Brumbies v Waratahs Trial

[fatprop]

Mowen was 7 cover last season, Fitzpatrick at a pinch

 

[Lee Grant]

In a piece I wrote I mentioned 7 cover was a problem for the Tahs as was 13 cover.

Mowen has played 7 for Randwick, but not with distinction, Coridas can play there but hasn't played in any trial, so must be hurt. Hooker Freier wouldn't be the dopiest choice as 7 backup as I have mentioned before, but he hasn't played in any trial either; so he must be injured also. It's probably the reason why Luke Holmes has been called into the training group.

Alcock was given a rookie contract on the basis that he is Waugh's long term successor. He was chosen to start in the 1st trial but not for this match. Because just about every Tahs S14 contracted player is named in the 30, but for those explained above, Alcock must have got a knock.

McCaffrey is a promising player as Noddy mentions but unlike Alcock he's in the professional Academy, not the S14 group, and is only 19.

Fitzpatrick has played as flanker for Eastwood but he played on the blindside in the match I saw at Rat Park, whatever number he hand on his back.

 

[louie]

whereas Josh Holmes has the spark and X factor..at least that's what I saw in Lismore. Have to confess I like what I saw of Holmes in that game, but Mckibben is great insurance.

i would love to see holmes play well. he was so lazy for the bumbies the last few years.

 

[Lee Grant]

Maybe not so much lazy - as dozy. He lets the moment pass him by.

 

[Bruce Ross]

By the way Bruce, any idea what team Uni will be running out against the Brumby Runners?

Noddy, according to my sources the likely starting line up is:

1. Duncan Hardy
2. Clay Brodie
3. Nick Duffy
4. Dave McDuling
5. Sam Carter
6. Hugh Hawkins
7. Josh Ellice-Flynt
8. Adam Campbell/Anthony Pohlen
9. James Helliwell
10. James McMahon
11. Tom Kingston
12. Chris Jarvis
13. Richie Finau
14. Tom English
15. Rob O'Reilly

There are probably a lot of players in the list who would be unknown to most people, but it should be borne in mind that more than 30 players are unavailable because of franchise or Aussie Sevens involvements plus four who would have played but have left early on the Club's Argentina tour. There are quite a few Colts players.

Nevertheless I expect the boys to give the Runners a reasonably competitive match. Ben Roberts would have been the hooker but he has been called up to the Waratahs A squad for their match on Saturday.

For anyone going to the match players worth a close look would include Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 13.

 

[Lee Grant]

Thanks for that BR.

I rated 4. McDuling as a schools player and thought he may have an Academy spot by now. 7. JEF had a great schools tournament a couple of years ago; so I look forward to watching him again.

This will be Kingston's first senior game. He looked good last year in the schools tournament and made the EOYT. Manly will rue losing one of their juniors to Uni much as we Rats fans rued Waugh's going there years ago, but you have put a different light on things since you joined the forum.

When I looked at my programme from last year's Shute Shield Grand Final I saw that only fullback O'Reilly was in the matchday squad - on the bench.

IIRR Nick Edwards was with the Oz Sevens team. Do you rate him as anything more than a club player in the 15 man game?

 

[Bruce Ross]

IIRR Nick Edwards was with the Oz Sevens team. Do you rate him as anything more than a club player in the 15 man game?

My nickname for Nick has been for some time "playboy of the western world". It has only been a little bit over a year that he has really started to take his rugby seriously and put in the hours doing heavy strength and sprint work. He showed some of his real potential in last year's club premiership competition.

This year he has been playing Sevens for USA not Australia and he scored quite a few tries on the circuit. There is speculation that he will make their World Cup 15 man squad. As you would have noted, Lee, he is big, quick and strong with the characteristic strut of the sprinter. He still has a lot of rugby in front of him.

 

[Lee Grant]

I didn't realise he was playing for the USA, or had forgotten; so that would put the kibosh on an Australian pro career.

A pity, as you indicate: he had a stellar club season.

We see young players coming through all the time and we think this fellow and that will do well when they play senior rugby. But some of them had it so easy at school or just afterwards that they think that they can get by on natural talent and when they find out they need to put in the work to maintain their edge some of them aren't willing to do so.

It looks like Edwards was such a player until he saw the light, and I always thought that Peter Playford was of the same ilk.

Then there are others who fall away because they are more interested in a regular career and/or studies - and rugby becomes a secondary goal.

