Last year Brumbies back Robbie Coleman was best described as a handy utility, getting the odd gig off the bench.
But the try-scoring pocket rocket has been in such hot form in 2014 that he’s been given the nod ahead of Wallabies flyer Joe Tomane for Saturday’s Super Rugby qualifying final against the Chiefs in Canberra.
The Brumbies have only made one change to their starting side after their 47-25 win over Western Force, Coleman returning from a quad niggle to replace veteran winger Clyde Rathbone, who has tweaked his hamstring.
It’s a much-deserved reward for Coleman, 23, who has made the most of several opportunities presented to him through injury to be the season’s third-leading try scorer with seven tries.
Dubbed the “Prince of Queanbeyan” by Matt Giteau back in 2011, Coleman is a former Sevens star who began his Brumbies career at inside centre before moving further out wide.
He’s keen to build on the Brumbies’ momentum for the grand final re-match after last week’s seven-try hammering of the Force.
“It was tough watching the boys play so well last week and not being a part of it,” Coleman said.
His inclusion means Tomane will spend his second straight week on the bench after missing eight weeks of rugby with a fractured cheekbone.
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham admitted it was a difficult decision.
“Robbie was sort of the incumbent. So he deserves a spot,” Larkham said.
Larkham is also hoping that by keeping Wallabies Pat McCabe and Tomane on the bench, the Brumbies will be able to deliver the same late impact that the Chiefs blitzed them with in last year’s Super Rugby final.
Down by 10 points with 15 minutes to play, the Chiefs bench was pivotal in their two late tries to steal the game 27-22.
“We’re expecting a fair bit out of our bench,” Larkham said.
“Last year that last 15 minutes got away from us. So we’re going to use the full squad.”
Rookie prop Allan Alaalatoa has been named on the bench in the only other change made to the match-day 23, his debut inclusion due to an injury to JP Smith.
The Chiefs meanwhile also had the luxury of making just one starting change, with Dwayne Sweeney starting at fullback, pushing Tom Marshall to the bench.
Chiefs captain Liam Messam says it’s “do or die” time for his side.
“We have a lot of belief in our group and now we need to convert that into our performance,” Messam said.
Brumbies: Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Robbie Coleman, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Ben Mowen (c), Jarrad Butler, Scott Fardy, Leon Power, Sam Carter, Ben Alexander, Josh Mann-Rea, Scott Sio. Res: Ruaidhri Murphy, Ruan Smith, Allan Alaalatoa, Fotu Auelua, Tom McVerry, Michael Dowsett, Joe Tomane, Pat McCabe.
Chiefs: Dwayne Sweeney, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Tim Nanai-Williams, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Squire, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Mike Fitzgerald, Ben Tameifuna, Mahonri Schwalger, Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Pauliasi Manu, Nick Barrett, Matt Symons, Tevita Koloamatangi, Augustine Pulu, Gareth Anscombe, Tom Marshall.
mikeylives
Guest
Coleman is really underrated imo. He chases hard and is quick, but he also has some great ball skills and can sniff an opportunity. Needs to work on his D though.
Markus
Guest
On form, no question. But when he's not he goes missing, and that's something they can't afford on the weekend. Keep in mind he's still only played 25 minutes of rugby in 8 weeks too. I still expect him to get plenty of time off the bench on Saturday.
DB
Guest
Sorry to be the naysayer but what tripe. Tomane is better than every winger in Australia except maybe Speight. If this was a Bledisloe test tomorrow night and these were the only two wingers fit, I dont think there is an Australian Rugby fan out there who would say Coleman is the pick. Tomane should start!!
Markus
Guest
Speight is listed as 97kg. Sure that doesn't make him a Nadolo or Naiyaravoro, but he burns both of them for pace while still being plenty big enough to play the power game too. I see Tomane and McCabe both being injected early in the second half, either because the field position game has established a decent lead or because it hasn't been effective and they need to introduce some strike runners.
DrewSampson
Guest
Was really hoping tomane would get some serious game time, wallabies are gonna need him to find some form now that the badger is gone. Looks like a pretty small back three with jessie mogg there as well. And speight isnt the biggest even though he doesnt play like it. Wish they could have invested more time in a mccabe tomane and speight back three, looks like a really powerful running counter attack on paper.
Markus
Guest
The big difference in their form for me seems to be workrate. When Tomane is out of form, it's not so much that he drops passes or misses tackles, it's that he disappears. When he is in top form, he is suddenly everywhere again. Coleman's workrate is consistently high, always injecting himself into play, even if that does come with a higher error rate.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Tough call but the right one I think. I think Tomane in top form is better than Coleman in top form but Coleman has been more consistent and reliable. He will rip in and chase everything - you know what you're going to get from Coleman. Tomane needs to get some consistent game time - he seems to need this to accumulate form. His injury didn't help this season. In contrast Speight had one so-so game but has otherwise seemingly hit top gear straight away. Good for the Brumbies to have multiple quality players to choose from like this. And finally a shame the 2nd coming of the rugby playing career of Clyde Rathbone looks like coming to an end with an injury. I've got huge respect for Clyde for his brutal honesty, views on religion and just being a genuine person - and his own person - as opposed to a facade/brand. I don't know the guy but, like most fans, feel I've come to know him and wish him all the best travelling on the rest of the rollercoaster ride through life. Onya Clyde.