Brumbies 2017

[mst]

I don't see how 20+ players coming off-contract at the same time represents anything other than an epic fail on the part of the board. Sure, you don't want them deciding who gets offered a deal to come or stay but surely it's up to them to ensure that there's a retention & recruitment program (& funding) in place?

Having 20+'guys coming off- contract simultaneously is madness. There's no way you can keep them all & if you lose more than 10-12, esp if some are in key positions, its gunna take 2-3 years to recover. Similarly, the board have known for some time that this would be Larkham's last year, why didn't they start looking for a successor as soon as they found out about it?

The Clubs need to be asking some questions & unseating some people (I'd start with the Chairman) at the AGM & if they don't then the Club members should take matters into their hands. Or is the ACT rugby community so tiny & inter-dependant that a cleanout is impossible?

Its interesting the situation now when you consider that Jones did all the contracting prior him being ousted.

As for the Clubs (who have the balance of power), they voted to to remove him costing over $800K+ to the ACT Rugby coffers in a trade off to rearrange the deck chairs; and here we are now.

 

[Forcefield]

Contracts expiring in red (from what I recall - feel free to correct me). I am not sure if the 20 included EPS contracts which if not will push the number above 20.

Pretty sure Nick Jooste was on a two year deal for 2016 and 2017. So would be off contract at the end of this season. Still hanging out on him coming back home.

 

[Strewthcobber]

With 35+ players in a squad, two year standard contracts and some one year deals in the mix won't just about all of our super rugby teams have near 20 players out of contract for 2018?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Not too sure what the angst is all about. Of the 20 or so off contract, I'd think we'd be looking to extend/renew only a few - Kuridrani, Makin, Carter/Enever, Fardy, JJH, Taliauli, Dargaville, and keep a few more under scrutiny during 17, like S Fainga'a, Hawera, Butler/Smiler, Ah Wong/Toua, and maybe Alexander.

Re-sign most of those and the picture really doesn't look so bleak. The big question will be who they recruit to fill the holes that remain.

I suspect there will be a few Reds/Tahs off contract at the end of 17 who just might be interested.

 

[mst]

With 35+ players in a squad, two year standard contracts and some one year deals in the mix won't just about all of our super rugby teams have near 20 players out of contract for 2018?

You make a good point and in the the normal course of events it may be reasonable, but that would also depend on the actual players off contact, the amount of depth you still have contracted and the reasons why.

What has compounded the issue is a combination of slow (or no) reactions to the likes of Toouma leaving and now moving to cover the gaps. Lilo illness was an unexpected sad event, but it could as well been a knee or ankle that took him out for the season leaving the cupboard bare and the reality was Coleman was never going to cut it based on his recent form over the past 18mth. So with limited option at the 11th hour we have signed a Kiwi @10 3weeks ago.

How did we end up with no cover and have limited depth and are only now looking at contracts?

As BR points out sign most and it will be ok but what depth does it leave and who do you bring in to fill the holes?

If Forcefield is correct (and from what I can find he is) the only 10 that might have a 2018 contract is Lilo. That is also subject to Jooste showing he is a capable 10 at Super Rugby level which is yet to be shown.

 

[mst]

One question that should be considered is how the contacting is being managed.

With Larkham soon to depart but dealing with the contacts does that risk a situation like the Cheika - Tahs first year with a roster not to a new coaches liking or that suits their game plan ect?

Or is this in reality Larkham assisting McKeller with the recruiting as the HC role is already been decided baring the formalities and the Brumbies looking like they have at least gone through the motions?

It begs the question if you intended to appoint a new coach by external application by the end of Feb, why the Brunbies haven't publicly stated they will start talks but will hold off for the input of a new coach.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Not sure this is as big an issue as implied.
We will shortly be half way to the next RWC.
If there is talent in this country sufficient to make us a threat between now and then it will not be going anywhere.
I suspect blokes who think they are a chance to be wallabies will be more than happy to get out from behind established players at other franchises - some of which (franchises) may not have security of tenure to offer their players.
Its a big "if", though.

 

[Braveheart81]

The whole Kuridrani vs Kerevi debate in this thread is something of a mirror image of discussions surrounding Folau in the Waratahs thread.

It's amazing how often a whole bunch of people write someone off due to a bad year (or indeed part of a year) even if that has been somewhat due to injury.

What's more, people use some recent form to discount the rest of their career which is kind of baffling.

If we're using the recent test form argument, Kuridrani is the best player we have in our backline and possibly the whole team.

