Brumbies 2016

[mst]

Heard a lot of people being negative about having Toua at fullback after last night; while the kicking was shocking on the night, I think he's been a marked improvement on Mogg. If nothing else, I feel a lot safer on defence. What's the general feel on how he's been around here?

Also, Dargaville and Ah Wong were both defensively impressive, and Dargaville put a lot of work into making bad box and chip kicks (surely the kicking was an instruction from Larkham?) look decent. Obviously the Ah Wong try was good. Coleman may well end up benched when To'omua comes back.

I agree with the comments in your second paragraph, but as for Toua, no - defensively very poor and I don' t think he is an improvement at all. He has been found wanting on several occasions (can't tackle, poor positioning etc) and only occasionally do we see his much touted "flair' running which really has produced very little and I would say Mogg was better at on the rare occasions he did run. Personally I would feel more confident with Dargaville at the back than Toua.

IMHO we should already be looking for another full back or considering options as he just isn't up to the standard we need, or Super Rugby level to be frank.

He didn't produce at the Reds (10 caps), he lasted less than half a season at 15 (about 6 games IIRC) for the Pro D2 team Agen before they replaced him at 15, and his game time then was off the bench or playing on the wing (20 caps in 30 games). So as I said at the time, I still question why we signed him.

I would even be happy with an SOS to maligned Goramauru to fill in for the rest of the season? (A swap or trade with the Reds would be even better!).

 

[Slim 293]

Heard a lot of people being negative about having Toua at fullback after last night; while the kicking was shocking on the night, I think he's been a marked improvement on Mogg. If nothing else, I feel a lot safer on defence. What's the general feel on how he's been around here?

Nup..... no way......... not in any facet of play has Toua been an improvement on Mogg...........

Despite some of Mogg's brainfarts (which there were certainly more of in his last two seasons), the guy was rightfully good enough at one point to be a Wallaby........

Toua has not shown any of the attacking brilliance that Mogg displayed at times throughout 2012 - 2013.........

Mogg's kicking was infinitely better, as was his general ball skills.

The only comparable attribute is that they're both lousy in defence, but I think that Mogg, despite being a weak tackler, was a superior defender.......... Toua does not even get himself into a position to make a tackle.

So far Toua has shown that he can't pass (how many of his passes go to nobody?!), can't kick, can't attack or defend........ he needs to go and play club rugby for a really long time.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Personally I would feel more confident with Dargaville at the back than Toua.

IMHO we should already be looking for another full back or considering options as he just isn't up to the standard we need, or Super Rugby level to be frank.

That's an interesting suggestion, and one I really like now that I think about it (he does have a touch of the good version of McCabe about him). Also easier (in theory) to find a new winger than it is to find a new fullback.

If we were to grab a new one, that's more tough; I can't think of anyone in Super Rugby, and I can only think of Tom Marshall and Alfi Mafi in Europe. From the NRC, I know Isaac Thompson can play fullback in a pinch. Maybe Andrew Robinson, the Vikings/Stars utility back?

Toua has not shown any of the attacking brilliance that Mogg displayed at times throughout 2012 - 2013... Mogg's kicking was infinitely better, as was his general ball skills.

I'd agree that some club rugby would do him the world of good, and Mogg was the better attacking player by miles, but there have been quite a few one-on-ones where Toua did his job well and prevented the try. Then again, Cubes has been making massive tackles, and it's not a good sign that the halfback is outperforming you.

 

[Brumbieman]

Mogg at his worst is about as competent as Toua has been.

Its been truly impressive how shit he has been. He's being used the wrong way. He's a strike runner, not a playmaker.

I'd seriously play Ant Fainga'a at fullback ahead of Toua at this stage, which says a lot

 

[Brumbieman]

We should be playing this:

Cubelli
Lilo
Taulialialaialaialiiilala
Dargaville
Kuridrani
Ah Wong
Coleman

Powell
Toua


For next week. We get To'omua, Speight and Tomane back after the next two game.

 

[Slim 293]

To'omua likely not back for another 6-8 weeks.........

 

[RoffsChoice]

Losing To'omua for so long is pretty devastating. When Tomane and Speight are back, they slot back in easily.
When they're back, I'd be going for a backline of Cubes-Lilo-Tomane-Dagarville-Kui-Speight-Toua (going to stick by my comments on his good defending). Powell-Coleman-Ah Wong bench.

I sympathise with the anti-Toua sentiment, but even Jesse Mogg at his worst was preferable to Coleman at fullback, and we've even started Lealiifano there instead of Coleman. For all his attacking talent, Coleman is a liability on defence. If Larkham decides to bench Toua, I hope it's for Dargaville.

 

[Slim 293]

I'm pretty sure an inanimate carbon rod could defend as well as Toua........

It would at least not move out of the way of an attacking player to avoid making a tackle.

 

[Ash]

To'omua likely not back for another 6-8 weeks...

Brumbies have Rebels, bye, Sunwolves, international break (whole of June). That's maybe 7 or more weeks with just 2 games. So I reckon To'omua is a good chance to be back after the next two Brumbies games.

 

[Slim 293]

Ah yes...... for some reason I thought the test break was further back.

 

[Brumby Runner]

It's a difficult call on Toua. Certainly would like to see his line kicking improve if he is to be kept on in that role. I think he's been very active and involving himself in a lot of plays, so if anything his errors might be emphasised in some eyes. I do like the way he slots into No 10 on the blind side after a backline move. Christian seems to be running to the side a fair bit, causing the backline to crab towards the sideline, but then they have the option of going back the other way through Christian or use the short side in a much more direct fashion through Aiden as the first receiver invariably running much straighter.

I think he is promising enough to persist with, but he really needs to get the line kicking errors out of his game.

No way would I have Robbie at 15 before Toua. He was ok at 12 without being any particular threat to the defense, but I do not like seeing him at wing or fullback.

 

[Slim 293]

I do like the way he slots into No 10 on the blind side after a backline move. .

I don't, because his decision making has been horrendous and he often passes the ball to nobody...........

Maybe he needs to involve himself in less plays?

My suggestion is that he just hang by the goal posts, and if he needs help just blow into a whistle.

 

[cyclopath]

I'm pretty sure an inanimate carbon rod could defend as well as Toua....

It would at least not move out of the way of an attacking player to avoid making a tackle.

I'd vote for that.

 

[Slim 293]

 

[Brumby Jack]

 

[Brumby Runner]

Think it might have been that try that had the Brumbies keen to sign him this year.

 

[lou75]

Brumbies now top of the Aus conference at 25 with five games to go - predictions: B def Rebels, Sunwolves, Reds (though close), Blues & Force (also close) = 20 points total 45 points (without allowing for possible bonus points). Way behind NZ teams, but still in the top 8. If we do defeat Rebels and they win their other five games, they go to 43 and don't make the top 8 - a very important game for both teams.

 

[Brumby Runner]

A big call to win all those games, especially against the Blues in Auckland. And you seem to have forgotten the Tahs who are well and truly in the box seat now to win the Aus conference.

 

[Slim 293]

The Brumbies still have a bye to come, but a much easier draw than the Tahs and the Rebels, who both still have to play some of the top Kiwi teams.........

 

[Brumby Runner]

Sure, but atm the top of the Aus conference is the Tahs to lose. Equal points with a game in hand must have them as favourites, given the Brumbies up and down form as well.