Brumbies 2011

[sportsfan]

ok, I have the squad lists for the Brumbies. Complicated format but let me get it up here roughly:

The main list is so far the 29 players we have listed here: http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/forum/threads/5022-Oz-S15-amp-Academy-Squads-2011

There is a two tiered academy system:

Tier One:
A.Hegarty, Jonno Owen, Liam Winton, Jesse Parahi (7's), Ita Vaea, Lyndsay Crook, Robbie Coleman, Clint Sills, Shaun Foley (7's).

Tier Two:
Hugh Roach, Rory Walton, Sam Carter, Tom Boidon, Joel Luani, Nick Stirzacker, Dion Tuamata, Jesse Mogg, Cam Crawford.

Now Henry Vanderglas isn't there, but I know he has a 7s contract, but I still thought he would've fitted in somewhere. It's an interesting document I've got. Also lists a few trialists including the likes of:

Bevu Tiquiri, John Grant, Nikky Price (who apparently has a 7s contract), Greg Jeloudev, Chris Satiu, Tim Buchanan, Brett Stapleton, Chris Nasiganiyavi, Matt Garland, Nigel Genia, Steve Cummins.

OK now that we are another month down the track, how are all these new additions settleing into the Brumbies system? There are quite a few mentioned above who are young and inexperienced, how are they handling the pace?
Particularly the ones direct from schools. Crooks, Stirzacker, Roach, the other schools half back (name escapes but a local ACT boy), Holland et al.
Any feedback?

 

[en_force_er]

I think Owen played awesome in the NPC this year and is far better then a Tier 1 academy contract.

I'd go so far as to say if he can play both sides of the Scrum he'd make most Aussie Super benches.

 

[TheTruth]

OK now that we are another month down the track, how are all these new additions settleing into the Brumbies system? There are quite a few mentioned above who are young and inexperienced, how are they handling the pace?
Particularly the ones direct from schools. Crooks, Stirzacker, Roach, the other schools half back (name escapes but a local ACT boy), Holland et al.
Any feedback?

Is the Tier 1 like a rookie contratced player - Hear that Lindsay Crook will be a big shot at top level in 2011 - about 90kg and speed to burn - hope they don't try and get him towards the magical 100kg mark and fuck his speed and mobility. Whilst a real talent he should be brought on in a controlled manner.

 

[Lindommer]

Is the Tier 1 like a rookie contracted player? Hear that Lindsay Crook will be a big shot at top level in 2011 - about 90kg and speed to burn - hope they don't try and get him towards the magical 100kg mark and fuck his speed and mobility. Whilst a real talent he should be brought on in a controlled manner.

Word is the last pro rookie contract's a toss-up between Lindsay Crook and Clinton Sills. Crook has garnered some interest from Michael O'Connor for his Aussie 7s squad.

 

[TOCC]

Word is the last pro rookie contract's a toss-up between Lindsay Crook and Clinton Sills. Crook has garnered some interest from Michael O'Connor for his Aussie 7s squad.

Lindsay Crook has indeed signed with the ACT Brumbies for a 1 year contract

 

[Slim 293]

That would surely make him the last signing for 2011?

 

[Brumby Jack]

From today's Canberra Times regarding Alexander...

The ACT Brumbies will not bow to external pressure from the Wallabies if the national coaches request Ben Alexander play tighthead prop during the Super Rugby season.

In a move which could jeopardise Alexander's starting Wallabies spot for next year's World Cup, ACT scrum coach Marco Caputo said yesterday the 26-year-old would stay at loosehead for the Brumbies.

Caputo hit out at Australian selectors for continuing to pick Alexander out of position to accomodate Benn Robinson as Test loosehead, a system Caputo said ''has come back to bite them on the bum''.

''We've been adamant from day one that we get best value with Ben Alexander playing loosehead,'' Caputo, a foundation Brumbies hooker, said.

