Brumbies 2012

[mudskipper]

yep brumbies finally have got pace and size in the backs...

 

[Slim 293]

So, just a quick recap of what is looking like the final 30 man squad at this stage (positions are just a rough guide/unconfirmed in italics):

Props: Alexander, Palmer, Owen, Yanuyanutawa
Hookers: Moore, Siliva
Locks: Kimlin, Carter, Hand, Power
Backrow: Mowen, Auelua, Fainga'a, Hooper, Vaea, Hoiles

Scrumhalves: White, Prior
Flyhalves: To'omua, Lealiifano, Holmes
Centres: Coleman, McCabe, Smith, Kuridrani
Wings/Fullbacks: Speight, Tomane, Crawford, Sitauti

Am I forgetting somebody in the backs?

Still a bit of congestion in the props with 3/4 tightheads.

It will be interesting whether White will persist with McCabe at inside centre depending on how he does with the Wallabies, or whether he shifts him to outside centre.

Still disappointed that Stubbs has been released for 7's and won't get an opportunity next year, but hopefully he'll return a better player.

There's going to be one unlucky player in that backrow who is going to miss out on the game day 22.

Me thinks there will be a bit of rotation there, which is a bit of a no brainer after the injuries that occurred this year.

 

[Bowside]

Shaping up as quite a good young team for next year. I expect it will take them at least 5-6 games to work out the starting line up so a finals berth might be a bit of a challenge.

McCabe might end up as outside centre with coleman inside him and Lealiifano at fullback, but who knows...

 

[Slim 293]

That's how I'd probably play them too with Crawford starting out on the wing...

The backrow is tough, but you would have to play a 5/2 split as Fotu can play in the centres... so:

6. Mowen
7. Hooper/Fainga'a
8. Vaea

19. Auelua
20. Hoiles

Either Hooper or Fainga'a would have to drop out of the squad, and I'd lean towards Hooper because he's more of an actual openside, wheras Fainga'a is a bit more versatile like Hoiles, but Hoiles has the experience and size.

Although Hoiles might end up being crocked all year again in which case Fainga'a moves to the bench...

 

[Lee Grant]

In recent weeks Holmes has been playing 10 with the shoremen in the shute shield... and is doing well, he is also a very good goal kicker and one of the heightist point comp scorers. Could be one the force let get away...

I watched my recording of the Shute Shield game over lunch and there he was: playing 10. At the end of June I saw him on TV playing on the wing against Easts.

It's interesting that the commentators said he was being signed up by the Brumbies as a flyhalf. Whatever - he will certainly bring value to a matchday 22.

 

[mudskipper]

So, just a quick recap of what is looking like the final 30 man squad at this stage (positions are just a rough guide/unconfirmed in italics):

Props: Alexander, Palmer, Owen, Yanuyanutawa
Hookers: Moore, Siliva
Locks: Kimlin, Carter, Hand, Power
Backrow: Mowen, Auelua, Fainga'a, Hooper, Vaea, Hoiles

Scrumhalves: White, Prior
Flyhalves: To'omua, Lealiifano, Holmes
Centres: Coleman, McCabe, Smith, Kuridrani
Wings/Fullbacks: Speight, Tomane, Crawford, Sitauti

Am I forgetting somebody in the backs?

Still a bit of congestion in the props with 3/4 tightheads.

It will be interesting whether White will persist with McCabe at inside centre depending on how he does with the Wallabies, or whether he shifts him to outside centre.

Still disappointed that Stubbs has been released for 7's and won't get an opportunity next year, but hopefully he'll return a better player.

There's going to be one unlucky player in that backrow who is going to miss out on the game day 22.

Me thinks there will be a bit of rotation there, which is a bit of a no brainer after the injuries that occurred this year.

And perhaps Rossuow after march, winger Sam Wara may still be there also...

 

[Ash]

Anyone willing to make any predictions on how the Brumbies will go with that squad? For both the Aus conference, and overall.

 

[Slim 293]

Too early to tell. It's nearly an entirely new team.

While there is experience lost in the playing group, it's possibly being made up in the coaching panel.

I really like the looks of our backrow, and it's a very exciting halves combination.

I'm really interested in the makeup of the tight 5, and the outside backs where there has been a major overhaul.

