Brumbies 2011

[#1 Tah]

a friend told me that he heard on the news that that Elsom had a Rob Horne (hammy) injury and is in doubt for the RWC. can anyone confirm?

 

[Elfster]

a friend told me that he heard on the news that that Elsom had a Rob Horne (hammy) injury and is in doubt for the RWC. can anyone confirm?

From the Oz. Nothing in the SMH, but not that is not surprising.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...ling-injury-woes/story-e6frg7o6-1225979260321

 

[Gnostic]

If Elsom is out the Ponies are looking thin in the backrow. Chapman or Kimlin would go to 6 I would think but they haven't exactly been blessed with injury free seasons have they.

 

[Slim 293]

It doesn't sound like there's a great deal of concern as they expect him to avoid surgery...

However, if he goes Chapman is an excellent replacement...

And then Vaea might be promoted to the senior squad?

Whether or not they're looking thin if Elsom is out will depend on Kimlin's fitness.

 

[Empire]

I wonder if they'll keep Vanderglas as cover - he is already training with the Brumbies, and was obviously in the system last year.

 

[fatprop]

It doesn't sound like there's a great deal of concern as they expect him to avoid surgery...

you think? Nau was hoping to avoid surgery this year as well. Have time off, hope it fixes itself ..................

Elsom has had hammy issues throughout his career, whilst at the tahs his gate was modified with a bio mechanic specialist during an extended period off the field. This is the same process recommended to Tahu

 

[fatprop]

Actually, that's not what I meant at all...

The Brumbies had both Gregan and Henjak until 2005... and let's not forget that Burgess got his only caps with the Brumbies during that period!.

he also plays a vastly different game than those two, much more up tempo with him running a lot more. Sometimes bench players are expected to be clones of the starters

 

[DPK]

Elsom has had hammy issues throughout his career, whilst at the tahs his gate was modified with a bio mechanic specialist during an extended period off the field. This is the same process recommended to Tahu

Did they oil it because of the squeaking?

But seriously, that's interesting as I recall Rob Horne also had a specialist change the way he ran (and maybe his gait, too) because of his constant injuries.

 

[Lindommer]

Elsom has had hammy issues throughout his career, whilst at the Tahs his gate was modified with a bio mechanic specialist during an extended period off the field. This is the same process recommended to Tahu.

Doesn't Rocky always go through the gate? I always thought that was Tahu's problem, couldn't find the gate for the fence.

 

[Slim 293]

I wonder if they'll keep Vanderglas as cover - he is already training with the Brumbies, and was obviously in the system last year.

It would appear Vaea is the next backrower in line if there are any injuries according to Friend...

 

[Lee Grant]

Good player. I rate Ita Vaea highly and thought he was the best no.8 in the Shute Shield this year if one can assess that from ABC games. He was also good in the Runners games I saw.

We should grab this lad as he may be a Timani/Samo type of journeyman. I mean that literally: he gets around. I'm not sure where he was born but he went to school in NZ and played for the Tongan U/20 team. Now, if he spent most of his upbringing in Tonga then we should leave him to Tonga, but if he is a Kiwi Tongan, I reckon he's fair game. He's too good and too big (about 110 kgs at age 21) not to fast track him.

I would have expected that with no ostensible backup for Hoiles in the Super group, that he would have a Super contract by now; so maybe I am over-rating him. What is the opinion of others?

Maybe Friend is protecting a young player? No, I don't think so either.

 

[Slim 293]

There was an article in the Canberra Times the other day about the Brumbies taking on Steve Lovett in theboxing ring and what's interesting is he was the only academy player involved...

Friend also indicated that there's still a chance he might play Super rugby this year if there are any injuries...

So all signs point to him being next in line for a promotion once an opportunity arises...

 

[Brumby Jack]

Just a quick update:
Giteau is back training even though he's not due back til January 10. He will most likely be the #1 kicker for the Brumbies.
Rocky's having a series of cortisone injections for his hamstring and probably won't be back to training until later in the month.

 

[dobduff11]

If Gits fucks up, To'omua will take over I guess. Looking forward to MT making a push for the World Cup squad, with a full season he could do it

 

[DPK]

Just a quick update:
Giteau is back training even though he's not due back til January 10. He will most likely be the #1 kicker for the Brumbies.

What a shit birthday present for me....

 

[naza]

Good player. I rate Ita Vaea highly and thought he was the best no.8 in the Shute Shield this year...<snip>

I would have expected that with no ostensible backup for Hoiles in the Super group, that he would have a Super contract by now; so maybe I am over-rating him. What is the opinion of others?

I like him and reckon he's good enough to play S14. The Brumbies have a shortage of powerhouse ball running backrowers. He fits the bill. A perceived negative may be that he's shorter than your typical no8 - he's about 6'1" rather than 6'4" - so isn't a lineout option & limited to the no8 position. However that low centre of gravity really works well for his ball running. Tacklers just bounce off him and he does a great job staying on his feet and eating up more yards. Can offload nicely too. I can't think of a stronger ball runner in Sydney club rugby (runner up is probably Manly hooker Elvis Taione).

Vaea needs to improve his workrate around the park though. IIRC he was used off the bench by South towards the end of the season for that reason. He's a bit one dimensional albeit that one dimension is an Aussie no8's bread & butter.

 

[Gnostic]

Nazza wasn't Willie O about 6' and I seem to remember him winning a lineout (without the aid of lifters) to set up Link and Daley for a rather important try against the Pasty Poms. 6'1" isn't too short for a 3rd or 4th lineout option with decent lifters.

 

[naza]

Willie O was 6'4" with long arms & huge hands and yet was a rarely a lineout option ; that was the job of Tim Gavin or Troy Coker etc.

Jumping at the back of the lineout is very different from jumping at the lock positions at spots 2 & 4. There isn't a ton of lifting at the back of the lineout. Throws are less accurate so its exponentially harder for lifters to lineup the jumper. You have flankers lifting rather than props (less strength, less care factor - see scrums, abandoning of), so your jumper needs an aptitude for jumping, timing & body control in the air. Dave Lyons was 6'3" but was a fat 120 kgs and couldn't jump over a 10 cent coin. He was no Cockbain or Elsom at the back, which is why our lineout in that era of 2 opensides was raped by Scotland and others.

Anyway, that digresses from my main point which is that I reckon Vaea really is a one position guy. He doesn't currently possess the ball winning skills and workrate for either flanker spot. That may detract from his appeal to a S14 side looking for someone who can cover 2 or even 3 spots.

 

[Lee Grant]

No, Willie was a lot taller than that Gnostic.

He got used a bit in the lineout but not a lot. I always thought that throw to him in the 1991 RWC final was accidental but I was watching it again a couple of weeks ago and both Eales in front of him and Coker behind him seemed to turn and back into their opponents. He was the only one to jump and stretch; so it was probably deliberately to him and it start the most famous maul of our rugby history.

I spoke to Daly at a Joeys match a couple of years ago and asked him who really scored that try. He modestly allowed that he did and added with fondness: "Besides Mckenzie has fucked off to France so I'm the only claimant." - or something like that. But Big Mac is back.

 

[RugbyReg]

I'm surprised Daly didn't claim the try outright. From what I recall he was fond of 'claiming' things that weren't his.