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Spook
Guest
Good. You belong in the second row. Oz has enough loose forwards.
Brumbies 2009
- Thread starter Lee Grant
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Good. You belong in the second row. Oz has enough loose forwards.
Henderson is in the leadership group isn't he? But surely he's behind Alexander. Ben Darwin (in an early ruggamatrix podcast) suggested Alexander should play more at 3. But at the Brums they have plenty of THPs.
For me Sheperdson is the one I want to stand up. I thought he was fantastic in 2007. Considering Baxter and Dunning's age and the inexperience of those next in line (Kepu, Palmer, Edwards, Maafu, Weekes) I think Guy is the man most likely to lead us into RWC11, form permitting.
For me Sheperdson is the one I want to stand up. I thought he was fantastic in 2007. Considering Baxter and Dunning's age and the inexperience of those next in line (Kepu, Palmer, Edwards, Maafu, Weekes) I think Guy is the man most likely to lead us into RWC11, form permitting.
S
Spook
Guest
Sheperdson has the best work rate with Baxter but needs to anchor the scrum.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Spook,
Thanks for posting that about Timani. I became a believer when I saw him play lock for the Rats at the money end of the 2008 club season.
He played only a few games for us but two of them were dynamite. I have mentioned his game against Randwick in the Elimination Semi before, and Chisholm didn't compare with him in any department.
If he can play like that for the Brumbies you will have a very good player.
Let's see how much game time he gets and how he does. Watching Timani, Kimlin and To'omua start for the Ponies at some time this year will be something to savour - and I am also looking forward to watching them in the trial with the Tahs next week.
Thanks for posting that about Timani. I became a believer when I saw him play lock for the Rats at the money end of the 2008 club season.
He played only a few games for us but two of them were dynamite. I have mentioned his game against Randwick in the Elimination Semi before, and Chisholm didn't compare with him in any department.
If he can play like that for the Brumbies you will have a very good player.
Let's see how much game time he gets and how he does. Watching Timani, Kimlin and To'omua start for the Ponies at some time this year will be something to savour - and I am also looking forward to watching them in the trial with the Tahs next week.
S
Spook
Guest
Well there certainly is a lot of talk coming out of the Brumbies camp. They have to get it sorted up front otherwise they'll be pretty ordinary again.
S
Spook
Guest
He looks more grown up:
squad for first game:
CA Brumbies v Highlanders
Carisbrook, Dunedin (NZ)
Friday, 13 February 2009
Kick-off: 7.35pm local time (5.35pm AEDST)
Forwards: Ben Alexander, Mark Chisholm, Ben Hand, Nic Henderson, Stephen Hoiles (c), Peter Kimlin, Shawn Mackay, Stephen Moore, Julian Salvi, Guy Shepherdson, George Smith, Sitaleki Timani, John Ulugia
Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Francis Fainifo, Mark Gerrard, Josh Holmes, Christian Lealiifano, Stirling Mortlock, Patrick Phibbs, Clyde Rathbone, Tyrone Smith, Matt To'omua
Only Alfi Mafi was not considered due to injury.
- no Salesi Ma'afu.
- No Huia Edmonds, so Ulugia is back up hooker.
- No Mitch Chapman
- Shawn Mackay is there!
- To'omua should definitely be in the squad unless they carry an extra forward.
CA Brumbies v Highlanders
Carisbrook, Dunedin (NZ)
Friday, 13 February 2009
Kick-off: 7.35pm local time (5.35pm AEDST)
Forwards: Ben Alexander, Mark Chisholm, Ben Hand, Nic Henderson, Stephen Hoiles (c), Peter Kimlin, Shawn Mackay, Stephen Moore, Julian Salvi, Guy Shepherdson, George Smith, Sitaleki Timani, John Ulugia
Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Francis Fainifo, Mark Gerrard, Josh Holmes, Christian Lealiifano, Stirling Mortlock, Patrick Phibbs, Clyde Rathbone, Tyrone Smith, Matt To'omua
Only Alfi Mafi was not considered due to injury.
- no Salesi Ma'afu.
- No Huia Edmonds, so Ulugia is back up hooker.
- No Mitch Chapman
- Shawn Mackay is there!
