After falling just short of a Super Rugby final last year, a relatively settled squad – particularly by post-World Cup standards – has the Brumbies primed for a similarly successful 2020 season.
Squad
There’s been far less upheaval in Canberra than in other Australian franchises.
As with all teams, the Brumbies have lost some key players following the World Cup. Chief amongst them are Wallabies Rory Arnold and Christian Lealiifano, and Arnold’s locking partner Sam Carter has also left. David Pocock is technically a loss, however he managed only 140 minutes on the park last year. Henry Speight’s departure to the Reds may be felt more keenly.
Will Miller has joined from the Waratahs and adds depth to some already-impressive back-row stocks, while Solomone Kata has made the switch from rugby league.
Young flyhalves Noah Lolesio and Reesjan Pasitoa are exciting replacements for Lealiifano, even if it’s likely to be a season or two before we see much of the 18-year-old Pasitoa.
Lolesio isn’t the only one of last year’s Junior Wallabies squad on the Brumbies’ list, with hooker Lachlan Lonergan and lock Nick Frost two of Australian rugby’s more talented young forwards.
Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa, Jahrome Brown, Tom Cusack, Murray Douglas, Blake Enever, Folau Fainga’a, Nick Frost, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Harrison Lloyd, Lachlan Lonergan, Lachlan McCaffrey, Connal McInerney, Will Miller, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Ross, Pete Samu, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Rob Valetini, Shambeckler Vui
Backs
Tom Banks, Issak Fines, Mack Hansen, Len Ikitau, Solomone Kata, Bayley Kuenzle, Tevita Kuridrani, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, Andy Muirhead, Reesjan Pasitoa, Guy Porter, Joe Powell, Toni Pulu, Irae Simone, Tom Wright
Captain: Allan Alaalatoa
Coach: Dan McKellar
Ins: Issak Fines, Nick Frost, Solomone Kata, Harry Lloyd, Noah Lolesio, Lachlan Lonergan, Cadeyrn Neville, Will Miller, Reesjan Pasitoa, Guy Porter, Sham Vui
Outs: Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Vunipola Fifita, Wharenui Hawera, Ben Hyne, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Christian Lealiifano, Matt Lucas, Josh Mann-Rea, Chance Peni, David Pocock, Henry Speight, Lausii Taliauli
Christian Lealiifano and David Pocock are two of the Brumbies’ high-profile departures. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Strengths
Unlike the other Australian sides, the Brumbies’ strength comes up front. This was one of the better packs in Super Rugby last year, and certainly the best in Australia.
If they continue their form of last year, the front row of Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a and new captain Allan Alaalatoa should be the trio which starts for the Wallabies later in 2020. Fainaga’a in particular had a phenomenal 2019, finding himself in an unusually high position on the try-scorers list for a hooker; only Sevu Reece (15) and Ngani Laumape (13) scored more than his 12.
The back row, too, is an impressive unit. Both Rob Valetini and Pete Samu are a formidable 6-8 partnership, with Samu’s injury-forced absence from last year’s semi-final – after he’d scored a first-half double in the quarters – a significant factor in the loss to the Jaguares.
Plus, any man who can pull off the mullet/tucked-in shirt combination is a force to be reckoned with.
With a balanced squad, there’s not much of a drop-off when it comes to the backs.
Tevita Kuridrani remains the best defensive 13 in Australia and has a well-established partnership with Irae Simone.
Tom Banks was desperately unlucky to miss the World Cup squad last year, and we can expect to see far more of both him and Joe Powell in green and gold this year. Halfback Powell has become a reliable presence at the base of the ruck, and like Kuridrani is probably the best in Australia in his position defensively.
Speight is a loss, however the fact new signing Solomone Kata has pipped the experienced Toni Pulu to start on the wing in Round 1 indicates the Brumbies think they’ve got a pretty handy replacement on their hands.
Pete Samu, mullet and all. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Weaknesses
While the Brumbies might not have lost the volume of players that other sides have, there’s some class in those who have left. The departures of Rory Arnold, Sam Carter and Christian Lealiifano, in particular, could prove detrimental to their hopes.
Arnold was the best player in Australian rugby before heading to Toulouse, dominating both around the field and at the set-piece. With Carter gone, too, it leaves the side looking light in the second row; their starters for the Round 1 clash against the Reds, Murray Douglas and Darcy Swain, played 591 minutes between them last year. Arnold and Carter combined for over 2200.
It’s not just sheer amount of work they’ll have to replace, but the quality of it, too. Carter was a defensive workhorse, making over 201 tackles for the season. Only Michael Hooper (223) and Matt Todd (208) got through more in all of Super Rugby. Add in Arnold’s defensive workload, and there’s a considerable gap to fill:
It’s worth noting Douglas and Swain got through more tackles per 80 minutes than the men they’re replacing, but that higher workload is to be expected from players deployed in shorter, sharper stints.
