Brumbies 2018

[Slim 293]

Could form a nice partnership with JOC (James O'Connor) in the centres

I'd rather watch Kuridrani opposing JOC (James O'Connor)..........

 

[TOCC]

Horrible idea, TK is already playing enough rugby


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[Brumby Runner]

Have to call BS on this one mate... I count 7 Tahs likely to play test footy next year with Brumbies at 6 in the 23 with Reds and Rebs making up the difference 14 Speight (Wallaby) Currently in 23 13 Kuridrani (Wallaby) Currently in 23 10 Lealiifano (Wallaby) Probable backup 10 if returns to form. 9 Powell (Wallaby) back up for 23 8 Naisarani (Wallaby in waiting.... 7 Pocock (Wallaby) Will be when he returns next year. 5 Arnold (Wallaby) Was recently in 23 3 Ala'alatoa (Wallaby) Currently in 23 1 Sio (Wallaby) Currently in 23 Waratahs would expect to have Folau, Beale, Foley, Dempsey, Hooper, Kepu plus Phipps on the bench. Max 7 With return of Pocock, Slipper plus emergence of Uulese, Rodda and Tui and shortly eligibility of Taniela Tupau and Naisaranie I expect think the following tahs may get a gig periodically but only in the event of injury crisis. Latu, Hanigan, Simmons and

JJ, Simmons is now rated in the top 3 locks. He will stay in the squad and probably in the match day 23. Hanigan is one of the favoured. Will remain there as backup No 6 or to start if Dempsey moves to 8. Robertson might be in trouble if Slipper makes a successful return, but will still be needed in the squad for training and injury cover. Tahs keep 10 players in the 2018 Wallabies. Sio likely to drop to bench making way for Slipper. Arnold has dropped out of the top three locks and will be unlikely to make th match day 23. AAA has dropped below Kepu and will be bench cover at best. Naisarani won't be eligible I think until after the 2018 RC. Then he will have to battle Pocock, Dempsey and Holloway for a spot. Powell can't get 5 minutes game time with the Wallabies. If Ruru, Louwrens and Gordon emerge as expected he will drop out of the squad altogether. Lealiifano will never replace Foley and will probably be playing 12 for the Brumbies. There he will compete with Beale, Hodge, Hunt and Meakes. Very probably won't make the Wallabies squad. TK is in competition with Kerevi, who really should only play 12. Chance to stay in the 23. Speight is already on the outer, and there's Naivalu, Rona and Peni at least to beat for a bench spot. Unlikely to be in the 2018 squad. Tahs will have something like 12 - 14 Wallabies next year with possible ex-Force players moving there and Holloway hitting form. Brumbies, Reds and Rebels to provide probably only 9 - 12 between them. If the Tahs don't run away with the Aus conference in 2018, it will constitute a failure of epic proportions.

 

[Jagman]

Also Tupou becomes eligible for the last test of this year so AAA might finish the year out of the 23.

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[Jimmyjam]

JJ, Simmons is now rated in the top 3 locks. He will stay in the squad and probably in the match day 23. Hanigan is one of the favoured. Will remain there as backup No 6 or to start if Dempsey moves to 8. Robertson might be in trouble if Slipper makes a successful return, but will still be needed in the squad for training and injury cover. Tahs keep 10 players in the 2018 Wallabies. Sio likely to drop to bench making way for Slipper. Arnold has dropped out of the top three locks and will be unlikely to make th match day 23. AAA has dropped below Kepu and will be bench cover at best. Naisarani won't be eligible I think until after the 2018 RC. Then he will have to battle Pocock, Dempsey and Holloway for a spot. Powell can't get 5 minutes game time with the Wallabies. If Ruru, Louwrens and Gordon emerge as expected he will drop out of the squad altogether. Lealiifano will never replace Foley and will probably be playing 12 for the Brumbies. There he will compete with Beale, Hodge, Hunt and Meakes. Very probably won't make the Wallabies squad. TK is in competition with Kerevi, who really should only play 12. Chance to stay in the 23. Speight is already on the outer, and there's Naivalu, Rona and Peni at least to beat for a bench spot. Unlikely to be in the 2018 squad. Tahs will have something like 12 - 14 Wallabies next year with possible ex-Force players moving there and Holloway hitting form. Brumbies, Reds and Rebels to provide probably only 9 - 12 between them. If the Tahs don't run away with the Aus conference in 2018, it will constitute a failure of epic proportions.

The Brumbies are red hot favourites to win the conference, and if the tahs get 7 in the 23 they'll be peaking! Simmons is on the way out of the squad, Hanigan will give way to Dempsey/Pocock and find himself out of the 23, Robertson will be out to Slipper and will struggle to have any more than the bare 7.Holloway won't even start for the Tahs! Tahs have no o/s backs and the smallest pack in the competition! Absolute lightweight back 5 forwards with Simmons, Staniforth, Hooper Hanigan and Dempsey. Our o/s backs are basically shute shield quality. In fact if they don't pick up at least 5 quality force players they'll probably come last in the Aus conference. Tahs also a have the worst coach in the country.............. with Gibson currently putting them on a massive downward trajectory we'll be lucky to beat the Sunwolves this coming year!

