At long last, the action is about to get back underway. And what better than the old rivalry between the Brumbies and the Waratahs in Sydney?
The Waratahs were the great movers last year as Darren Coleman’s young chargers threw away the training wheels and started to make an impression on the competition.
Coleman’s men now enter the 2023 World Cup year carrying the weight of expectation on their shoulders and their first foes of the campaign are the typically consistent Brumbies, who fell just short in 2022.
Stephen Larkham has returned to the Brumbies’ coaching setup for the first time since 2017 and his moment of truth has arrived.
Listen to Stephen Larkham’s chat with Christy Doran in the player below or on your podcast app of choice
Former coach Dan McKellar, who acted as an assistant under Larkham, believed the Brumbies needed to expand their game and develop their counter-attacking ability once he inherited the side.
Five years later, the Brumbies have taken steps forward but haven’t quite cracked the code. While the Brumbies won the Super Rugby AU competition in 2020 and made the final in 2021, they were bundled out in a thrilling and dramatic semi-final against the Blues at Eden Park last year.
Allan Alaaiatoa with coach Stephen Larkham during the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific Season Launch at Sydney Opera House on February 15, 2023 in Sydney. Photo: Jenny Evans/Getty Images
Can Larkham’s time away from the Brumbies help them seal their first fully-fledged title since 2004?
In a revealing Roar Rugby podcast, Larkham said he wasn’t able to see “the bigger picture” during his first stint as Brumbies head coach.
Now, without the distractions of the Wallabies on his plate, he wants to ensure the Brumbies do more than just play entertaining rugby, he wants to rebuild the connection in Canberra with the franchise.
But who will he select?
He has lost four big names from McKellar’s squad last year, with Wallabies prop Scott Sio, hooker Folau Fainga’a, inside centre Irae Simone and fullback Tom Banks. All four Test players are blows to his depth.
Sio allowed the Brumbies to rotate their front-row nicely, as he traded time with Wallabies incumbent captain James Slipper. His departure to Exeter is a huge blow.
Simone’s departure to Clermont is another blow to the Super side.
Jack Debreczeni is back playing Super Rugby in Australia and will give the Brumbies depth in the playmaking positions Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty Images
He might not have been a regular Wallaby, but he provided a great foil to Noah Lolesio and he grew with each year at the club. His ability to take the ball to the line, be a bigger body in the midfield and connect with his outside men was very valuable to the Brumbies.
Their departures, as well as a potential foot injury to young gun Tom Hooper and the likely return of Jahrome Brown, have made Larkham’s selection for the opening round even more intriguing, particularly with a number of players, including Lolesio, captain Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Valetini and Nic White, not seeing any game time during their trial matches.
“The challenge for us really is with some of these boys, so Al, Nic White, Bobby Valetini, they didn’t have any trial time so they’re coming into the season cold, and I know the Waratahs probably have a couple of players as well that are coming into the season cold,” Larkham told reporters at the Super Rugby Pacific Launch on Wednesday.
“You’re right in terms of the selection as well, that’s also a bit of a nightmare for the coaches at the moment – there’s a lot of good players who are going to miss out on this first round.”
Both the Brumbies and Waratahs are also desperate to win their opening match. Momentum, even in the early stages of the season, is vital.
It is why there will likely be an element of conservatism when it comes to selection in the opening round.
Here is our predicted team for the Brumbies’ opening round against the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium, where a bumper crowd of more than 30,000 is expected.
Predicted Brumbies team to play Waratahs
15: Tom Wright
14: Andy Murihead
13: Len Ikitau
12: Tamati Tua
11: Corey Toole
10: Noah Lolesio
9: Nic White
8: Pete Samu
7: Luke Reimar
6: Rob Valetini
5: Cadeyrn Neville
4: Darcy Swain
3: Allan Alaalatoa
2: Lachlan Lonergan
1: James Slipper
Reserves:
Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
Cec
Roar Rookie
Both Harrison and Donaldson are older than Noah and all three were on the same AUS u20. & started SR at the same time. NL has played a couple of seasons against Harrison at 10 in SR too. A few here are more than happy to bag Noah. If LuckyPhil want to compare oranges to oranges then happy to look at last seasons SR numbers with NL vs TE, BD & WH. :laughing:
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Not sure if white is the problem or if that's the only option given Noah's inability to run the back line.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
NL has been horribly managed by Rennie. He has also played in a team with no apparent style of play or attack. JOC is not a test 10 - that has been clear for years. EJ may end up picking him but if so it will be by keeping his role very very simple and using good runners around him. No need to bag the Tah’s - Harrison has been injured and Donaldson is just out of school. For the Aus under 20’s Harrison was picked at 10 ahead of NL.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
I think White is more part of the problem for NL as opposed to the solution.
