Brumbies vs Waratahs - 2011R06

[Slim 293]

If whoever is selecting the Brumbies team does this then we need to specifically target the lineout with Douglas, Mumm and Dennis/Mowen. But I can't believe they would, it would be nuts.

You don't believe they would?

Have you been paying attention to the 2011 Brumbies?!

I expect there to be no unforced changes because according to captain/coach/grand master Giteau everything is going great!

 

[Slim 293]

Oh for fuck's sake...

Gits's flyhalf stretch goes on

BY CHRIS DUTTON, RUGBY UNION
23 Mar, 2011 08:47 AM

It's the selection which continues to divide ACT Brumbies fans ahead of their sink-or-swim clash with the NSW Waratahs on Saturday night.

But Brumbies coach Tony Rea will persist with Matt Giteau at flyhalf as the team battles to keep its Super Rugby campaign alive at Canberra Stadium.

Rea will name his team tomorrow for the must-win round-six match. And while Giteau appears to have a hold on the No10 jersey, the coach is expected to make a host of changes in an attempt to ignite his stuttering back line.

Christian Lealiifano will get his first run-on start of the season at inside centre while Adam Ashley-Cooper is expected to move to fullback and Pat McCabe to outside centre.

The new combinations in the back-line overhaul will have to fire immediately to end the Brumbies' three-game losing streak.

Giteau's role as the team's chief playmaker will spark the most debate.

The veteran has had a solid start to the season, but the back line has failed to reach its explosive potential in the opening four games.

The Brumbies scored four tries against the Queensland Reds in round three, but three of those were scored by forwards.

Experts, including former ACT pivot Rod Kafer, think Giteau moving to inside centre is the only way to ignite the Brumbies attack.

And Brumbies fans seem to agree. As of early yesterday evening, a poll on The Canberra Times website on the best flyhalf/inside centre combination showed only 4per cent supported the Giteau-Lealiifano 10-12 combination.

The most popular option with 37per cent of votes was Matt To'omua at flyhalf with Giteau outside him in the No12 jersey. Lealiifano at 10 and Giteau at 12 was next most popular at 18 per cent.

But Giteau's confirmation yesterday that he would again wear No10 indicates the team has faith it can prove its doubters wrong.

''It appears I probably will stay at flyhalf, but if there was to be a reshuffle, it wouldn't bother me,'' Giteau said.

''We've got a healthy squad with a lot of inside backs available and fit. Wherever I'm picked I'm happy to be playing, we just need that win.

''... There are always parts of your game you can do better, but as a whole I'm pretty happy with the way things are going personally.

''The way I play really dictates how the team is going and I'm after that team success.''

Ashley-Cooper started the season as the leading candidate to fill the Wallabies No13 jumper at the World Cup at the end of the year.

He dominated at outside centre for the Wallabies last year, but he has struggled to recapture that form for the Brumbies.

McCabe has been the Brumbies' best back in the opening four rounds and his move into the midfield will add punch to the attack. But while the team's attack has struggled to dominate in the first month, scrumhalf Josh Valentine insisted the Brumbies defence needed the most improvement.

The Brumbies were demolished and embarrassed by the Canterbury Crusaders two weeks ago and leaked 52 points.

They crossed for just one try and were held scoreless for 60minutes, but their ''soft'' defence has been the major focus ahead of the match against the Waratahs.

''I think our attack is OK, it's more our defence and playing that complete game [which we have to concentrate on],'' Valentine said.

''Our defence has let us down in the past and the tries we leaked in the second half against the Crusaders really cruelled us.

''... I don't know if it comes down to tiredness, attitude, not willing to be there, I don't know.

''It's something we've touched on this week and we've ramped up the contact [at training] so hopefully we see a big improvement.''

The Brumbies are desperately trying to avoid their fourth consecutive loss.

A defeat at the hands of the Waratahs would virtually end their hopes of sneaking into the Super Rugby finals for the first time since 2004.

Giteau called on his teammates to be more accountable for their actions after being thrashed by the Crusaders.

And the stand-in captain was confident the Brumbies would deliver a more determined performance.

''Everyone put their hands up, we all admitted we needed to be better as a side and individually,'' Giteau said. ''There may be external pressure, but internally whether you're winning or losing you put pressure on yourself to perform. This game is no different.''

Soooooo... let me get this straight...

The plan is to fix that which does not need fixing in order to improve the attack?

 

[Richard D. James]

It's beyond a joke now.... Gits calling for players to be responsible for their actions? Practice what you preach, Rat-face.

 

[Ash]

Why move their best back? Not sure that McCabe will be ideally suited to 13 for them anyway, and I don't particularly rate AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) as a 15 either. I prefer AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on the wing to 15 I think.

The problems at the Brumbies are highlighted that they are sticking with a failed Gits at 10. And by the sounds of it, Gits can't realise that he just isn't the pollop on a five eighth's arse right now. It's obviously someone else's fault.

 

[Viking]

Im a big fan of Lealifano, But Coleman hasnt been one of the bad players, in fact i think he was one the better players (after McCabe) in the backline, at least in attack anyway, When gits crabbed Colement at least tried to straighten the attack. In my opinion the problem with igniting the backline definitly did not fall in the 12 jersey. This leaves me to believe there will only be a slight improvement, or none at all bringing Lealifano in at 12. The same goes with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13, there can only possibly be a slight improvement, however after the game AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) played then im all for him being shifted as a punishment for playing so bad, Plus i've always thought McCabe's best position would be at 13, with those hard straight runs and solid defence.

