained.

“I still do miss playing, but I always wanted myself to end up coaching, and tried to make sure I had the right qualities of a good coach while I was playing,” he said.

“So far, the Order organisation has been nothing but amazing, constantly making sure everything is going great, and reassuring me they trust me and team in what we want to do. It’s already been a real treat working here.”

Now its eyes front for the rookie coach and the new-look roster under his command. While nothing is set in stone, tucks certainly believes they have what it takes to continue onward and upward on the path Order set themselves in 2019.

“It’s hard to really give a prediction, but we will just be focusing on the process of becoming the best team we can, and putting in as much effort as we can to hopefully achieve some great results overseas,” tucks said.

Until they add another permanent member, Order will be using Jireh “J1rah” Youakim formerly of Avant as a temporary substitute for ESEA and other events.

Order’s current lineup

• Alistair “aliStair” Johnston
• Matthew “Valiance” Hartrick
• Karlo “USTILO” Pivac
• Ricardo “Rickeh” Mulholland
• Jireh “J1rah” Youakim (substitute)
• Tyler “tucks” Reilly (coach)

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Order is currently contesting Season 33 of the ESEA Premier Division – Australia, where they boasted an undefeated 8–0 record ahead of their Thursday evening matchup with the Chiefs. From there, they are also set to contest the Asia Minor Championship Oceanic closed qualifiers for a potential spot at the 2020 Major in Rio de Janeiro.