Brumbies 2012

[tranquility]

Mudskipper, at what exact point over the last couple of weeks did you lose the plot?

 

[Moono75]

I don't think White will rush back McCabe just to play the Force... He doesn't need him to win at home.. Furthermore rugby fans.. The brumbies then have a week bye round 2 so he can guarantee time for McCabe for bigger challenges ahead...
Oops did I really post that I'v given White's tactics up... The Force have Pocock then zip...

The Force will be itching for a fight and have a good record against the Brumbies. Mudskipper your certainly putting it out there. If the Brumbies don't come through on Friday I think you will hear about it.

 

[hench]

To'omua vs Stannard?

 

[SuperGrover]

Interesting indeed. If Kimlin does start at 6, then Mowen (as captain) would have to play 8, meaning Vaea will either play 7 as in the trials or see a lot less game time.

Kimlin urged to step up for Brumbies
Crystal Ja
February 20, 2012

Brumbies coach Jake White expects big things from Peter Kimlin and has urged the versatile forward to not only lead by example in the 2012 Super Rugby season, but use it as a means to claw his way back into the Wallabies' line-up.

Kimlin played two Tests for Australia in 2009, but injuries have marred his chances since.
White had a long chat with Kimlin the other day about what exactly the Brumbies expect of him this year and it includes performances good enough to turn the eyes of Wallabies selectors.

"We haven't got a lot of experienced players left and it's time now that a lot of these players who've been in the system for a while to put their hand up," White said.

"And we know that one of the positions going forward in the Wallabies' set-up is (No.6) ... I'm hoping Kimmo uses this as an opportunity."

Kimlin can play in both the back and second row but sees himself as a blindside breakaway and will be hoping to make the No.6 jersey his own for the Brumbies this year. White is likely to start him there for their opening Super Rugby clash against the Western Force on Friday.

Kimlin is anticipating his best season yet after enduring a tough pre-season training regime under the notorious White.

"I'm probably the fittest I've ever been," said Kimlin, who re-signed with the Brumbies last year partly on account of White coming to the ACT franchise.

"Everyone aspires to play for their country and obviously if you've played it before you've had that taste and you want to get back to it."

White will name his starting XV against the Force on Wednesday, signalling there may be a few surprises in store.

"(Fans) might assume there are certain players around that might play," he said.
"But the one thing we've been genuine about is giving everyone a fair crack in the trials.
"Everyone who's played well in the trial deserves a chance to be up for selection."

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...d-to-step-up-for-brumbies-20120220-1tjgr.html

 

[fatprop]

Hopefully one of the best young 7s (Hooper) in the country returns home to Sydney next year

 

[mudskipper]

McCalman average
Sharpe old but good line out skills
Wykes injured nothing special
Brown average
Hodgo hot and cold loosie
Nalage not match fit
Cummins made of paper
Shep made of paper
Ma'afu good scrum but a 30 minute man

Brumbies will have these guys sorted not an issue. Pocock now has to captain as well as win ball, thats will be a massive distraction

 

[barbarian]

So Brumbies by how many MS? 30? 40?

 

[mudskipper]

The Force will be itching for a fight and have a good record against the Brumbies. Mudskipper your certainly putting it out there. If the Brumbies don't come through on Friday I think you will hear about it.

I always hear about it... I'm happy to back the boys when so many here want to cut them down... Force a very beatable at home for the Brumbies... especially without a specialist play maker... Their best half back is having to play flyhalf round 1...

 

[mudskipper]

So Brumbies by how many MS? 30? 40?

Brumbies by +10

 

[fatprop]

So we have a Kiwi Aus coach playing ABs light and a Bok coach hurtling away from a fetcher, this should be fun

 

[Godfrey]

I always hear about it... I'm happy to back the boys when so many here want to cut them down... Force a very beatable at home for the Brumbies... especially without a specialist play maker... Their best half back is having to play flyhalf round 1...

No one here wants to cut down the Brumbies - it's you cutting down everyone else!!!

 

[Ash]

So we have a Kiwi Aus coach playing ABs light and a Bok coach hurtling away from a fetcher, this should be fun

And this is the issue for me, if the Brumbies go 6. Kimlin, 7. Vaea, 8. Mowen, it will be an absolute disaster at ruck time for them, especially up against Pocock, Hodgson and McCalman.

