George Smith to sign with Australian Super Rugby team...

[barbarian]

Does anyone know when he is required back in Japan? Would be bloody close to Super Rugby finals time. I cant see a serious title contender taking on a guy they would lose a few weeks out from the end.

June.
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[Dean Hyde]

He'd be a great 8 for the Brumbies with Mowen at 6. The breakdown would be crazy. Or he could be on the bench and cover 6-12.

Agree that would be special to see.

Mowen to 6 and then Kimlin, Fardy and Carter to rotate in the lock positions.

 

[Troy]

Japanese pre-season starts in June

 

[Dean Hyde]

From the G&GR YouTube site

Pocock and Smith v Wales

 

[rugbysmartarse]

Paul Cully said on twitter he cant see the Force, Tahs, Reds or Brumbies being interested.

Agree he'd be best used at the rebels, but I think the Force can also use any help they can get. He has played 10 and 12 before in France as well.

 

[Brumby Jack]

It sounds like the 'Smith' locker at Brumbies HQ might need a first initial or name in front of it to avoid confusion.

 

[Troy]

Steve Lenthall ‏@BJ_Rugby
CONFIRMED: George Smith to join the Brumbies in 2013#SuperRugby

 

[Brumby Jack]

CONFIRMED: George Smith to the Brumbies

 

[Bowside]

Bit of a waste really.

I wonder if the rebels even made him an offer.

 

[barbarian]

Bit of a waste really.

I wonder if the rebels even made him an offer.

I don't think they have space on their roster, so they presumably weren't even looking.
.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Will he be made to play John Dent footy, or be "affiliated" with a John Dent Club?

If so which club? Will he be used as a development tool for a struggling or potential growth area Club in accordance with ACTRU strategy or will he simply go to the highest bidder?

 

[No4918]

Hopefully his contract let's him see out the Super season. I can't see the Japanese pre-season being too arduous and a few months of super rugby will be just a touch better for conditioning.

 

[Jets]

Japanese pre-seasons are notorious for being long and arduous. His time would be better spent playing rugby though so I'd love him to see out the Super season in Canberra.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Will he be made to play John Dent footy, or be "affiliated" with a John Dent Club?

If so which club? Will he be used as a development tool for a struggling or potential growth area Club in accordance with ACTRU strategy or will he simply go to the highest bidder?

He's only here for 3 months so doubt he'll play club footy

 

[biggsy]

When's Greagan and Larkham resigning.

 

[Brumby Jack]

When's Greagan and Larkham resigning.

They already did. In 2007.

 

[biggsy]

Looks like our mate rupert Guinness from the shameless journo thread broke this story via twitter as I follow Sean Maloney. Hope he has the right team...
Can't no love smith's passion of the game. Good on him

 

[Hugh Jarse]

He's only here for 3 months so doubt he'll play club footy

Like many of the S15 players.

Nothwithstanding, a player with GS's profile in the Ponies franchise, especially if they are affiliated with a club/area/school earmarked for strategic development of Heavensgame, can have massise short and long term benefits for that club/zone/school if effectively marketed.

Those marketing and development opportunities should be centrally controlled and deployed in accordance with a prioritised need for maximum effectiveness, rather than going to the highest bidder (rich clubs in rugby heartland).

In the past, the Ponies have shown a propensity not to follow mistakes made in Tahland.

That is one of the contributing factors to their success and why they have more Premierships than the Tahs.

 

[kronic]

What, of recruiting good players? Clearly.

But seriously, if the Rebels had a good young up-and-coming Aussie 7 in there I would see your point. But Scott Fugilstaller? Not only is he a Kiwi, but he's a kiwi who isn't up to Super Rugby. Saffy is OK but not the sort of bloke who you can build a team around.

All Super teams should be clamouring to get Smith in their set-up, even for a short period. He's a Wallaby legend who could lift the whole squad with his experience and ability. At the moment it seems to me like that is exactly the type of thing the Rebels need.
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Of recruiting older players. Just like the Jerry Collins and Kevin Mealamu rumours.

Time will tell in relation to that.

One player doesn't lift the squad, ala Izzy Folau.

 

[barbarian]

One player doesn't lift the squad, ala Izzy Folau.

I disagree, one player can make a big difference. I'd say the example of Stirling Mortlock works here, the Rebs clearly lifted when he was on the park, and the response to his intercept try by the other players clearly showed how much he meant to the team.
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