Brumbies delay African safari

[travelling_gerry]

BY PETER FITZGERALD, RUGBY UNION
01 Jan, 2010 09:25 AM
The ACT Brumbies hope a new-look international travel itinerary will lead to greater success in South Africa this Super 14 season.
The Brumbies will ditch plans of recent years and instead arrive in the Republic just three days before their first of two matches on tour.
Traditionally teams spend a week in South Africa prior to their opening game in a bid to acclimatise and recover from the flight from Australia.
But the Brumbies won't arrive in Johannesburg until Wednesday, February 17 for their round two clash against the Bulls in Pretoria on February 20.
The Brumbies open their season in Perth against the Western Force on February 12.
Coach Andy Friend believed spending more time in Australia and less in South Africa would assist his players' quest for a successful tour.
''I'm of the belief the longer you stay in an area you're familiar with, the better it is,'' the coach said. ''All of our major training will have been done before we head across the ocean. We still have a couple of days to acclimatise and I really think this is the best option for the guys.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...i/1716456.aspx

[GIGS20]

One of the International teams did that this year, how did it turn out for them?

(sorry, fuzzy memory)

[laura]

Wonder if last year's tragedy has any bearing on the decision to keep the boys away from there for as long as possible...could certainly understand if that's the reasoning behind it.

[mudskipper]

Sounds like a sensible decision by the Brumbies management this year as they have only two games in South Africa...

Bulls then the Stromers... Both tough matches however the Bulls are often slow starters...

---------- Post added at 20:24 ---------- Previous post was at 13:51 ----------

The other possiblity is enjoying hanging in Perth after a nice victory... or for someone to help set up the new match committee...

[The Ethicist]

Gits will turn it up
The Brumbies will struggle so the cash strapped franchise is cutting costs wherever possible

[James]

The other possiblity is enjoying hanging in Perth after a nice victory... or for someone to help set up the new match committee...

You seem awfully confident Muddy. I watched the 2009 Force v Brumbies game again last night and it was a far from inspiring home game from the Brumbies. Everyone seemed to credit Giteau for the victory but he made 2/6 kicks at goal and was fairly average on the whole. This time you don't have a home game and you have the unrealistic self-belief that Giteau will somehow win the game for you. The tries the Force scored were from excellent forward ball skills (Sharpe and Cowan), weak-assed Brumby defending (Pelesasa making it through 5 tackles), a decent Giteau pass which let Crossy own AAC and flip a sweet pass on to Shep and some other one so immemorable I can't remember it. We have a better front row, a better back row and our locks are better if our thrower isn't- you couldn't beat us at home then what makes you think you will away now?

[GIGS20]

They've got a wheelbarrow full of coke for Harrison and Gits is coaching the team.

[James]

They've got a wheelbarrow full of coke for Harrison and Gits is coaching the team.

Well at least Harrison will be flying high in the line-outs, not sure if that'll get him any ball or not.

[slomo]

Well at least Harrison will be flying high in the line-outs, not sure if that'll get him any ball or not.

he'll get white line fever!!...

[The Ethicist]

Harrison has been thrown a retirement fund which makes a mockery of the Brumbies development program. A return of some dead wood to Australian rugby is a tragedy for the development of our game

[mudskipper]

James Force 2009 victory was a great away win bit the teams lining up in this year match are not anywhere near the same... Brumbies by plenty... Harrison will be a good lineout influence and keep Sharpie on his toes... personally I think sit good to seea few players reutrn to Australian rugby. Hopefully we will see more in coming years...

[Happy]

Everyone seemed to credit Giteau for the victory but he made 2/6 kicks at goal and was fairly average on the whole.

I remember walking out of that game yelling "You can have him!"

[mudskipper]

I remember walking out of that game yelling "You can have him!"

Thanks... for your blessing.......

[TOCC]

Harrison will be a good lineout influence and keep Sharpie on his toes... personally I think sit good to seea few players reutrn to Australian rugby. Hopefully we will see more in coming years...

your kidding right, the only reason he is returning to Australia is because he got caught taking recreational drugs and getting in a fight with players from harlequin, Harrison when representing Australia was always a liability, letting his emotions getting the better of him and doing something stupid that would result in a yellow card or a penalty..

good to see he isnt much different in real life

[mudskipper]

I don't mind a little passion on the field in the forwards... Harrison was given a short 6 month suspension which he has served… He is now eligible to play in the UK but he's has chosen to return to Australia. The Brumbies considered it necessary to sign an experienced lock with Pete Kimlin’s enduring injury.
Harrison is a favorite son of the Brumbies and one of the S12 championship squad so they made him an offer which he happy took. Furthermore Andy Friend knows what Harrison can offer on and off the field. It’s prudently wise of Friend to strengthen any possible weakness he sees in the squad before the start of the 2010 season. Friend likes locks to focus on their main task and not be ball runners. Harrison will perform this role very well and be a good 40-60 minute player which is fine. He’ll bring a little grunt back to the Brumbies forwards.