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I’ve been reading all the stuff that people are writing about the Waratahs, the Reds and so on, but with Stephen Larkham as the new backs coach, watch out for the Brumbies. Pound for pound, the Brumbies will match every team across the park in the Super 15.
Here is my pick – first team and reserves – for the 2011 Brumbies team. Note that I have picked nine reserves. This takes account of a 4/3 forwards/ backs split or vice versa, and I have bracketed Ed Stubbs, Robbie Coleman and Andrew Smith together – at this stage, on form and on paper, nothing much between them, and I hope that all get a good run this year. The sad thing is that at least one will probably go to another franchise in 2012 for opportunities.
2011 Brumbies team:
1. Palmer.
2. Moore.
3. Alexander.
4. Chisholm.
5. Kimlin.
6. Elsom.
7. Salvi.
8. Hoiles.
9. Phibbs (I rate him ahead of Valentine because he plays Brumbies-style rugby; patient phase play a la George Gregan and that’s what the Canberra crowd comes to watch).
10. Toomua (Christian Lealiifano is breathing down his throat, however, and Toomua needs to gel with Gits).
11. Fainifo.
12. Giteau (Needs to find his form again).
13. Smith (Tyrone).
14. McCabe (Probably prefers to be at 13 or 15, but that’s not going to happen).
15. Ashley-Cooper (As much as we would love to see him at 13, he has to play fullback, or replace Tyrone at 13 with Lealiifano at 15).
16. Chapman (Probably line ball with Chisholm).
17. Faingaa (Colby, the fourth brother!).
18. Edmonds.
19. Ma’afu.
20. Valentine.
21. Lealiifano.
=22. Coleman (On Sevens form he looks the goods, but it will be interesting to see how he goes against the pros).
=22. Stubbs.
=22. Smith (Andrew).
Lots to like! Mind you, I have been following the Rebels website and, as someone with huge respect for Rod MacQueen, they might be the bolters. Damien Smith, the assistant coach, is highly respected.
Nathan Grey is coaching their backs, so it’s probably a take no prisoners approach. Huge talent right across the park and backs like Huxley, Gerrard, Vuna, Mortlock, Kingi, Phipps, Cipriani and du Plessis, and Rooney cannot be written off as second rate.
Mark Bakewell coaches the forwards and with blokes such as Delve, Henderson, Somerville, Saffy, Campbell and Lipman to name a few, I think that the Rebels may well epitomise the phrase “strong across the park.” They have all been together, bonding since October, and they are well co-ordinated.
They will be a very tough assignment at AAMI Park and Rod MacQueen will have instilled the idea of being the underdog and getting the fan base onside, just as he did with the Canberra crowd and the Brumbies.
The Force are also quietly getting on with it under Richard Graham and Phil Blake, and they also have a few useful players, such as Pocock, O’Connor, Sheppard, Sharpe, Brown, Cummins, Battye, Fairbrother, Maafi, Sheean, Stannard and Dunning
So, gentlemen, as usual the Reds and the Tahs fans are doing their usual pre-season chest puffing spruik, but watch the Brumbies and co.
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.