Brumbies 2017

[Highlander35]

Assuming you have Jooste or JJH at 12, you'll probably get away with it.

Particularly with the front foot ball the pack should continue to provide

 

[Viking]

Assuming you have Jooste or JJH at 12, you'll probably get away with it.

Particularly with the front foot ball the pack should continue to provide

I'm assuming we'll have Godwin at 12.

 

[Highlander35]

I'm assuming we'll have Godwin at 12.

Ah, Yes. Dumbass I am. Not convinced by his performances over the last couple of years, even for the Eagles this year, but if he can get close to his form in his first year to 18 months he'll be a good 2nd 5/8th for you guys.

 

[Brumby Jack]

2017 Draw is out today.

Here's a bit about it - No Waratahs game at home in 2017 though

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...down-in-2017-super-rugby-20160919-grjj4e.html

 

[Brumby Jack]

Brumbies 2017 draw in Full

Sat 25 Feb Crusaders Away
Sat 4 March Sharks home
Fri 10 March Force Home
Sat 18 March Waratahs Away
Sat 25 March Highlanders Home
Sat 8 April Reds Home
Sat 15 April Rebels Away
Fri 21 April Hurricanes Away
Sunday 30 April Blues Home
Fri 12 May Lions Home
Sat 20 May Kings Away
Sat 27 May Jaguares Away
Sat 3 June Rebels Home
Fri 7 July Reds Away
Sat 15 July Chiefs Away

 

[Brumby Runner]

Thanks BJ. No home game v the Tahs will be a financial burden (similar for the Tahs no home game v Reds apparently). Will need to have the finals spot locked away before the last two rounds I fear. Reds and Chiefs away is a difficult run into the finals.

Wellington near Anzac Day could well see a lot of use on the Singapore Airlines service.

 

[Slim 293]

So, just an update on the squad for next year........


PROPS

Scott Sio
Alan Ala'alatoa
Ben Alexander
Nic Mayhew
Les Makin
Faaleilei Sione (EPS)

HOOKERS

Saia Fainga'a
Josh Mann-Rea
Robbie Abel

LOCKS

Sam Carter
Rory Arnold
Blake Enever
Tom Staniforth

BACKROW

Scott Fardy
Jarrad Butler
Jordan Smiler
Chris Alcock
Lolo Fasikolea
Ben Hyne (EPS)
Robert Valetini (EPS)

SCRUMHALVES

Tomas Cubelli
Joe Powell
Ryan Lonergan (development contract)

FLYHALVES

Nic Jooste
Lilo

CENTRES

Kyle Godwin
Tevita Kuridrani
Andrew Smith
Jordan Jackson-Hope (EPS)

WINGS

Henry Speight
Nigel Ah Wong
Lausii Taliauli
James Dargaville

FULLBACK

Aidan Toua (sigh...)
Robbie Coleman


We still need a flyhallf and a competent fullback........

In fact our outside back stocks look a bit weak.

 

[Brumby Runner]

We still need a flyhallf and a competent fullback....

In fact our outside back stocks look a bit weak.

Yep - agree with your summary Slim. I'd also say we could do with another specialist No 7 too, but that's in ignorance of what someone like Valetini can do. I had forgotten that Lolo Fakisolea had signed. Could he be a potential starting No 8?

 

[mst]

^^ I think Alex Horan should get an EPS or development, Isaac Thompson as cover at full back and can kick (I would take him over Toua anytime ) on some deal, defiantly need a specialist 7 back up and I would be happy to gamble on a young bloke for a year.

I still think Dargaville could be a great fullback. If he moved I would be happy to give Eli Sinoti a shot.

As for the flyhalf issue - its slim pickings locally, so it again grab a young talent from somewhere, or the best JiD 10 (I like this option) or if you could swing it I would even take one of the standout 10's from the Mitre10.

But we have a log jam with the current roster so we will have to go without some of what we need.

If I had to cut bodies:
Ben Alexander (fantastic player but its time - we need to get past the sentimental stuff)
Nic Mayhew - taking the spot of local youngster
Saia Fainga'a - taking the spot of new blood
Jarrad Butler - good player but offers the team little atm sadly
Lolo Fasikolea - Reds didn't mind him going and shows no reason why we need him and the EPS boys can step up.
Kyle Godwin - form didn't warrant signing and we don't need rehab projects- better off trying to find new blood.
Aidan Toua - Just NO!
Robbie Coleman - he is a good fill in but that is it and its not enough.

 

[Brumby Runner]

All good thoughts MST.