 

[RoffsChoice]

National selection doesn't have to line up with provincial success. Hurricanes won Super Rugby at a canter in 2016 and then had exactly one player start for New Zealand two weeks later. Blues came dead last in NZ and had just as many players in the starting lineup.
Same in 2015, Highlanders win the title, only one player starting in the first RC game. Blues win three out of sixteen and have four players in the starting lineup.
Chiefs win in 2013 (hurts to remember), one player starting in the first RC game. Chiefs win in 2012, only two players in the first RC game.

As a Wallabies fan, of course I want the best players starting, and I think that Sio, Arnold, Pocock, and Kuridrani are nailed on in that respect, and that Ala'alatoa, Carter, and Powell should be on the bench. I expect Lealiifano to be involved in some form as well.
But as a Brumbies fan? I'd want no Brumbies picked for the Wallabies, we put on a couple of friendlies against either local clubs or the other Super sides to keep some form going, and not lose any momentum going into the end of the season.

But, long story short, take the Wallabies talk to the Wallabies thread.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Absolute lightweight back 5 forwards with Simmons, Staniforth, Hooper Hanigan and Dempsey. Our o/s backs are basically shute shield quality.

So, can you please explain why three of them currently comprise 60% of the Wallabies' starting side and one other is often a starter/bench option? The future sure looks rosy for Tom.

 

[Brumby Runner]

But, long story short, take the Wallabies talk to the Wallabies thread.

Yep, I'm done.

 

[Brumbieman]

So

Sio
Abel
AAA
Arnold
Carter
Valetini/Cusack
Pocock
Naisirani

Powell
Lealiifano
Muirhead
Dargaville
Kuridrani
Speight
Banks

Alexander
Mann Rea/Fainga'a
Makin?
Enever
Cusack/Valetini
Lonergan
Hawera
JJH



Fucken works for me!

 

[RoffsChoice]

Do you mean Folau Fainga'a?

 

[RoffsChoice]

Either way, the noises I'm hearing are that the only positions up for grabs at the Brumbies are 6 and 11. Apart from that, it looks like we're going to see:
1. Sio
2. Mann-Rea
3. Ala'alatoa
4. Arnold
5. Carter
6. Cusack/Valetini
7. Pocock
8. Naisarani
9. Powell
10. Hawera
11. Taliauli/Dargaville
12. Lealiifano
13. Kuridrani
14. Speight
15. Banks

Bench: Abel/Fainga'a, Mayhew/Sione, Alexander/Makin, Enever/Swain, Valetini/Cusack, Lucas, Godwin/Jackson-Hope, Dargaville/Taliauli.

 

[Brumby Runner]

That looks like the most likely line-up to me RC. I'd also see Fakosalea in the mix for bench 6/8.

I would rather Meakes as back up No 12, but am nearly resigned to him going to either the Rebels or the Tahs.

Any chance of Rona or Peni in the outside backs?

 

[Brumby Jack]

^ the latter.

K Train not leaving the station

 

[mst]

A little off topic but it it appears the Fardy's have a future Wallaby on their hands. Congratulations to them both.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaUh3L1AkIe/

 

[mst]

So with apparently 2 backs spots left who do you think should / will be be signed?

Do we need another 9 that brings in some more experience like Ruru or Louwrens? I am not sure we do.

Do we need another 10 option? Possibly. It would be nice to have another 10 but the best option going around would be Tayler Adams. But having 2x Kiwi 10's on the books? Its tempting as he looks the goods but it would have to be a long term investment and we do have Mack Hansen waiting in the wings and JJH can play 10 fairly well apparently.

Winger? Maybe to have another outright speedster would be good . Peni or Rona or do we go with a younger option? What about Ben Johnston? Huge boot, can cover at Full back and is a local?

My picks? I always like to give the local guys a chance so Johnston get a vote from me.

I am torn with the second slot. I like the ex-Stags boy (yep another ex-Stags) Adams even though he is a Kiwi. He could be a nice option to have if Lilo or Hawera went down or we need to change it up.

But i would prefer to sign up some local talent, give a young bloke an opportunity. I think he need to be a 10 or 12. Suggestions?

 

[Slim 293]

Definitely don't need another 9..........

I assume/hope Lonergan is on some kind of contract?

Personally I think Lucas should act as an experienced third option with Powell and Lonergan on the team sheet.

I doubt we'll get another 10/12 after giving Hansen a rookie contract and signing that Qld schoolboy, but I do wonder if that contract should've been given to the Marist kid that the Kiwis are chasing.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think the biggest need is for another No 12. I expect Christian will start there with Hawera at No 10. And while Dargaville has been sharp there as well, we are a bit thin if there's another long term injury/illness. Meakes would be an excellent get, but all the smoke signals are saying he's off to the Tahs.

Peni would fit in pretty good in the outside backs as well. Four top notch wingers in Speight, Peni, Taliauli and Muirhead, with Andrew M also covering No 15.

Slim, who's the QLD schoolboy signed? And in what position?

 

[Slim 293]

Brumbies have signed schoolboy Noah Lolesio for 3 years


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Plays in the centres.........

 

[RoffsChoice]

With Lolesio brought in as general centre cover, I'd like to see us re-sign Sione and bring in a more specialised 13 to develop; Robinson or Ikitau from the NRC would be good for either.

 

[MarkJ]

I think the biggest need is for another No 12. I expect Christian will start there with Hawera at No 10. And while Dargaville has been sharp there as well, we are a bit thin if there's another long term injury/illness. Meakes would be an excellent get, but all the smoke signals are saying he's off to the Tahs.

I know many don't rate him but while Godwin is still on the books I doubt they'll be chasing another 12