Season Pre-view: ACT Brumbies

[Sheikh]

... Jake white has stated he is a fan of old style rugby play...

Then you're in trouble. The keep-it-in-the-pack-or-kick-it-away-for-territory style which White won the World Cup with in 2007 is outdated. It worked when the ref's interpretation favoured the defending team at the breakdown, but the game's moved on; winning teams now tend to keep the ball in hand, and if they do lose possession they win it back through targetted attacks at the breakdown through their back-row. Mowen's OK, but I'm not sure the rest of the Brumby back-row is good enough to win consistent ball. I'm not sure about the wooden spoon, but I'm can't see the Brumbies finishing above 4th in the Australian conference* let alone 4th-8th in the whole table.

(* actually, I can if we have another horror run of injuries!)

[James]

There are aspects to the 2012 Brumbies that I like. But 4-8 is very optimistic. It is hard to fault team pride but you have to be a little bit realistic. There are just far too many new players coming in. The pack is ok by Australian conference standards but the backs will take quite a few games to gel. Too many of them will need to get used to the new defensive patterns as well as simply being able to defend well at this level. I think they will leak. The attack might lack a bit of finishing too. It takes a while for a team to develop that understanding of what a player is going to do. Once guys got used to the idea the QC was going to do crazy things at the Reds and that psychic link formed between Genia and Cooper, they were able to pull off incredible things. Before that happened the Reds just couldn't get it together.

[slomo]

. Jake white has stated he is a fan of old style rugby play...

so was martin johnston at RWC2011, and look where that got england!?.................

[mudskipper]

There are aspects to the 2012 Brumbies that I like. But 4-8 is very optimistic. It is hard to fault team pride but you have to be a little bit realistic. There are just far too many new players coming in. The pack is ok by Australian conference standards but the backs will take quite a few games to gel. Too many of them will need to get used to the new defensive patterns as well as simply being able to defend well at this level. I think they will leak. The attack might lack a bit of finishing too. It takes a while for a team to develop that understanding of what a player is going to do. Once guys got used to the idea the QC was going to do crazy things at the Reds and that psychic link formed between Genia and Cooper, they were able to pull off incredible things. Before that happened the Reds just couldn't get it together.

Some kind words... but these are assessments based on assumptions, its important to note that the Brumbies haven’t recruited school boys... Matt Toomua has been training with his inside backs for years… Its best to wait and see what happens, the Brumbies are an unknown FORCE this year gents...

Its rather important to understand talent isn't rare as opportunity... and this year the Brumbies have both talent and opportunity to offer their new squad...

I suspect they will ambush many a team who disrespect their resolve…

So my question is? the Force has many ex-brumbies, Battye, Charles, Fairbanks, Mafi, Ma’fafu, Stannard, Wara… so where does that leave the Force in your assessment?

[mudskipper]

so was martin johnston at RWC2011, and look where that got england!?.................

many are fans... however it doesn't mean they will be able to copy their success elsewhere... John Mitchell would understand that...

[Darren]

So my question is? the Force has many ex-brumbies, Battye, Charles, Fairbanks, Mafi, Ma’fafu, Stannard, Wara… so where does that leave the Force in your assessment?

This thread is about the Brumbies - not the Force. Force season preview is yet to come ...

[brokendown gunfighter]

Some kind words... but these are assessments based on assumptions, its important to note that the Brumbies haven’t recruited school boys... Matt Toomua has been training with his inside backs for years… Its best to wait and see what happens, the Brumbies are an unknown FORCE this year gents...

Its rather important to understand talent isn't rare as opportunity... and this year the Brumbies have both talent and opportunity to offer their new squad...

I suspect they will ambush many a team who disrespect their resolve…

So my question is? the Force has many ex-brumbies, Battye, Charles, Fairbanks, Mafi, Ma’fafu, Stannard, Wara… so where does that leave the Force in your assessment?

well Muddie,come up to Darwin with some of us & see for yourself

[Burgs]

You are grasping at a straw (singular) Muddie, a season of pain ahead I'm afraid to say.

[todd4]

I like the look of the new jersey.

I hope they are going to get rid of those bright yellow socks they sometimes wore last year, were they a part of their away strip?

[Rex Messup]

The Brumbies will go well

The Force have recruited fark all, developed fark all and marketed fark all

Dead set

[mudskipper]

You are grasping at a straw (singular) Muddie, a season of pain ahead I'm afraid to say.

Well... after tonight Burgs so far good for the little capital pony club... 25 - 0