Brumbies 2011

[Slim 293]

It's not too much of a conundrum, the Ponies forwards are for the most part loose powderpuffs who seem to believe they've got double digit numbers on the back of their shirts. Alexander, Elsom, Chisolm, Chapman and the mack daddy of the lot Hoiles. So Vaea is done once Hoiles returns - can't have a big bloke who likes to run over the top of other forwards at 8 when your captain is waiting on the sideline ready to fight with your 6 and tighthead for the outside centre position. Kimlin's stuffed too - Chisholm, Chapman and Hand are much better options for anonymity in the tight stuff - so he'll be riding the pine.

Powdepuffs this year...

Last year they seemed to have a lot more aggression, and were also aided by George Smith...

I think Elsom will provide a bit more mongrel when he returns... Hand has generally been good in the tight but not really impressed by him so far this year so it's time to bring in Kimlin for his expense...

Kimlin seems to be fit enough and I think will add a bit more to the pack...

I think the return of Hoiles' will really reveal who is running things at the Brumbies... Vaea is one of the form Australian forwards and can't be budged for Hoiles... there's really no room for him on the bench either so it's pretty tricky...

Hopefully the Brumbies' forwards are teaching themselves how to ruck this week...

 

[Newb]

Problems in the Brumbies camp or just camp Brumbies?

Those blokes should be more careful about what ends up on Twitter... http://yfrog.com/gzpdsaaj

Just wtf is going on down there?

if that's not for charity or some crazy bet he lost then he's got some explaining to do

 

[OzSash]

Problems in the Brumbies camp or just camp Brumbies?

Those blokes should be more careful about what ends up on Twitter... http://yfrog.com/gzpdsaaj

Just wtf is going on down there?

Maybe thinking about his post-rugby career?

 

[Slim 293]

So, big question...

Where the hell does Stephen Hoiles fit into the Brumbies right now?

He's supposedly still the captain, but Ita Vaea is one of the form Australian players in the comp. right now...

It will be interesting to see what happens when Hoiles is declared fit to play again, because if he's slotted in at Vaea's expense there really is something rotten going on at the Brumbies... and by that I mean even more rotten than what we all perceive...

 

[tranquility]

Would you consider him at 7 ahead of Colby or Salvi?

 

[nathan]

So, big question...

Where the hell does Stephen Hoiles fit into the Brumbies right now?

He's supposedly still the captain, but Ita Vaea is one of the form Australian players in the comp. right now...

It will be interesting to see what happens when Hoiles is declared fit to play again, because if he's slotted in at Vaea's expense there really is something rotten going on at the Brumbies... and by that I mean even more rotten than what we all perceive...

Chapo and Chisolm/Hand at 4/5. Hoiles at 6. Vaea at 8. Colby at 7. Kimlin, Salvi on the bench with Chisolm/Hand out of the 22.

 

[Ash]

Chapman could (should?) be effective at lock if he could play a tighter game. I was happy with his effects there last year up until I realised he was still playing too loose.

 

[Gnostic]

Looking at the reduced role of the fetcher in the current interpretations the role of the 7 (as I stated last year and a discussion was had here) is more of the linking back rower who can also attack the breakdown when the opportunity arises. Hoiles would be a perfect type for this so I could see him at 7.

Chisholm/Hand is a very effective lineout pairing at SUper Level and should remain, but Chisholm has to step up (we have been saying it for years at Test level but he appears to have stepped back at Super level now as well.

Backrow of:-
6. Chapman/Kimlin
7. Hoiles
8. Vaea

Bench of Salvi and Kimlin/Chapman. Vaea to go hard in the Willie O mode for 60 and leave nothing in the tank. Salvi on at 7 and Hoiles to 8. If Hoiles fails in my expectation of being able to play as a linking type 7 I cannot see a place for him in the 22.

 

[spectator]

Surely Fainga'a has to be there somewhere? He's been one of their most impressive players this season.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Looking at the reduced role of the fetcher in the current interpretations the role of the 7 (as I stated last year and a discussion was had here) is more of the linking back rower who can also attack the breakdown when the opportunity arises. Hoiles would be a perfect type for this so I could see him at 7.

