Colby Fainga'a

[Tomikin]

I hope he stayed, I was guttered losing Hooper but always thought that colby would have stepped up into that position he is a very good player, as good as Hooper and Gill but a different type of player. Signing Pocock was a must and smith is just to fill a position.

Just stay injury free play all year at the Brumbies and hopefully be pushing a starting spot this year and next. I guess the Rebels is a place to go to get a start, but the program the Brumbies have at the moment might sway him to stay. I know pococks good but seasons are long and injuries happen he will play and be in the game day 22 most weeks.

Smith was signed because they had a spot and come on its a Brumbies Legend, avaliable, will bring the crowds it's a brilliant idea just for the crowds let alone the advice he can pass on.

 

[No.8]

Not sure if I have missed something but who is Smith coming in for? Who is injured?

 

[Slim 293]

Ita Vaea.

 

[Tomikin]

Ita Vaea has blood clots that can affect his heart, out for the season

 

[No.8]

Ahhh ok thought it may of been Ita - fair enough....

 

[No.8]

Just heard on the Radio an interview with Jake White saying he will more than likely rotate Smith/Pocock i.e some weeks Smith will start, other weeks Pocock will start.

He did say sometimes they will start so I am guessing thats where Fainga'a will come into the game day 22.

Does not sound good though for Colby - might be getting more game time with the Vikings this year than the Brumbies...

The Brumbies really didnt seem keen on Saia or Anthony when they were there either....

 

[Slim 293]

Just heard on the Radio an interview with Jake White saying he will more than likely rotate Smith/Pocock i.e some weeks Smith will start, other weeks Pocock will start.

He did say sometimes they will start so I am guessing thats where Fainga'a will come into the game day 22.

Does not sound good though for Colby - might be getting more game time with the Vikings this year than the Brumbies.

The Brumbies really didnt seem keen on Saia or Anthony when they were there either..

Not exactly.........

They were a package deal, and it was only Anthony who wasn't required as he was always injured, and the Brumbies had other contracted inside centres in Tyrone Smith (2008 rookie of the year) and Gene Fairbanks.........

At the same time Stephen Moore was looking to get out of Queensland......

I think it worked out the best for all parties..........

 

[No.8]

Not exactly...

They were a package deal, and it was only Anthony who wasn't required as he was always injured, and the Brumbies had other contracted inside centres in Tyrone Smith (2008 rookie of the year) and Gene Fairbanks...

At the same time Stephen Moore was looking to get out of Queensland..

I think it worked out the best for all parties....

I do believe it worked out for both parties aswell - but at the time considering how much the Fainga'a gave to Canberra rugby they didnt seem that ugent to keep them...thats just how it came across..

 

[Slim 293]

I do believe it worked out for both parties aswell - but at the time considering how much the Fainga'a gave to Canberra rugby they didnt seem that ugent to keep them.thats just how it came across..

Well, Ant had only played one game in 2 - 3 years, and they had other contracted centres so they weren't going to go out of their way for him......

And since the twins were a package deal Saia wasn't going to re-sign with them.......

 

[Kevinsons]

Ant & Saia only signed a 1 year deal with the Reds. Chance all 3 could be at the Rebels. Would be great to see Ant back at 12.

Really don't want to see them leave but Hanson and CFS probably have more upside in the years to come.

The rebels would love to get there hands on some depth at 2, 7 & 12. That's some of their big issues right there.

 

[Lee Grant]

Colby has has a series of unfortunate events hasn't he?

Colby is in the same situation as Salvi always was when George Smith was in front of him. He's always going to be behind Pocock and who knows, maybe Jake will still have a thing for Vaea when he is back.

Probably fed up, Salvi went overseas after the 2009 season but when Smith got hurt in 2010 Hooper was there as an uncontracted player and got promoted when he had enough games up.

Bizarrely, both Colby and Salvi were contracted for 2011 so they had 3 contracted specialist number 7s in that year and it was hard to get a game.

Things didn't get any better for Colby in 2012 when he was injured and Hooper's star was on the rise anyway.

Hooper has has a bit of a dream run since leaving school but it's been the opposite for Colby. I think he should move on and it has nothing to do with Smith.

I hope that he can get a gig at the Rebels. I haven't seen Colby play for a while but the last time I saw him, he was better than the Kiwi guy is now.

I wouldn't recommend his going to the Force because Alcock is a damn fine player and looked as good last year as Colby did the year before.

But you never know: an injury to Pocock could change all that thinking.
.

 

[tranquility]

Great account of circumstance Lee. Very Malcolm Gladwell-esque.

May I ask why you have not been around as much?

I implore you to get re-involved, because the boards are poorer for your non-attendance.

 

[No.8]

Anyone have any reports on how he played on Friday for the ACT XV?

 

[RoffsChoice]

I made some player notes while I was there, here are the Colby ones.

Colby Fainga'a finds gaps well but can't break tackles, breaks the line and sets up a try, pressures well around the scrum, beautiful intercept

 

[No.8]

I made some player notes while I was there, here are the Colby ones.

Colby Fainga'a finds gaps well but can't break tackles, breaks the line and sets up a try, pressures well around the scrum, beautiful intercept

Do you think the breaking tackles is due to lack of game time? Needs more time to get back into it...how was his defence?

 

[Brumbies Guy]

I made some player notes while I was there, here are the Colby ones.

Colby Fainga'a finds gaps well but can't break tackles, breaks the line and sets up a try, pressures well around the scrum, beautiful intercept

Can't break tackles but breaks the line?

 

[RoffsChoice]

Can't break tackles but breaks the line?

That was a poor tackle, not due to him. He knew what to do with himself though.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Do you think the breaking tackles is due to lack of game time? Needs more time to get back into it.how was his defence?

Yeah, definitely. He knew what to do with himself, just not how to do it. His defense was solid, he reminded me of George Smith at he back of the lineout. I think he fell off of two easy tackle though, but this was a powerful 13 he was up against. Might have just been good footwork.

 

[No.8]

Cheers mate!

Guess we will find out in the next couple of days what they plan to do with him this weekend V the Tahs and maybe a sign to show what will happen for the rest of the season.

I am guessing he will be out of the Brumbies 22 but will play V Tonga A this Thursday at Viking park.

 

[Rock Lobster]

Colby has not been included in the game day 22 for the Tahs clash & will be understandably gutted. His treatment by White has been nothing short of a disgrace. Neither he nor Fisher have spoken to Colby about the Smith signing or their plans for him, he actually found out via his manager. I would be staggered if he stayed at the Brumbies when his contract expires this year. Rebels definitely the best fit especially after already expressing an interest in him when the Brumbies signed Pocock