Let's take last year as an example. The Reds against the Force and Tahs in the first two rounds played 6. Horwill, 7. Quirk, 8. Houston (Force) / Higgers (Tahs). And the Reds got reamed by both the Tahs and the Force at the breakdown as they were too slow and had no fetcher. When Robinson came on in both games it made a huge difference. See any parallels? Kimlin/Vaea/Mowen is a slightly worse backrow in my book than Horwill/Quirk/Higgers (although mudskipper and slim will obviously disagree), but the result will likely be the same against Hodgson and Pocock. It won't be pretty.

I am REALLY hoping White starts Hooper. Waiting for 60 minutes plus to get Hooper on could be a disaster.

 

[Slim 293]

I've always stated that my preferable backrow would be 6. Mowen 7. Hooper 8. Vaea

However, it looks like Vaea is going to be starting openside for this match at least... who knows what Jake has planned over the season but he's already spoken about rotation for players, so I'm sure Hooper and Fainga'a will have their opportunities.

Having not seen the trials, I'm just going to have to wait and see until Friday to see how they play as a pack.

However, an interesting stat (and yes, I'm well aware of how much higher Pocock and Hodgson are up on this table):

Most Pilfers​

1. Coenrad Oosthuizen (Cheetahs)​

15​

2. David Pocock (Force)​

12​

3. Matt Todd (Crusaders)​

10​

3. Patrick McCutcheon (Waratahs)​

10​

5. Matthew Hodgson (Force)​

9​

6. Francois Louw (Stormers)​

8​

7. Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)​

7​

8. Andrew Hore (Hurricanes)​

6​

8. Derick Minnie (Lions)​

6​

8. Ita Vaea (Brumbies)​

6​

8. Keegan Daniel (Sharks)​

6​

8. Michael Lipman (Rebels)​

6​

8. Nasi Manu (Highlanders)​

6​

8. Phil Waugh (Waratahs)​

6​

8. Scott Waldrom (Chiefs)​

6​

16. Beau Robinson (Reds)​

5​

16. Deon Stegmann (Bulls)​

5​

16. Duane Vermeulen (Stormers)​

5​

16. Rene Ranger (Blues)​

5​

16. Robert Ebersohn (Cheetahs)​

5​

 

[qwerty51]

Pilfers whilst a trait of an openside aren't the be all, it's a 7s ability to slow the ball down in the ruck as they're usually in every breakdown. There's no way Vaea will get to more breakdowns than Hooper.

Good to see McCutcheon so high despite playing the least amount of game time in that list.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Was that for the super season 2011?? If so then pocock missed half the year so very good on his behalf.

 

[Ash]

Yup, also a fantatic effort from Pocock. It's also for clean pilfers at the ruck as well I think, so forced penalties by the player holding on on the ground are not included.

 

[Brumby Jack]

The backrow contest this week will be one of the highlights of the match.
The Force have 3 recognised backrowers whilst the Brumbies have 2 genuine backrowers and 2 of those occupy the one position with the other some times a lock in Kimlin.

Jake White's thinking is that number 7 is a just a jersey number and a hallmark of the South African way.

 

[Ghibli]

Foxsport has two articles ranking the Brumbies as wooden spooners in 2012 (Clarkie & another one).
Free country, I guess. Apparently one of the main reasons for this prediction is the fact that 13 starters (many Wallabies) from 2011 left the team.
As a matter of fact, I attended a few Brumbies matches last year, and I think the main reason the Brumbies will do well this year is exactly because these players (excluding ACC) have left, in addition to obviously having a different coach.
Come what may, no complaints as long as the Brums play consistent, physical and intense rugby - no need to be a Wallaby to do that.

 

[Slim 293]

I read Clarkie's prediction, and he doesn't believe the young guys in this Brumbies squad will listen to Jake...

Strange comment...

 

[tranquility]

Yup, also a fantatic effort from Pocock. It's also for clean pilfers at the ruck as well I think, so forced penalties by the player holding on on the ground are not included.

Good point, I think if this was included Pocock would really put some daylight between him and the rest.