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So it begins. The 2016 Super Rugby season will kick off in just over a week, and in the meantime we have plenty to discuss regarding each team’s prospects for 2016.
We start our series, which will proceed through the conferences, Australia first, in alphabetical order, with the Brumbies.
Last season
2015 would have to have been considered something of a success for the Brumbies, considering the turmoil they had to endure throughout the season with injuries aplenty in the backs. With David Pocock and Stephen Moore leading the way up front, however, coach Stephen Larkham built the team’s game on excellent forward play along with the direction and composure from Matt Toomua (when he was available), Nic White and Christian Lealiifano.
Despite having the kicking yips at times, Lealiifano still managed to finish the season as the fourth-highest point scorer for the Super Rugby season, which saw the Brumbies to plenty of tough wins over quality opposition.
More:
» Western Force preview
» Melbourne Rebels preview
» Queensland Reds preview
» Africa 1 Conference preview
Before the 2015 season, making the semis would have to be considered a pass mark for the Brumbies. Nine wins from 16 matches was enough to see them into the finals series, but they faced a tough run from there.
Though they finished above the Stormers on points, they played their qualifying final in the Republic, thrashing the Cape Town-based side.
They then had to travel back to Australia, then to New Zealand where they were well beaten by the Hurricanes in the semis.
Overall, a very good season, which came to a tired and disappointing end.
Their draw
The Brumbies have a very friendly Super Rugby draw in 2016, with eight of their 15 regular season games being played at home. With one South African Tour, a trip west to Perth and only twos trip to New Zealand to play the Highlanders and the Blues (Thanks PeterK!), and no trip to Japan, they have perhaps one of the easiest travelling schedules in 2016.
It’s in complete contrast to the end of last year, where they had a horror run coming into the finals. Whether this will help them, as they play most of the New Zealand sides at home, remains to be seen.
The squad
In: Albert Anae, Tomas Cubelli, Nick Jooste, Andrew Smith, Aidan Toua
Out: Siliva Siliva, Nic White, Jesse Mogg, JP Smith, Fotu Auelua, Sean Doyle, Rodney Iona
The outs tell a longer story than the ins for the Brumbies in 2016, but not necessarily a more important one.
While they did lose club stalwarts Nic White and Jesse Mogg, as well as loyal servant Fotu Auelua, they have picked up some able replacements.
Tomas Cubelli will add zip and experience at halfback, while Aidan Toua was long-considered a very good prospect in Queensland, and should bring similar speed to the fullback position to Jesse Mogg if he gets a run.
The return of Andrew Smith is also a bonus, as centre was a position the Brumbies lacked depth in last year.
Overall, they have lost a bit of depth in the forwards, but will feel that the development of players such as Rory Arnold, Ita Vaea, as well as now-established players such as Scott Sio, Robbie Coleman and Joe Tomane, there’s plenty of hope for Brumbies fans in 2016.
Full Brumbies squad for 2016
Nigel Ah Wong, Allan Alaalatoa, Ben Alexander, Albert Anae, Rory Arnold, Jarrad Butler, Sam Carter, Robbie Coleman, Tomás Cubelli, James Dargaville, Michael Dowsett, Blake Enever, Scott Fardy, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano – co-captain, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Josh Mann-Rea, Stephen Moore – co-captain, David Pocock, Scott Sio, Jordan Smiler, Andrew Smith, Ruan Smith, Henry Speight, Tom Staniforth, Lausii Taliauli, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Aidan Toua Ita Vaea
Prospects for 2016
With Stephen Larkham keen on Tomas Cubelli’s contribution to the Brumbies setup, there’s no reason the team from Canberra shouldn’t be aiming for at least one of the wild card spots in the Australasian conference.
While they’ve lost some depth, they aren’t in the difficult personnel position that the Reds and Force find themselves in. Along with the Waratahs, they will again be the heavyweights of the Australian-based franchises.
With David Pocock playing such good rugby, and with a host of very solid Super Rugby performers, expect the Brumbies to feature in the 2016 Super Rugby finals.
Prediction: 5th
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.