First wave of Wallabies on deck for Brumbies
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04 Jan, 2010
Outside-centre Stirling Mortlock is one of six Wallabies who will resume pre-season training with the ACT Brumbies today.
Matt Toomua, Mitch Chapman, Salesi Ma'afu and Tyrone Smith are also due back at the Brumbies, while prop Ben Alexander is expected to return a week early.
Fellow Wallabies Matt Giteau, Rocky Elsom, Adam Ashley-Cooper and George Smith aren't due back for another two weeks though, which will leave ACT coach Andy Friend less than one month to integrate them into the Brumbies set-up before the Super14 season gets underway.
Friend said the staggered arrival of his squad would present a challenge, but was confident the Wallabies players would be able to make a smooth transition into the side.
''It's happening to a few other squads so we'll just have to make the most of it,'' Friend said. ''Those guys are aware of what we've been training because we had some meetings with them before they took off on the spring tour, to get their views and input as to our game style.
''It's now trying to get them up to speed with what it is we've been doing, and then continuing to build on what we've done pre-Christmas with the other guys.''
Chapman, Toomua, captain Stephen Hoiles and Patrick Phibbs return with niggling injuries, but are all expected to reach full fitness over the next month.
Brumbies training ended before Christmas with a semi-opposed scrimmage session, and Friend plans to pick up where he left off when training resumes.
Next week the squad heads to Jervis Bay for a three-day camp at which it will nut out key strategies and game plans for the season.
A round one clash against the Western Force in Perth on February 12 awaits the Brumbies before a two-week stint in South Africa to take on the Bulls and the Stormers.
The Brumbies' first game at Canberra Stadium isn't until March 5 against the Lions.
It appears a hazardous draw on paper but Friend said it presented an excellent chance to build early-season momentum.
''Any draw you can look at through different eyes and say it's a tough one, it's an easy one,'' Friend said.
''You've got to play everyone once, you've got to play certain teams away, you've got to play certain teams at home. We're quite happy with the draw that we've been given and all our focus is on the 12th of Feb and beating the Force.''
The Brumbies will play trial matches against the Wellington Hurricanes and the NSW Waratahs before travelling to Perth for round one.
ACT BRUMBIES TRIAL MATCHES
January 29: v Wellington Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium Wellington;
February 4: v NSW Waratahs at Viking Park, Canberra.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...s/1717415.aspx
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