TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
I find the Brunbies v Drua game first up really intriguing.
Regardless of standings on the ladder, Drua in Fiji is one of the toughest games on the schedule and seems to take a big toll on teams the following week.
Brumbies have an imposing roster, but a couple of their players potentially need careful management. I’m mainly thinking Slipper, but also Ala'alatoa has had his issues. Larkham has done pretty well with building squad depth but he is already starting the season without two of his best forwards.
With Super Rugby being pretty much a sprint and top 2 being so important, does Larkham take his very best squad to Fiji (it is the opener after all) and just rely on them all getting through in good nick or does he hold back 2-3 of his players and rely on squad depth to manage the load for the first 2 weeks.
Given it is week 1 I know some will baulk at any suggestion player load should be managed one week in, but I think history shows the Fiji trip is particularly gruelling. Also I’m reminded of years gone by when Kiwi teams regularly gave their best players a slow intro to the year and accepted the risk of a slow start with the trade off being that they were firing at the business end.
Maybe I’m overthinking it and Larkham is not even contemplating playing anything but his best squad but I won’t be surprised if there is sone sqaud management for rounds 1 & 2.
Regardless of standings on the ladder, Drua in Fiji is one of the toughest games on the schedule and seems to take a big toll on teams the following week.
Brumbies have an imposing roster, but a couple of their players potentially need careful management. I’m mainly thinking Slipper, but also Ala'alatoa has had his issues. Larkham has done pretty well with building squad depth but he is already starting the season without two of his best forwards.
With Super Rugby being pretty much a sprint and top 2 being so important, does Larkham take his very best squad to Fiji (it is the opener after all) and just rely on them all getting through in good nick or does he hold back 2-3 of his players and rely on squad depth to manage the load for the first 2 weeks.
Given it is week 1 I know some will baulk at any suggestion player load should be managed one week in, but I think history shows the Fiji trip is particularly gruelling. Also I’m reminded of years gone by when Kiwi teams regularly gave their best players a slow intro to the year and accepted the risk of a slow start with the trade off being that they were firing at the business end.
Maybe I’m overthinking it and Larkham is not even contemplating playing anything but his best squad but I won’t be surprised if there is sone sqaud management for rounds 1 & 2.