''Tighthead is such a specialist position and you can't just throw a natural loosehead into that.

''I just don't agree with Ben Alexander playing tighthead.

''If they [the Wallabies coaches] asked him to play halfback, he'd say yes ... but Benny A will be playing loosehead for us.''

The Wallabies scrum has come under intense scrutiny after the team's spring tour of Europe.

With Alexander returning from a knee injury, it was hoped the scrum would be strong in Australia's matches against Wales, England, Italy and France, but it failed to impress.

The Wallabies' scrum was demolished in the opening 50 minutes against France two days ago, penalised six times in eight contests.

Robinson has been the Wallabies first-choice loosehead for the past few seasons while rookie James Slipper has emerged as a contender for Alexander's No3 jersey.

With a full Super Rugby season under his belt, Slipper could leap over Alexander into the starting side. The Brumbies already have Salesi Ma'afu and Dan Palmer as specialist tighthead props.

Caputo said the Brumbies would need a lot of persuading to shift Alexander's spot.

''[Brumbies coach Andy Friend and forwards coach Justin Harrison] and I have discussed it and our approach is that we'd try and show them why Benny A is better at loosehead,'' he said.

Ma'afu was also part of the Wallabies' spring tour, but he was sent back to Australia early. He needs a strong Super Rugby campaign with the Brumbies to rise over Slipper.

If the Brumbies were to make Alexander their No1 tighthead, it would almost certainly end Ma'afu's World Cup hopes.

The Brumbies only have 3 fit props on the books at the moment, and all are tight heads. God help us if there are any injuries.

 

[Lindommer]

Alexander or Ma'afu to the Tahs in 2012? Don't write Ma'afu off as a THP, he'll be OK in the 3 jumper as he approaches his 30s.

 

[Done that]

Lindsay Crook signed with the Brumbies more than a month ago.

 

[Ash]

Ack, tried to post a reply then accidentally closed the tab. Much shorter reply written.

The Brumbies only ever considered Alexander as a LH, as evidenced by their recruitment - TH Palmer (who admittedly can cover LH), TH Jono Owen in the Academy. There's Jerry Y, but this likely may be his last S15 season, if he doesn't depart beforehand. So Ma'afu, Palmer, Jono Owen (Academy) - all THs.

Unfortunate for Alexander, but he may now be a bench prop for the Wallabies at best, unless something happens to Robinson. To jump over Robinson, Alexander must become an attacking scrummager - something he isn't. His best chance is to form a strong front row with Moore and Ma'afu/Palmer (who could jump over Ma'afu). I can possibly see Alexander leaving the Brumbies, as Lindommer hinter, to become the starting TH prop at another Australian province to win back his Wallaby TH spot. Especially likely if the Brumbies struggle again this year.

If the Reds play the 21 year old Slipper at TH and he holds up his side of the scrum, he may be at short odds to be Australia's starting TH prop. Unbelievable.

 

[Slim 293]

Poor move from the Brumbies...

I understand they had not much choice but to play him at LH this year... but they had the opportunity to try and grab another LH from somewhere but instead they go with Palmer...

And as already mentioned we have Owen in the Academy...

 

[Lee Grant]

Good to see something from an expert confirming what one thought:

''We've been adamant from day one that we get best value with Ben Alexander playing loosehead,'' Caputo, a foundation Brumbies hooker, said.

''Tighthead is such a specialist position and you can't just throw a natural loosehead into that.

''I just don't agree with Ben Alexander playing tighthead.

 

[MrMouse]

The issue is, Alexander was also the most penalised prop in Australia playing at LH in the S14, so it's a lose-lose. I can see why they've gone that route, but honestly I think they fucked their recruiting a bit...

 

[fatprop]

Good to see something from an expert confirming what one thought:

''We've been adamant from day one that we get best value with Ben Alexander playing loosehead,'' Caputo, a foundation Brumbies hooker, said.

