2012 could not have come quicker for the Brumbies after a disastrous 2011 campaign, where everything that could have gone wrong did. The failures of 2011 have been well documented but now the Brumbies of 2012 are looking forward to showing what they can do on the field after a long pre-season that, for some, started way back in July.
There have been many changes around the club in what has been one of the biggest overhauls since the inaugural season of 1996. There have been sweeping changes with not only a new coaching staff, but also many new faces in the playing roster that has brought a new enthusiasm to the training paddock and with it some exciting new talent.
The biggest and most obvious change comes at the top with 2007 World Cup winning coach Jake White taking the helm of his first provincial team. With so much International experience, it is hard to imagine that this is Whites first time of coaching a team week in, week out although it’s a challenge he is excited to take on.
Joining White in the coaching ranks are Laurie Fisher, who returns to the Capital after three years as forwards coach of Munster in Ireland and Stephen Larkham who retains his spot as backline/attack coach following a shakeup of last year’s coaching staff.
It’s not only the on field coaching staff that has undergone a makeover with new strength and conditioning staff also coming on board. Led by Dean Benton whose experience in the industry is invaluable, the Brumbies have taken a new approach to their off field preparation. Key areas include nutrition with an on site canteen at their training headquarters and a focus on active rest which is of high importance to the professional athlete environment. Assisting Benton is Aled Walters who has been involved in Rugby programs all over the world including Taranaki in New Zealand and age representative squads in his homeland of Wales.
In past years the Brumbies squad has possessed a ‘who’s who’ with a wealth of Super and International experience. 2012 will be more of a ‘who’s that?’ with most of the squad yet to have a taste of Super Rugby.
Most of the departing players were part of the starting XV with over 700 Super rugby caps between them and replacing players of the calibre of Adam Ashley-Cooper and Matt Giteau, amongst others, will not be an easy fix. But Jake White knows a thing or two about winning and has recruited some of Australia’s best up and coming talent that could one day be household names.
An emphasis has been placed on youth with the average age of the squad just 23 years of age. Many of those new comers have been members of other state academy programs or sevens programs so they have the basis for making the step up to the big time.
White has stressed that there will be a rotational system in place to help the players develop and gain experience at the higher level. White says that the new players will be helped to adjust to the rigors that Super Rugby brings by giving them adequate rest so they aren’t burnt out before seasons end.
An problem that has been solved is the captaincy with new recruit Ben Mowen getting the nod ahead of other contenders to lead the new crop of players. White said the decision was simple and cited Mowen’s previous captaincy experience as one reason why he got the role.
Brumbies fans should not expect an overnight miracle in 2012 just because White is in charge. White has a four years contract and has a plan to bring back the glory days but the results fans are hoping for may not necessarily be seen until the second year at least. Whilst much has been made of the departing players, there are still players on the roster that are more than capable of playing at this level.
It should be remembered the front row still has two starting Wallabies in Ben Alexander and Stephen Moore and they will be playing many minutes in 2012. The forward pack will hold their own this season with most players having played at this level and with added experience from players such as Peter Kimlin, Ben Mowen and Colby Faingaa there is plenty of promise.
The backline is where the question marks lie with the only certainty so far is that the flyhalf and inside centre positions will be sewn up by Matt Toomua and Chrisitan Lealiifano. Toomua has the chance to step out of the shadow of Matt Giteau and show he is capable of winning matches after a disappointing 2011 that saw him play only 4 games, with 3 of those at fullback.
After that virtually every other position is up for grabs. With a new starting half back it could take time for the new halves combination to settle but the battle between Nic White and Ian Prior will be one to watch closely with White’s kicking game probably giving him the advantage at this stage.
For the outside back positions, there are some players with genuine pace that could be just what the Brumbies need if they are to put other teams on notice. Throughout the pre-season there have been some impressive fitness results over 40 metres particularly from new face Tom Cox and considering he only picked up a rugby ball 3 years ago, he could make his mark if given his chance.
The competition for the back three is healthy with names like Robbie Coleman, Henry Speight, Zack Holmes, Cam Crawford, Joseph Tomane, Kimami Sitauti and Jesse Mogg sure to give White a headache come selection time each week.
For this year at least, outsiders may think the new look Brumbies may not win many games, but there won’t be a lack of trying in trying to achieve success in 2012. Whilst trial results aren’t normally a guide on how the season will pan out, the young squad can take a lot of confidence from the games so far, especially after a win over their opponents in round one, the Western Force and a close loss to the reigning champion Queensland Reds. The one thing the Brumbies will want to avoid with a new squad will be injuries which could easily derail their campaign.
The fact that most of the squad has been training together for 8 months could lead to better than expected results and I can see the Brumbies finishing fourth in the Australian Conference with the prospect of some surprise results along the way.
Ins: Fotu Auelua (NTT, Japan), Tom Cox (Queensland), Scott Fardy (Japan), Zack Holmes (Aus 7’s), Tevita Kuridrani (Queensland), Ben Mowen (Waratahs), Ruaidhri Murphy (Exeter, UK), Leon Power (Bay of Plenty, NZ), Ian Prior (Queensland), Dylan Sigg (Manly), Siliva Siliva (Western Force), Scott Sio (Aus U20’s), Kimami Sitauti (Queensland), Joseph Tomane (Gold Coast Titans NRL)
Outs: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Mitchell Chapman (NTT, Japan), Mark Chisholm (Bayonne, France), Huia Edmonds (released), Rocky Elsom (Waratahs), Matt Giteau (Toulon, France), Stephen Hoiles (released), Salesi Ma’afu (Western Force), Patrick Phibbs (Exeter, UK), Julian Salvi (Leicester, UK), Tyrone Smith (Honda, Japan), Ed Stubbs (Aus 7’s), Josh Valentine (Narbonne, France), Samu Wara (Western Force)
