Hi,
seems we got recent issues because git is too "old" on hackbox.
Here two ways to workaround for now:
1. use precise chroot to get the source: $ schroot -c precise $ repo ...
2. use git 1.8.0 that i installed in /home/linaro/local/bin: $ export PATH=/home/linaro/local/bin/:$PATH $ repo ...
I have filed an RT ticket for changing PATH order on hackbox so that 2. will be the default whenever you log in. e.g. might be that from monday on you don't need to do anything special anymore.
Let me know if you still have issues.