I think I'd be happy to see how Fakosolea pans out in 2017 before writing him off. I'd also be willing to give Godwin the chance to see if he can regain some of his early career form and promise. The backline for next year looks to be a fairly large step down from previous 4 or 5 seasons, so an in form Godwin could be crucial. Will also be important to see if Christian and Henry can make it back to top form.

I am not an Aiden Toua critic like you. Certainly, his defense could do with some improvement, but he was one of the few attacking threats with ball in hand this year. And his kicking game is not quite so bad as some others, like failing to find touch with a penalty and then finding touch on the full in general play from outside the 22m along with a succession of poorly executed grubbers in general play as occurred in the one game versus the Rising last weekend.

I do agree that players like BA, Saia, Butler and Coleman have seen better days and have probably all stayed a year too long.

 

[Brumby Runner]

After a bit of reflection, I have to say that axing Benny A would be premature given the loss of two THPs from the squad for next year, Ruan Smith and Tyrell Lomax. Alexander will probably still be competing for the starting THP spot (assuming Allan Ala'alatoa stays at LH for the Brumbies) with Makin.

 

[neilc]

For all BA's seeming limitations, have their been players who have been good enough to take his place? I'm not saying there weren't, but wondering if from the coaches' point of view the challengers just weren't good enough, or whether it is felt that they missed out on attracting quality players to replace him because he was seen as protected?

I think Toua cops a lot of criticism from some but at least he seems to spark some attack, more so than some others in the backline.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I did think Ruan Smith would possibly supplant Benny A in the starting lineup in 2017, but sadly, he's gone.

 

[Lindommer]

If Allan Ala'alatoa packs down on his test side at THP (he should, he's been a 3 since.....) maybe Ben A can revert to his favoured, and best, side at LHP. What are the Ponies' stocks like at 1?

 

[Highlander35]

Sio starting, Mayhew as the benchy, Sione as the backup.

Not bad.

 

[Brumby Runner]

^^^^^ Not what I'd call not bad. Scott apparently has been carrying some sort of injury for some time according to reports elsewhere and might be inconvenienced further next year if it transpires he needs surgery. Don't know much about Mayhew, but if he was behind Ta'avao at the Blues, then I wouldn't be looking for him to set the world alight. Sione is fresh out of U20s and shows a lot of promise but not likely to be a Super Rugby LHP for next year. Incidentally, was outplayed by Tyrell Lomax in last weekend's NRC game imo.

AA needs to return to the LH side for the Brumbies just as soon as he can escape the clutches of the Wallabies' coaches at the end of the year. THP is not a problem for the Wallabies - Kepu, Robertson, Talakai, Toupou, etc.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Have to say that I've been impressed with Sam Carter's efforts in the NRC. Has shown an intention to attack the line and has made some good pacy breaks in some of the games. Great side step to score his meat pie a couple of games ago too. His NRC form has been streets ahead of anything Rob Simmons showed while in Qld Country.

Think the backline is looking a bit mediocre for 2017, especially if Christian doesn't make it back. Assuming we won't be finding another Super Rugby class No 10 any time soon, I'd think we might finish with something like :

Powell, Jooste, Taliauli, Godwin, Kuridrani, Speight, Toua.

Injury/form cover by Dargaville, Ah Wong and Andrew Smith. The roster seems to drop off markedly after that.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

His NRC form has been streets ahead of anything Rob Simmons showed while in Qld Country.

spot on.
I nearly choked in the pre-match v Argentina when Kearns suggested Simmons had been sent back to NRC to get hi game in order and it had worked: Kearns had not been watching the simmons performances I had.
Carter has offended someone.

 

[Train Without a Station]

IS surely a huge factor is one of those players trains with the team where it's game plan is likely based around who is in the team and them performing their best roles, while the other basically flies in on a Friday and plays Saturday without even training with the team.

 

[mst]

^^^^^ Not what I'd call not bad. Scott apparently has been carrying some sort of injury for some time according to reports elsewhere and might be inconvenienced further next year if it transpires he needs surgery. Don't know much about Mayhew, but if he was behind Ta'avao at the Blues, then I wouldn't be looking for him to set the world alight. Sione is fresh out of U20s and shows a lot of promise but not likely to be a Super Rugby LHP for next year. Incidentally, was outplayed by Tyrell Lomax in last weekend's NRC game imo.

AA needs to return to the LH side for the Brumbies just as soon as he can escape the clutches of the Wallabies' coaches at the end of the year. THP is not a problem for the Wallabies - Kepu, Robertson, Talakai, Toupou, etc.

Could not agree more. I have seen and personally experienced where influential coaches think changes are good (for their own benefit) and it ends up poorly for players.