Brumbies 2011

[Bruce Ross]

"IIRR the problem the Brumbies had in 2010 was not scoring enough tries; so I'm wondering: what changes in 2011 are likely to spark more of them?"

Hopefully having Bernie as 'Attack Coach' will help.

Let's not expect too much of Stephen. There have been few examples of really outstanding Wallabies who have managed the switch to coaching. Mark Ella and David Campese come to mind as players of similar brilliance to Larkham. Neither made much impact in coaching.

As for those who have gone all the way as players and coaches the ranks are depressingly slim. Bryan Palmer was selected and toured with the Wallabies to New Zealand in 1931 but didn't play a match. Then he coached the national side between 1963 and 1967.

John Solomon played 14 Tests and was very briefly national coach. Then there was the Brock. Played 10 Tests then was a successful albeit controversial coach of the Wallabies. As far as I know that's it.

The Brumbies of course love to use their own in support coaching roles, e.g., Young and Finnegan. One can only hope that while in Japan Larkham has learnt from the coach I regard as the sharpest mind in Australian rugby, Todd Louden. But obviously none of the Australian Super franchises agree with me.

 

[Gagger]

Is there a Brumbies 2012 thread, because I've heard rumours of up to 9 first team Brumbies players buggering off after 2011.

Gits is a definite, but I also heard AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s name mentioned (treat info with caution)

Who else is on a 1 year contract and what might this be doing to the Brumbies recruitment this year I wonder?

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Is there a Brumbies 2012 thread, because I've heard rumours of up to 9 first team Brumbies players buggering off after 2011.

Gits is a definite, but I also heard AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s name mentioned (treat info with caution)

Who else is on a 1 year contract and what might this be doing to the Brumbies recruitment this year I wonder?

I can see Giteau, Moore, Elsom, Hoiles, Edmonds and Phibbs pissing off. And your mail on Ashley-Cooper. Who else? Hand and Chis?

 

[dobduff11]

I have heard of Gits, Rocky, Hoiles, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Tyrone S,ith all leaving after RWC.

Valentine is probably due a transfer to the rebels next season, this will make him the Australian undisputed team whore haha

 

[tranquility]

Why would AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) be on the move? he is only just starting to become the world class player he has always promised to be. He is also only 26.

 

[observer]

Why would AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) be on the move? he is only just starting to become the world class player he has always promised to be. He is also only 26.

$$$$$$$

 

[Rothschild]

I would think that all of the s15 clubs would be preparing for an exodus once the RWC2011 is over.
Talking with officios at the Tahs, Reds and Brumbs you get the feeling that many of their recruitment choices for this year are aimed primarily at filling the void of 2012.

 

[Langthorne]

"IIRR the problem the Brumbies had in 2010 was not scoring enough tries; so I'm wondering: what changes in 2011 are likely to spark more of them?"

Hopefully having Bernie as 'Attack Coach' will help.

The main thing they need is for their main backs to be injury free. If that happens I think they will score plenty of tries (I'm thinking a Valentine, To'omua, Fainifo, Giteau, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), McCabe, Lealifano backline, or something like it, would be pretty handy)

 

[Hawko]

Just noticed a picture of Robbie Coleman in full flight on Rugby Heaven. His left knee is heavily strapped. Does he have a knee injury history and is this picture recent?

 

[Slim 293]

Just noticed a picture of Robbie Coleman in full flight on Rugby Heaven. His left knee is heavily strapped. Does he have a knee injury history and is this picture recent?

He injured his knee during the U20's back in June...

He's played a fair amount of rugby since so I don't think it's an issue...

 

[BrumbiesPolynesian]

Mail is half the Brumbies will be on the move (Dependant if they are off contract) to Europe.
Gits, Hoiles, Hand, Alexander, Moore, Valentine, Ashley-Cooper and possible Elsom to rejoin Leinster......but thats only mail, not confirmed or fact yet. There will be alot of movement. I have heard at least 3 Brumbies have already agreed to terms with French Clubs but this wont be confirmed until after World Cup. But until its confirmed...it will all be speculation.

 

[Slim 293]

Mail is half the Brumbies will be on the move (Dependant if they are off contract) to Europe.
Gits, Hoiles, Hand, Alexander, Moore, Valentine, Ashley-Cooper and possible Elsom to rejoin Leinster......but thats only mail, not confirmed or fact yet. There will be alot of movement. I have heard at least 3 Brumbies have already agreed to terms with French Clubs but this wont be confirmed until after World Cup. But until its confirmed...it will all be speculation.

Surely Alexander is too young to be heading overseas?

Although it wouldn't hurt to learn the scrum trade up north and then come back after a year or two...

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) would be a big loss as he's still not that old, but the Brumbies are stocked with centres...

Moore could play another RWC, but I won't be surprised to see him leave...

The Brumbies probably shouldn't have given up Charles if they lose both Moore and Edmonds...

 

[Brumbieman]

Salvi has played there in the past but with no great distinction. According to the Brumbies site he's 105 kgs now which is up from 100kgs in 2008; so that will do no harm if he has to play 8. The trouble with Salvi is that his best position is at 7, but the young guns were signed up earlier in the year: Hooper then C.Finger, in that order, with Salvi in between.

