Brumbies 2011

[en_force_er]

I'll tell you what , I'm skeptical the brumbies have the 2nd row stocks to really go places in 2011.

Your only specialists are Chisholm and Hand both being decent but neither being game breakers. Then you have 2 blindsides who can play lock, Chapman and Kimlin but Kimlin is looking likely to be injured for at least the start of the season. Then you've had your stable raided (haha, brumbie stable, get it?) of Pyle and Battye. Sesh.

Any injuries and things look very pear-shaped. Do you boys have any new academy locks ready to go?

 

[DPK]

They should get Alexander from Eastwood (Ben's brother; can't remember his name right now).

 

[rugga10]

Tom Alexander is already down in Canberra training with the academy side since November

 

[DPK]

Tom Alexander is already down in Canberra training with the academy side since November

Good to hear; any idea how he's progressing?

 

[Bruce Ross]

I'll tell you what , I'm skeptical the brumbies have the 2nd row stocks to really go places in 2011.

Your only specialists are Chisholm and Hand both being decent but neither being game breakers. Then you have 2 blindsides who can play lock, Chapman and Kimlin but Kimlin is looking likely to be injured for at least the start of the season. Then you've had your stable raided (haha, brumbie stable, get it?) of Pyle and Battye. Sesh.

Any injuries and things look very pear-shaped. Do you boys have any new academy locks ready to go?

They've got one of the best second row prospects in the country in their academy.

Sam Carter is a real spring heel, son of David who played five Tests in the late 'Eighties. The old man was described as "a big tough farmer's son". The apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree.

 

[topo]

They've got one of the best second row prospects in the country in their academy.

Sam Carter is a real spring heel, son of David who played five Tests in the late 'Eighties. The old man was described as "a big tough farmer's son". The apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree.

Spot on, Bruce. And I hear he's been training with the top squad, too.

 

[Empire]

When are the internal trials taking place?

I presume they are up at Griffith oval, might be worth a gander if anyone knows?

Aside from that, has anyone heard about which players are or may heading north next year? Ive heard around the traps that the two blues have been fairly active (names being tossed around: Coleman, Stevens, Yakopo has been confirmed). Wouldn't be surprised to see the Vikings have a few leave given the connection through Christini.

 

[RugbyReg]

would love a report for the main site if anyone does go to an internal trial.

 

[rugga10]

Yakopo Bro's definately at Parramatta next year see link http://twobluesrugby.com.au/article.php/20101217001827721

As well as big Sione Taula from the vikings, I have also heard there are a few more to come , anyone else confirm this

When are the internal trials taking place?

I presume they are up at Griffith oval, might be worth a gander if anyone knows?

Aside from that, has anyone heard about which players are or may heading north next year? Ive heard around the traps that the two blues have been fairly active (names being tossed around: Coleman, Stevens, Yakopo has been confirmed). Wouldn't be surprised to see the Vikings have a few leave given the connection through Christini.

 

[Brumby Jack]

After seeing recent trainings and hearing whats been said about Lealiifano, it seems more likely he will play #15 next year.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is pretty much set at #13 for the Wallabies and with how well KB (Kurtley Beale) is doing at #15, he'll probably want to be settled on the one position heading towards the RWC.

 

[Lee Grant]

Regardless of Beale, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has paid his dues at the Brumbies by filling in at fullback and in the process becoming the best fullback in the country. Fellow Wallabies will have sincerely pleased that the affable Beale has done well, but none more so than AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Beale's success and the unfortunate injury to Horne have given him a chance to play in his favoured spot. He is now a senior Wallaby and should not be given the run around anymore.

But I digress. Now that Mortlock has gone and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has the gravitas of being the incumbent Wallaby 13, the Brumbies will not serve their best interests by moving him away from the outside centre position. It is now time for other Brumbies to be moved around him. Leali'ifano sounds like at least as good a prospect at 15 as AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was when he was moved there. Who can say that his career will not blossom with a change also?

 

[Slim 293]

I'll tell you what , I'm skeptical the brumbies have the 2nd row stocks to really go places in 2011.

Your only specialists are Chisholm and Hand both being decent but neither being game breakers. Then you have 2 blindsides who can play lock, Chapman and Kimlin but Kimlin is looking likely to be injured for at least the start of the season. Then you've had your stable raided (haha, brumbie stable, get it?) of Pyle and Battye. Sesh.

Any injuries and things look very pear-shaped. Do you boys have any new academy locks ready to go?

I'm hoping Battye will return in 2012...

He's only got a 1 year rookie contract with the Force and he's stated that he's always wanted to play for the Brumbies... the only reason he went out west was because he wasn't going to get a senior contract with the Brumbies for next year...

Otherwise I'm not too worried about the Brumbies' locks... they've been solid the past couple of years... reliable set piece and handy in the loose...