 

[Slim 293]

And perhaps Rossuow after march, winger Sam Wara may still be there also...

I didn't think Wara was being kept on?

 

[mudskipper]

Anyone willing to make any predictions on how the Brumbies will go with that squad? For both the Aus conference, and overall.

The Key is, can Jake White get these lads to defend as a solid group. If he can there is enough talent, speed and size to get points out wide and win matches... Those lads will be a hand full with fast ball. They're on tour in November and White has already employed specialists coaches to focus on the halves development is a massive positive. There are plenty of other squads rebuilding after the RWC besides the Brumbies... Jake White has made the hard calls and let go many and spread to overall squad depth and improved the specialist coaches. Fisher can get the pack working with the experience of Moore, Mowen, Auelua, Kimlin, Hoiles and Alexander. Larkham has had a year to work with the To'omua, Lealiifano and the Accountant. Gregan's tutorage of the halves will do wonders for any young player. New fitness coaches etc will freshen to whole group.

You'd have to say that the White - Larkham - Gregan combo has attracted some of the best available talent in OZ.

I think they can finish 2nd in the OZ conference and 4th-6th overall... Albeit if the defense works well.

 

[mackaboi]

yeh if they can get all their key combinations going as well as put up some formidable defence they could possibly make the finals. However it is a relatively young team and it will be hard to judge how they will go. I reckon they will be very competitive, much better than this year and pull off some good wins and i reckon they'll just miss out on making the finals

 

[Lee Grant]

I know I am in the minority but I thought that Giteau was one of the Brumbies best players last season and will be missed.

Sure I know his faults and have probably mentioned them on rugby forums earlier than most, but I thought his value to the team was higher than what people on this forum gave him credit for.

 

[TOCC]

I think next year will be too soon for them, they will battle it out with the Force for 3rd in 2012, 2013 is there next best shot...

Having a team with a 50% player turnover and new coaching structure will mean they will take time to adapt, they dont exactly have a core group of experienced/established players to really build around yet either.

 

[Ghibli]

The key is the defence. If they can defend with mongrel & intensity for 80 in every match, and do not get too many injuries, only good things can happen.

 

[Ash]

I think they are in a definite rebuilding phase, and will miss Gits. Keen to see how To'omua and Lealiifano go, as well as their new-ish pack of forwards.

To me the key is more the Brumbies' finishing than defence. Would like to see an improvement in that area. They had loads of ball, made plenty of breaks, but struggled to find that last pass or beat those last men or just be in the right place in support. If you look at the top couple of teams on the ladder they will tend to finish most of their chances.

I have no idea how the Brumbies will go next year. It's an interesting roster they have, lots of potential but plenty of unproven players. Whether they finish in the top half or bottom half of the table will depend on which players step up and which don't. Hopefully Jake White can get the most out of his young charges.

 

[DPK]

I hope they play like they did against the Reds every game. I don't even like the Brumbies, but even I loved watching the mental and physical toughness they showed that day.

I'm sure Jake White will be playing that tape to them at some point in the preseason.

 

[tranquility]

very exciting squad, loads of talent. be excited if your a pony's fan.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Anyone willing to make any predictions on how the Brumbies will go with that squad? For both the Aus conference, and overall.

Sorry I think it is a long road back for the Brumbies. There are barely any Wallabies and there will be a new combination at 9 & 10. I think they will be 4th or 5th in the Oz conference and at least bottom 5 and probably bottom 3 overall.

 

[mudskipper]

Sorry I think it is a long road back for the Brumbies. There are barely any Wallabies and there will be a new combination at 9 & 10. I think they will be 4th or 5th in the Oz conference and at least bottom 5 and probably bottom 3 overall.

Returning Wallabies, Moore, Alexander, McCabe
Fringe Wallabies, Kimlin,To'omua, Mowen
and some sharp U20 AUS players 2010-11, Faingga, Hooper, Coleman, White, Kuridrani, Tomane, Sitauti, Prior
Experienced OS, Auelua (France), Power (NZ ITM) Rossouw (S15 Bok) is still a possible

 

[Slim 293]

I wouldn't be particularly disappointed or surprised if they didn't finish much higher than this year due to the drop in experience, but as long as there are signs of improvement, and the team gets better over White's tenure I'll be happy.