So it begins. The 2016 Super Rugby season will kick off in just over a week, and in the meantime we have plenty to discuss regarding each team’s prospects for 2016.
We start our series, which will proceed through the conferences, Australia first, in alphabetical order, with the Brumbies.
Last season
2015 would have to have been considered something of a success for the Brumbies, considering the turmoil they had to endure throughout the season with injuries aplenty in the backs. With David Pocock and Stephen Moore leading the way up front, however, coach Stephen Larkham built the team’s game on excellent forward play along with the direction and composure from Matt Toomua (when he was available), Nic White and Christian Lealiifano.
Despite having the kicking yips at times, Lealiifano still managed to finish the season as the fourth-highest point scorer for the Super Rugby season, which saw the Brumbies to plenty of tough wins over quality opposition.
More:
» Western Force preview
» Melbourne Rebels preview
» Queensland Reds preview
» Africa 1 Conference preview
Before the 2015 season, making the semis would have to be considered a pass mark for the Brumbies. Nine wins from 16 matches was enough to see them into the finals series, but they faced a tough run from there.
Though they finished above the Stormers on points, they played their qualifying final in the Republic, thrashing the Cape Town-based side.
They then had to travel back to Australia, then to New Zealand where they were well beaten by the Hurricanes in the semis.
Overall, a very good season, which came to a tired and disappointing end.
Their draw
The Brumbies have a very friendly Super Rugby draw in 2016, with eight of their 15 regular season games being played at home. With one South African Tour, a trip west to Perth and only twos trip to New Zealand to play the Highlanders and the Blues (Thanks PeterK!), and no trip to Japan, they have perhaps one of the easiest travelling schedules in 2016.
It’s in complete contrast to the end of last year, where they had a horror run coming into the finals. Whether this will help them, as they play most of the New Zealand sides at home, remains to be seen.
The squad
In: Albert Anae, Tomas Cubelli, Nick Jooste, Andrew Smith, Aidan Toua
Out: Siliva Siliva, Nic White, Jesse Mogg, JP Smith, Fotu Auelua, Sean Doyle, Rodney Iona
The outs tell a longer story than the ins for the Brumbies in 2016, but not necessarily a more important one.
While they did lose club stalwarts Nic White and Jesse Mogg, as well as loyal servant Fotu Auelua, they have picked up some able replacements.
Tomas Cubelli will add zip and experience at halfback, while Aidan Toua was long-considered a very good prospect in Queensland, and should bring similar speed to the fullback position to Jesse Mogg if he gets a run.
The return of Andrew Smith is also a bonus, as centre was a position the Brumbies lacked depth in last year.
Overall, they have lost a bit of depth in the forwards, but will feel that the development of players such as Rory Arnold, Ita Vaea, as well as now-established players such as Scott Sio, Robbie Coleman and Joe Tomane, there’s plenty of hope for Brumbies fans in 2016.
Full Brumbies squad for 2016
Nigel Ah Wong, Allan Alaalatoa, Ben Alexander, Albert Anae, Rory Arnold, Jarrad Butler, Sam Carter, Robbie Coleman, Tomás Cubelli, James Dargaville, Michael Dowsett, Blake Enever, Scott Fardy, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano – co-captain, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Josh Mann-Rea, Stephen Moore – co-captain, David Pocock, Scott Sio, Jordan Smiler, Andrew Smith, Ruan Smith, Henry Speight, Tom Staniforth, Lausii Taliauli, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Aidan Toua Ita Vaea
Prospects for 2016
With Stephen Larkham keen on Tomas Cubelli’s contribution to the Brumbies setup, there’s no reason the team from Canberra shouldn’t be aiming for at least one of the wild card spots in the Australasian conference.
While they’ve lost some depth, they aren’t in the difficult personnel position that the Reds and Force find themselves in. Along with the Waratahs, they will again be the heavyweights of the Australian-based franchises.
With David Pocock playing such good rugby, and with a host of very solid Super Rugby performers, expect the Brumbies to feature in the 2016 Super Rugby finals.
Prediction: 5th
Graeme
Guest
John Connelly was quite happy to take back over the Reds this year until they reneged on the verbal promise that had been made to him, and decided to keep RG.
Jameswm
Guest
Boomeranga you mean Alo-Emile. He and Longbottom aren't eligible. They're play8ing overseas and haven't satisfied the 7-year 50 or 60 test criteria.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
How insightful. The team that before he started had won the competition, and topped the Australian conference 2 years in a row was poor. The team that in his first year as an assistant topped the Australian conference was poor. How exactly do you base you summation they were poor, when they outperformed all other Australian teams until he was made head coach? Pretty good for a poor team if you ask me.
Not Bothered
Guest
1) Brumbies 2) Chiefs 3) Stormers 4) Jaguares 5) Tahs 6) Highlanders 7) Saders 8) Bulls
Not Bothered
Guest
Brumbies Tahs Rebels Reds Force Brumbies have the best team, followed by the Tahs, followed by the Rebs, followed by either the Force or the Reds. Then there are the things you just cant predict.