- To'omua should definitely be in the squad unless they carry an extra forward.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Spook
Holmes was always big even at school when I said on the other forum that he could be another Joost, another big scrummie.
Noddy
I wasn't surprised when Chapman wasn't included. He played in the curtain raiser to the Tahs trial game and I watched him individually for a few minutes. He watched the ball well. Nobody stole it. On the other hand, I didn't notice MacKay doing anything to write home about.
Huia Edmonds played in that game too and waddled around the park all night. He is a far cry from the young bloke who terrorised opposition playing for the Beasts in Sydney club rugby a few years back, including playing in the backline. To be fair: the recurrent hamstring and lower back injuries that he suffered at the Tahs probably slowed him down.
Ulugia played well when he came off the bench in the main game and scored a good try from a lineout move with a bit to do once he got the ball. He deserves his place.
spectator
It looks like a good back three but it lacks pace. Rathbone didn't look that fast in Sydney club rugby and had a poor game in the trial. Gerrard was even slower for the Rats this year than ever; nor does Frankie shift that fast IMO and he didn't look that great for Randwick this year either.
Mind you, I have misjudged the pace of players before.
naza
Homes has always been a good ball runner and can play anywhere in the backline. I've seen him play on the wing with distinction. His problem is a lack of attention and care at the base of rucks, scrums and lineouts - and the reading of the game, except when it involves himself having a run or backing up for a pass.
It disturbs me to say that having been a big supporter of his since his school days and before most posters on any rugby forum had ever heard about him.
I haven't given up on him though and would be more delighted than anybody for him to prove me wrong.
Holmes was always big even at school when I said on the other forum that he could be another Joost, another big scrummie.
Noddy
I wasn't surprised when Chapman wasn't included. He played in the curtain raiser to the Tahs trial game and I watched him individually for a few minutes. He watched the ball well. Nobody stole it. On the other hand, I didn't notice MacKay doing anything to write home about.
Huia Edmonds played in that game too and waddled around the park all night. He is a far cry from the young bloke who terrorised opposition playing for the Beasts in Sydney club rugby a few years back, including playing in the backline. To be fair: the recurrent hamstring and lower back injuries that he suffered at the Tahs probably slowed him down.
Ulugia played well when he came off the bench in the main game and scored a good try from a lineout move with a bit to do once he got the ball. He deserves his place.
spectator
It looks like a good back three but it lacks pace. Rathbone didn't look that fast in Sydney club rugby and had a poor game in the trial. Gerrard was even slower for the Rats this year than ever; nor does Frankie shift that fast IMO and he didn't look that great for Randwick this year either.
Mind you, I have misjudged the pace of players before.
naza
Homes has always been a good ball runner and can play anywhere in the backline. I've seen him play on the wing with distinction. His problem is a lack of attention and care at the base of rucks, scrums and lineouts - and the reading of the game, except when it involves himself having a run or backing up for a pass.
It disturbs me to say that having been a big supporter of his since his school days and before most posters on any rugby forum had ever heard about him.
I haven't given up on him though and would be more delighted than anybody for him to prove me wrong.
S
Spook
Guest
Holmes needs to pull his finger out. Oz needs some more 1/2 backs of quality.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Lee Grant said:
That game was Chapman's return from (yet another) shoulder injury. Personally I think he will leave the Brumbies after this year as I doubt he'll get much game time unless a miracle happens. Moving to the Brumbies proved to be a bad career move - and that doesn't happen often. Heenan and Chapman the two notable exceptions.
Huia Edmonds was also a disappointment last year in his S14 game time (when not injured). Lots of chronic injury problems...I'd say he's another likely to be let loose by the Brumbies - if they have a replacement.
At least he will be able to scrummage well as a former prop. How's his throwing?
Randwick ended up dumping Fanifo to the bench. I would think that Alfi Mafi would start ahead of him - if Mafi was fit.
Really, I think that the Brumbies would be better off by putting their best cattle on the park and having 12. T. Smith 13. Mortlock 14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), and leaving the other wing spot for one of Fanifo, Mafi or Rattlebones. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) isn't exactly a quick winger either, but he's better than probably the current Rathbone, Mafi and Fanifo. At least if they put Mafi on the other wing they get some pace.
