Brumbies Squad is Not Fair(banks)

The ACT brumbies are showing off their depth by leaving two of last years starters out of their game day 22. Mitch Chapman was omitted from the 22 despite being brought across the dutch where as Fairbanks was left out of the touring squad all together.

CA Brumbies v Highlanders
Carisbrook, Dunedin (NZ)
Friday, 13 February 2009
Kick-off: 7.35pm local time (5.35pm AEDST)

1. Nic Henderson
2. Stephen Moore
3. Guy Shepherson
4. Ben Hand
5. Mark Chisholm
6. Julian Salvi
7. George Smith
8. Stephen Hoiles (c)
9. Patrick Phibbs
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Francis Fainifo
12. Stirling Mortlock
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Clyde Rathbone
15. Mark Gerrard

Reserves
16. John Ulugia
17. Ben Alexander
18. Sitaleki Timani
19. Peter Kimlin
20. Joshua Holmes
21. Tyrone Smith
22. Matt Toomua

The brumbies have kept their wallaby centre pairing of Mortlock and AAC making T.Smith one of the most exciting/dangerous of substitutus.

Wallaby selection may seem important in the backline for Coach Friend but its not in the forward pack as they have opted for a smaller faster backrow for the clash with Salvi, G.Smitch and Captain Hoiles in 6,7 and 8 respectively, thus leaving Kimlin on the bench as cover. Friend has also opted for the old scrum boys Shep and Hendo to start, leaving this years Wallaby rookie Balexander on the bench (possibly for his ability to cover 2 positions).

Phibbs more solid platform in the trail game against the Tah’s has seen him have first crack at starting 9 over J.Holmes.

What I am looking forward to in this the first game of the super14 is Mark Gerrard in fullback. The Nathan Bracken of Australian Ruby will get first crack at re-opening the door his Test Match chances. As the 1 and 2 options for Robbie Deans Mitchell and Shephard internally fight for the Force position this year. Hynes, Gerrard and (Two-Dads) Norton-Night will get a freer reign to show what they can do from that position in super rugby.