 

[Rothschild]

When are the internal trials taking place?.

Internal trials have been the past 2 Thursday afternoons

Update 23rd Dec;
Dropped in on their game for this week - it was brought forward to Tuesday due to the Christmas exodus.
The team seems very well drilled and runs straight lines, yet the return of Gits should see a sideways strategy.
Ben Hand and Mitch Chapman leading the forward charge. Phibbs looked settled and capable as do all the backs. Frank F and all the wingers except Speight looked good. Speight just doesn't seem to be aware. The new recruit wingers looked more than at home and will be a boost for 2012 and both showed enterprise and intuitive skills in attack.
Defence was a great feature although it wasn't full tackle, but there seems to be communication hassles due to the Brumbies method of manning up. I guess that will be sorted intime.

 

[mudskipper]

The word is… it’s getting extremely competitive for an outside back spot at the Brumbies 2011 as the new signings Speight and Wara are showing plenty of promise in the preseason... Adding to that brumbies McCabe, A.Smith, Lealiifano, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Franky Fainifo all what to lock down starting spots… While AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will likely play at 13, either McCabe or Lealiifano will slot into the 15. This will leave Speight, Wara and Fainafo to compete for a starting wing spot with young promising 7s speedster Clinton Sills waiting in the academy for his first super call up.

The Brumbies inside centres are equally competitive with in incumbent Matt Giteau, Tyrone Smith, Lealiifano and the 2 young 7s champs Robbie Coleman and Ed Stubbs. 3 guys fighting a scrum half spot veteran brumby Phibbs, valentine and 7s Nick White...

 

[PeterPiper]

There havent been any such lapses yet so far at Brumbies, in fact he has been very solid from the team trials I have watched so far - made a big hit on Hand so I dont think that is a concern. Defensively I would have him over Sills from what I have seen. The team games are now starting to attract a bit of a crowd.
Didn't he just turn 18 a few weeks ago, if so he is doing very well. Also theBrumbs have a plethora of outside backs and if they are smart this would be a learning year for the lad so with the aru clamping down on the school leavers being in the top squads I wouldn't expect to see him there unless injuries or rotation make it necessary.
Lets have no more premature inclusions - Andy Friend knows what he is doing and he is the last coach to rush a kid thru too quickly.

 

[observer]

Peter, he would be the fastest and strongest in the back three down there wouldn't he be?

 

[PeterPiper]

He and Sills are very close, probably Wara as well.
I was chatting with Mitch Chapman and he said the 'older guys' rated Crook very highly, "great athlete with the necessary skills' were his words.

 

[Lee Grant]

Andy Friend knows what he is doing and he is the last coach to rush a kid thru too quickly.

Don't get me started on Friend again. He's the guy that rushed 18 year old Hooper from the Academy into starting in the Super14 earlier this year when Smith was injured. This was not too long after the young bloke was considered not fit enough to be considered for the 2009 Oz Schools EOYT because he hadn't recovered sufficiently from an earlier shoulder reconstruction.

Friend didn't know what he was doing at all - if he didn't have a more seasoned contracted player for the position he should have had one in his pro academy to cover the contingency (the elder Lam maybe, or even the younger one), but he had two teenagers instead. I guess you did get me started.


I've seen Crook play just twice at the ground - for Oz Schools - and didn't notice any defensive frailties that Noddy heard about. I think that the sub 11 sec runner is going to be a grand acquisition for the Brumbies down the track. I'm looking forward to seeing Crook and Sills for the Runners. Sills isn't really a footie player yet and Crook looks better in that department and more robust. But talk is cheap; let's see.

One tip for the Runners: make sure that Crook gets the ball - something that Oz Schools hardly ever did in those two games I saw, and by all accounts: neither did his TSS inside backs this year.

Not to the point, but it's good to see a bit of speed in some Super teams these days and hearing foreign commentators moan. Down the track, maybe the two young ponies can be added to the list that includes Davies, Mitchell, Turner and others.

 

[en_force_er]

I'm just wondering what you are basing the "defensive frailties" on? I've seen him play at Schools level this year and I thought he was solid in D.

KB (Kurtley Beale) was a terrific schoolboy defender and took time to find his feet in the open game, perhaps it's similar?

 

[Rothschild]

Nah Noddy's remark has me bafled. I have watched him for year and although as most 13 and 14 yr old outside backs he missed a few he became one of if not the best defender at TSS - didn't miss one tackle last year and as Observer mentioned was extremely solid in the D at state and national schools at Ballymore.
Maybe it was just an emotive statement that on second considerations would not normally be posted.

Lee, yeah, but from my recollection, Hooper was an extremely capable player and handled the rise very well. he was always a very mature and solid player all the way thru school and his deployment at the academy. I thought he handled it well.
Some can, some need time. I prefer they all are given time but the requirements of professional rugby are now susch that coaches at times don't have that luxury.