Given how much the Brumbies leant on their rolling maul in attack, Swain and Douglas – and whoever else ends up playing significant minutes there – will have to quickly and seamlessly slot into more significant roles in the lineout, too.
As for Lealiifano’s absence, it leaves the Brumbies needing a new playmaker. The ACT skipper was tremendous in his farewell Super Rugby season, forcing his way into the World Cup squad for an international comeback all rugby fans could get right behind.
The man replacing him? He’s worth taking a closer look at…
Key player: Noah Lolesio
It’s a little unfair to label someone who only turned 20 a little over a month ago as the key player for a side coming off a semi-finals appearance. Noah Lolesio, though, looks to be capable of handling pressure coolly.
“What’s pressure?” was the response he gave coach Dan McKellar when asked to take on kicking duties for the Canberra Vikings last NRC.
One assumes he’ll find out what it is when he’s asked to guide his side around the park to start his Super Rugby career.
No one should expect Lolesio to take absolute command of this side with dominant, one-man shows. It’s not reasonable to demand that from a rookie, nor is it the role the Brumbies need from him.
Lealiifano was superb without overplaying his hand last year, kicking well in play, making his tackles and ensuring the ball went to the backs at the right time. It’s easier said than done of course, but Lolesio need do no more than that.
Critical will be how he responds to errors and poor games. They’re going to happen in a debut season, no matter how talented you are. If he can reply to those setbacks with calm confidence and desire to improve, he’ll cement himself at this level quickly.
He’ll also give the Brumbies a steady presence at flyhalf – a scenario far preferable to rotating rookies in and out of the no.10 jersey.
Noah Lolesio in action for the Canberra Vikings. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
Young gun to watch: Nick Frost
Rory Arnold and Sam Carter’s aforementioned departures will open up opportunities for some of the Brumbies’ younger locks to emerge. He isn’t on the teamsheet for Round 1, but look for Nick Frost to make the most of his minutes when they do come later in the season.
There’s plenty to like about the 20-year-old. His frame, for one – he stands at 206cm tall. The impressions he’s left on coaches aren’t bad, either – Matt Williams labelled him the most talented lock of his age he’d seen since John Eales.
And then there’s the athleticism. How’s this try from last year?
Frost had seemed to have spurned Australian rugby when he signed for the Crusaders development program in 2017. That’s not exactly a team known for producing poor footballers.
Now back in Australia and with an opportunity to force his way into the Brumbies side over the course of his two-year deal – and hopefully beyond – Frost is one of the many Junior Wallabies well worth keeping an eye on this season.
Related
Verdict
There are few reasons to bet against the Brumbies making another finals charge in 2020. The only real questions they have are confined to two positions, with the bulk of the squad from last year’s successful season remaining.
If Lolesio and the new-look second row find their feet quickly, the semi-finals and beyond are a realistic goal. At any rate, we should see this side in the post-season once again.
Prediction: First in the Australian conference.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Was wondering that as well. He may not be the calibre of Arnold but he remains the most experienced lock in the squad. I do not think I saw his name during the Albury trials either, which would suggest either an injury or a return from an overseas stint in the off-season.
Muddy
Roar Rookie
Anyone know where Blake Enever is? Has he an injury from the pre-season.
Ray
Roar Rookie
'Arnold was the best player in Australian rugby before ' and i agree with this entirely, but how much did the ARU offer to keep him. Compared to the $4M for 4 seasons for a winger (Folau) or the $6M for a lightweight forward in Hooper?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes Marcus, I can see a role for Beale at the Tahs here, who unlike other veterans eg. Toomua, has challenges at 12.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Yeah having a blindside wing who can cover playmaker makes sense to me, as much as a centre or fullback who can do so. Mind you, having an entire backline with the ball skills and vision to step in at first receiver as needed would never really be a bad thing either.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes BF “ For some reason – seems like an entire generation of Oz playmakers have disappeared between the Foley/CLL/Beale and this new upcoming generation.” Except you left out one, who I have argued for at least one World Cup cycle could’ve been at least an ‘on bench’ mentor to half a dozen debutants at super and test level. And yet, here we are, giving standing starts to multiple ‘teenagers’ across the conference. Better late than never but the Australian 10 development policy has been negligent at best and incompetent at worst in recent history.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
True Fionn, I thought the same, but judging on trial form, I thought that the forward coaching IP is still humming along, eg the rolling maul.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I see the wing position developing as a 10 hybrid role in the future Markus.
