Brumbies 2017

[mst]

If Allan Ala'alatoa packs down on his test side at THP (he should, he's been a 3 since...) maybe Ben A can revert to his favoured, and best, side at LHP. What are the Ponies' stocks like at 1?

Why? This is not a Wallabies convenience issue, this is about whats best for Brumbies and the player. I personally have a real issue with influential coaches using things like national team selection as the catalyst to force players to change to improve their own coaching CV. Coaches walk away after a few years and leave the player split between positions.

 

[Braveheart81]

Could not agree more. I have seen and personally experienced where influential coaches think changes are good (for their own benefit) and it ends up poorly for players.

Isn't it the Brumbies coaches that decided he would change from being a tight head to a loose head?

The overwhelming majority of his rugby from an early age has been at tight head and I think that is Lindo's point.

 

[mst]

All good thoughts MST.

I think I'd be happy to see how Fakosolea pans out in 2017 before writing him off. I'd also be willing to give Godwin the chance to see if he can regain some of his early career form and promise. The backline for next year looks to be a fairly large step down from previous 4 or 5 seasons, so an in form Godwin could be crucial. Will also be important to see if Christian and Henry can make it back to top form.

I am not an Aiden Toua critic like you. Certainly, his defense could do with some improvement, but he was one of the few attacking threats with ball in hand this year. And his kicking game is not quite so bad as some others, like failing to find touch with a penalty and then finding touch on the full in general play from outside the 22m along with a succession of poorly executed grubbers in general play as occurred in the one game versus the Rising last weekend.

I do agree that players like BA, Saia, Butler and Coleman have seen better days and have probably all stayed a year too long.

I am happy to go with what we have on the premise if they don't perform they go. Always (and a lot of the time ) happy to eat my words if the likes of Fakosolea and Godwin perform.

Losing Ruan has really forced us to keep Benny and sadly I think at a cost. Keeping Benny for his experience I can accept.

I would like to see another young prop (even better 2) and a young hooker identified on put on development contract now ready to replace Benny and Bongo when required. having them in the mix would beneficial all round.

I was Ok with Toua but lost my patience. I can see why in Europe they played him on the wing, and its where I would like to see him but his defence is a real issue. So far the Brumbies seem to have more patience with him at fullback then any of his other recent clubs (Reds's & Agen).

My attitude to the Brumbies backline in 2017 is gamble and experiment. We have nothing to lose and no better options, so keep mixing and matching until something gels without pushing preconceived ideas.

JJH is like Damian McKenzie to me - used at the right time in the right way he could be great. Used in the wrong way at the wrong time will be a disaster.

 

[mst]

Isn't it the Brumbies coaches that decided he would change from being a tight head to a loose head?

The overwhelming majority of his rugby from an early age has been at tight head and I think that is Lindo's point.

I could be wrong, but I though it was at the Wallabies he changed? I am aware he can play both side but I believed (and happy to be corrected) that the Brumbies moved him to his preferred side.

 

[Highlander35]

I could be wrong, but I though it was at the Wallabies he changed? I am aware he can play both side but I believed (and happy to be corrected) that the Brumbies moved him to his preferred side.

Junior World Cup:


In 2014:
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/14461
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/14470
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/14474
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/14488
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/14482

4 games at tighthead, 1 at reserve tighthead in the 2014 U20s.

In 2013:
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/13939
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/13945
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/13948
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/13955
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/13961

3 at reserve tighthead, 1 at tighthead, 1 at reserve loosehead.

In 2012:

http://www.worldrugby.org/match/12529
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/12537
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/12543
http://www.worldrugby.org/match/12548

1 did not play, 4 games at reserve tighthead

Can't dig up any West Harbour team sheets at short notice, but to my mind, that's 13 games to one at tighthead vs loosehead at the JWC playing with the likes of Hoskins, Makin, and Kite, all proper tightheads.

 

[Brumby Runner]

As far as I know, Allan did play TH (in the U20s if I'm not mistaken) and brother Mike played LH. When they made their Super Rugby debuts (or soon after) they had both swapped sides. But that's immaterial to the current discussion, which is the best solution for the Brumbies in 2017. Allan needs to swap back to LH and Benny A then shares most of the TH duties with Les Makin.

 

[mst]

And again, I believe he may have preferred to play LH. It is where he has shown his recent form. The form that got him selected for the Wallabies.

Or was he selected off past history?

 

[mouth guard]

As for the flyhalf issue - its slim pickings locally, so it again grab a young talent from somewhere, or the best JiD 10 (I like this option) or if you could swing it I would even take one of the standout 10's from the Mitre10.

If the NRC is anything to go by surely Coleman will be starting 10 for the Brumbies next year? Under the guidance of Larkham he could become one of the best 10s in Aus.....

 

[Slim 293]

Under the guidance of Larkham he could become one of the best 10s in Aus...

 

[Lindommer]

The Ponies should at least trial Allan at 3 and Ben at 1 next year. Alexander was a much better prop at LHP, necessity caused him to change sides.

 

[Slim 293]

I doubt there's any chance Alexander will go back to LH after playing exclusively on the other side for the past 4 years..............

 

[TOCC]

Greg Holmes only switched to THP when he was 30/31 after years of playing LHP

 

[mst]

If the NRC is anything to go by surely Coleman will be starting 10 for the Brumbies next year? Under the guidance of Larkham he could become one of the best 10s in Aus...

Prescription or illicit?

 

[mst]

The Ponies should at least trial Allan at 3 and Ben at 1 next year. Alexander was a much better prop at LHP, necessity caused him to change sides.

What was the necessity?

 

[Hawko]

If the NRC is anything to go by surely Coleman will be starting 10 for the Brumbies next year? Under the guidance of Larkham he could become one of the best 10s in Aus...

Mouth guard is taking the piss....he's not making a serious comment.

 

[Slim 293]

Greg Holmes only switched to THP when he was 30/31 after years of playing LHP

So when is he going to play at LHP next?

 

[Lindommer]

mst, I was a back so, theoretically, I know bugger all about the dark arts of the front row. BUT, I've watched Allan play rugby since he was 7, and Ben since he was about 18, and I'm not convinced the changes they've both made to the other side of the scrum's left them in their best propping positions. And I'm a firm adherent to the "suck-it-and-see" approach to a lotta things in life. In this instance, considering what's happened to the Ponies' prop stocks recently, I'd suggest trialling Allan at 3 and Ben at 1 would result in nothing ventured, nothing gained.

There again, I was a back.

 

[Brumby Runner]

If the NRC is anything to go by surely Coleman will be starting 10 for the Brumbies next year? Under the guidance of Larkham he could become one of the best 10s in Aus...

Can't kick, can't tackle, can't bat, can't bowl, can't field etc etc.

 

[mst]

@Lindommer: I can accept that, and like you I have little understanding of the dark arts. I am taking the view that they both performed well in the past year, and Allan was picked on his form he showed at the Brumbies playing 1. The recruitment is also based that scenario (even though the ballsed up with Lomax and Ruan).

The suck it see can work for some, but I have seen athletes suffer due to the theory, so much so they never recover back to the level they were. It only take minor tweak to technique to loose there way, just like some suffer after injury.

Lilo's kicking post injury was a real example of it. Theoretically once recovered nothing should have changed but it did.

IMHO, if he is to change, then let it happen at the Brumbies. Maybe there are other reasons why the decision was made at the Brumbies originally.

Regardless, it should not be done at the Wallabies under pressure and in a compressed (stressful) time frame.

 

[USARugger]

It would be funny if it wasn't nearly true.. current depth at 10 nationwide is pretty abysmal