I would say we've seen our big foreign exodus after the last RWC. Players who are in and around the matchday 23 now will be pretty set on staying put until after the 2019 RWC and then we'll see another swathe head overseas after that.

 

[amirite]

It's amazing that this year in the Wallabies we're probably choosing 2 of Kerevi, Kuridrani, and Folau for the Wallaby XV (with realistically, Folau being a lock).

Depth is great in the short term! In the long term, somebody probably goes to France.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Aren't things tightening up in France? or is that the national coaching talking in hope..
I any event, that's why Cheika's Gituea Solution is short sighted and bad for morale.

 

[amirite]

Aren't things tightening up in France? or is that the national coaching talking in hope..
I any event, that's why Cheika's Gituea Solution is short sighted and bad for morale.

Apparently, but any new policy in France is more a guideline than a law.

 

[Slim 293]

Conal McInerny (?) should be a handy replacement Hooker for any one of those who are likely to depart.

Then there can be expected that a couple of U20s this year will step up to the main squad in 2018. People like Tom Ross, Darcy Swain, Rob Valetini, Jamie Kotz, Ryan Lonergan and Nick Jooste (some of whom are already in the squad of course).

Expect Lolofakosolea to also step up this year.

Who else should we be keeping an eye on at club level or U20s, or returning from o/s?

I forgot about McInerney.......... I would expect him to get a contract next year, but he's going to be very green - we'll still need an experienced hooker.


There's already a some buzz around Valetini........ If he lives up to the hype it's possible we'll see a bit of him in 2018.

Lonergan will no doubt see some bench time next year with Cubelli gone and Powell starting.

 

[Slim 293]

Another local player I'd forgotten about is Andrew Robinson.........

I thought he was one of the better performing backs in the Vikings last year - worthy of a contract?

 

[TOCC]

Aren't things tightening up in France? or is that the national coaching talking in hope..
I any event, that's why Cheika's Gituea Solution is short sighted and bad for morale.

French national coach has no power over the clubs..
FFRU is supporting the extension of the 5 year qualification rule, but this doesn't change the clubs recruiting targets at all.

If anything he rising salaries of English rugby will make Southern Hemisphere players even more of an attractive target.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Brumby Runner]

Another local player I'd forgotten about is Andrew Robinson...

I thought he was one of the better performing backs in the Vikings last year - worthy of a contract?

Really thought he looked out of his depth in the NRC. Which was surprising given his form at Aus Schoolboys level a few years ago.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Probably not from what I've heard - unless a few things change.

 

[Forcefield]

French national coach has no power over the clubs..
FFRU is supporting the extension of the 5 year qualification rule, but this doesn't change the clubs recruiting targets at all.

If anything he rising salaries of English rugby will make Southern Hemisphere players even more of an attractive target.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I wouldn't have thought so given how poorly the pound is doing at the moment. It's usually about 2:1 or 2.50:1, but for quite some time it is around 1.66:1. Given the current economic climate over there, I can't see that changing significantly in a hurry. You sign a contract with 300k pound a year at 1.66:1 and it is worth 100k AUD less than a contract at 2:1. Surely salaries can't be increasing that much?

 

[Slim 293]

Classic have have released their 2017 catalogue, and it would appear that the Brumbies are going back to their traditional white jersey design this year...........

http://www.classicsports.com.au/catalogues/17_LICENSED_CAT/mobile/index.html#p=31

THANK FUCKING CHRIST, although I don't really care for that blue away jersey......... but with the amount of blue teams in the comp I don't think we'll see it often.

I assume the delay in promotion is to replace the Aquis logo with Clip 500 on the front?

 

[mst]

I have to say I really like the concept behind this Barbarians team. Nice work Brumbies.

SUPER RUGBY PRE-SEASON TRIAL
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Australian Barbarians at Viking Park, 5.30pm. Tickets: Members free, adults $10, concession $5.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...-rugby-province-brumbies-20170123-gtwpms.html

IMHO it would be fantastic if all Super Rugby teams committed to playing a pre-season game against the Barbarians side each year (where practical). More opportunity for player development.

 

[Hawko]

http://www.classicsports.com.au/catalogues/17_LICENSED_CAT/mobile/index.html#p=31

THANK FUCKING CHRIST, although I don't really care for that blue away jersey... but with the amount of blue teams in the comp I don't think we'll see it often.

That's what is disturbing. Jersey sales usually mandate that the away jersey is worn at every away game so there is some incentive for punters to buy it. But that jersey will clash with multiple other teams so may not be able to be worn, especially if the game is likely to be played in muddy conditions. With the marketing genii designing these jerseys you would think that some thought would have gone into that, but clearly not.