Brumbies v Waratahs Trial

[RugbyReg]

Kick-off 7.45pm

Forwards: Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Matt Dunning, Nic Henderson, Matt Hodgson, Tim Fairbrother, Kieran Longbottom, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe (c), Richard Stanford, Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes.

Backs: Mark Bartholomeusz, Sam Harris, Dane Haylett-Petty, Stefano Hunt, Mitch Inman, James O’Connor, Chris O’Young, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Josh Tatupu.

Kieran and Stefano must be on the red eye tonight.

 

[louie]

louie - which fight were you talking about? There was more than one. What I didn't mention was the physicality and passion of the game. That will stand both sides in good stead.

one with justin H?

 

[spectator]

Enjoyed the report Lee...thanks.

Good on you Pete Betham, by all reports, particularly against the Franchise that dumped you. Didn't realise he had that much pace though.

 

[Zinzan]

I thought Brumbies better team on the night, treating the trial as a 'trial' & not kicking penaltys(we all know you can kick Berrick)

Brumbies:

Front row: Maafu was rubbish, Shepperdson not far behind. Moore poor lineout
Second Row: not enough mungrel from both
Back row: Hoiles had ripper 1st 60mins, Chapman (missing in action-need Elsom)

Inside Backs: Matt To'omua got better as game went on, looked like Lealiifano was doing alot of organising for him but looked more promising than last week. Lealiifano had high work rate, saw him tackling everything-solid game.

Outside Backs: Mortlock looked more dangerous with ball in hand on the wing, also at 13 got shown up for speed by Anesi on the outside. Tyrone Smith has had better games, had bad hands on the night just needs more game time at 13. Alfi Mafi had decent game but Sipa Taumoepeau looked the goods when he came on. Frankie is growing in confidence, showed his speed & fancy footwork. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) - what can I say...Wallaby fullback

Waratahs:

get the 'hero award' for trying to grind out tough win in a trial match.....another boring year from them.

best thing about tahs.....Lote Tuquiri going back to NRL.

Berrick & Hangers were rubbish, Beale, Betham & Holmes look like they want to play running rugby & looked good when they came on.

Forwards: made Brumby pack look like club side, very good game from B.Robinson & Co.

 

[TheRiddler]

17. Ofa Fainga'anuku (Eastern Suburbs)

Just doesnt look right. Traitor. Turncoat. How dare he leave the mighty Gordon?

 

[Lindommer]

...Pete Betham, by all reports, particularly against the Franchise that dumped you. Didn't realise he had that much pace though.

Betham's had a terrible run of injuries the last few years. In fact, IIRC he was carrying an injury in early 2007 when the Brumbies first signed him. Maybe he's now injury-free. If he doesn't snag a contract with the Tahs (they seem to have a lot of outside backs showing their wares, especially wingers) the Rebels could do worse. And he can play fullback.

 

[Lee Grant]

Talking of Joeys boy Lindommer - Zipper took the goal kicks for the Brumby Runners.

 

[Lindommer]

Talking of Joeys boy...

Who are they? What's so special about them? Are they all like Tilse? :nta: :nta: :nta:

 

[Lee Grant]

Fine words from a Joeys tragic.

Zinzan

Didn't agree on the 2nd row comment. Mark Chisholm was hoeing into work. Hand is nearly always anonymous and hasn't changed a lot since he went down the Hume Highway from Sydney. I'm surprised that the Brumbies use him so often - mind you they used Alister Campbell a lot.

Afusipa Taumoepeau looked good in the Runners game and when he came on in the main game . If he had more pace you'd give him a tick to be Mortlock's eventual replacement given that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is looking like a real fullback these days.

Another bloke who looked good in the Runners game was Jessie Mogg playing fullback. I saw him on the wing for Qld II Schools a few years back but haven't seen him as a senior player. Played well and can hoof the ball against the wind.

Tryone Smith was listless in both games. With Giteau back at the Brumbies and maybe playing 12, and if not him, maybe Lealiifano, his playing time could be curtailed.

 

[waratahs_2010]

Did the game answer any selection issues?

Brumbies

• 10. To'omua, 12. Giteau is a must if based on that one game of MT's.

• Googie was sucking in seagulls and he wouldn't be starting a game on that one showing.

• Props - The most impressive looking prop of the night who was not a Tah was Patricio Noreiga walking around the park. What a neck, and he still has the physique (which is more than what could be said of Jim Williams, who must have had a good Xmas.) Looked like he could have packed down better than some of the players. Let's hope that he can give the Brumbies scrum a few handy hints.

Ben Alexander will be available in Rd.2 last we heard but Rd 1 won't be pretty.


Waratahs

• Beale looks the goods at 12. He lifted the backs in the 2nd half, and did a bit of bossing too. Therefore Barnes is 10.

• Carter did not look like a 13. I spoke to a Tahs guy and he said that Horne would be ready to play next week – which was a very cagey answer. Sure. Sidey never got the ball when he came on. Horne can't be expected to start a game in Rd.1.

• Caldwell was supposed to play at Orange but got a slight hamstring tear. Very slight, said Tah man. He would be ready to play next week. Sure. He couldn't be expected to start – so who to partner Mumm? Dunno frankly, probably Thompson, who has a S14 contract and played OK. Jowitt definitely a bench candidate to cover lock and 6.. He's a goer.

• Anesi – almost a certainty at 15 but may be a short term sub at 13. Good footie player.

I would have liked to see this backline tried out in the trials.

9. Luke Burgess
10. Daniel Halangahu
11. Lachlan Turner
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Sosene Anesi
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Kurtley Beale

I like Beale at 15 because he has a very good all round game. He can kick, pass and run when called upon and looked sharp there for the Australian Under 20 side last year. With Rob Horne not having yet had a run due to injury, I would have been interested in seeing how Anesi can handle the 13 slot. I think he would have excelled there.