Brumbies 2018

[Tomikin]

I don't believe that's true, but happy to be corrected....

Plus 500 are an Israeli based financial firm.

I was wrong but they were going to continue the sponsorship but the Brumbies asked to alter the deal so that plus 500 could come on board.

https://www.brumbies.com.au/2016/12/brumbies-announce-plus500-new-naming-rights-partner

I remember reading at the time it was a good thing not a lose of a sponsor it was gaining a major sponsor and allowing Aquis to spend more on club rugby

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[TOCC]

I’m not sure how it was painted, however the original 6 years AQUIS sponsorship was contingent on certain triggers been met in relation to political decisions on the casino and pokies. They weren’t reached so the sponsorship was downgraded.

Same thing happened to the Titans, however their sponsorship was cancelled completely when AQUIS missed out on a Casino license in qld completely.

 

[mst]

I think the AQUIS sponsorship and their reasons for changing the commitment were a little more complicated then just the boards actions.

Like the Gold Coast Titans, they had clauses built in which activated extensions or downgrades depending on government decisions over the pokies and casinos.

There were contingencies in the deal but Aquis publicly supported Jones and his change management programme even praising his vision and work. Once he was cut there a deal agreed to that Aquis would realign the sponsorship to ACT community rugby and painted as courteously giving up the front of jersey spot to Plus500. (A major sponsor letting another take over the from of jersey?) It all happened very quickly and quietly.

Aquis Canberra casino was holding Brumbies events for home and away games (big screen, party, players in attendance) etc and it all just ceased. These attracted business for Aquis and it makes no sense to cut them (lose business) unless you have severed ties which they had. Aquis now buy advertising via the ACT Government for GIO Stadium.

The irony of this is the arch enemy to Aquis in the casino redevelopment and battle over the inclusion of poker machines is the Raiders. So Aquis has no one they wish to sponsor so its all spent on advertising at GIO etc.

Canberra casino has 200 poker machines approved for use at the casino.

 

[mst]

I’m not sure how it was painted, however the original 6 years AQUIS sponsorship was contingent on certain triggers been met in relation to political decisions on the casino and pokies. They weren’t reached so the sponsorship was downgraded.

Same thing happened to the Titans, however their sponsorship was cancelled completely when AQUIS missed out on a Casino license in qld completely.

Jones settled with the Brumbies in September, Brumbies announced re-signing of Aquis as principal partner in October nullifying the triggers, the Elections was held a few weeks later (late Oct) with the result Aquis wanted, Plus500 was announced as principal sponsor in December replacing Aquis.

Several other sponsors including ActewAGL also cut ties at this time but did so under the radar.

 

[TOCC]

There were contingencies in the deal but Aquis publicly supported Jones and his change management programme even praising his vision and work. Once he was cut there a deal agreed to that Aquis would realign the sponsorship to ACT community rugby and painted as courteously giving up the front of jersey spot to Plus500. (A major sponsor letting another take over the from of jersey?) It all happened very quickly and quietly.
.

it wasn’t a case of courteously giving up the front of the jersey..
It was simply a case of activations clauses not been met, instead Brumbies negotiated a new deal in Oct 2016 which saw a shift in the level of AQUIS sponsorship from 2017 onwards. One contract finished, and a new one was signed.

 

[Tomikin]

So all, this says too me that Aquis didn't dump the Brumbies cause of the board

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[TOCC]

I think AQUIS is concerned about bigger issues then individuals on the board, thats not to say the board issue had some marginal influence but I certainly don't think it was a determining factor, Brumbies presented an opportunity to build their brand in Canberra to build support for their casino plans, similar to the Gold Coast.

 

[mst]

it wasn’t a case of courteously giving up the front of the jersey..
It was simply a case of activations clauses not been met, instead Brumbies negotiated a new deal in Oct 2016 which saw a shift in the level of AQUIS sponsorship from 2017 onwards. One contract finished, and a new one was signed.

No, actually. At the announcement of Plus500 it was the question that most wanted answered as Aquies were only renewed (extended as principal) a month before. But that was "managed" with the "Aquis is kindly stepping aside to give Plus500 the opportunity........". It was hard not to giggle and most of us walked away amused as it was such a halfarsed thrown together event.

Happy to end the argument here. Must just be coincidental that many other sponsors (like ActewAGL have now publicly confirmed) walked away at the same time. Even more so is Aquis and the Brumbies forget to mention, or got mixed up, as they plastered it everywhere that Aquis were the principal partner but were really only community rugby sponsors.

Most of this was fairly well known around town but kept quiet. Its only now we are getting the formal acknowledgement in the media.

 

[TOCC]

yes... activation clauses....

 

[mst]

I think AQUIS is concerned about bigger issues then individuals on the board, thats not to say the board issue had some marginal influence but I certainly don't think it was a determining factor, Brumbies presented an opportunity to build their brand in Canberra to build support for their casino plans, similar to the Gold Coast.

Bigger than you may think actually. Canberra is a small place. The individuals on that board were very influential in Canberra business and politics. This was this an entree....http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act...ino-now-or-in-the-future-20160610-gpginh.html

From pro Aquis to them walking away? Chester was the one credited at getting the Plus500 sponsorship over the line but then left straight after it. Chester now works for Geocon who shares a good relatinship with Aquis.

Add in the UC Parker thing, consultant working for Brumbies, ACT Gov and UC on the development deals, land swap saga, the UC 30yr rent deal with no paperwork and upfront payment made. There was / still is much more swirling in the background than most realised.

It was open warfare for some period. Remember this public criticism of the Brumbies:
organisation? http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...n-to-take-responsibility-20160804-gqlgx6.html

Now Griffin Legal are the sponsors of the JiD.

 

[mst]

All up the Brumbies are a political play-toy which assures their existence (as RA already knows).

