Happy New Year rugby fans! What better way to start this highly condensed year of rugby than to take a look into the Australian forecast for the 2013 Super Rugby competition.
To look ahead into what is in store for us this season, we first must take a glimpse back at the year that was. 2012 was one of the biggest years for change and unrest across Australian rugby in recent memory.
From midseason coach sackings, to mutiny within the Wallabies ranks, it has been a roller coaster ride for all fans.
There were certainly positives from last year’s transitional season, the Wallabies considerable injury toll has not only unearthed some new talent, it has also forced the ARU to reconsider the way it manages the five Australian franchises.
The Western Force and NSW Waratahs both received much needed cleanouts from the top down, which should benefit both franchises and Australian rugby overall.
With Quade Cooper coming to an agreement with the ARU and the major signing of Israel Folau from the clutches of the NRL, rugby has been headlining on most sports pages for the past month. It has made for some interesting reading and is putting some real interest into the 2013 Super Rugby season.
2013 will be a year for optimism and belief. I am putting my faith in the Australian conference this year, hoping that most teams have found the right staff and game plans to match their squad’s strengths.
I am predicting two Australian teams will still be alive come finals time and for one of those teams to battle it out for the Super Rugby trophy in August.
Now let’s take a look at our local teams and their chances of success, starting with the ACT Brumbies.
Best team
1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Dan Palmer
4. Sam Carter
5. Scott Fardy
6. Ben Mowen
7. David Pocock (c)
8. Fotu Auelua
9. Nic White
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Henry Speight
12. Pat McCabe
13. Andrew Smith
14. Joe Tomane
15. Jesse Mogg
16. Siliva Siliva
17. Ruaidhri Murphy
18. Etienne Oosteinzen
19. Ita Vaea
20. Ian Prior
21. Matt Toouma
22. Tevita Kuridrani
Other Squad
23. Scott Sio
24. Leon Power
25. Peter Kimlin
26. Colby Fiangaa
27. Robbie Coleman
28. Zack Holmes
29. K Situai
30. Tom Cox
Extended playing squad
31. Josh Mann-Rea – hooker
32. Ruan Smith – prop
33. Jordan Smiler – blindside
34. Mark Swanepoel – scrum half
35. Stephan Van der walt – outside back
In
S Sio, R Murphy, S Fardy, D Pocock, J Mogg, E Oosteizen
Out
Jono Owen , Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Anthony Hegarty , Ben Hand, Michael Hooper, Cam Crawford, Dylan Sigg
Season chances
The Brumbies are going into 2013 with plenty of optimism and self-belief in their ability. Jake White has taken a youthful team and has created an ideal squad, with each player understanding his role on the park. They will no longer be taken lightly by any team, however I think that Jake will have prepared his team for this and adjusted his game plan accordingly.
The culture is back, and the talent is there, however the Brumbies have to deliver a big season and improve on their seventh place finish if they are going to return to a championship team like the glory days.
Without McCabe for the early part of the season, the Brumbies’ more experienced players in the backline will really need to take charge and show their worth.
Predicted finish – conference second – overall fifth
Key player
Christian Lealiifano has developed into the key player for the Brumbies. He was unpredictable and electric in his attack, and how he returns from a serious ankle injury will be the key to the Brumbies’ season.
However he has to be very wary of the ever improving Zack Holmes, who showed his talent in the 10 position and will be looking for more opportunities in 2013.
Up and comer
If Siliva Siliva can stay fit and strong he will be a great asset for a Brumbies team loaded with up and coming players. He is a strong ball running hooker, with all the necessary skills for the set piece.
Siliva will find stiff competition from Mann-Rea for the bench spot this season. Mann-Rea has signed a one year deal as part of the EPS at the ripe age of 31.
Also keep an eye on Mark Swanepoel, who is not a stranger to Super Rugby having spent time in the Force and Crusader systems before taking an EPS position with the Brumbies. He is a physical halfback with a strong pass and a good read on the game.
I expect him to be the number one halfback at the Brumbies by the end of 2013, with White used off the bench to add life to the team at the back end of the game.
Best buy
Who else than the people’s champion? David Pocock was a fantastic acquisition for Mr White, who divulged that Poccok was one player he had always wanted to coach. With Pocock suffering a lengthy stint on the side lines, he has spent plenty of time in the off season experiencing the Brumbies’ culture and style. I believe this will pay some serious dividends for Pocock’s game and will quickly return him to the form that made him the best 7 in Australia.
Biggest Loss
Michael Hooper was the star of 2012 in both Brumbies and Wallabies colours. He was instrumental in the revival of the Brumbies and has put some serious pressure on Pocock as the country’s leading openside.
The Brumbies were lucky to find such an adequate player in Pocock to take over the 7 jersey, but still don’t discount the loss of Hooper to the Brumbies’ structure.
Raaps
Guest
the number 12 jersey for the ACT Brumbies is definitely going to Jordan Rapana. Hands down going to be the biggest thing in rugby union this year. watch out for the name....