We don't factor in either of those matters into our thinking when touting young players for higher rugby honours and to be fair - we often don't have any knowledge of the facts. But finding out such things about some players down the track now and then can explain the apparent inexplicable.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Lee, just an observation on Pete Playford. It took me quite a while to realise that he was seriously quick.

He had the knack of only using just enough accelerator to get clear. And when he ran to the line he would never showboat. For that reason I think defenders underestimated him.

A few years back he scored 26 or 27 tries in a Sydney Premiership season with immaculate timing of running onto a pass or into a space but nothing particularly flashy.

 

[spectator]

Thanks for that BR.

I rated 4. McDuling as a schools player

Me too. Was McCaffrey in the same NSW schools team as McDuling?

 

[Lindommer]

Am I going blind? Who's the openside cover for the Tahs?

Beau Robinson. Did a magnificent covering for an injured Phil Waugh in 2007. One of those squad players who's without a doubt up to Super standard.

Ahh, wait, he's not on the payroll. Why not? :nta: :nta: :nta:

 

[Lee Grant]

spectator

Yeah - both in the NSW Ones in 2007 - and from the same school, "Riverview", also.

I thought McCaffery outplayed Jake Schatz in that tournament.

 

[Ishmael]

Am I going blind? Who's the openside cover for the Tahs?

Beau Robinson. Did a magnificent covering for an injured Phil Waugh in 2007. One of those squad players who's without a doubt up to Super standard.

Ahh, wait, he's not on the payroll. Why not? :nta: :nta: :nta:

I guess they're banking on the fact that the Orc is invulnerable to anything other than a blade forged in Mordor itself. Coridas is a good player but not really a S14 standard 7. Fitzpatrick would be my guess in case of emergencies.

 

[en_force_er]

Beau Robinson. Did a magnificent covering for an injured Phil Waugh in 2007. One of those squad players who's without a doubt up to Super standard.

isnt beau playing in italy? surely he figures in melbourne's plans. particularly if salvi doesnt come to play.

victoria just needs a couple of years to develop it's two very handy up and coming 7s, jack deguingand and dan concanon. keep an eye out for them. they are both under 20 and would be well and truly up to it with a couple of years of conditioning.

 

[Biffo]

isnt beau playing in italy? surely he figures in melbourne's plans. particularly if salvi doesnt come to play.

Here we go again - anyone who is not contracted or likely to be contracted to the other four Australian S14 teams MUST be in Melbourne's plans. :angryfire: It just won't happen that way.

 

[Lindommer]

Yer might be right there, Biffo, but Beau SHOULD be in Melbourne's sights. An experienced player of Super standard who can't get a gig in Oz, just what they need.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Who do you think has a batter wet weather game?Because it's just started pissing down in Canberra!

oh and C Gayle 134 0ff 86 in the PM's XI game...which will no doubt be called off now

 

[Wood.N.Spoon]

Email from Brumbies

Pre Season Match
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Kick-Off: 7.30pm local time
Viking Park, Canberra
This match will not be televised.
Line-Up
CA Brumbies-Position
1. Salesi Ma'afu-Loosehead Prop
2. Stephen Moore-Hooker
3. Guy Shepherdson-Tighthead Prop
4. Ben Hand-Lock
5. Mark Chisholm-Lock
6. Mitchell Chapman-Blindeside Flanker
7. George Smith-Openside Flanker
8. Stephen Hoiles (C)-No.8
9. Josh Valentine-Scrumhalf
10. Matt To'omua-Flyhalf
11. Francis Fainifo-Wing
12. Christian Lealiifano-Inside Centre
13. Stirling Mortlock-Outside Centre


No 14 Not Named ?????


15. Adam Ashley-Cooper-Fullback

Reserves
16. Huia Edmonds
17. John Ulugia
18. Justin Harrison
19. Henry Vanderglas
20. Patrick Phibbs
21. Tyrone Smith
22. Afusipa Taumoepeau

 

[Bruce Ross]

Email from Brumbies

Pre Season Match
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Kick-Off: 7.30pm local time
Viking Park, Canberra
This match will not be televised.
Line-Up
CA Brumbies-Position
1. Salesi Ma'afu-Loosehead Prop
2. Stephen Moore-Hooker
3. Guy Shepherdson-Tighthead Prop
4. Ben Hand-Lock
etc.

Perhaps Brumbies supporters are not as rugby-cognizant as I would have assumed. It's a bit of a worry when those on the franchise's mailing list have to be told that Jersey 1 is worn by the loosehead prop and Jersey 2 by the hooker.

 

[Newb]

i think it was hinted that mafi would fill the other wing spot