They shoud have gone with:
10: To'omua - best underused flyhalf in the comp.
12: Gits - His rightful position, Id actually consider dropping him to the bench shifting Lealifano to 12, McCabe fullback.
13: AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) - Needs to pick his game up, was embarressing to watch him get owned by Fruen, Wouldnt mind McCabe 13, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) 14.
14: McCabe - I think he could still inject himself from wing
15: Lealifano - Fullback would probably be his best position as i see him as a great broken play runner

 

[fatprop]

He dominated at outside centre for the Wallabies last year, but he has struggled to recapture that form for the Brumbies.

When was the last time AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was given space and time by a decent pass.

Most of the ball he has been getting is just static.

 

[spectator]

With the Brumbies in such a state of disrepair, I can't help but wonder why the likes of To'omua and Hooper aren't getting a start. If the Brumbies management maintain their focus on the "leadership group" they may well find their future sneaking out the door.

 

[Bullrush]

When was the last time AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was given space and time by a decent pass.

Most of the ball he has been getting is just static.

How much more time and space did AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) need when Fruean ran him down?? AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) ran onto a sloppy pass with nothing but space between him and the try-line. Robbie had to turn and chase from the other side and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) still got smoked.

 

[barbarian]

No-one has ever suggested AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is a speed machine Bullrush. Getting run down by Fruean was bad but not terrible- the guy is obviously quicker than him.

He has proven ability to break the line when given front-foot ball with a bit of space to move. At the Brumbies he is getting none of that at the moment. I still think he needs to be better though.

 

[Richard D. James]

yes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) certainly made Nonu, Carter and Jane look a bit foolish in Hong Kong... Some might even say they were 'smoked'.

 

[Gnostic]

You have to ask the question whether AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will still be in line for the 13 jersey for the Wallabies., His form hasn't been good, but as with others I believe he has been hampered horribly by the person inside him.

The fact he was pretty easily run down by Fruen also has to have some question marks over him.

The argument should bot used that he is the incumbent 13 and hence he should automatically start this year when he is struggling.

 

[Slim 293]

I don't think there's much wrng with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s form...

As fatprop has already said he's not getting any decent ball...

He still either breaks the line, gains metres or at least attracts a few defenders...

The Brumbies' backline problems all stem from 9/10... fix that and they have a potentially lethal backline...

 

[Bruce Ross]

Getting run down by Fruean was bad but not terrible- the guy is obviously quicker than him.

I don't want to buy into the debate over Ashley Cooper, but I'm with barbar on this. Fruean appears to be freakishly quick for a huge man. On the evidence of that run I doubt there are many, if any, centres who could outpace him.

He may slow down over the years but he seems to be an extraordinary talent.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

The fact he was pretty easily run down by Fruen also has to have some question marks over him.

13: AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) - Needs to pick his game up, was embarressing to watch him get owned by Fruen, Wouldnt mind McCabe 13, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) 14.

I think you are really underestimating Fruen here. He is a real talent and could very well be a bolter in the All Blacks 13 jumper this year.

 

[ACT Crusader]

I don't want to buy into the debate over Ashley Cooper, but I'm with barbar on this. Fruean appears to be freakishly quick for a huge man. On the evidence of that run I doubt there are many, if any, centres who could outpace him.

He may slow down over the years but he seems to be an extraordinary talent.

He also played wing when first picked by Wellington in the NPC. Where as AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was a makeshift winger IMO who is really a 12 or 13 - ie a more talented Tom Carter

 

[vidiot]

I don't want to buy into the debate over Ashley Cooper, but I'm with barbar on this. Fruean appears to be freakishly quick for a huge man. On the evidence of that run I doubt there are many, if any, centres who could outpace him.

He may slow down over the years but he seems to be an extraordinary talent.

Using Fruean as the benchmark will leave us with no one, or maybe if we give them a little start our converted wingers at 13 - Turner, Ioane. (Apart from that broken integral wallaby).

Shame another Brumby couldn't find his way there to give AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) a chance to use that rarely seen facet of his game - the offload.

 

[Slim 293]

Using Fruean as the benchmark will leave us with our converted wingers at 13 - Turner, Ioane. (Apart from that broken integral guy).

Shame another Brumby couldn't find his way there to give AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) a chance to use that rarely seen facet of his game - the offload.

Support play?

The 2011 Brumbies don't believe in anything containing 'support'... unless it's for Giteau...

 

[vidiot]

Since the demise of Brumby Jack I've seen no support play at all....

 

[BrumbiesPolynesian]

I think alot has been made of the lack of form from AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). I will be honest, I dont like the Wallabies but I do like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and the poor bloke is getting hammered for lack of form, he is outside a bloke who currently, is putting his self interest ahead of the team. IN all honesty, if I was making the hard decisions, my backline formation would be To'omua, Lealiifano, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Fainifo, Speight and McCabe. To be brutally honest, Giteau is passed it, he hasnt shown anything over the past 18months to 2 years to change my mind. I also think his time in the Wallabies is done....Robbie Deans wont be afraid to cut this bloke if his form isnt up to standard and he has shown he is not afraid to promote good form either.
In all fairness to AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), put him outside who can create something for him such as Lealiifano, then you will see the hole running that has made AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) outstanding....Again, i dont support the Wallabies but AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is the best hole running centre in the World in my opinion, might not be able to create such as SBW, Fruen, Conrad Smith etc, but create some space for this bloke and there is no one better at ghosting through space.

 

[Slim 293]

I would dump for Speight for Andrew Smith in an instant...

Speight is the only weak link in those outside backs...

Has shown no reason in the first few rounds to even be in the 22...