Admittedly, the back three and pace out wide isn't the strength of this Brumbies side though. They'll be more relying on good set peices thanks to Moore, a good and very mobile pack, Mortlock and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in midfield, and a good kicking game from Gerrard and maybe To'omua - if he gets a chance.
Wellllll...I guess Humphreys career is ending soon (although he is playing so damn well). We could probably consider CHappie at lock, although Horwill and Simmons will be pretty solid then. I we could well have Heeno back then too.
Which is EXACTLY what Friend said he would do, in terms of picking his best players. He was justification of playing Morty at 12. Seems incorrect, as Smith would definitely be one of their top backs, I would have thought.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Agree with Ash and yourself Nod about playing Smith and moving others.
We would all like to see AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) with a permanent gig at 13 but he may have to move to the wing as Ash says. He's not too shabby on the wing: we can all remember the try he scored there in the 2007 Bledisloe bumping of sundry All Blacks including TIM McCaw.
Andy Friend was on the radio this morning and he said that he is taking an extra player over just in case because 3 of his players have niggles. When he mentioned the names, the car horns were cued to beep and they did. The only name I caught was Kimlin's.
PS: I wonder how many S14 games it will take for people to realise that Hoiles playing together with Smith all the time could be a negative. It was noticeable in the game last year against the Chiefs that the Ponies were a man short in the physical stuff, though because Campbell was playing in that match too, they were probably two short.
Most of the time the Ponies will get away with it but against hard farquers, especially SAffer teams, you can't have two skills backrowers. Smith doesn't shirk physicality, but he's a freak. Hoiles is not.
But the question of demoting Hoiles probably won't arise as they don't have a bruiser to play 8 anyway. Salvi played there a bit last year and whilst he isn't very big either, at least he plays hard. I wonder if Friend will ever consider playing Timani there? Though he is a bit tall for reliable ball pick up, he has all the athletic attributes that you would want in an 8, but not the experience playing there TTBOMK.
We would all like to see AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) with a permanent gig at 13 but he may have to move to the wing as Ash says. He's not too shabby on the wing: we can all remember the try he scored there in the 2007 Bledisloe bumping of sundry All Blacks including TIM McCaw.
Andy Friend was on the radio this morning and he said that he is taking an extra player over just in case because 3 of his players have niggles. When he mentioned the names, the car horns were cued to beep and they did. The only name I caught was Kimlin's.
PS: I wonder how many S14 games it will take for people to realise that Hoiles playing together with Smith all the time could be a negative. It was noticeable in the game last year against the Chiefs that the Ponies were a man short in the physical stuff, though because Campbell was playing in that match too, they were probably two short.
Most of the time the Ponies will get away with it but against hard farquers, especially SAffer teams, you can't have two skills backrowers. Smith doesn't shirk physicality, but he's a freak. Hoiles is not.
But the question of demoting Hoiles probably won't arise as they don't have a bruiser to play 8 anyway. Salvi played there a bit last year and whilst he isn't very big either, at least he plays hard. I wonder if Friend will ever consider playing Timani there? Though he is a bit tall for reliable ball pick up, he has all the athletic attributes that you would want in an 8, but not the experience playing there TTBOMK.
P
PhucNgo
Guest
Lee Grant said:
Speaking of lower back problems Lee. You were out at the SFS last Thursday, did you happen to cast your eagle eyes over Shepherdson. He looked to me like he was struggling just going thru the warmup. Definitely been crunched simultaneously from both ends more than recommended number of times.
P
PhucNgo
Guest
Ash, I hear what your're saying about Fainifo and share your concerns, but I watched him individually a few times during last week's trial and he seems to have grown an extra leg. Seemed a long way away better than the Sydney semis last year where he just seemed to lack ... well something. I think he realises there's a few people lining up behind him this year, but realistically, Alfi Mafi isn't going to challenge him if he stays on track. Rattlebones will give the S14 a nudge, he's still got the motivation, but the totem pole for Aus wingers at the moment with Heinze, Ioane, Turner, Tuqiri etc is pretty crowded.
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