Brumbies 2017

[Slim 293]

I really hope they don't take on the Ballymore approach in their search for a new coach.........

The team requires a new direction.

 

[Slim 293]

The Crimes also mentions that there are 20 players off contract at the end of the year, highlighting Carter, Fardy, Butler, Cubelli and Kuridrani amongst them.........

Anyone know the full list?

Both Fainga'a twins only signed on for one year, and surely an overseas stint beckons?

I'm also fairly certain that Abel also only signed on for an extra year, and Mann-Rea must be at the end of his contract?

Maybe the Brumbies can pluck Ready from the Reds?

I'm certain Alexander only signed on for another year and will surely move on...........

This is the last year of Toua's contract, and I pray to the old Gods and the new that he is not around next year..........

I don't recall if Enever re-signed a new contract in the past year or so, so he might be in his last year too? If that's the case I can't imagine we can hold onto both Carter and Enever, particularly as the Tahs and the Rebels are both lacking in quality starting locks.........

Cubelli will be gone having completed the 2 year foreign marquee tenure.........

I'm confident we'll retain Kuridrani if he wants to be around for the next RWC, but the money coming from Europe will be very tempting.

 

[Hawko]

I'm confident we'll retain Kuridrani if he wants to be around for the next RWC, but the money coming from Europe will be very tempting.

I would not be sure on that score, I reckon the chances are less than 50-50. Kuridrani only got his spot back due to Kerevi's injury. He is still clearly number 2 for the Wallabies and because his positioning is fairly limited right now a spot in the 23 is not assured. And despite Cheika's desire to have Folau at fullback, if Folau has another great year at 13 for the Tahs then maybe he'll drop to number 3.

He would earn big money in either France or England because he suits the style and ground conditions there. In Canberra I doubt he's anything but mid-ranked on money and mid to low on the Wallaby top-up. The only thing holding him back in Oz is the next RWC, but he mightn't even make the team, so that's a big doubt.

 

[Slim 293]

I disagree, because his form on the EOYT means he's definitely not clearly the no 2 for the Wallabies.......... it's now going to come down to form/fitness.

And I doubt Foley will move Folau to 13 considering his options in both positions.

 

[Dave Beat]

The Crimes also mentions that there are 20 players off contract at the end of the year, highlighting Carter, Fardy, Butler, Cubelli and Kuridrani amongst them...

Has the Canberra Vikings unearthered any new local talent that can progress through?

 

[Forcefield]

I'm with Slim on Kuridrani. Not cleatly No 2. Great to have two good options. A couple more in the wings too.

 

[Scrubber2050]

TK is No 2 behind Kerevi. Sure he played well in a couple of games on EOYT but most would agree last season's super form was fairly average.

TK will take the money

 

[Brumby Runner]

Kuridrani's poor form (not that it really was - just a drop off his previous form) was due to injury. On the EOYT, he showed he was back to near his best, and because he is a proven performer at test level over a number of years, arguably he is still just in front of Kerevi. Will be interesting to see if Kerevi comes back as good as ever in the short term after his injury.

However, the best combination in the centres for the Wallabies would be Kerevi at 12 and TK at 13. Could be a point of difference at the 2019 RWC. I think TK will stay on at the Brumbies after 2017.

 

[RebelYell]

TK is No 2 behind Kerevi. Sure he played well in a couple of games on EOYT but most would agree last season's super form was fairly average.

TK will take the money

Incorrect. He may take the money, but he is ahead of Kerevi on the basis of his Spring Tour.

 

[mst]

I really hope they don't take on the Ballymore approach in their search for a new coach...

The team requires a new direction.

I couldn't agree more but don't hold your breath.

The sceptic in me believes it will be the usual formula: little money + nepotism (qualifications are irreverent - we need to be besties)+ splash of stupidity (this part could be having Bernie help in the process that brings the same viewpoints we should be moving away from) = new coach.

I think it will be the current HC McKeller being confirmed (well he has been doing it for the last 6mths) and the consultant will just go on leave and tinker around the edges until just before June.

My choice would have been Wisemantle but I don't know his availability.

It's funny when you consider for a professional club, that if the current Brumbies coach wasn't a "clubs son and legend" would the coaching arrangements of the last 12mths been accepted or tolerated by the club or the fans?

 

[mst]

Contracts expiring in red (from what I recall - feel free to correct me). I am not sure if the 20 included EPS contracts which if not will push the number above 20.

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
Wharenui Hawera
OUTSIDE BACKS

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

Tom Banks
Aidan Toua[/quote]

 

[Slim 293]

Nice work mst... trying to predict the future from that list:​

​

Alexander......... overseas/retirement​

​

Makin......... good young local talent - Brumbies should re-sign him​

​

Abel......... very promising in the 2015 NRC - if he can bring that form to Super Rugby then the Brumbies should re-sign him.​

​

S Fainga'a......... overseas money beckons, but if the Brumbies can't can't sign a quality hooker he might be worth trying to hang onto for another year?​

​

Mann-Rea......... overseas/retirement.​

​

Carter......... he'll either re-sign or head overseas - I doubt we'll lose him to a rival team.​

​

Enever......... depends on whether or not the Brumbies retain Carter - could get a starting spot at the Tahs or the Rebels IMO.​

​

Fardy......... hopefully re-signs - should still make the 2019 RWC.​

​

Butler......... hopefully re-signs as he's a good flexible bench player, but he's not going to make the Wobs squad so overseas money would be tempting.​

​

Alcock......... overseas - I can't imagine him wanting to stay when Pocock returns.​

​

Smiler......... I suppose it depends on his family situation? If his child is well, then surely he'll have another crack at France.​

​

Cubelli......... gone.​

​

Fainga'a......... depends on what Saia does I suppose?​

​

Jackson-Hope......... promoted to full-time contract.​

​

Hawera......... let's see how he goes this year.​

​

Kuridrani......... need to re-sign.​

​

Smith......... overseas.​

​

Taliauli and Ah-Wong......... depending on form - keep one, cut the other.​

​

Toua......... BANISHMENT!!!​

​

​

 

[mst]

Ah, tis a predictable script;

• Of course the contracting won't be a distraction from coaching:
• McKellar is the frontrunner for HC (Balleymore carpark worldwide search MkII)

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...ter-of-offcontract-stars-20170121-gtw05k.html

 

[mst]

Thanks Slim.

