Canberra Vikings - Offical NRC Team Thread

[MarkJ]

Apparently Alex Horan will be heading to Canberra for the NRC ala Mitch Third last year

Is he any good? I suppose the Brumbies will be on the market for a flyhalf for next year, but with Jooste already on the books they probably need someone more experienced, not another youngster.

 

[RugbyReg]

You can check out some of his highlights from last year here:

He's a smart player. Good combo of skills with a nice long pass.

I expect he'll be used as Mitch Third was last year, although I guess the Lealiifano illness may necessitate the need for more game time.

 

[mst]

Is he any good? I suppose the Brumbies will be on the market for a flyhalf for next year, but with Jooste already on the books they probably need someone more experienced, not another youngster.

Two options are better than one!

 

[Braveheart81]

 

[No.8]

WOW - some interesting choices in the squad - only 2 non-contracted Queanbeyan players in the side - very unlucky for the likes of - JR, Elliot, Barbaro, Nadruku, Jones, Sok, Wilson etc not to get the go ahead infront of some other players. . .

I guess having the best forward pack by a country mile doesn't really count for anything? haha

 

[mouth guard]

WOW - some interesting choices in the squad - only 2 non-contracted Queanbeyan players in the side - very unlucky for the likes of - JR, Elliot, Barbaro, Nadruku, Jones, Sok, Wilson etc not to get the go ahead infront of some other players.

I guess having the best forward pack by a country mile doesn't really count for anything? haha

Couldn't agree more No8! Why would Vikings select an Aus20s prop instead of Barbaro? Nadruku definitely deserves to be there after an outstanding season back in 2nd grade too! JR should definitely be there after what? 5 games this season? Actually why don't we pick the whole QBN team while were at it?!?! Its a bloody vikings conspiracy I tell ya!!

 

[Slim 293]

Before we continue down this predictable road of hysterical accusations of selection bias, let's actually look at the players selected who haven't been part of the wider Brumbies squad or the Australian U20's this year.........

Edan Campbell-O’Brien UTILITY BACK Uni-Norths
Nick Dobson PROP Gungahlin
Ray Dobson PROP Gungahlin
Brent Hamlin SCRUMHALF Royals
Jamie Kotz WING Gungahlin
OJ Noa FLANKER/NO.8 Queanbeyan
Jake Rakic CENTRE Tuggeranong
Andrew Robinson UTILITY BACK Tuggeranong
Eli Sinoti WING Wests
Darcy Swain LOCK Tuggeranong
Sione Taula PROP Tuggeranong
Isaac Thompson FYLHALF/FULLBACK Tuggeranong

 

[Slim 293]

I like the new kit........

Just noticed that it's Classic doing it instead of Asics this year.

 

[Slim 293]

So, no Alex Horan.........

A few notable omissions: Alexander, Toua, Ah Wong.

 

[Brumby Runner]

It will be a hard job picking the starting side and reserves for the first game. I'm assuming Sio and Kuridrani will be on Wallabies' duty and not be available, and that Arnold won't be fit for the start of the competition and may also be on Wallabies' duty later on.

I'd really like to see some of the younger players with potential, especially in the backs, get a go, so I think we could see something like :

Ala'alatoa, Mann-Rea, Makin, Carter, Staniforth, Smiler, Penca, Butler, Powell, Jooste, Dargaville, Jackson-Hope, Smith, Speight, Kotz.

Reserves might be McInerney, Sione, Dobson, Enever, Oakman-Hunt, Hamlin, Robinson, Taliauli.

Note that I've omitted Coleman - time to give the younger brigade a go. But the Vikings coaching staff won't see it that way.

 

[Slim 293]

Ala'alatoa could also be unavailable as he's now essentially the 5th prop in the Wobs squad............

And I doubt they'll leave Coleman out.

 

[Slim 293]

I think our best available XV is potentially.........

1. Sione
2. Mann-Rea
3. Makin
4. Enever / Staniforth
5. Carter
6. Oakman-Hunt
7. Butler (c)
8. Smiler
9. Powell
10. Jooste
11. Dargaville
12. Jackson-Hope
13. Smith
14. Speight / Taliauli
15. Coleman


The Wobs' outside back stocks are so thin that I expect Speight to be recalled after a game or two.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Must say I live for the day that Jarrad Butler is recognised as a No 8 and not a No 7. I would much rather have an experienced No 7 in the side and that just about makes Penca a necessity in my view.

 

[Slim 293]

Just to follow up on my most disliked player..........

What is Aidan Toua doing?

 

[MarkJ]

I don't recall seeing his name in any other NRC squad. Maybe he's playing NPC or in Japan? A season in the NPC might do him a world of good.

Or is he just injured?

 

[Caputo]

I believe I read about the financials and why some leave early to go to overseas clubs. Example Cheika complaining about Gill and Holmes released early.

Contracts are to largely end of the year, with 7 year veterans were after the 3rd Bledisloe on 22 Oct 16.

I noticed no Lolo Fakaosilea likely to be QLD Country or Chris Alcock Or Robert Valetini.

Chris Alcock not included in Perth Spirit whilst Robert Valetini (Not Contracted) not included with Melbourne Rising.

Be interesting whether Alcock is a Western Sydney Ram

Could this because of financial prudency.

 

[Highlander35]

Bobby is also in Year 12 Caputo, and he's just backed up an 80 minute game for Colts with an appearance with an appearance off the bench in firsts (losing both, haha Quins).

Don't worry about him not being in the NRC squad.

 

[Caputo]

Having another look at the list it seems that there is a lack of Backrowers' listed. Only 5 listed including Contracted Brumbies - Butler and Smiler with OJ, Penca and Oakman-Hunt.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I believe I read about the financials and why some leave early to go to overseas clubs. Example Cheika complaining about Gill and Holmes released early.

Contracts are to largely end of the year, with 7 year veterans were after the 3rd Bledisloe on 22 Oct 16.

I noticed no Lolo Fakaosilea likely to be QLD Country or Chris Alcock Or Robert Valetini.

Chris Alcock not included in Perth Spirit whilst Robert Valetini (Not Contracted) not included with Melbourne Rising.

Be interesting whether Alcock is a Western Sydney Ram

Could this because of financial prudency.

Wouldn't be surprising if Alcock was announced in the Rams squad. Played with them invthe first NRC season. I'm sort of hoping its where Godwin pops up as well. He's not on any other lists from what I can tell.

 

[Slim 293]

I've actually wondered if Staniforth has the athleticism to cover 6 if required?