Brumbies 2012: New coach, new players, new attitude
Roar Guru By pjbreck, 28 Jan 2012 pjbreck is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Brumbies, Eddie Jones, Fotu Auelua, Jack White, Laurie Fisher, Leon Power, Rugby Union, Super 15
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So here we are on the precipice ready to dive into Super Rugby Season 2012. I am ready to move on from the debacle that was the Brumbies last season and the bewildering meanderings of the Wallabies at Rugby World Cup 2011.
So I thought in order to banish my memories of the Brumbies last year, I will give my opinion on how they will fare this year.
I am sitting here at a Canberra institution, All Bar Nun, the scene of many a football occasion, and the Brumbies have run of the place after finals victories. Sadly, it is in its last week of operation, but in this place I can see similarities to the Brumbies.
It had some high times (interestingly around the time the Brumbies did) but now it has the look and feel of a place content with where it is. Not moving on, just existing, much the same as the Brumbies of recent times.
I don’t want to dwell on the last few years, I think enough has been said and it should be left in the past. I previously wrote an article with some suggestions on how the Brumbies can once again be a force in Super Rugby. There wasn’t much to it, simple stuff really:
1. Get a good coach on board.
2. Get fans to buy back in, by getting around town.
3. Get in some young talent.
4. Upgrade the coaching panel.
I am not sure if the Brumbies officialdom read the article, but it looks like they taken significant strides towards my suggestions: They got a good coach in Jake White. Point one tick!
The entire squad now plays in the local competition and I see more players around town. For example they cooked the free breakfast at Australia day, and I sat next to Jerry Yanuyanutawa at Lonsdale St Roasters for coffee this morning. Point 2 tick!
They recruited a number of young guys including Sam Carter, Cam Crawford, Ruaidhri Murphy and Siliva Siliva. Point 3 tick!
They got Laurie Fisher to return as forwards coach and Eddie Jones on consultancy. Point 4 tick!
Additionally the Brumbies have recruited some size in the backs and forwards. Leon Power and Fotu Auelua will add some starch and go forward. I am especially keen to see how Auelua goes, having watched some of his runs on Youtube from his time at Toulon, he looks damaging.
I am also keen to see how the new halves and inside backs get on this year. In my opinion Toomua and Lealiifano have not been able to show how good they are.
I still believe that Lealiifano is one of the most underrated players going around. I am not saying he is as good as Cooper or even Barnes but he is better than he is given credit for. It will take these two good players to lead the team forward.
The squad this year looks to have a lot of hunger that has been missing over the last few years. The Brumbies seem to have been accepting of losses, and comfortable because their positions were safe. This new bunch expect to win. A sucessful team needs that attitude.
Compare the Brumbies to the Australian Cricket team. For the last couple of years, the Australian XI look content in a draw, a far cry from a few years ago where anything but victory inside 3 days was seen as failure.
As I sit here watching the 4th test against India, I am looking at a team where once again victory is mandatory. The Brumbies should take note of this- the winning attitude is why the Brumbies have succeeded in both winning and growing a fan base in the past.
So to Super Rugby 2012: what do I expect from the Brumbies? This is a delicate question, as in the eyes of many fans nothing but another title will suffice, but I think a bit of reality has to come into this year.
The Brumbies are moving in the right direction. For me personally, all I want to see this year is the return of hunger in the team. That desire to win. I am not expecting the Brumbies to win every game, in fact if they lost them all this year but give 110 percent in every game, I will be more satisfied than I was last year.
With this squad I think that it will take two to three years before they are a constant force, but they will knock over a few teams this year.
So with my membership renewed, and a new spring in my step, a new look team with a new attitude, I can’t wait for season 2012 to kick off. And this year I plan to go to all the games, so I’ll see you at the game!
Go those Brumbies!
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- Brumbies, Eddie Jones, Fotu Auelua, Jack White, Laurie Fisher, Leon Power, Rugby Union, Super 15
January 28th 2012 @ 1:36pm
DocP | Cowra said | January 28th 2012 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
pjb … great stuff! Fabulous insight, levelheaded assessment and realistic forecast.
Can’t agree more with your appraisal of Lealiifano. He’s a wonderful team player, as gutsy as any in Oz, is blessed with fabulous skills, is a wonderful ball distributor, runs with intent and power and kicks far less than Barnes. Why Deans has consistently overlooked him beggars belief.
I strongly support the incumbent CEO. Few bloggers give Andrew Fagan due credit for originally signing a Canberran with sound coaching credentials but then facing front-on the crisis under his tenure in 2010-11. That Fagan acted promptly to clear the decks in his global search for a coach of international renown is to his enduring credit. Where is the justification for the many who have been acerbic in their criticism? What coaching or administrative experience do they have to underpin their disgraceful vitriol?
I agree pjb, signing Jake White is an excellent choice for rebuilding the team and a return to the halcyon days of Brumbies rugby.
Jake White:
1. brings an impeccable reputation and is unencumbered with promises and back-room pledges to players with big names and high profiles. This surely levels the field for all contenders, ensuring those who deserve to be picked will be on the paddock, rather than those of reputation.
