Brumbies vs Reds, Friday 1st of July, GIO Stadium Canberra

[The torpedo]

Radike's only 39 - he could still burn a few wingers!!!!!!!

 

[Braveheart81]

Yeah, I know - but they can find the time (and money) to sign Timu and Houston to start immediately. Was there honestly no way they could have found a way to hold onto Matwijow, or sign a new lock instead of yet another backrower? Three first-line locks (Simmons, Neville and Douglas) is never going to be enough for a Super Rugby season. Particularly when one of them is already out for almost the entire season.

This is not a sudden problem, like three locks getting injured in one game. It was obvious since well before the start of the season when Douglas got injured, so why are we at the stage when one injury to a lock (Simmons) means we can't put two first-line locks onto the field?

Just seems odd to me. Particularly when, as I said, Browning is about to find himself on the bench.

It would seem they can't. It would need to be a new contract because as an injury joker he is specifically replacing one player.

They also have Lukhan Tui signed to a full contract (I think) and Izaak Rodda on an EPS contract.

There was one potential game where they were potentially going to be short on locks due to the Under 20s and this is it.

Should they have made different signing choices for 2017 and beyond because of this one game and the potential it might cause issues if there was an injury?

 

[Simon.]

There's one potential game short on locks when you include the U20s - but U20s are not first-line locks. You shouldn't be relying on your U20s except in exceptional circumstances, and then preferably off the bench. Neither Lukhan Tui nor Rodda are Super quality yet.

So yes, they should have made different signing choices IMO. They should not be signing back rowers ad infinitum while there is a clearly identifiable shortage in other positions. I actually said this at the time when they signed Timu.

We were short on first-line locks right from the start of the season. This isn't about 2017, it's about 2016. We are seriously talking about our 40 year old coach taking the field here, with only one of our first-line locks injured. Meanwhile we have McIntyre still at 10 and no fullback. I think the priorities need sorting out. I do hope that will improve under the new management set-up.

 

[RugbyReg]

Reports indicating the u20 lads will be part of the squad.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Gotta get experience sometime & there's only so much one can learn on the training paddock and in the gym.

 

[RugbyReg]

I wasn't concerned about their experience, it was purely recovering from their trip.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

With their loose forward issues ATM, I think the Ponies would encourage the Reds to select the loose forwards from the U20s campaign.

 

[RugbyReg]

loose forwards aren't our issue between Gill, Tui, Browning and Houston.

Lock and fullback is.

 

[Brumby Runner]

After a gruelling three test series I am worried about Scott Fardy's ability to see out another 80 minutes of hard slog against the Reds. This could become a critical issue given the depleted backrow stocks at the Brumbies atm.

 

[Simon.]

Yeah looks like Tui will be starting at lock if those reports are accurate. A Tui two-pack!

Paia'aua confirmed as likely 15 too. So maybe Magnay at 23. So perhaps it will be...

1. Slipper
2. Ready
3. Holmes
4. Neville
5. Tui
6. Tui
7. Gill
8. Houston
9. Frisby
10. McIntyre
11. Nabuli
12. Fainga'a
13. Kerevi
14. Kuridrani
15. Paia'aua

16. Mafi
17. Faagase
18. Talakai
19. Douglas
20. Browning
21. Gale
22. Taefu
23. Magnay

Not a bad team by any means, but probably not enough to topple the Brumbies in Canberra unless things really go their way.

 

[Scoey]

Browning should start at 8. Houston is the FNG and should earn his stripes from the bench. That may take him one match or it may take more but he should be made to earn the 8 off Browning.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Browning should start at 8. Houston is the FNG and should earn his stripes from the bench. That may take him one match or it may take more but he should be made to earn the 8 off Browning.

Scoey

He was obviously "signed" to be a starter.

Browning should, however, feel aggrieved

 

[Scoey]

On what basis was he signed as a starter? I don't imagine any players have that written into their contracts.

Look, I'm all for him being awesome and being our line smashing number 8 we've been looking for but he proves that off the bench first.

I'm sure there were a few of us that assumed that Goromaru was signed as a starter too after his RWC and look how that turned out.

 

[Scrubber2050]

On what basis was he signed as a starter? I don't imagine any players have that written into their contracts.

Look, I'm all for him being awesome and being our line smashing number 8 we've been looking for but he proves that off the bench first.

I'm sure there were a few of us that assumed that Goromaru was signed as a starter too after his RWC and look how that turned out.

Tongue in cheek old mate

 

[Scoey]

Right you are! Play on then!

 

[Ignoto]

Who's to say Leroy hasn't 'earnt' the starting spot through training? With around a month off, form has pretty gone out the window for most players, so whoever looks better at training is what the coaches should go off.

 

[Simon.]

Yes, well I've made it clear how I feel about Browning getting shafted, but I do tend to think that Houston is more of a 'starter' and Browning offers more flexibility as a utility loose forward.

Whether they start Browning this week and make Houston earn his spot, or chuck him straight in, I'm pretty sure they do intend Houston to be their starting 8 going forward. Which makes me wonder whether it's worth it to put Browning under George Smith's tutelage and train him up as an openside. There aren't many people in the world better qualified to be teaching him.

 

[dru]

Surely with Simmons injured on Wallaby duty, Douglas called to the Reds for Wallaby availability and now finally returning from the bench - a phone call to the ARU would have cleared up a 3 week availabilty of Matwijou?

 

[Scoey]

Who's to say Leroy hasn't 'earnt' the starting spot through training? With around a month off, form has pretty gone out the window for most players, so whoever looks better at training is what the coaches should go off.

Presumably Leroy was training with the Wallabies for a couple of those weeks so I don't think two weeks of good training should be enough for him to wrestle the 8 off Browning.

But anyway, that's just my opinion and until they make me selector it means two thirds of fuck all.

Reds by 10.

 

[liquor box]

Browning should start at 8. Houston is the FNG and should earn his stripes from the bench. That may take him one match or it may take more but he should be made to earn the 8 off Browning.

It does not matter if he is the new guy, you pick the best player for the position.

So hypothetically if Dan Carter in his career best form and signed for the Reds this week would he be benched because he is the FNG?

Best player available needs to be picked