With the untimely and cruel injury to Christian Lealiifano, the high flying Brumbies are in need of a fly half to steer them to and through the finals series. Who will it be?
The biggest selection issue in the 2012 season.
I have assembled list of players who might be able to fill the role. Where possible, I will include their current contractual and medical status.
The job specification includes the ability to kick goals and get backlines and the individual players running on to the ball and going forward without being predictable, and in an environment that is much faster than their current competition.
Breaking the line in their own right is a bonus.
The first place to look is the current squad. With Toomua already gone for the season, Cam Crawford, Zac Holmes and Robbie Coleman are on the books.
Crawford has been injured and didn’t play last week, although he did replace the kicking machine for the half-time entertainment.
He put up the Garry Owens for the mugs to catch, mostly very poorly.
Zac Holmes, at 22, and with a strong Sevens pedigree, could be a possible replacement.
Holmes is listed as a centre on the Brumbies website but I have seen him going around at 10 for the Northern Suburbs team in the Shute Shield.
Robbie Coleman has been all over the shop since a scintillating debut last year. He has played both 12 and 15. I am unsure as to whether he can play 10.
Now it gets interesting. The Shute Shield can offer the wonderfully subtle Eastwood fly half, Pierre Hola, Dan Kelly at Sydney University, youngster Angus Sinclair from Easts and Manly’s club hopping Marshal Milroy.
For me, of the Shute Shield applicants, it is either Kelly or Hola. They are very different players. I would prefer Kelly as he is the more predictable player who could get the players around him on the move.
However, if Hola could tank down his flamboyance, he could be a better choice. But if last Saturday’s game against Easts was his rehearsal, he has no chance.
He was uncharacteristically random. Also he picked up a possibly serious injury that was initially diagnosed as a torn pectoral muscle.
Hola is qualified to play for Tonga or Samoa and so he may not be available as a local player.
Other sources include the academy players but they are relatively out of sight for us mere mortals. The Brisbane competition could also have some talent that could be suitable.
Overall, there is no experienced, obvious or direct replacement for Lealiifano, particularly when he was in the form of his life and had a Wallabies jersey on the horizon.
The final selection will have to balance the benefits of a player already training with the squad who knows the Brumbies play book and a player who can get the ball into the hands of the right player quickly and accurately.
Goal-kicking is also a major consideration.
But a decision needs to be made quickly so that the bye week can be used to bring the newbie up to speed on plays and the playing style.
CrockyCrocky
Guest
All of Jakes coaching tactics have been brilliant for the Brumbies. If he thinks Bernie is a realistic option then hopefully they can use him for the last 3 games.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/brumbies-coach-in-bold-plan-to-lure-larkham-out-of-retirement-20120509-1yd69.html
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
A former 7's player would be the best option i'd say. Zac Holmes is a former 7's star, so why not..we need a running fly half, someone who is around the field in every situation, i love Stephen Larkham but he is most definitely over the hill..the force could very well use a flyhalf too lol..Its a shame that Australia lacks good number 10's, even Giteau was more of a 12 than a 10, ARU had to get a kiwi at 10 (quade) and the current best 10 in the Australian conference was also a kiwi (Christian).. Maybe an SOS to BROCK JAMES in Clermont?
TembaVJ
Guest
Word is White is talking to Larkham to come out of retirement for 3 games.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
The Tahs we're disappointing no matter how you look at it!
Damo
Guest
Farmer, I like the logic and would enjoy that option if it paid off. But as we all know there are several coaches being paid to come up with plan a, plan b, and now plan c.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
I will be very surprised if Jake doesn't have it sorted already in is mind. That it has not been announced suggests that the player will come from within the camp. Bt presumably they will then have to bring in another inside back to fill the gap left by lealiifano
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Saw a lot of Dunbar last season and he is very evasive and quick instinctively but have not seen him at 10. There are also lots of guys coming through with very good credentials but will depends on how they mature and deal with the pressures. It says a lot of players that arrived in super rugby at a young age, hooper, Pocock, Beale, Kingston, Coleman, Toomua , gill. Interesting that they either 7s or 10s.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Wayne Bennett always says "don't weaken one position to strengthen another!
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Too smal for 10? They thought he would be too small for 12! Neither is or was true.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Yeah there wont be pressure to rush him back like with Mitchell, so hopefully he can be fit and firing next year. It will probably kill his BL ambitions though. You don't want test rookies in that series. I wouldn't be too disgusted with the Tahs, they were simply beaten by a much better team. No shame in that.
jameswm
Guest
Hopefully CL comes back as good or even better. That's the third of those types of injuries in the last year or so (McCutcheon and Drew Mitchell). Just horrible. I stopped watching with a couple of minutes to go, disgusted at the overall lack of composure of the Tahs, but I would have been heartbroken watching that. A young kid, playing super footy, with higher honours looming, suffering something like that.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I think even with Lealiifano it may have been a bridge too far for the Brums this year. They remind me of the Reds 2010, definitely something about them, but still lacking that edge that gets them the important wins. Hopefully they build on this and come back better in 2013.
Dassie
Guest
OK, there are some solid club suggestions above, Dan Kelly and Pierre Hola (if on form and if he qualifies) to which I will add an emerging prodigious talent in Stu Dunbar, fullback with Sydney Uni. He has a Quade Cooper pass already, but still a little on the small side. I like what I see for the future. For the Brums they have to give Zac Holmes a run, before anyof the above
Markus
Guest
All backs think they can kick goals don't they? I don't think he's ever been a first-choice goalkicker though. Size wise I think he'll be fine at 10. He made his debut at 12 last year and handled himself quite well. Most notably shut down Nonu in defence in his first match. He's not a big guy, but solid, and uses his speed to cut down time and space.
jameswm
Guest
I am just so devastated for Leali'ifano. I've watched him for about 3 years go from a talented player with potential to our best inside back. He runs hard, times his pass, kicks and tackles, and seems to have a very level head. Tough break for him, and tough break for the Wallabies. Brumbies will struggle without him there.
Farmer
Guest
Has Mogg ever played 10? Mogg reminds of Larkham, the way he ghosts along without giving the impression there is much going on below the water.. Larkham started out at 15 before being tossed into 10 - and the rest is history. Probably a ridiculous suggestion but I think they would look at anything. Might be easier to find a 15 than a 10.
Bakkies
Guest
Can Coleman kick at goal though? I would have thought he would be too small to be a Super Rugby flyhalf
Brett McKay
Expert
funnily enough Leftie, I had that thought myself over the weekend. Will have to try and find some time this week or next. I understand they're having a few days off this week with the bye..
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Thanks Brett. Of course , u could just wonder up to Brumbies HQ and see who is running at 10 and put up all out of our misery!!!!! Lol. Jokes aside, Coleman came on last saturday evening but are all applicants fit to play? As a Tahs fan, I am just concerned that they continue on to the qual. Final so that I can come down and ride the debacle bus again.