Oz Super 14 coaches: a force multiplier?

Feb 8

Posted by Lance Free
3 Comments

Not much to laugh about now Mitch

In military parlance, a force multiplier is an asset that increases your ability to succeed in the violence of the battlefield.

Transposed to rugby it is the people, strategies, innovation and organisation that you can bring to your franchise to enhance success.

And one of the major force multipliers in any season will be the Australian Super 14 coaching crew.

This year it’s a relatively stable bunch with only one head coaching position changing hands over the summer and a tweaking of a few support roles. Read more »

Sep 24

Behind the scenes of the “Secret Summit”

Posted by Noddy
6 Comments

Robbie Deans: Hi lads, thanks so much for coming on such short notice.

Chris Hickey: No problems Robbie.

Andy Friend: The Brumbies are glad to have the opportunity.

John Mitchell: Yes, Robbie, just like old times hey? But seriously, I just want to say what an honour it is for me, I mean for all of us, to be here today. It’s a wonderful example of your inclusivity when it comes to Australian Rugby and I think we are all just so lucky to have you here at our disposal.

Deans - Mitchell - Friend - Hickey - (unknown)

AF: Woah. You kiss anymore arse there Mitch and we’ll have to Read more »

Jul 6

Gold

Posted by Gagger
9 Comments

Straight to the Pool Room

Below are the very best bits of Green and Gold Rugby
(I didn’t say they were good, just the best we could do).

Any other nominations (from this site!) are welcome in the comments.

Video Mashups

Ask Bakkies

My week

But seriously,

Not so seriously

Wallabies of the decade

In the lead up to New Years Eve 2009, we published a series of articles looking back at some of the highlights of Australian Rugby throughout the decade. You can download them all in one easy ebook below, and send it to all your mates!

Click to Download the eBook

Jun 24

Friendy talks all things Brumbies with G&GR

Posted by Juan Cote
9 Comments

Andy Friend

From the team’s inception, the Brumbies have always seemed to have a strong culture, perhaps not always positive, but a strong culture all the same. When you look back on teams of the past and the coaches that have lead the Brumbies, you can almost align a particular culture with each coach.

For the Macqueen era, it was based on innovation and challenge, Fast Eddie brought a hard-edged professionalism that delivered the first Super 12 title to the province. The Nucifora era was one of player power and independence, which not only saw another Super 12 title won by the team, but also cost the coach his job.

Jun 10

Brumbies brush JO’C? – Andy Friend talks exclusively to G&GR

Posted by Juan Cote
4 Comments

Can you spot Juan?

In a move that will surprise many, it appears as though the Brumbies have pulled out of the race to sign up-and-coming Wallaby fullback, James O’Connor. Whether this is just a bargaining play by Brumbies chief Andrew Fagan remains to be seen, however Fagan has indicated the Brumbies are no longer in the hunt to sign JO’C.

This statement was certainly backed by Coach Andy Friend, who spoke to G&GR before he flew to Samoa to lead a series of training sessions with the Samoan RWC train-on squad. Friend seemed to be more than comfortable with the options available to the Brumbies at fullback, without the signature of O’Connor. Read more »

May 26

Brumbies 2010: is their greed good for all?

Posted by Gagger
35 Comments

The pied piper

Should all the chips fall the right way, the Brumbies could be just about to pull off the most remarkable recruitment drive since the franchises inception.

Many would say that they already had one of the best squads in Australia, with World XV players like Mortlock, George Smith and Stephen Moore backed up by talents like Ashley-Cooper, Tyrone Smith, Ben Alexander, Mark Chisholm and Peter Kimlin to name but a few. A squad that only just fell short of the finals.

However, with the signing of Matt Giteau – Australia’s most talented back and perhaps the World’s form 10 – they have done far more than plug an experience hole at pivot, they have reached a tipping point of desirability that other players are finding hard to resist. Read more »

May 23

Early spring cleaning for the Brumbies

Posted by Juan Cote
12 Comments

Aussie Clyde - what next?