Not Bothered
Guest
No coach worth hiring would have wanted to coach the Reds. Thats why Graham is there. The team was poor, not Graham, the team. Graham gets blamed for a lot of things that are not his fault. They prolly wont be great this year, they dont have the team and Graham will be blamed for that too as would any other coach they hired and thats why no coach would touch the Reds. In a year or 2 when the team is looking more promising Graham will get the sack because a coach worth hiring will see an opportunity to make a name for himself. The team will improve and everyone will credit the new coach. And on it goes. Take the Blues for example. You put Crotty at 13, Slade at 10, Ellis at 9 and B.Smith at 15 and theyd prolly top the comp no matter who the coach is. However, you put 2 new halves and a bunch of same-same backs together and they lack the ability to win consistently. Players make the coach, the coach merely helps that happen and if he doesnt have the right players they drag the coach down for all to blame.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
The AB's didn't care? Are you serious?
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
The last year for Matt Toomua and likely David Pocock, so hope the Ponies have a great year for these two champions. I'll be interested to see how Rory Arnold, Jarrod Butler and Allan Alaalatoa fare this season. All three have massive potential to go the green and gold if they keep improving. I hope C.Lealiifano gets it on this year as I imagine last year was disappointing for him. Would love to see him get a run at #10 for the WB, but he has to crack the spot for the Brumbies first. Losing White and Mogg means no field kicker for the team and #12 may be too far out for that role so perhaps S.Larkham may move him to the #10 role.
Boomeranga
Guest
Im not meaning to be critical of anyone who mentions him but I'm really disappointed Ta'avao is even in the conversation about the Wallabies. He shouldn't be. It should be Longbottom and Weekes and the young bloke who left the Rebels, but then what do we do? It makes me quite sad for the future of our rugby. I think we have to make something of the genuine guys and not rely on imports. This guy has nothing to do with us. I'd personally go to BA over him. Anyways, on the topic of the Brumbies, I think it's time Lealiifano stood up and moved from sometimes decent Super player to true test player. He's in his peak. He's had the run of the system. Time to deliver.
PeterK
Roar Guru
No one has picked up the error in the article on the draw. Brumbies play Highlanders AND Blues in NZ , not just Highlanders.
RedBull
Guest
Peter K I agree with some of what you think, but last year Cheika had a default setting of players who ran the ball & favoured them heavily which was my point. Toomua, Speight, Tomane, Coleman & CLL all are great runners & link well when are given the chance. You only have to look at how they counter attack from kicks at times. Cubelli may just help ignite the back line, but I fear it will be more box kicks
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Can't wait to see how Ta'avao goes, haven't seen much of him because of CF. Lets hope he's as good as many believe, cause the tahs and wallabies need another hard as nails thp.
PeterK
Roar Guru
nothing wrong with the rolling maul if you score tries off it when cynical penalties are given in the 22. The issue is they kicked too much rather than use their backline, yes it was underused. Now that their kicking ar.senal is weaker they may run the ball more. Mind you the backline is not even the best in super rugby let alone near world class. Only Kuridrani is close to world class and that is based on 2014 form when he was. 9 – Cubelli is very good but not in top 3 in the world at 9 10 – CLL / Toomua cannot make the wallabies starting team at 10 11 Speight cannot make the wallabies starting team at wing 12 – Toomua may make the wallabies team but not in top 5 12’s in the world 13 TK covered 14 Tomane cannot make the wallabies starting team at wing 15 – whoever
PeterK
Roar Guru
I think the winner of the oz conference will finish 3rd because the winner of the sa conference that plays nz and not oz teams will be the lowest, on points not even in the top 8. So 1&2 will be between stormers (assuming they top their conf) and top nz team (in either order) 3rd will be top oz team 4th sharks (top sa team, assuming ahead of jaguares) 5th and 6th will be between bulls (assuming they are 2nd in their conf) and 2nd nz team (in either order) 7th and 8th will be between 2nd oz team and 3rd and 4th nz teams.
MJB
Guest
That is a good point. I could still see the Tahs topping the conference though, in which case your scenario would play out.
RedBear
Guest
I think the brumbies game plan will need to be reworked as they insist on the rolling maul. they have an almost world class back line and don't use it. hard to play well & look good in the eyes of the selectors if you don't get the ball, I think several of the brumbies backline suffered from this last year
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree scrumjunkie. I would be sad to see BA make it as the backup since it means we have regressed especially with Holmes leaving next year. So Taavo (new Tahs THP) or Weeks getting the backup spot would be an improvement.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Don't disagree. However players can always improve, and i don't write off a guy because of a nasty nickname. Kepu leaving leaves a gaping hole in that wallaby front row. Holmes is next cab off the rank, but who after that? I'd like to think that there are no preconceived ideas when it comes to selecting a wallaby side. The next best should get that bench spot, and i'm excited to see who puts their hand up this year. Whether that be a recall for BA or Weekes or a newcomer, couldn't care less. As long as the wallaby scrum continues it's improvement and does not regress.
PeterK
Roar Guru
so you think the tahs will top the conference then? The second finisher in oz conference has virtually no chance at finishing 5th that will be either the Bulls due to their very very easy draw or the second placed NZ team.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Sorry I forgot to add that was at intl level not super. Since ledesma is the wallaby scrum coach. Ben the hinge Alexanda just does not cut it at intl level. Can get away with at super level. Red were better and tahs equal but there he only face Robinson who also relies on tricks since he lacks core strength as well.