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FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu'u (c), Santiago Medrano, Fergus Lee-Warner, Izack Rodda, Brynard Stander, Kane Koteka, Tim Anstee, Ian Prior, Reesjan Pasitoa, Manasa Mataele, Bayley Kuenzle, Kyle Godwin, Toni Pulu, Jake Strachan
RESERVES: Andrew Ready, Harrison Lloyd, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Jake McIntyre, Richard Kahui
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
I would rather Issak Fines-Leleiwasa start. I think he is the future. Also, Ian Prior on the bench can cover 9 and 10.
I liked Priors crisp service in the trial. Fines looked good when he came on too but we didn't see much of his X-factor running in that outing. Maybe the coaches prefer quick accurate service in the tight opening stanza we'll get with the Ponies.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
+1 also Prior is a proven calm head who settles the entire team down and produces an overall better performance from those around him. with Reesjan, Bayley and Issak all coming from the ponies there's the potential for a lot to go wrong.
Bring Sideshow Bob on early in the second half to carve up tired Canberra pigs for a squillion points. I think it's a very smart selection.
C'mon the![]()
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BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Folau Fainga'a, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Tom Banks
RESERVES: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Nick Frost, Ed Kennedy, Ryan Lonergan, Ollie Sapsford, Jesse Mogg
The ponies don't appear to be taking us lightly, this is going to be season defining for us.
The only edge I can see that we might exploit is in the reserves. Jesse Mogg wasn't on my list of must haves 5 years ago when he was young, but I've never heard of Ollie Sapsford and don't know much about Ed Kennedy so they might be awesome...or shite
Go Force
C'mon the![]()
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Brumbies have 12 Wallabies in the starting team.
Ollie Sapsford is ex Hawkes Bay, usually came on as a reserve did score a hatrtick in the last NPC season.
Ed Kennedy is an Australian lock who used play for Scarletts up north and has returned to Australia.
This is going to be a very good test of just where we are. Pack is as good as last year, backline a step up. Wallabies for the Brumbies may just be working up to full fitness after an extended break and timing could be good for us. Glad we playing our hardest match first away from home. A win sets up the season and a loss will not be as big a dent, as it would be an expected away loss.
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
McGregor stiff, thought he was excellent in the trials. Have him over McIntyre.
ABC News reporting tonight that Sitaleki Timani has been released - not vaccinated.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Timani is definitely a big loss. Was looking forward to us having lock domination over everyone else with Rodda, Timani and FLW starting. The Timani/Rodda combination would be a great base for the scrum and be bruising around the field.
Hopefully Macauley or Pugh can step up to fill the gap, or Thrush will have to be used again.
Would prefer FLW at 6, but I guess moving him to lock allows an extra one of our excellent backrowers onto the field. However we may have some trouble at lineout....
Listened to Tony Lewis on 6PR . Great balanced explanation on Timani . There is a possibility of him rejoining the squad should there be a change in the situation. ( Let’s hope so ) …. Thoughts to Sita and his family at this time.