If the Brumbies can’t win in 2010, they never will
Roar Pro
By Rhys Thompson, 28 May 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Brumbies, James OConnor, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
Brumbies' Peter Playford gets away, Brumbies V Reds - AAP Image/Mark Graham
In the past few weeks, there has been much exchanging of talent between the Super 14 squads. But the undoubted beneficiary of all this jockeying has been the Brumbies.
The team has only gotten rid of people they really didn’t need, and haven’t really lost any stars who have a big impact on their team. Let’s say that both Rocky Elsom and James O’Connor sign up, as it appears they may, then their best team appears like this:
1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Guy Shepherson
4. Peter Kimlin
5. Mark Chisholm
6. Rocky Elsom
7. George Smith
8. Stephen Hoiles
9. Josh Valentine
10. Matt Giteau
11. Francis Fainifo
12. Tyrone Smith
13. Stirling Mortlock
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. James O’Connor
16. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
17. Huia Edmonds
18. Ben Hand/Mitch Chapman
19. Salvi/Chapman
20. Pat Phibbs
21. Christian Lealiifano/ Matt Toomua/ Gene Fairbanks
22. Afusipa Taumoepau/ Matt Toomua
This Wallaby-ladened team would strongly rival the Brumbies championship teams of 2001 and 2004, and may, if they stick together for a few seasons and play to their potential, be one of the greatest ever groups of Super rugby players assembled in one team ever.
For a betting person, the smart money must go on the Brumbies for 2010.
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Rugby Union articles
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (198)
- Will South African rugby force a Super 21 by 2018? (172)
- Brumbies 2012: New coach, new players, new attitude (128)
- Dan Parks and the unsolved questions of expat rugby (61)
- Pocock set to be named new Force skipper (56)
- Can the ‘Tahs win the battle after losing the Waugh? (51)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Chiefs continue to wait for SBW (2)
- Nathan Sharpe to retire at end of 2012 (2)
- Queensland ready for Super challenge (2)
- Australian teams at Super disadvantage (49)
- Foley excited about Samoan rugby challenge
- Force rugby coach praises his pack
- The real story of how John O’Neill turned Manchester City down (53)
- Wales show Southern Hemisphere how to play running rugby (26)
- What opening matches of Six Nations taught us (18)
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (201)
- Clinical Chiefs cost rusty Rebels in Corio (9)
- Six Nations shows rugby is a parochial game at heart (5)
- Goose’s Super Rugby up-and-comer XV for 2012 (29)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Explore:
- Brumbies, James OConnor, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
Matt said | May 28th 2009 @ 6:35am | Report comment
It does look very good on paper, but you have to factor in individual playing styles and more importantly, coaching plans. Then again, the Brumbies have been known to coach themselves to Super titles.
Be interesting to see how it all gels, but one thing is for certain, as much as Canberra can be beautiful in spring and autumn, it’s mighty cold in winter. Elsom, Giteau, O’Conner (if he signs) and Valentine are not moving to the ACT for the scenery, they must think they have a very good crack at the title.
rugbyskier said | May 28th 2009 @ 8:09am | Report comment
Cue the hemjay troll in 3,2,1….
Seriously though, as a Brumbies supporter I hope that these signings will augur well for 2010 but I’ll be realistic by recalling the adage that a team of champions does not necessarily make a champion team. That said, the systems in place at the Brumbies have worked in the past, like Matt I wonder if 2004 was a championship where the Brumbies won despite not because of their coaching.
Pippinu said | May 28th 2009 @ 9:43am | Report comment
If it’s a squad that can have a tilt for a few years, then the title of this article is a little bit askew.
ballboy said | May 28th 2009 @ 11:28am | Report comment
While it is exciting to think that O’Connor and Rocky are coming to the Brumbies, it may not equate to a title…but it should! The Tahs had 10 selected Wallabies in their line up this year, the Force 8 and the Brumbies 6. This didn’t equate to where they finished on the ladder. With my slightly closed left eye I would say from those numbers the Brumbies did better considering their International reps. Almost double that next year and, yes, they will be in for a great shot.
James B said | May 28th 2009 @ 11:30am | Report comment
The Blues are a star-studded line-up, and look where they finished this year. The Brumbies look like a good team on paper, but they will need to avoid injuries, win more away games, and have some luck to win. For example, finishing top of the round robin and securing a home final is important.
Hemjay said | May 28th 2009 @ 11:47am | Report comment
Have to say the Wallabies oops I mean Brumbies on paper look bloody awesome. It would be a great team and should win the competition. However will this give the SA and NZ coaches 15 weeks to plan and plot the demise of their tri-Nations foes?
Rugbyskier if you thought I stuck the boot in this season just wait to see what will happen next year if this star studded lineup fails to deliver.
We all know that a quality team on paper does not equate to success on the field. If so the Tahs and the Hurricanes both would have one or two titles each by now.
Now I have to ask you you Aussie blokes how will this be beneficial to Australian rugby having a large portion of the quality players Australia does have in one team. Especially now that the real possibility of a fifth franchise is on the horizon?
By stacking one team you surely are consigning the rest to the dust bin surely noone in Australia from the other franchises will want to see their own team get thrashed year in year out by the Brumbies or do you really think the Reds, Force and Tahs to some degree are going to be happy that the Brumbies win the title that they are effectively being robbed of any chance by their countrymen?
These are just some questions I’d like answering from both Brumbies fans and other franchise supporters from within Australia.
Once again the team looks sh#t hot on paper and they would surely be top dog to win the competition and if they can pull iot off all credit to them.
reds fan said | May 28th 2009 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
Well we believe in a free market for players, so no one (administration) is stacking anything. Perhaps the only ones “stacking” the Brumbies are the players themselves, by choosing to go there.
How it impacts other teams??? Well as a reds fan…. SNAFU.
I do wonder where all the money is coming from though.
Sam Taulelei said | May 28th 2009 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
Sorry this is a ridiculous notion because it assumes that while the Brumbies have become strengthened with their latest recruitments that all of the other teams are standing still. On paper I would expect anything less than a top four finish from the Brumbies to be a failure but to win it, depends on other factors than just talent.
reds fan said | May 28th 2009 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
it’s a fair guess that some of us are standing still Sam. hahaha!
AndyS said | May 28th 2009 @ 1:22pm | Report comment
It will certainly apply the pressure if it does turn out that such a team of champions does not make a champion team, and you’d have to expect that it would be reflected in Wallaby selection. If they don’t make it, someone would have to carry the can – either the coach failed miserably, or all those champions don’t mix (and therefore shouldn’t all be put together again at international level), or any “non-champion” player was a massive liability and dragged the whole team down. One way or another, it it a high reward strategy that will also be high risk for someone.