Benny A's Tackle
Guest
The most interesting thing about the upcoming 2013 season will be how much more development will Jake White have added to the Brumbies game. With how well the Brumbies played last year it's easy to forget that it was Jake White's first year. That's not much time for White to get across his vision and structure, especially with it so difficult to add new things during the commotion of the season. With a second preseason to mature the White model, and with input from forwards coach Fisher and backs coach Larkham I'm expecting an extremely polished and efficient Brumbies side. There is plenty of competition for starting spots. Murphy will be pushing Benny A & Palmer. Carter, Power, Fardy, Oost & Kimlin 2nd row. Mowen, Poey, Fotu, Ita, Kimlin, Fardy & Faingaa backrow. Toouma & Holmes can push CL at 10. And plenty of backs around to keep all positions competitive. So hopefully it brings the best out of the squad. Hopefully the Brumbies can start the season off strong with plenty of tries and some entertaining rugby, next thing you know the dishwater dull Canberrans will start fillin Bruce Stadium, and with any luck they will call it Fortress Canberra! Go Brumbies!
Jagman
Guest
"When have they finished in the top half?" In 2007 they came 7th. Just their second year in existence. The following two years they twice came 8th. The Lions, Cheetahs and Rebels by contrast have never hit single figures which is one of the reasons I find it odd that they are often used as the reason why Aus conference is bad. They are by far the most successful expansion team.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Actually Rocky is a Victorian, born in Melbourne.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
yep, Stephen Moore, Christian Lealiifano and David Pocock as VC. makes sense to me.
sittingbison
Guest
he started his senior career at Force, S14 debut in 2006 before being released to Reds in 2008. Timani debuted S14 at Force in 2008 before being released to Brums in 2009
sittingbison
Guest
Digby started his S14 career at the Force in 2006 Brett. Timani also started his S14 career at the Force in 2008, was let go and went to Brumbies in 2009. The policy is where they started their senior career no birth or schooboys, same as in footy. In the old days most footy players outside Victoria started in their state league like the WAFL or SANFL before going to the VFL, thus state of origin. eg Higgers and Sheehan were born in WA
sittingbison
Guest
yes, the operative thought process has been "building for sustainable success", a far cry from instant gratification
sittingbison
Guest
I think Herbert was tongue in cheek suggesting it was best for FORCE if Brums make Pocock captain lol ie not in Brums best interests
Jutsie
Guest
It looks like mowen will retain the captaincy. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/brumbies-back-mowen-as-captain-20130108-2cf2h.html
Markus
Guest
Here's hoping he's not another Hendrik Roodt. Mind you, the Brumbies have had a lot more success in their international scouting over the years (Vickerman, Rathbone, Speight, R Murphy) than the Waratahs (Roodt, Anesi, Pretorius).
DC
Guest
Ben Mowen has been confirmed as Brumbies' captain for 2013. Pocock will likely be one of the vice captains.
Wilson
Guest
I know that every team talks up their chances this time of year but I like that the Force are talking up a relaunch and rebuild not beating their chest about being in the finals next year. Serious improvement is the goal for this season and then let's build on that. I don't expect them to make the finals next year; although naturally I'd love to see them surprise me. The year after I have higher hopes for even better results.
Wilson
Guest
Based on his leadership shown at the Force? As a Force supporter too I honestly think he was a great player but an unproven captain. He seemed to have no answers on the pitch when things were often going pear shaped. He rarely pulled the guys in to talk, looked to Sharpe before making any decision and gave them 6 months of limbo hell with his drawn out contract negotiations. If he wasn't 100% on staying at the Force then he should have declined the captaincy. The Force deserved better than a year in limbo. It was a shame that the long term relationship between player and club ended on that note. Not at all the fault of Pocock but it could have been avoided if he wasn't prepare to sign a long term deal when the captaincy was announced. On that note I hope they are also investing time immediately into securing the services of Hodgson for the next few years. We don't need a repeat of last year with uncertainty topped off with another captain leaving. 3 captains in 3 years is unheard of.
Wilson
Guest
Exactly right. From what I hear the playing group at the Force were not surprised when Pocock was named as captain due to the politics, but they also weren't impressed. They doubted his ability to lead anywhere but on the feild through his actions. His chat has always been poor and he is far from everyone's cup of team. An unusual bloke who many admire but few can relate to. After a short time in the role it became apparent to everyone that he didn't have what it took and spent the year leaning heavily on Sharpe who was trying his best to take a step back. In hindsight they should have given it to Hodgson a year early as many had hoped and then the Pocock uncertainty all season and him walking would not have been as shocking. I don't think it is ever a wise move to come into a club and assume the captaincy. I don't thibnk they will do it. Unless the ARU demand it? The power of politics.
Brett McKay
Expert
That's also why I said it all depends on how you slice it, Jutsie..
Jutsie
Guest
Ioane is a victorian lol
Brett McKay
Expert
That's my point Handles, and you only get WA origin by looking through ocean blue glasses as the Bison has done here. Ioane is definitely a Queenslander, didn't he make his Super Rugby debut for the Reds? If SR debut is the yardstick, then I'll give Bison Pocock and O'Connor, but Timani played a handful of games off the Brumbies bench before he was let go and headed to WA (where he was let go and headed to NSW..)
Handles
Guest
Wikipedia tells me that Ioane "... attended St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace, playing for the Gregory Terrace first XV for 2 years. He played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2002 and 2003. In 2004, Ioane joined the Queensland Reds academy. He was selected for both the Australian U19 and Australian U21 teams in 2004, and he made the Australian U21 team again in 2005." How do you get WA State of Origin out of that???
Handles
Guest
Turner, Carter, Foley and Horne in the NSW backs... this would be a slaughter. Reds by 30.