I can't remember when Smith announced he was pulling the pin and where it fits in the sequence, but it suffices to say that it was an odd chain of recruitment for the 7 position.

As you say Slim: Elsom has played no.8 before. Even Knuckles used him there: in 2006 for 3 games.

Just about every side in Super rugby is out of balance somewhere: overloaded with players who are best in one spot but have to be used in others, or just held in reserve - and are light in other positions.

The Brumbies will be no better or worse than most other outfits. The trick is to have injury luck in positions where specialists are light on.

IIRR the problem the Brumbies had in 2010 was not scoring enough tries; so I'm wondering: what changes in 2011 are likely to spark more of them?

Not to the point, whatever it is, but I couldn't see a point of difference in the 2010 Brumbies that set it apart from other teams and influenced results. Maybe it is to a point - not enough game breakers which was not conducive to try scoring.

Fainga'a and Hooper were development, depth players, intended to get a couple of years tutoring from Smith before taking over after he left. Salvi has returned because Smith left, and will be the first choice 7 this year.

Re teh backline: Its about player balance, and having the right style of player in the right position, eg To'omua at 10, rather than Giteau. And having actual strike players on the wing, like Wara and Speight.

Ashley-Cooper getting comfortable at 13 will also help massively, along with Bernie tutoring To'omua. I'm confident we'll look much better this year, if Friend selects with any sense of logic:

Valentine (White)
To'omua
Wara/Fainifo
Giteau
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
McCabe
Lealiifano

That's got some good balance to it, and some reasonable counter-attacking strength.

 

[Slim 293]

Fainga'a and Hooper were development, depth players, intended to get a couple of years tutoring from Smith before taking over after he left. Salvi has returned because Smith left, and will be the first choice 7 this year.

Re teh backline: Its about player balance, and having the right style of player in the right position, eg To'omua at 10, rather than Giteau. And having actual strike players on the wing, like Wara and Speight.

Ashley-Cooper getting comfortable at 13 will also help massively, along with Bernie tutoring To'omua. I'm confident we'll look much better this year, if Friend selects with any sense of logic:

Valentine (White)
To'omua
Wara/Fainifo
Giteau
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
McCabe
Lealiifano

That's got some good balance to it, and some reasonable counter-attacking strength.

Surely Speight would be on that other wing instead of Wara or Fainifo...

Fainifo was particularly below average for Vikings this year...

 

[fatprop]

Speight didn't set the world on fire in the NPC either

 

[RonnieP]

I agree. I would be very interested to see how many of the ppl who have been commenting on Speight have actually seen him play. I thought he looked very average in the ITM games I saw this year. Was very poor in the final. He only scored 3 tries all year. Not to mention he has been playing for Waikato for the past 3-4 seasons, so if he had shown anything he would have been given a shot by now. Having said this Fainifo isn't world class so there is def one wing spot there for the taking. Looking forward to seeing who goes well in the trials.

Having seen an inter squad scrimmage it looks like Lealiifano and Wara will battle it out for the Full Back spot, with Speight and co for the other wing spot. Can only imagine centres would be A-A-C and Giteau, with To'omua and Valo at half.
Will be interested in who gets the final outside back spot. No-one in the Academy is up to it for mine. Lindsay Crook will be maybe next season, not yet. Brumbies should have kept Bracken K-H or Sipa. Clinton Sills is fast but soft and v average skill set, Cam Crawford is a bean pole. That new kid Pama Fou is way too raw. Not sure who else there is?

 

[Wallaby Way]

Jesse Mogg is fairly well rated after his performances with the Runners last season. Maybe he might get a gig.

I don't really understand the media reports about a final outside back spot being fulfilled. They need a Blindside Flanker or No 8. Vaea would probably be the front-runner.

 

[Slim 293]

You know what... that is true...

By my count they currently have 15 forwards and 15 backs with apparently one more position available which is being touted as another 'outside back spot'...

Surely the balance of the squad should be favoured towards more forwards?

While they're loaded with locks and flankers they really should have another genuine no. 8 option in the squad...

Unless my counting is wrong, but I'm certain that all of their forward signings are listed on the site... the only errors are the inclusion of Sipa and having no mention of Coleman or Speight...

 

[Slim 293]

To freshen up...

Props: Alexander, Ma'afu, Palmer, Yanuyanutawa (who is apparently not fit?)
Hookers: Moore, Edmonds
Locks: Chisholm, Kimlin, Hand
Blindside flankers: Elsom, Chapman
Openside flankers: Salvi, Fainga'a, Hooper
No 8s: Hoiles

Scrumhalves: Valentine, White, Phibbs
Flyhalves: To'omua, Coleman
Centres: Giteau, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), T Smith, A Smith, Stubbs
Wings: McCabe, Speight, Fainifo
Fullbacks: Lilo, Wara

Obviously there are a number of players there that can float between positions but you get the point...

 

[Lee Grant]

Thanks for categorising them Slim.

I've forgotten a lot about the Brumbies and have probably asked these questions before:

- Who would be the next LHP after Alexander in the Brumbies stable?
- Who is the next lock?

The back 3 look problematic.

I like Wallaby Way's choice of Vaea as the next no.8 off the rank if there is an injury or two - top young player.