Super Rugby Preview – Brumbies

Squad

The Brumbies have signed some exciting young players with the prized signing of James Dargaville on a two year deal the top of the list. The lock stocks have been filled by two hopefully two smoking barrels in the 208cm Rory Arnold and Blake Enever and joining them in the fowarads, is back rower Sean Doyle who comes to Canberra after three years with Ulster and should provide cover at openside.

In the backs, Nigel Ah Wong moved down from Queensland during 2014 and has made plenty of people take notice with his form for both the Tuggeranong and Canberra Vikings, including a hat trick in the John I Dent Cup Grand Final win. However, he will have to join the main squad from the dreaded team rehab after breaking his arm in the opening trial against the Western Force.

They have snared the signatures three local players – prop Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin from Queanbeyan, Tom Staniforth who made his Brumbies debut against the Reds in 2014 and Rodney Iona who also debuted in 2014 off the bench against the Waratahs and was also a member of the World Club Sevens win at Twickenham in 2013.

Not returning are Ben Mowen, as mentioned earlier, with Pat McCabe’s injury enforced retirement following his third broken neck another big loss. Clyde Rathbone retired after his second stint with the Brumbies. Lionel Cronje and Conrad Hoffmann returned to South Africa, whilst Ruaidhri Murphy and Andrew Smith headed to Ireland with Ulster and Munster respectively. Lachie McCaffrey also headed to the UK to team up with London Welsh and Jack Whetton ended up at Leicester after returning to Auckland for the ITM Cup.

One of the Brumbies strengths lies in the backs with nearly all starting players capped at Wallabies level. Jesse Mogg was expected to miss the opening rounds as he recovered from shoulder surgery but could make the bench for round 1 and looks set to be replaced at fullback by Robbie Coleman, who has filled in ably when asked to do so over the past few seasons at inside centre or on the wing.

The Brumbies forwards are also well represented with Wallabies with a front row of Sio, Moore and Alexander leading the way. Sam Carter, Scott Fardy are also expected to play some big minutes with Fardy expected to organise the lineout and the return of David Pocock is highly anticipated.

The one weakness looks to lie in the depth of the squad with a lack of experience a concern. 2014 saw the Brumbies down to their fourth string hooker at one stage and it halted any momentum they had heading towards the business end of the season.

Best XV: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Ben Alexander, 4. Sam Carter, 5. Rory Arnold, 6. Scott Fardy, 7. David Pocock, 8. Fotu Auelua, 9. Nic White, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Joe Tomane, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Jesse Mogg

TRANSFERS

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IN

Nigel Ah Wong – Queensland Reds A
Rory Arnold – Griquas, RSA
James Dargaville – Sydney Uni
Sean Doyle – Ulster, Northern Ireland
Blake Enever – Queensland Reds
Rodney Iona – Tuggeranong Vikings
Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin – Queanbeyan Whites
Tom Staniforth – Royals
Lausii Taliauli – Australian Sevens
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Out

Lionel Cronje – Sharks, RSA
Conrad Hoffmann – Sharks, RSA
Lachie McCaffrey – London Welsh, UK
Pat McCabe – Retired
Tom McVerry – Released
Ben Mowen – Montpellier, France
Ruaidhri Murphy – Ulster, Northern Ireland
Leon Power – Oyonnax, France
Clyde Rathbone – Retired
Andrew Smith – Munster, Ireland
Harumichi Tatekawa – Kubota Spears
Stephan van der Walt – Released
Jack Whetton – Auckland/Leicester
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Props: Allan Alaalatoa, Ben Alexander, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Scott Sio, Jean-Pierre Smith, Ruan Smith
Hookers: Josh Mann-Rea, Stephen Moore, Siliva Siliva
Locks: Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Blake Enever, Tom Staniforth
Back Row: Fotu Auelua, Jarrad Butler, Sean Doyle, Scott Fardy, David Pocock, Jordan Smiler
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Scrum Halves: Michael Dowsett, Nic White
Midfield Backs: Nigel Ah Wong, Rodney Iona, Christian Lealiifano, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua,
Outside Backs: Robbie Coleman, James Dargaville, Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Lausii Taliauli, Joe Tomane
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Season Prediction

With the squad the Brumbies have, they should really be aiming to be playing deep into the finals series. The fact the Waratahs won last years competition will only fire them up and with an all Wallabies backline and with Larkham’s knowledge of backline play, they should be crossing the tryline regularly, especially with the likes of Henry Speight at their disposal.

If they can keep Team Rehab to a minimum and fire on all cylinders, they should be in with a shot at winning the Australian conference in what will hopefully be a closely contested conference in 2015.