Anyway, lets agree to disagree TOCC and move on.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Speight signed until the end of 2019.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Poey back against the Tahs. No other changes to the starting line up.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Must have been tight between McCaffery and Cusack for the No 6 spot. Both pretty good defenders in the tight stuff with Cusack maybe a little better ball carrier and maybe a slightly higher workload. McCaffery maybe a better link man with the backs. Who would be the better lineout operator?

I just hope the team has been spending time on defending the high cross kick to the Tahs' wingers. If they can't contain Folau and Naiyarovoro, then they will have little hope of coming away with a win.

 

[mst]

I love Dan McKellar's post match pressers. Weather your a first time watcher or just read the stats of a game, he makes you feel like somewhat of a rugby expert and on par with a Super Rugby coach. He really is giving Captain Obvious a run for his money.

As usual not a clue about what the issues are or what to do about it. But hey, we can always try harder and study another replay.

https://www.rugby.com.au/videos/2018/03/31/super-rugby-brumbies-waratahs-mckellar-pocock-presser

He always seems to make a comment that if the opposition didn't do "x" we'd be fine.

I cant wait for next weeks Circus de Brumbies proudly brought to us by Dan McKellar.

 

[Tomikin]

The team is talented probably better than last year but our issues in coaching. Larkham is missed as attacking coach and head coach..Probably need to clean decks maybe with Fisher and Palmer staying on in there roles. Dan ain't the man we were looking for.

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[RoffsChoice]

Statistically, our attack is better than last year, but we certainly look less capable. And, talent wise, I'll say we're better everywhere but 6. But there's a complacency about the team. They need proper coaching, that's clear, but they also need to be shocked into fighting tooth and nail for their position.

To that end, I actually feel like I want to see basically complete rotation. Next week, pick this team:
Mayhew
McInerney
Erasmus
Enever
Swain
McCaffrey
Pocock
Naisarani
Lucas
Hawera
Dargaville
Smith (c)
Kuridrani
Muirhead
Banks

Fainga'a
Sio
Ala'alatoa
Rory Arnold
Cusack
Powell
Lealiifano
Peni

I know it looks insane. It feels a bit insane. But we're a failure as a team as is, so try something to fix it.

 

[mst]

Statistically, our attack is better than last year, but we certainly look less capable. And, talent wise, I'll say we're better everywhere but 6. But there's a complacency about the team. They need proper coaching, that's clear, but they also need to be shocked into fighting tooth and nail for their position.

To that end, I actually feel like I want to see basically complete rotation. Next week, pick this team:
Mayhew
McInerney
Erasmus
Enever
Swain
McCaffrey
Pocock
Naisarani
Lucas
JJH
Dargaville
Hawera
Smith (c)
Kuridrani
Muirhead
Banks

Fainga'a
Sio
Ala'alatoa
Rory Arnold
Cusack
Powell
Lealiifano Hansen
Peni

I know it looks insane. It feels a bit insane. But we're a failure as a team as is, so try something to fix it.

Fixed as I flew over the nest.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Nah - just too much change Roffy (stating the bloody obvious).

Didn't think Blake E had such a strong game v the Tahs to keep him in front of Rory.

Allan A was one of the few standouts for the Brumbies and it would be foolish to replace him.

Folau F is very green and needs to continue getting game time, so should be retained.

I would bring Cusack in to replace McCaffery. Much of a muchness in their games.

Worst case would be to bring Matt Lucas into the side after his very poor cameo v the Tahs. He was responsible for some of the most pointless kicking in the game. I just cannot excuse his lack of vision when he kicked for line immediately after a turnover near half way with his backline set and the Tahs' defense going backwards. The worst tactical mistake in the whole game.

Jackson-Hope has had quite a few opportunities in past years but has never shown the sort of form or capability to make it at Super level. Hawera had a fairly solid game v the Tahs and should stay.

I am quite conducive to the idea of Smith at 12, but surely not in concert with TK at 13. I'd really like to see how Banks can handle 13, so would stick with Muirhead at 15 and Taliauli at 11.

In summary, my rotated side would look like :

Mayhew, Fainga'a, Ala'alatoa, Arnold, Swain, Cusack, Pocock, Naisarani, Powell, Hawera, Taliauli, Smith, Banks, Dargaville, Muirhead. Verity-Am on the bench would be a must

 

[Slim 293]

I think we can rotate the squad ad nauseum and get the same result........

I have said before that the Brumbies need to follow what Thorn is doing at the Reds and start giving opportunities to those players who have impressed for the Vikings and Runners, but I'm not sure the current coaching setup can get the best out of them (remember the Vikings first season?) and it could more harm than good to the confidence of those younger players.

Having said that, it might improve McKellar's standings if those guys were to deliver results, but I'm skeptical.........

Anyways, I don't know why Banks was dropped in the first place, but we need to have him back in the starting team.

I've been a big cheerleader of Cusack going into the season, but I'm not sure if he's done enough to be elevated to the starting team - his NRC form was exceptional and he displayed good leadership so I think his time will come.

I don't know if dumping our Wallaby props is going to achieve much, considering how poor the scrum has been in the latter half of matches. But I would persist with Sione over Mayhew as he has a higher ceiling.

I think we need Carter back in the starting side, as the set piece has really struggled without him. Rory Arnold has been the best of a bad bunch and has added some much needed physicality at times, wheras Enever has been disappointing.

At halfback I would drop Lucas and give Lonergan a shot off the bench - he deserves it. Lucas has not impressed me at all throughout the trials and the season so far.

Despite Kuridrani's typical lethargic Super Rugby form, he was instrumental in a couple of the Brumbies best attacking moments on the weekend and is solid in defence.

As much as it sucks to say it......... the real weak link in the backline is still at 12.