Brumbies 2017

[Hugh Jarse]

^^^^^ One has already left God's Own Country when One departs AUS.

End. Of. Story.

I get your point but there are less options for flying SYD-WLG than there are for SYD-AKL. That is a consideration.

South Wairarapa wine is mostly tame Pinot Noirs. Pffft. Get me some real wine with some body and character. I do note that, for the VB drinkers, there is a Tui Brewery near Masterton (mangatainoka). Beer drinkers may want to avoid that detour.

Wellywood on a calm day is a very attractive town and AKL (jaffaland to some) is a just another sprawling city,

 

[Brumby Jack]

Anyway, back on track..

 

[hammertimethere]

Gee it's good that Banks is a talented finisher with a solid kicking game and we're all getting along

 

[mst]

Gee it's good that Banks is a talented finisher with a solid kicking game and we're all getting along

It started off innocently......

 

[brokendown]

Nothing, I repeat NOTHING is worth flying to Auckland unless you really, really, REALLY have to Smart option is to fly into Wellywood, hire a car, head over the Rimutaka Hill & check out the South Wairarapa wine & food trail en route to Napier. Or go straight there: ~3 hours via the Manawatu Gorge, a bit longer if it's closed & you've gotta use the Saddle or the Pahiatua Track.

EDIT: upside of of the latter option(s) is that in order to get to the Gorge/ Saddle/ Track, one must first pass through God's Own Country aka the 'nua

you mean banjo country?

 

[Lindommer]

Settle down, bd, wob didn't refer to Queensland.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

The 'nua is more ukulele than banjo

 

[mst]

Good to see a little bit of initiative and it will be interesting to see if it actually happens and if there are any benefits. Could work in well with our sponsor, Canberra also has an established sister city relationship with Beijing.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...old-trial-games-in-china-20161114-gsovtf.html

 

[mst]

NZ quakes close to home for some Brumbies players:

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...ies-and-canberra-raiders-20161114-gsovru.html

 

[Brumby Runner]

Next year's squad by position looks to be :

LHP : Sott Sio, Nic Mayhew, Faaelei Sione;

No 2 : Saia Fainga'a, Josh Mann-Rea, Robbie Abel;

THP : Allan Ala'alatoa, Ben Alexander, Les Leulua'iali'i Makin;

No 4 : Rory Arnold, Tom Staniforth;

No 5 : Sam Carter, Blake Enever, Ben Hyne;

No 6 : Scott Fardy, Jordan Smiler, Tom Cusack;

No 7 : Chris Alcock,

No 8 : Jarrad Butler, Lolo Fakaosilea;

No 9 : Tomas Cubelli, Joe Powell, Ryan Lonergan;

No 10 : Nic Jooste,

No 11 : Lausi Taliauli, James Dargaville,

No 12 : Kyle Godwin, Anthony Fainga'a, Jordan Jackson-Hope;

No 13 : Tevita Kuridrani, Andrew Smith,

No 14 : Henry Speight, Nigel Ah-Wong;

No 15 : Aidan Toua, Tom Banks

Have ignored Pocock and Lealiifano who still appear in the squad on the website.

Forwards look to be a bit light on at Nos 7 and 8, while the backs are missing a No 10 to either start or back up Jooste. Hopefully Wharenui Hawera will prove to be up to the job.

Any other spots yet to be filled on the roster for 2017?

 

[MarkJ]

Here's the official squad list released tody, only difference from the names in the earlier post seems to be the addition of Rob Valetini plus they're still listing Lealiifano.

BRUMBIES 2017 SQUAD

PROPS

Allan Ala'alatoa
Ben Alexander
Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin
Nic Mayhew
Scott Sio
Faalelei Sione
HOOKERS

Robbie Abel
Saia Fainga’a
Josh Mann-Rea
LOCKS

Rory Arnold
Sam Carter
Blake Enever
Tom Staniforth
LOOSE FORWARDS

Chris Alcock
Jarrad Butler
Tom Cusack
Lolo Fakaosilea
Scott Fardy
Ben Hyne
Jordan Smiler
Rob Valetini
SCRUMHALVES

Tomás Cubelli
Ryan Lonergan
Joe Powell
INSIDE BACKS

Anthony Fainga’a
Kyle Godwin
Jordan Jackson-Hope
Nick Jooste
Christian Lealiifano
OUTSIDE BACKS

Nigel Ah Wong
James Dargaville
Tevita Kuridrani
Andrew Smith
Henry Speight
Lausii Taliauli
FULLBACKS

Tom Banks
Aidan Toua

 

[Brumby Jack]

Isaac Thompson and Wharenui Hawera are also trialling for a spot at 10

 

[Brumby Runner]

No 10 still looks to be the spot with least cover. A thought I had some time ago; Toua might be able to make the transition. He fills in at first receiver a lot from full back, has a strong kick if not well directed, and if anyone can make it work it would be Bernie Larkham.

 

[mst]

No 10 still looks to be the spot with least cover. A thought I had some time ago; Toua might be able to make the transition. He fills in at first receiver a lot from full back, has a strong kick if not well directed, and if anyone can make it work it would be Bernie Larkham.

The only problem with the idea is the coaching consultant you refer to has very limited availability and the current head coach has limited experience with backs.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Yeah MST, looks like the HC might have had quite a bit of say in the makeup of the squad with a particular emphasis on the forwards. Expect to see a continuation of the rolling maul being the main weapon in the 2017 armory.

 

[mst]

I noticed the media article during the week mentioned that while the consultant is away the HC has had to put all this year’s plans together so far and he was a little nervous doing all himself but thought it was a good chance was a good chance to show his stuff before his appointment interview for the permenant HC role.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...ephen-larkhams-last-year-20161120-gstax8.html


So I don't get the logic? We are thin on the ground @10, an injury would be a major drama, form will be an issue so why not sign the last 2, even if one is on a "good" EPS deal especially when some key players will be missing until just prior to kick off.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...liifano-and-matt-To'omua-20161121-gstzhh.html

 

[Brumby Runner]

On the question of 10s, does anyone know if Sinclair (? Northern Suburbs and Rays) is signed anywhere?

 

[mst]

I find it disconcerting that the key section decision of 2017 is being made in part a at distance and reliant on from videos of training sessions.

Personally I think they should sign both.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...d-for-super-rugby-chance-20161201-gt1rzc.html

 

[louie]

Words can't describe how negligent Larkham has been in his time as Brumbies head coach. Putting is on selfish ambition ahead of the future of the team. He should have walked when offered the wallabies job.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Words can't describe how negligent Larkham has been in his time as Brumbies head coach. Putting is on selfish ambition ahead of the future of the team. He should have walked when offered the wallabies job.

Welcome to professional rugby.

Bernie going might actually be a godsend.

As a Reds supporter I'd love to have Bernie there at athe Brumbies.

Having said that I reckon he is the only Wallaby Coach that by the end of the Tour his department had actually improved quite a bit. The rest sucked !