2. along with Dean Benton, he has overseen a tremendously tough pre-season which has reduced egos but raised fitness, engendered hunger and built team cohesion.
3. consults those with insight and experience. The very experienced Laurie Fisher will have benefitted enormously from his time in Ireland. Will Eddie Jones make any useful contribution now he’s coaching Japan? Far better that White has kept Stephen Larkham and values him highly, in contrast to many bellyaching bloggers. Bernie brings gravitas, intelligence, and vast on-field organisational skills. His contribution to any renaissance will surely pass without fan-fare, in similar fashion to his understated playing persona.
4. has recruited numerous blokes with size and speed … hopefully they have the necessary skills to dominate in the contest.
5. has apparently signed some with much needed mongrel, a crucial ingredient for success, sadly missing for too many years.
6. hopefully, his ambition to oversee a return to the inaugural Brumbies ethos of determination, hunger for success, team cohesion and running rugby will be successful. If injuries don’t derail top choice picks, under the current administration the no-name Brumbies surely will fly below the radar, yet acquit themselves well.
We’re looking forward to the 2012 season with great expectation … and hoping pride will once again grace the colts from the capital.
Go the Brumbies!
January 28th 2012 @ 2:13pm
Who Needs Melon said | January 28th 2012 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
“Where is the justification for the many who have been acerbic in their criticism? What coaching or administrative experience do they have to underpin their disgraceful vitriol?” : ahhh… the Matt Burke argument.
Thanks for joining us Mrs Fagan.
January 28th 2012 @ 1:40pm
Mark said | January 28th 2012 @ 1:40pm | Report comment
Brumbies, if no success will have to consider relocation. As many would disagree.
It’s an international based competition, meaning the expense of running a club are more expensive.
I see no other choice but relocate to 1st West Sydney or with the massive growth of Rugby in South East Queensland recently, Gold Coast.
Brumbies must finish mid table or above to be a financial success.
Winning the comp would clearly boost profits. Not that that will happen.
At present, bottom 3 finish this year is on the cards. I’m predicting the worst ever season for the Brumbies. Sad really, considering they were our most successful Super Rugby team.
I picture the Brumbies to have an all time crowd attendance low of around 8000 this year and with the conservative crowd Canberra offers……… I already hear the crickets chirping.
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January 28th 2012 @ 2:08pm
kingplaymaker said | January 28th 2012 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
Mark I think there is a problem of player hoarding throughout Super rugby whereby a few teams get to keep all the good players unnecessarily. Say the Waratahs had to give up 5 of their squad to the Brumbies, 3 to the Rebels, while the Reds had to give up 3 to the Brumbies and 5 to the Rebels. Losing 8 players out of 30, presumably the 8 least desirable, wouldn’t destroy the Waratahs or Reds, as probably 30-38 out of their larger squad are very good but younger, and they could be allowed one or two more foreign players and some league converts to compensate.
Similarly in SA if the Bulls gave some of the 22-30 players in their squad to the Lions, and the Stormers and Sharks some to the Cheetahs, then things would be more even.
This is not a draft at all, but a slight redistribution of players to even things out, without much weakening the strongest.
Then the Brumbies would be less likely to have such problems.
Personally I don’t think a franchise should be shut after it has been there for a decade. Instead new franchises should be added in Western Sydney and the Gold Coast too.
January 28th 2012 @ 8:55pm
Bakkies said | January 28th 2012 @ 8:55pm | Report comment
The Brumbies have more seasons in the black financially then the other Australian teams (bar the Rebels) as the overheads aren’t as big
January 28th 2012 @ 1:45pm
Mark said | January 28th 2012 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
Darwin Stubbie
You still harping on about that.
Rebels will finish mid table this year.
Hurricanes will be fighting off the Brumbies and Lions this year.
You can’t see past your own nose, let alone pass your back yard fence.
You worry about your own crappy kiwi teams and stop showing the contempt you have for Australian rugby.
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January 28th 2012 @ 2:13pm
Darwin Stubbie said | January 28th 2012 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
The rebels will once again finish in the bottom 3 overall … It’s an expansion side that is going to take years to become even half decent – look to the force, cheetahs etc for a guide – rather than some dreamt up viewpoint … The hurricanes will be poor – that’s no state secret – they are poorly selected and weren’t well coached – plus they’ll be beaten up in the hardest conference … The rebels need realistic goals – like finishing 3rd in their conference … Buying a couple of flashy backs won’t win you games consistently – there problem is in the forwards and lack of depth
January 29th 2012 @ 12:46am
kingplaymaker said | January 29th 2012 @ 12:46am | Report comment
I kind of agree that the Rebels recruiting especially in this year was something of a joke. They were allowed more money than anyone to buy players, and there were numerous strong forwards available in Europe who they didn’t buy, and while they did get some league converts there are dozens of better league players than the ones they chose. So it was almost intentionally an understrength team, and they must have know that Stirling Mortlock was long past it. Nonetheless they are not so bad with Cipriani playing and should get to mid-table, a good position for an expansion side.
