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Super 14 Preview - Brumbies |
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Written by Lee Grant
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Monday, 15 January 2007 |
 This year the Brumbies will experience life without Giteau and next year they will experience it without Paul, Larkham and Gregan, also. In 2007 there will be as much interest in the 2008 replacements as anybody or anything else. I think that Gandalf will start a bit of transition this year already, especially against weaker teams.
Changes
Gains:
Newcomer Hoiles duplicates George Smith a bit but they should be dynamite on the park at the S14 level if they play together. Huxley, IMO the Player of the APC, was a good acquisition to back up Larkham. Playford may be one of those transition players who get substantial time on the park.
| Stephen Hoiles |
NSW Waratahs |
| Julian Huxley |
Qld Reds |
| Peter Playford |
Tasman Makos |
| Francis Fainifo (R) |
Brumby Runners |
| Christian Lealiifano (R) |
Brumby Runners |
| Matt Carraro (R) |
NSW Academy |
Losses:
Joe Millionaire will be a big loss for the Brumbies.
| Matt Giteau |
Western Force |
| Bill Young |
Retired |
| Radike Samo |
Cut – Newcastle (UK) |
| Joel Wilson |
Retired |
| Ben White |
Cut |
| Peter Owens |
Cut – Italy |
| Ben Batger |
Cut |
| James McCormack |
Unknown |
| Tim Curran |
Rookie contract not upgraded |
Strengths
Second row/Backrow - These should be considered together because Chisholm, AWH, Heenan and even young Stanford can all play lock or 6. Add in specialist lock Campbell, fetcher Smith and 8s Hoiles and Tawake, and you can come up with some very good game day units from 4 to 8.
Lineout – See above. The Brumbies will always be able to use 3 specialist jumpers.
Scrumhalf depth – Reserve Phibbs stepped up towards the end of the 2006 S14 and 3rd string Burgess is a young smokey.
Home games – This year they play some tough games against the Crusaders, Waratahs and Blues at home, where they have a 81% win rate.
Gregan, Larkham and Mortlock The Brumbies holy Trinity. Enough said, provided they stay healthy.
Weaknesses
Prop depth – reserve props Ma’afu and Ulugia have only one S14 match from the bench between them.
Fullback – AAC was ordinary at fullback last year as Gerrard was the year before. Huxley may be the best choice.
Aging leaders – Mortlock, Paul, Larkham and Gregan are getting on a bit and the 1st 3 are particularly prone to injury.
Rustiness- The senior players and a couple of other Wallabies will be excused from one or both trials and will be leg weary from over-training in the new year. They will be rusty.
Draw
Average, but they have 3 matches in the RSA this year and just 6 at home. On the other hand they play the Chiefs, Blues and Hurricanes whilst some of their All Blacks are rested.
Questions
Will the Trinity stay relatively free of injury and will props Henderson and Shepherdson stay healthy? How many games will Heenan play this year? Will transition players be able to handle the job when they are given a chance to shine for 2008?
Best team
1. N. Henderson; 2. J. Paul; 3. G, Shepherdson; 4. M. Chisholm; 5. A. Campbell; 6. D. Heenan; 7. G. Smith; 8. Stephen Hoiles; 9. G. Gregan; 10. S. Larkham; 11. M. Gerrard; 12. G. Fairbanks; 13. S. Mortlock; 14. C. Rathbone; 15. J. Huxley.
[Most likely AAC will be the starting fullback, but this is my post.]
Look Out For
The Faingaa twins: Saia and Anthony. The twins are still teenagers and may not get much time on the park, but if they do, I think they will start their march to the gold jersey a few years down the track. Hooker Saia, the Oz U/19 captain, has already played S14 rugby from the bench, and any stumble from Gene Fairbanks may see twin Anthony on the park. This kid can play.
Prediction
Unless Paul and the Trinity stay healthy and start in most of their games this year, I fear that their season will be much the same as last year and they will just miss out on the finals. 5th
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