''Tighthead is such a specialist position and you can't just throw a natural loosehead into that.

''I just don't agree with Ben Alexander playing tighthead.

The real benefit or "value" mentioned I guess is his work rate, not scrummaging ability

 

[Lee Grant]

The Brumbies only have 3 fit props on the books at the moment, and all are tight heads. God help us if there are any injuries.

It was silly to expect the Brumbies to use Alexander at THP when even I can see he's not cut out for it, and given their prop profile.

It looked like a good idea at the time when Deans switched Benny to THP 2 years ago and IIRR I gave him a pat on the back, notwithstanding that France got a scrum penalty try at the start of the experiment (again IIRR).

As I wrote elsewhere: Benny wasn't that great scrummaging at LHP for the Brumbies in the S14 this year, but that is his future IMO, and Deans will do him and Oz rugby no favours in persevering with the THP experiment.

If Jerry will not be ready to go at the start of the S15 and the Brumbies don't have the cattle in their pro academy at LHP, Ofa Fainga'anuku from Gordon and Eddie Aholelei from Manly may be interested in a one year deal. Ofa has been in the Tahs stable for a few years but is no longer with them and Eddie can play on both sides of the scrum, is a hard head, and can take the ball up.

I wouldn't know if Ofa is still interested in pro rugby or if Eddie would leave his job at Warringah Mall, but they would be two from the Sydney comp that I would recommend.

 

[Lee Grant]

I've lost track: what is the likely Brumbies matchday 22 for Rd. 1? I assume Jerry Y won't be healthy - but anybody else?

Seems like nothing much has changed since last year in the backs: some good players but who plays where? I suppose that Mortlock's move south will have solved one problem.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

From today's Canberra Times regarding Alexander...


The Brumbies only have 3 fit props on the books at the moment, and all are tight heads. God help us if there are any injuries.

Don't the S15 rules require two spare front rowers on the bench?
Will their "broken" props be ready for round 1 or are they in trouble?
Can the hooker on the bench double up as a reserve prop for the purposes of compliance with game day bench composition?
Who is the Ponies backup hooker - Is it Edmonds and can he prop?

Sorry all questions, no answers.

 

[Brumby Jack]

LG,

Jerry Y is gone for atleast 5-6 months. I saw him 2 weeks ago and he was still in plaster from his broken/dislocated ankle.
Hoiles had serious back surgery and is hoping to be back running shortly. If he is by Christmas then is a chance for Round 1.
Kimlin did his knee at Exeter and is out for probably 3 months.

There is talk of Lealiifano having a crack at 15, which could mean a To'omua/Giteau 10 & 12.

 

[en_force_er]

There is talk of Lealiifano having a crack at 15, which could mean a To'omua/Giteau 10 & 12.

It would make the most sense with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) proving he is a class 13 and with Morty gone.

Then again, Patty McCabe is a classy player that is probably meant to play 15. This would be my choice as with To'omua and Gitts at 10/12 you already have two pivots who can kick so you'd perhaps be better serve with Patty's running game.

I personally really like Christian but he should have come have to the Rebs, he mightn't fit into the Brumby plans too much this year.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

It would make the most sense with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) proving he is a class 13 and with Morty gone.

Then again, Patty McCabe is a classy player that is probably meant to play 15. This would be my choice as with To'omua and Gitts at 10/12 you already have two pivots who can kick so you'd perhaps be better serve with Patty's running game.

I personally really like Christian but he should have come have to the Rebs, he mightn't fit into the Brumby plans too much this year.

I'd of hoped that getting Christian on the field as much as possible would be in their plans, especially on his form last season.

10. To'omua/ Coleman
11. Fainifo/ Speight
12. Giteau
13. Ashley-Cooper
14. McCabe
15. Lealiifano

Pretty well balanced and potentially exciting back line. I'm still hoping Deans' demotion of Giteau, and the Barbarians game, sparks some life back into Giteau.