Old heads to steer Brumbies in Super 14
Roar Guru By OldManEmu, 13 Feb 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Andy Friend, Bill Young, Brumbies, Julian Huxley, Rugby Union
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The Brumbies are easily the most successful Australian Super Rugby franchise in the short history of the competition and arguably rank second behind the all-conquering Crusaders as the best performed franchise to date.
I say this with gritted teeth.
With enormous exasparation it was that I watched players of the calibre of Finnegan, Knox, Langford, Young, McKenzie, Waugh, Smith, Gregan, and Mortloc form the nucleus of the trendsetters.
The aforementioned should all have been Waratahs, and due to a mix of incompetence and arrogance on the part of the Waratahs and clever recruiting on the Brumbies front, they were lost forever.
In recent times, however, the Brumbies have lost their way. Who knows why, but no doubt the ageing of champions had something to do with it.
But now some former champions return.
Brumbies fans rejoiced when former players Owen Finnegan, Bill Young and Julian Huxley were appointed to the coaching staff under Andy Friend, an ACT Rugby (as opposed to Brumbies) stalwart.
Finnegan and Young are from a different era to the current crop. They cut their teeth in pre season trials at Latham Park South Coogee and the back ovals at TG Milliner Field Eastwood. When they started in senior rugby, the game was not yet professional and their early experiences resound today.
They will call a spade an effin’ shovel.
They will encourage youngsters to enjoy their rugby on and off the field, to play right on the edge of the laws, to niggle, but most of all, to enjoy their team-mates’ company.
Both may well prove to be like vegemite. Too much of it is, well … too much. This is where Andy Friend’s skill and experience will tell.
Will he be able to properly harness his forward coaches zeal and enthusiasm so it translates for his younger players? Time will tell.
Julian Huxley will be an inspiration to the players, if he is able to commit sufficient time to his role amidst his personal battles.
The Brumbies may well be a bolter in 2009, if the jockeys trainers and strappers can get the preparation right.
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- Explore:
- Andy Friend, Bill Young, Brumbies, Julian Huxley, Rugby Union
February 13th 2009 @ 6:49am
Sherry said | February 13th 2009 @ 6:49am | Report comment
A timely post, OME, with the Brumbies playing the H’landers coming up. A lot of people in Oz are waiting to see how Morto and AAC go together, and just about the whole rugby world is waiting to see if Clyde R. can be a dashing international winger again.
Re. those players passed over by the Tahs, David Knox was my champ at Randwick – wonderful hands, and a deadly kicker. Yes, he was light on defence, but he seemed to be constantly blackballed by the W. selectors. They just flat out didn’t like him.
As for Finnegan, oh for a time machine to see Owen and Chabal go at it on the same field.
February 13th 2009 @ 9:57am
sheek said | February 13th 2009 @ 9:57am | Report comment
OME,
I’ve often wondered about that saying – calling a spade a shovel.
Isn’t that double-talk? Wouldn’t a straight-shooter call a spade a spade, a shovel a shovel, etc?
With plenty of expletives thrown in, of course.
February 13th 2009 @ 1:13pm
jam said | February 13th 2009 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
Why are Ben Alexander and Peter Kimlin stuck on the bench for Nic Henderson/Guy Sheperdson and Ben Hand?
February 14th 2009 @ 8:30am
Dan said | February 14th 2009 @ 8:30am | Report comment
This was an incredible game to start the season, the lead switching hands 4 times and plenty of great tries. Gotta say though I was dissappointed with the Brumbies final 20… I know they stuffed up worse in the first 20, but I some how felt that was forgivable being the first game of the season etc. They managed to show composure and fight their way back to a solid 11 point lead only to let the highlanders back in.
Still, they managed to get there in the end with a bonus point, so I suppose that says something for their composure too.