January 28th 2012 @ 8:53pm
Rugbug said | January 28th 2012 @ 8:53pm | Report comment
At least every crappy NZ team has contested a final Mark can you say the same about your own teams?
January 28th 2012 @ 2:07pm
Jiggles said | January 28th 2012 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
This article isn’t about expanded Super Rugby so take your arguments else where…
Anyway on Toomua. I watched him at school boy level a lot and he is a talent. At that stage was better, in my opinion, than Cooper and Lucas, the other two Queensland school boy prodigy 5-8s. I also watched him last year for Easts down in Sydney and was pretty disappointed with how he played. He seemed uninterested in guiding a pretty handy Easts team around the park.
Hopefully White can get him back to where he was when he first entered Super Rugby. He has a lot to offer Australian rugby. I would rather see him at 5-8 with CL at 12.
January 28th 2012 @ 2:22pm
klippies101 said | January 28th 2012 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
yuck hate the brumbies . i wonder what jake white can do with them
January 28th 2012 @ 6:47pm
johnny-boy said | January 28th 2012 @ 6:47pm | Report comment
As a Reds supporter I’m a bit worried that Jake White will progress the Brumbies a long way forward this year. Watch out for Ben Mowen this year. The guy has got real size and was badly managed at Tahs. Under a coach like White whom I’m assuming knows a bit about forward play being a Bok, Mowen could really come on in leaps and bounds. He could be a terrific Wallaby No.8, which means Deans will probably persist with him at 2nd five as long as possible ….
January 28th 2012 @ 8:59pm
Bakkies said | January 28th 2012 @ 8:59pm | Report comment
Jake White so far has
Got the players back out in to the community
Done up the HQ and training facilities
Got ex Wallabies to mentor the young players
Got the players in to the ACT comp
Restructured the second XV to include local players
Recruited a mix of size, pace and power
The players are out and about supporting local business, schools and charities rather than playing the xbox or their guitar in Sydney
They are honouring their commitment in playing a trial in Darwin, good talent scouting opportunities
Giving younger players a chance to prove themselves for a spot.
Hasn’t named a captain ridiculously early like they did with Hoiles
Scrapped the leadership group
Fagan needs to sort out the planning process for the block of flats he is proposing and get a new major sponsor
January 28th 2012 @ 9:34pm
crashy said | January 28th 2012 @ 9:34pm | Report comment
Bakkies- how are they progressing with a major sponsor? I understand if this block of flats is approveed, the Brumbies will have a substantial pot of cash to shore up the financial future of the club for years to come.
January 29th 2012 @ 12:02pm
Bakkies said | January 29th 2012 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
Major sponsor I don’t know Huawei pulled out and I think it went back to renegotiation. I believe it had more to do with the NBN tenders than the Brumbies, possibly their first attempt at sports sponsorship. The Raiders haven’t got a major sponsor either (their past two major sponsors were a trade union and a tradies club), they have a lot of assets but limited exposure due to lack of free to air games and very little overseas coverage. The Brumbies have a much bigger advantage in attracting a proper major sponsor. The budget for the season is covered.
Re the flats and new training facilities. I am not sure how much the flats will go for. Flats in inner Canberra are very expensive. New training facilities are definitely needed. The location is obvious as it is close to schools, shops and the interstate players live up the road in Kingston. The main problems are the land, the greens and the local residents.
January 29th 2012 @ 1:35pm
Bakkies said | January 29th 2012 @ 1:35pm | Report comment
January 29th 2012 @ 1:38pm
Bakkies said | January 29th 2012 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
February 1st 2012 @ 11:33am
Bakkies said | February 1st 2012 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Crashy University of Canberra have signed a 1 year deal as major sponsor. It will probably give Fagan leeway to lure a bigger deal and there more things in the pipeline down the line with UC. Talk of a possible move of operations to there similar to what Munster, Leinster and Ulster have with local universities to use the facilities for training, etc.
January 28th 2012 @ 10:03pm
Zane said | January 28th 2012 @ 10:03pm | Report comment
And what is the article about people “The Brumbies” wow how people get off the point.
January 29th 2012 @ 12:11am
Bakkies said | January 29th 2012 @ 12:11am | Report comment
Ignore Kingplaymaker he obviously doesn’t understand how Aussie state rugby works
January 29th 2012 @ 12:37am
kingplaymaker said | January 29th 2012 @ 12:37am | Report comment
Certainly I understand 1000 times more than you however.
January 29th 2012 @ 12:12pm
Bakkies said | January 29th 2012 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
Rubbish you spout on about putting Super Rugby teams in Adelaide, Western Sydney and the Gold Coast. You clearly don’t know how state Rugby works in Australia and they will never get approval from the Sanzar partners. I would say that NZ and SA would tell Australia to get lost as they also focus on their national competitions which Australia doesn’t have. SA are very protective of their Currie Cup and want the schedule set up to accomodate it.
January 30th 2012 @ 12:08pm
Ian Whitchurch said | January 30th 2012 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
I know how state rugby works in Australia.
Incompetently.