rebel
Roar Guru
Again ignoring yourself while pointing at someone else. 3-1. I am happy to discuss rugby, but despite your posturing, Chris sums it up beautifully below. :thumbup:
Bluesfan
Happy to have a debate about rugby matters and agree to disagree etc - Most importantly more than happy to acknowledge I don't have all the answers etc around all things rugby. As an aside after living in Oz for 10 plus years I'm fully aware the meaning behind calling people Champion or Mate. Both can be used positively or negatively - in regards your comments - pretty clear the meaning. As final comment and because I don't want to continue the dialogue with you any further, below is a good article from the Guardian Newspaper, which I think encapsulates some of my concerns around this seasons Super season and the challenges and risks that Rugby in Oz faces: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jan/30/super-rugby-braces-itself-for-most-important-season-in-professional-era
rebel
Roar Guru
Sidestep? I don't care enough, but I notice you avoid the no 8 issue, so irony isn't your strong suit. Same when you get upset at being called the Aus colloquial term mate, when at the same time sarcastically goading others about knowing players names. By all means, you dictate what is required and what isn't. :thumbup:
Bluesfan
Good sidestep when hard questions are asked re:success and how that ties into the income stream for Oz rugby. Which are pretty key for running a professional sporting competition. However let's see where we are at the end of the season and how Oz is going and more importantly if a lack of results on the field, impacts on income. And please keep your commentary around "ironic" for Blues fan to comment re: planning. Please remember it's just a handle - I'm as much a fan of the Hurricanes as of the Blues and I'm invested in the success of Oz rugby after living many years in Oz. Finally that you move into calling people Mate, Champion and commentating around my right to comment, just personalizes a debate around rugby matters and is probably not required.
WallabyJ
Roar Rookie
Totally agree - didn't even watch it last year, but am super (!) interested in all the young talent that will be playing this season for Australian teams. I am happy for the 10s to have good games and bad games whilst they go through the motions of stepping up to Super Rugby level. It's the only way to develop players in that position in time for the next world cup.
rebel
Roar Guru
Sorry champ, I don't make predictions, but I can see the fruits of Aus planning just starting to emerge in its infancy after years of mismanagement. Although I do find it rather ironic a blues fan is concerned about others lack of planning and pointing out how bad they are.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Drawing a long bow to say that a lack of developing 10’s is going to affect revenue significantly over the current level of performance with 3 established and experienced 10’s running around over the last rights negotiation cycle. I really don’t think Mason having a handful of extra caps over the last couple of seasons would have made a lick of difference.
Bluesfan
So tell me how Oz rugby will be looking (due to in my view a lack of planning) - if at the end of this season: Super sides have failed and the only team they get into the semi's is via default? What happens next year - can you suddenly see an Oz side winning the Super comp? What will the continued failure then mean for the Key TV rights contract up this year. Do you think Foxtel is going to pay up for a product, which in regards Oz sides has turned into a development comp and with continued failure of the 4 Oz sides? Pointless crusade - What crusade? I'm just saddened that Oz rugby has through lack of planning got to this point. Personally I actually do hope they are successful - because a healthy Oz Super conference can only be good for NZ and actually the best thing would be if one of the 4 super sides actually won the comp this year and Wallabies won the BC.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Good observation
rebel
Roar Guru
Mate you are talking about Lima and creating your own narrative. As for your ‘idea’, well done, you want me to answer a specific scenario that you know the answer to, despite Aus not having 5 teams. :shocked: I’ve already mentioned the No. 8 issue that you conveniently ignored, but expected. By the way, they were your “examples”, I just put the ages to them. But yes their introduction was all to do with “planning”, nothing to do with the players age and ability. :shocked: Yes NZ has better systems, being a chiefs and AB fan I know this, but that doesn’t mean I can’t see a mole hill being turned into a mountain. We could be sitting here in 6 months talking about the revelation of the new tens. But by all means continue with your pointless crusade.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think the big issue is that the Brumbies’ strength since 2012 has been around its right 5, particularly the second row and especially in the maul. The other Aussie teams don’t rely on a strong second row to the extent the Brumbies have.
Bluesfan
Funny how you talk about Lima - do you recall by chance how the Highlanders introduced Ioane to Super rugby by giving him lot's of time off the bench - at times (and I recall a game against the Waratahs) where he was so bad that they almost dropped a game. How does that compare to how the Waratahs blooded Mason over the past couple of seasons? Perfect example of how poorly Oz develops/plans, Look at Harrison for the Waratahs - running out at 10, with zero minutes in Super rugby against the defending champions in NZ. Yip that how you introduce a player to that level of comp.... Now he looks a champion - but the Waratahs always knew Foley was leaving - probably even knew a couple of seasons prior. So what plans did they put in place to ensure seamless transition? As an idea - how about you provide me of an example where NZ has 4 out of the 5 10's or other key decision making positions on the field, having zero experience or limited caps? It's interesting that all the examples you list above are between the years 2010 - through 2018 - that's 8 years for the introduction of 5 players into Super Rugby. Oz is doing that in a single year - extremely good planning......