February 14th 2009 @ 9:50am
Worlds Biggest said | February 14th 2009 @ 9:50am | Report comment
OME – interesting, a week ago you were flabbergasted ( thanks Rex ) the Brumbies were being talked up for this year. The Brumbies did lose there way for a few years and a good part of that was to do with the unforgivable sacking of Nucifora. They won the Title in 04 but haven’t made the semi’s since. Two words – Laurie Fisher. He was the Senior players choice to take over. In his tenure with the same core group from the 04 Champion team they did donut. Had Nucifora stayed on I am sure they would have challenged for another Title. Gregan, Larkham, Mortlock & Melon wanted him gone and they got there wish. This mutiny was a shameful episode in Australian Rugby. Yes the Brumbies have a players ” take ownership ” culture however they should never determine a coaches fate. Hopefully assistant coaches Melon and Young don’t impart this mantra on the younger Brumbies and give Andy Friend a fair hearing.
Good first up win last night in the House of Pain last night, to come back from 19-0 was fantastic.
February 14th 2009 @ 11:27am
Joe said | February 14th 2009 @ 11:27am | Report comment
From what I understand they won the title when Nucifora was coaching largely because they ignored him. I don’t think it was shameful at all. If the senior players don’t have confidence in a coach then it can only be counterproductive to retain him. And they finished 5th under Fisher twice, both times winning more games than the team that came 4th – so he hardly turned them into a bunch of no-hopers.
February 14th 2009 @ 6:47pm
OldManEmu said | February 14th 2009 @ 6:47pm | Report comment
Biggest -I reflected, took on other peoples point so view, looked at the talent they have, studied upon Friend’s pedigree, considered what Hux, Young and Melon bring to the side – I was wrong. I think it is fair enough to expect the Brumbies to do well. Having seen last night’s game I think Brumbies supporters can be confident.
I will add two other factors in as well. Mortlock and Smith. Smith is IMHO the best Rugby player in the world. Not a popular opinion I know.He was there on show last night. By golly he did same amazing things. Mortlock too was incredible. How can a back run through a 6,4 and 8 as he did for his second try? I was watching the game last night woth someone who has watched more rugby than Amanda Vanstone has had big meals and I asked out loud when Mortlock scored his frst try “Hev you ever seen anyone run harder than Mortlock?’ I was not expecting an answer but it came after a few minutesof considered silence. The answer was No. If those two men stay fit, if Finnegan and Young dont stuff up – the Brumbies will be there when the whips are cracking.
February 14th 2009 @ 8:19pm
Worlds Biggest said | February 14th 2009 @ 8:19pm | Report comment
Joe, in Nucifora’s 3 years in charge they made the semi’s each year including 2 Finals and a Title. Did he inherit a strong squad from Eddie Jones, yes he did . Did he continue the winning momentum, yes he certainly did. Did Laurie Fisher hold up his end of the bargain with a strong squad, no he didn’t. Who gives a Monkey’s if they finished 5th twice, what did that achieve ??. He had a strong roster and didn’t get them where he should have. No one ( except your good self ) will remember that he took them to two 5th places. I go back to Nucifora, his treatment was a disgrace, players should not have influence to that extent. So some Senior players didn’t want him, the Brumbies Management should have showed some balls and back the coach but unfortunately they didn’t.
OME – I too think George Smith is phenominal, my favourite Australian player. Why he wasn’t made Captain is puzzling however hasn’t affected his game at all. As I mentioned last week, Brumbies & Waratahs to be our Top 4 Challengers.
Good win for the Tahs in the Cake Tun.
February 14th 2009 @ 8:48pm
OldManEmu said | February 14th 2009 @ 8:48pm | Report comment
Bugger – I just Greg effknuckle Growdens report on the Brumbies game and his description of Mortlock -I hereby swear to the almighty that I posted above before I read GFGs piece.
February 15th 2009 @ 7:26am
Mark H said | February 15th 2009 @ 7:26am | Report comment
First hit out. Caught out wide a couple of times….theyll come good this year. The Tahs v Brum trial was pretty poor so I dont expect anything too much till the third round. You guys are looking to deep.