So my thinking in red:

Alexander... overseas/retirement Yep - time to top up the retirement funds.

Makin... good young local talent - Brumbies should re-sign him Keep

Abel... very promising in the 2015 NRC - if he can bring that form to Super Rugby then the Brumbies should re-sign him. Need to pick up his form after a tough and sad 2016 off field

S Fainga'a... overseas money beckons, but if the Brumbies can't can't sign a quality hooker he might be worth trying to hang onto for another year? Happy to carry his bags to the airport.

Mann-Rea... overseas/retirement. If he performs this year keep him as he is a good club-man.

Carter... he'll either re-sign or head overseas - I doubt we'll lose him to a rival team. Agree

Enever... depends on whether or not the Brumbies retain Carter - could get a starting spot at the Tahs or the Rebels IMO. It would be nice to keep him but he needs game-time otherwise he is wasted.

Fardy... hopefully re-signs - should still make the 2019 RWC. Agree (and as Captain)

Butler... hopefully re-signs as he's a good flexible bench player, but he's not going to make the Wobs squad so overseas money would be tempting.Hard choice this one as I really like the bloke but his is surplus to our needs and need to be let go.

Alcock... overseas - I can't imagine him wanting to stay when Pocock returns.I think he may have a shot at some good game time next year and push a returning Pocock. It could be worth him gambling on one more year and see how the dust settles.

Smiler... I suppose it depends on his family situation? If his child is well, then surely he'll have another crack at France. Agree

Cubelli... gone. One more year would be nice.

Fainga'a... depends on what Saia does I suppose? I will carry his bags to!

Jackson-Hope... promoted to full-time contract. have a gut feeling he could be an option at 10

Hawera... let's see how he goes this year. Probably need him as cover for one more year.

Kuridrani... need to re-sign. Yes, but some time away and a change could refresh and refocus him. A playing sabbatical to Japan or Europe on a injury wildcard?

Smith... overseas. Agree.

Taliauli and Ah-Wong... depending on form - keep one, cut the other. If they perform I would keep them both.

Toua... BANISHMENT!!! Amen, but it depends on who we sign at 10 so we can reshuffle to cover. What the bet he will now play the house down now we have marked him for departure. He could be a wing option.

 

[dru]

Ah, tis a predictable script;

• Of course the contracting won't be a distraction from coaching:
• McKellar is the frontrunner for HC (Balleymore carpark worldwide search MkII)

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...ter-of-offcontract-stars-20170121-gtw05k.html

I had assumed I was mis-reading things. By 12 months.

MST - is this right? Brumbies have unresolved contracts for over a dozen players? And have started a search now for a new coach to be resolved by Feb?

We're only a couple of weeks out for goodness sake? The coach list will be short and cant involve any internationals.

Crazy.

 

[Brumby Jack]

The coaching situation is for 2018, not 2017.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Conal McInerny (?) should be a handy replacement Hooker for any one of those who are likely to depart.

Then there can be expected that a couple of U20s this year will step up to the main squad in 2018. People like Tom Ross, Darcy Swain, Rob Valetini, Jamie Kotz, Ryan Lonergan and Nick Jooste (some of whom are already in the squad of course).

Expect Lolofakosolea to also step up this year.

Who else should we be keeping an eye on at club level or U20s, or returning from o/s?

 

[TOCC]

I hope Lolo steps up, but after watching him the last couple of years I can't help but feel he earned his way to a professional contract on the back of developing physically well before his schoolboy peers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I don't see how 20+ players coming off-contract at the same time represents anything other than an epic fail on the part of the board. Sure, you don't want them deciding who gets offered a deal to come or stay but surely it's up to them to ensure that there's a retention & recruitment program (& funding) in place?

Having 20+'guys coming off- contract simultaneously is madness. There's no way you can keep them all & if you lose more than 10-12, esp if some are in key positions, its gunna take 2-3 years to recover. Similarly, the board have known for some time that this would be Larkham's last year, why didn't they start looking for a successor as soon as they found out about it?

The Clubs need to be asking some questions & unseating some people (I'd start with the Chairman) at the AGM & if they don't then the Club members should take matters into their hands. Or is the ACT rugby community so tiny & inter-dependant that a cleanout is impossible?

 

[mst]

I had assumed I was mis-reading things. By 12 months.

MST - is this right? Brumbies have unresolved contracts for over a dozen players? And have started a search now for a new coach to be resolved by Feb?

We're only a couple of weeks out for goodness sake? The coach list will be short and cant involve any internationals.

Crazy.

Yep, the coaching change is this year (yes in the next few weeks - applications only closed recently) but the contracts are for 2018. The sheer volume of contract issues is the next worrying part.

The Brumbies management style could be equated to living from week to week as there appears to have been no strategic planning whatsoever. But then again it been widely reported the Larkham sat at his desk at Brumbies HQ for the first-time just prior to Christmas, which was the first time in more than than 4mths.

If they do appoint a new coach (and by new not McKellar who is essentially doing the job) the new coach will find themselves in a similar situation to what Jake White inherited in respect to contract.

Crazy is not far off the mark sadly and its an incredible situation for an allegedly professional sporting organisation.