Chisholm/Hand is a very effective lineout pairing at SUper Level and should remain, but Chisholm has to step up (we have been saying it for years at Test level but he appears to have stepped back at Super level now as well.

Backrow of:-
6. Chapman/Kimlin
7. Hoiles
8. Vaea

Bench of Salvi and Kimlin/Chapman. Vaea to go hard in the Willie O mode for 60 and leave nothing in the tank. Salvi on at 7 and Hoiles to 8. If Hoiles fails in my expectation of being able to play as a linking type 7 I cannot see a place for him in the 22.

Not a fan of Hoiles at 7. We already have 3 specialist opensides in the squad, why throw in a makeshift for the sake of it? Vaea and Fainga'a have been the form backrowers for us, keep them there. Hoiles to start off the bench and come on as 8 or possibly 6, let him play his way back into the starting team.

 

[Gnostic]

Surely Fainga'a has to be there somewhere? He's been one of their most impressive players this season.

Where and how does his presence add to the total effectiveness of the backrow as a whole. I must say I have not been that impressed by him as a backrow "partner". The Brumbies ATM are a group of individuals, the pack does not hunt as a group and the backs run around like headless chooks one out and often end up isolated or just taking the contact.

I do not suggest selecting the flashy "impressive" players but a group who can jell and produce a complete backrow performance.

 

[spectator]

Fainga'a has been outstanding. Perhaps the others need to improve to his standard?

 

[Ruggo]

Fainga'a has been good and it is a shame some of the bigger blokes have not been follwing his lead. Giteau can't find his own direction so how the bloody hell is he going to find direction for the team as the captain. Moore has to be the captain as he is the only one in that pack capable of leading by example. This is toungue in cheek but anybody could be forgiven for thinking Giteau is jelous that coleman found space in attack against the Cheifs in round one and since then has been trying to sabitage him. I don't see any room for Hoiles nor should their be. He would be highly valuable as a bench player when fit.

 

[louie]

Agree on coby. No. 6 and locks are the problem for me

 

[Brumby Jack]

The Brumbies are getting someone from Toulon...unfortunately it's not George Smith and possibly a swap deal for Gits?

Australian Fotunuupule Auelua hass announced he will quit French Top 14 side Toulon at the end of the season and sign a two-year deal with the Brumbies.

Auelua, who plays number eight with the south coast side, said: "It was a difficult decision to make because I feel really good at Toulon but I didn't want to look back on my career later on with regrets.

"It's a big challenge for me and a great opportunity."

In signing for the Brumbies, Auelua has also part-signed a contract with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), who will pay part of his salary.

Although the Wallabies are said to have been following the player closely, Auelua added: "There's nothing to say I will play for the Wallabies but in any case, (being based) in France I've got no chance of being called up."

Before returning to Australia, Auelua is set to spend seven months, from July 2011 to February 2012, playing for Tokyo-based club NTT Communications, where he will hook up with former coach Joseph Barakat, currently an assistant coach with NTT.

Now I can't say I've heard of this bloke, maybe someone can shed some light.

 

[Lachlan]

They must really be considering Hoiles as a 6 only at this point? Why would the ARU finance this bloke to play 3rd fiddle behind Vaea and Hoiles?

 

[Tiger]

Agree - who the hell is this bloke and why are the ARU paying for him???

 

[TOCC]

his got some youtube videos where he looks decent... could probably play number 6 as well, maybe they are budgeting on a replacement for Elsom

 

[Lee Grant]

Now I can't say I've heard of this bloke, maybe someone can shed some light.

Try to get hold of a way (cough, cough) to see the Clermont v Toulon game last week and how poor old Brock James literally bounced off the 18 stoner just before he scored the 1st Toulon try like a Jonah Lomu. The article mentions that he is a no. 8 but he's being playing a lot at 12 this year and sometimes at 13 - though there is not a lot of guile in his back play.. He always looks out of shape but he's bloody hard to stop wherever he plays.

I'd say he'd be a good pick up if he can get into shape. I had no idea he was Australian.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Try to get hold of a way (cough, cough) to see the Clermont v Toulon game last week

Oh you mean by watching Euro Sport on Fox ...I did actually see this game but was more impressed with George Smith playing half back