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!
AndyS
Guest
That didn't take long then.... http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/uc-students-staff-query-rugby-deal/2441207.aspx
Fatty
Guest
Brett. Note your comments about visiting Brumbies HQ. I got one of the phone calls you describe. I had the temerity to suggest I had some questions to ask before I would consider renewing my family's memberships. I had a good yak to the pleasant young lady who rang me but she indicated she was not authorised to answer any questions not directly about membership, but she would get one of her 'senior consultants' to ring me in the next few days. That phone call has not yet happened. I am still a Brumbies fan and think they have a squad that will be mid table competitive this year and even better next year once some of the young'uns get some experience. I remain concerned that administrative experience has not been assimilated as well as we want the players to acquire experience and that the purge of some of the surplus to needs players has not occurred elsewhere in the club, as it should have.
Keir
Guest
I have to admit that as a Sydney born and bred Brumbies supporter im a bit saddened that all the players will now be based in Canberra. I've always supported the brumbies because of the Randwick connections but this really seems to have gone with the departure of Hoiles, Valentine, Phbbs, elsom, Fanifo, etc.
AndyS
Guest
Certainly a question I have pondered, and I'd be even more interested in knowing where the money came from. If they were receiving any government money, there'd have to be some bureaucrats wondering whether funding for education was being appropriately used in subsidising professional sport. You'd also have to wonder what their tax status is, and whether money spent like that should fall under any tax concessions. Most of all, if I was a student I'd be wondering what else the money might/should have been spent on...
Crashy
Guest
KOG - try clubrugby.com.au - they usually do a lot of podcosts re the Sydney and Brisbane club scene if you are interested. 6.5 thousand memberships is probably ok but I hope they get a lot of walk-ups. We don't want Greg Growden crowing how low their crowds are in season 2012.....
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Good news about the Brumbies re-connecting with their community. I heard they have 6.5 memberships to date. is that accurate? that sounded like a fair effort. what do they usually get?
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
I've always thought the Roar should do a podcast. Im forever searchnig for rugby podcasts to listen to. With some of the writers and contributers on the roar, i think a weekly podcast on a particular sport (i.e rugby) or on sport generally, would work well.
Brett McKay
Expert
Crashy, neither the Brumbies or UC are saying, and the Canberra Times speculated yesterday that it was pretty close to the supposed $1M that the "last mob" were putting up, but that's all that's out there. I'd be pleasantly surprised if it was that high..
Brett McKay
Expert
KOGs, Bakkies has got it right below - the Brumbies have descended en masse on Twitter, the membership ad has been going since last Oct, the "Front Rowers Union" are doing weekly YouTube reviews of local resturants, just little things like that. Way more visibale than the last four or five years. Robbie Coleman is the "young bloke with the quick feet" you're thinking of, and yes he is still about.. And Casho has my number, so who knows?!
Dr Bob
Guest
Hi PJ, one thing you haven't mentioned is a new committee so put a cross or three crosses there. Hooper needs to be another 10 cms taller. Unlike you I have not renewed my membeship and will watch the games on TV. The Brumbies may be a team going forward but until they rid themselves iof the bachwards looki committee they will go nowhere.
Bakkies
Guest
He means in terms of the players getting amongst the schools, charities, getting out and about rather than mope around Elsom style
Bakkies
Guest
Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Dan Palmer, Pat McCabe are still there.
Bakkies
Guest
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.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
Yeah i agreee, i have always had raps on Toomua. Now that there is no one demanding to be picked at 10, he should get more game time. Hooper also looks good too. Remember he debuted at 18 for an injured George Smith, and now with experience from U20 world cup, could be up for a big year. I just hope that they give some of the guys a chance to grow into positions too. All the chopping and changing really disrupts the playing continuity and confidence.
simon
Guest
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/south-africa-pushes-southern-kings-bis-into-super-rugby/story-e6frg7o6-1226256681284
Crashy
Guest
yep excellent job in securing a new sponsor so quickly after the last mob pulled out at Xmas time. Any idea what it was worth? http://www.brumbies.com.au/News/Article/tabid/1213/ArticleID/5288/Default.aspx
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
What do you mean by its moticeable how much more noticeable they are? as in exposure in the wider community? it would be greta to get the Brumbies back of old. its always a good road trip down to watch a tahs v Brumbies match. Who was that young bloke with the quick feet who played in the centres last year? is he still about. If your writing for Inside Rugby, any chance you would appear on the Ruggamatrix podcasts with the ever insightful casho?
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Great news about the lucartive new sponsorship. well done Brumbies.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
i agree, add Chisolm into that list and i think the cleaning out was not too bad.
Brett McKay
Expert
Bakkies, when you talk about a 3 hour drive and 1 hour flight to Melbourne, and then of Victorians driving up to games in the next sentence, what other conclusion is there to be reached??