It appears the Brumbies have wasted no time in looking toward 2010 with the news that Clyde Rathbone has been released from the franchise. Effectively this is a decision that will more than likely end the 28 year-old’s Super rugby career.

It’s sad, as we never quite got to see the best of a player that had plenty of talent and courage. Read more »

May 9

Brumbies vs Blues Live score

Posted by Gagger
2 Comments

Final Score: Brumbies 37 – Blues 15

May 2

Live Score: Reds vs Brumbies

Posted by Gagger
12 Comments

Final Score Reds 13 – Brumbies 52

For blow by blow action Read more »

Apr 10

Brumbies v Stormers Preview

Posted by Juan Cote
2 Comments

Brumbies - doing it for Shawn

Emotions won’t be too far below the surface for the Brumbies and it will depend on their ability to control and channel these emotions that will determine the result.

A positive for the Brumbies is the Stormers total lack of cohesion so far this season. I’ve not seen all their games, but the ones I have seen, they don’t look at all like a team that is heading in the right direction. It looks as if the big-guns of the team are happy to sleep walk through this year’s competition and keep themselves safe for the up-coming Lions tour later in the season. Read more »

Apr 6

Shawn Mackay

Posted by Gagger
12 Comments

shawn-mckay

The terrible news overnight is that Shawn Mackay, the ACT Brumbies forward, died from complications following being hit by a car in Durban on Saturday 28th March.

Although I never had the opportunity to meet Shawn, or see him play too many times, there’s something about the game of rugby that makes us all part of a bigger community. Therefore the news of his tragic death at the age of 26 is a very sad shock and I know there are plenty of others on this site and elsewhere feeling the same way. Our thoughts and wishes go out to all of his friends and family.

Rest in peace Shawn, you are missed and will be remembered.

Below is a clip from Foxsports Extra Time which includes a tribute from Andy Friend.

Also, here is a little more information about the man and what’s happened over the last week, from the ARU. Read more »

Mar 29

Brumby in serious car accident

Posted by Moses
5 Comments

Shawn Mackay

AN UPDATED POST ON SHAWN CAN BE FOUND HERE

I just heard on the radio that a Brumby has been hit by a car in Durban. I think it was Shawn Mackay, but only heard half of the report.

Andy Friend was very distressed on the phone, said that the victim was been well looked after in hospital, and they were hoping it was only multiple fractures. I believe he also said it was the leg that was hit.

We’ll update this blog post as more information comes to hand..

Mar 11

Brumbies vs Tahs preview

Posted by Gagger
10 Comments

Tyrone Smith - shuffles Mortlock outside

This friday offers the next juicy Aussie derby and it gets more intriguing and less predictable as the days go by.

How the mighty have fallen – in just two weeks. On the strength on one loss (albiet a dicking at home) and a week to stew on it, the Brumbies have gone from well oiled machine, to full backline re-construction case. It’s tempting to call this an over-reaction, but it looks more like Andy Friend is making the tough decisions. Read more »

Mar 2

So what happened here?

Posted by Gagger
7 Comments

"fuck Nuci, did I just see that?"

I would imagine that on Andy Friend’s burgeoning shit-list from the weekend, will be the first try that the Force scored through Cameron Shepherd in the 26th minute.

The commentators put it down to pure Giteau skill, but I can’t help but ask how two Wallabies ended up marking the space between Palasesa and Cross. Worried about Lealiifano by any chance?

Have a look at these stills to see if you can figure out just what went so wrong with a supposedly rock solid mid-field. Read more »

Feb 9

Super 14 2009 predictions

Posted by Gagger
13 Comments

who's gonna bloody win it?

You can over analyse these things so I’m gonna shoot from the hip. Rather than try and rank everyone (who gives a shit if your 11th or 12th?) I’m gonna chuck em all into a few categories to guide where you bet your rent.

Cheetahs – fodder

Lions – fodder

Highlanders – kiwi fodder (so not bottom of table, but close)

Bulls – strugglers. While there’s more than a few big names in there like Matfield, Du Preez, Habana, Spies. I’d back em more if they realised we’re playing under the ELVs and they weren’t tearing each other apart in the sheds. Read more »

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