Brumbies 2011
- Thread starter Lee Grant
- Start date
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Brumbieman
Dick Tooth (41)
RE the backline dilemma:
Halfback:
Valentine, has to be. Phibbs should play as a flanker, because a scrum half he aint. They are usually required to pass. It was painfully obvious this year how much more fluid the backline was, and how much more easily they got momentum, when Phibbs was not on the field. Its appalling how many passes to no one he can throw in each appearance he gets.
IMO: Valentine, White, Phibbs
Flyhalf:
Gotta be To'omua. Giteau is a 12, and his style of game is far more suited to running at the defensive line further out at 12, and using his footwork and short passing game to put other people away. To'omua has a much longer passing game, and a better tactical kicking game, which are more suited to 10.
Inside centre: Giteau. Backup 12 = Lealiifano, then Coleman. Coleman for the bench until the injuries hit.
Outside centre: Ashley-Cooper. Back up: Smith(s)
Wings: I vote for Wara and McCabe.
Fullback: Lealiifano.
Halfback:
Valentine, has to be. Phibbs should play as a flanker, because a scrum half he aint. They are usually required to pass. It was painfully obvious this year how much more fluid the backline was, and how much more easily they got momentum, when Phibbs was not on the field. Its appalling how many passes to no one he can throw in each appearance he gets.
IMO: Valentine, White, Phibbs
Flyhalf:
Gotta be To'omua. Giteau is a 12, and his style of game is far more suited to running at the defensive line further out at 12, and using his footwork and short passing game to put other people away. To'omua has a much longer passing game, and a better tactical kicking game, which are more suited to 10.
Inside centre: Giteau. Backup 12 = Lealiifano, then Coleman. Coleman for the bench until the injuries hit.
Outside centre: Ashley-Cooper. Back up: Smith(s)
Wings: I vote for Wara and McCabe.
Fullback: Lealiifano.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I think they'll (hopefully) need to give Coleman plenty of game time because he should be starting at inside centre next year once Giteau leaves...
It'll be a long season though and I'm sure if we pile on the points against the Reds, Cheetahs and other weaker sides then many of the fringe players will get plenty of minutes...
It'll be a long season though and I'm sure if we pile on the points against the Reds, Cheetahs and other weaker sides then many of the fringe players will get plenty of minutes...
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Lealiifano for me
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Nah...
Coleman >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lilo
Lilo will/should stick to fullback with the option of being an inside centre/flyhalf cover...
But Coleman is the better prospect...
Already Australia's U20 player of the year... IRB Junior player of the year nominee... a star in the Sevens squad...
Also, I would probably prefer to haved Stubbs as both an outside centre cover, and a crash ball inside centre backup...
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Yes possibly, but I think you'll find the majority of Coleman's game time next year will be at 10, having Lealiifano to cover Giteau at 12.
A. Smith and McCabe would have to be well ahead of Stubbs for 13 also.
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
He's played flyhalf almost his entire playing career, albeit 4 games during the JWC where To'omua was 10, and a game on the wing the year before. I'd say flyhalf is his natural position, and if you asked him he'd say the same. But I can definietly see him being groomed in and becoming a fantastic 12 as he develops.
FTS
Billy Sheehan (19)
BP do you know what has happened to 2007 Aus Schools prop Kesomi Lolotonga? Was playing in canberra for Royals a couples of years back but havn't heard much since?
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Was dumped from Brumbies acadamy after he came back overweight for preseason. Broke his arm and had a few other minor injuries that season and has since moved back home to Griffith, NSW.
Royals other 2007 Aus Schools rep, Robbie Abel (Hooker) moved to NZ and was playing with Northland in the ITM competition.
Can't believe that the northern trout let you get away with this for over 3 hours now even though their team was well beaten last year. Come to think of it: the bait was a bit obvious.
Agree on Coleman: one can see post-Giteau that To'omua and Coleman are still going to be in contention for the flyhalf role; so the groundwork could be laid for the scenario you mention.
Agree with BG as to Coleman's potential though I have seen him play just a few matches as a senior player - for the Runners.
In the Grassroots section there is a discussion of the possible reprise of the Vikings playing in the Shute Shield again. Take any discussion of the matter there, but it suffices to say that being able to watch good young players like Coleman, who would otherwise not play in the Sydney comp, was one of the reasons I enjoyed watching the Vikings when they played in the big smoke. The other was to have another strong team in the comp.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Lee; I saw it but let it go. It's more than fair enough really, although it is likely that the Reds are not the weak proposition they were just a mere year ago. The Brumbies are a real bogy team for the Reds (and have been for fourteen years - since the Brumbies' inception), with the Reds somehow even snatching a draw from games they should have won. More often than not the Brumies have ripped the Reds to shreds, regardless of the form either team is in.
FTS
Billy Sheehan (19)
Thanks for that mate, sounds like a bit of wasted talent if you ask me. I remember a couple of years back nearly the whole Royals first grade side was islander, then the following year they had all nearly disapeared. Are you able to shed any light on that?
Don't be surprised if something more like this happens:
9 Valentine
10 Giteau
11 Fainifo
12 Lealiifano
13 T Smith
14 McCabe
15 Ashley-Cooper
9 Valentine
10 Giteau
11 Fainifo
12 Lealiifano
13 T Smith
14 McCabe
15 Ashley-Cooper
That would be tragic, but it would ensure Ben Alexander is leading try scorer again
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
I would be still be pretty surprised to see this. To'omua 's form last year warrents his place in the side, Giteau selects himself. There is your 10/12.
I also think if is going to be a Smith in the starting lineup it'll be Andrew Smith on the wing or at outside.
I'm not too sure to be honest. They did have a large contingent of islanders in 2009 (14 of the starting 15) but they have seemed to of moved on. The ones I know of:
Sitaleki Timani- Southern Districts, Sydney
Kesomi Lolotonga - Injured
Robbie Abel - Northland, NZ
Waqa Vulawalu, Paramatta, Sydney
Sokai Tai - Overseas (Tonga?)
Joe Kolokihakaufisi - Souths, Brisbane
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Surely not when To'omua dislodged Giteau from flyhalf this year and now Gits has been at inside centre for the Wobs...
I would be worried that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) might go back to fullback for Tyrone who is such an inconsistent player...
BrumbiesPolynesian
Fred Wood (13)
Kesomi is back in Brissy recovering from Surgery to his forearm, but sounds like he is going to be playing either up there or in the Sydney Comp, Robbie Abel has gone on his Mormon Mission so wont be playing for the next few years. Soks is back to Royals as is Joe Kolo.
BrumbiesPolynesian
Fred Wood (13)
My starting side would be:
Valentine, To'omua, Giteau, Ashley-Cooper, McCabe, Speight, Lealiifano
Coleman to back up Gits, Either Fainifo or Wara to back up the wingers, White as backup Halfback, Phibbs shouldnt even be in the Brumbies. Tyrone Smith to be the MidField Back up.
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