Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Taumoepea is at the Force now
That's Alfi Mafi
You're right, forgot about that
Taumoepea is at the Force now
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...
Lealiifano for me
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...
I would strongly doubt Coleman will get near flyhalf with Giteau to be To'omua's backup followed by Lilo...
I would assume Friend would be playing Coleman as Giteau's inside centre backup as its his natural position...
No relation mate. Know of them though, just take a keen interest in the Island Boys who play in Canberra and are Canberra bred.
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?
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 ....
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.
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
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
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
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
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?
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.