Cec
Roar Rookie
His debut was as a 20yr old in Bledisloe playing 10 alongside another debutant at 12 back in 2020 so he’s played quite a few more tests than your sample. There’s also a series win against FRA albeit not their first team. He’s kicked a few clutch goals over the years for wins & set up some nice tries over the years too. It looks like you picked and sampled your stats as he played more than your list in 2022. The point being almost all his games were versus the top 4 nations. What other young 10 would’ve done better, Harrison or Donaldson? Both those Tahs have done absolutely nothing in the same period as NL has been playing, ie. GF2020 and MoM award ahead of JOC that game. We’re really missing that 25-29yr fly half unfortunately so NL has been a baptism of fire to say the least; & not really ideal intro to test rugby but he’s done well considering the circumstances. Even BF & JOC were not great against those same teams and they have 10yrs of experience on NL. What’s wrong with playing off 9 and as if that’s under his control.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Facts don't support your story Cec. We might as well have Bernard Foley... 2/7/22 v England (Win) Played 80 minutes 4 runs for 3 metres, 0 clean breaks, 1 defender beaten, 1 kick, 13 tackles 9/7/22 v England (Loss) Played 80 minutes 6 runs for 11 metres, 0 clean breaks, 1 defender beaten, 4 kicks, 2 tackles 16/7/22 v England (Loss) Played 80 minutes 3 runs for 6 metres, 0 clean breaks, 0 defender beaten, 3 kick, 1 tackle 27/8/22 v Springboks (Win) Played 80 minutes 3 runs for 9 metres, 0 clean breaks, 7 kicks, 1 tackle 3/9/22 v Springboks (Loss) Played 45 minutes 2 runs for 3 metres, 0 clean breaks, 4 kicks, 3 tackles We need a 5/8 that is going to control the game and not leave it to Nick White to have to do it. Unless Noah grows under Larkham's tutelage, he will be quickly overtaken by the otehr up and comers. I hope he does show more, but have my doubts.
Markus
Roar Rookie
It will absolutely be Sefo Kautai as TH behind AAA, without knowing too much about Harry Vella yet I will assume Fred Kaihea getting first shot at LH behind Slipper.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Fair line up Christie. However, for the XV I think swap Frost in for Swain based on test form. For the reserves I’m not so sure about Blake & Rhys either as per @Greysy’s post. Tua at 12 has some big shoes to fill & we may see Jack there at some stage. I’m expecting Wright at 15 to have a blinder this season so long as he doesn’t overplay it. Toole at 11 is electric. Brums looking strong again!
Cec
Roar Rookie
Hmm ‘potential’? LuckyPhil have a look who NL has played against as test 10 with some good wins there. Markus is spot on with NL & JOC being the best two 10s, & I believe by some margin with results on the board, of the last three seasons.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Trouble is with potentially only 3 OS picks, he will miss out for sure.
Markus
Roar Rookie
It would be worth dropping Swain from the starting XV. His line out leadership and maul defence is not strong enough to offset his lack of impact and non-existent attack.
Steve Lenthall
Roar Guru
Injured
AussieBob
Roar Rookie
Gee Lucky Phil it would probably help if you watched a few games and then comment. Noah has been outstanding since debuting against NZ. His game was really impacted by DR chop and change approach.
Olly
Roar Rookie
They won't drop Neville..he is important to the scrum. Brumbies scrum always looks better when he is playing.
Olly
Roar Rookie
If Hooper was fit, Samu to 7.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
He plays outside a 9 that overplays his hand.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
You should be the coach of Aus or at the least be a selector - trotting out the same tired old “has beens” and “never made its” expecting they will suddenly become great.
Utah
Guest
Thanks. I think I meant Hudson Creighton.
John Ferguson
Expert
I think he may have left or is injured.
John Ferguson
Expert
I saw that as well when it came out and thus far he has only played 13. Don't think Larkham is convinced...