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Watching the Brumbies initially dominate and then stumble through the game against the Chiefs, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the young Robbie Coleman.
Now, he did appear and disappear throughout the game, as young blokes can. But when he was involved, he looked confident and assured.
He seemed to take the right option more often than not. Aside from his try (a cracker), he attacked the line well and managed a couple of nice offloads.
His defence was okay without being great, but it should get better with experience, as his technique looked solid.
Watching him reminded me of another young brash Brumby in M Giteau. Both exude a confidence in their abilities and an almost-cheeky pleasure of just playing the game, although this now seems lacking in Gits now.
Currently, Gits seems burdened and a shell of the player he once was.
It makes me wonder why – since he is off to France – they don’t start with Toomua. Toomua has certainly shown he has the potential to be more than serviceable in his limited appearances
To this, I think I have the reasoning behind this decision and again it came from looking back to Giteau’s own beginning.
Back then, he had the peerless Larkham on the inside and human-wrecking ball in Mortlock on his outside. These two gave the defence plenty to worry about, which in turn allowed Gits a level of freedom he has not experienced since.
He was not the focus of any great defensive effort because to do that meant not necessarily paying enough attention to Larkham or Mortlock. Hence he was able to run his own race and he blossomed because of it.
Looking at Coleman now, he has Gits and AAC as his partners in crime.
Now I’m not saying that they are in the Larkham or Mortlock pedigree, but they are proven performers who cannot be readily ignored.
Coleman benefits from this and has the solid, and at times, sparkling debut as a result.
It will be interesting to see what the Rebels do now they have a greater idea about what Coleman brings.
What is your view on this theory?
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.