2012 preseason begins today

[Rex Messup]

The Force's front row of former Brumby Salesi Ma'afu, Nathan Charles and Pek Cowan was dominated by Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Anthony Hegarty and Jono Owen.

The most worrying information to come out of the night. Not too many clubbies in our front row last night. Back's shouldn't coach super rugby. They are clueless in 75% of the game.

Time to hook Richard Graham

[mudskipper]

The most worrying information to come out of the night. Not too many clubbies in our front row last night. Back's shouldn't coach super rugby. They are clueless in 75% of the game.

Time to hook Richard Graham

I guess Graham wanted to see what his squad have be it local or otherwise… from what I understand the Brumbies ran 2 different teams for each half... from what I saw in Canberra during training seasons that’s how they trained... they're organised under White......

So the reality is the Brumbies also ran a lot of rookies (including local recruits) like the Force… So there is no excuse for the Force to score zero points... even in a trial match…

Equally both teams didn’t reveal their plays because of their first round match together in canberra… Also sounded like to Force set piece struggled against the Brumbies second tier front-row…

Nonetheless I still back the Force to do better than the spoon....

Look'n forward to round won...

[GIGS20]

I guess Graham wanted to see what his squad have be it local or otherwise… from what I understand the Brumbies ran 2 different teams for each half... from what I saw in Canberra during training seasons that’s how they trained... they're organised under White......

So the reality is the Brumbies also ran a lot of rookies (including local recruits) like the Force… So there is no excuse for the Force to score zero points... even in a trial match…

Equally both teams didn’t reveal their plays because of their first round match together in canberra… Also sounded like to Force set piece struggled against the Brumbies second tier front-row…

Nonetheless I still back the Force to do better than the spoon....

Look'n forward to round won...

Wow mud, you're reading a lot into a trial we were quoted as not trying to win and also trying to put out front row under pressure.....I say the score is less than meaningless since the Brums could have equally avoided kicking and tried to play rugby, but seemed to want a notch in their belt.

I'm not saying everything's rosy, surely we would have planned to score some points in the trial, but it's not exactly time to write off our season yet. I'll do that if we lose to the Brumbies (or the Rebels)

[mudskipper]

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...px?storypage=0

While the ACT Brumbies' mass player clean-out has many writing off their chances in 2012, prop Ben Alexander believes the side is better off than the same time last year.

One of just three Wallabies remaining following the departures of Matt Giteau, Stephen Hoiles, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Salesi Ma'afu and three former internationals, Alexander is adamant the rookie Brumbies under the guidance of World Cup-winning coach Jake White are in better condition, physically and mentally than in 2011.

''I just feel personally that we are in a much better space than we were this time last year in regards to a lot of stuff,'' said Alexander, who played 50 minutes of the Brumbies' 25-0 defeat of the Western Force in Saturday's trial. ''Compared to where we were last year, we are in a much better position.

''After last year, obviously there were quite a few changes to be made and obviously the experience of Jake in South Africa and winning the World Cup plus Laurie Fisher's experience as former coach of the Brumbies, they've rectified a lot of the ruts at training we were doing and last weekend was a big step in the right direction.

''We're fitter than we were last year. Dean Benton and our head strength and conditioning guy have had the guys working hard but there's been a good balance.

''They've got the boys in good shape running-wise and we're also really strong, doing a lot of contact but not overdoing it. We're fresh.''

And despite only a handful of recognised players on their books, including hooker Stephen Moore and injured Wallaby Pat McCabe, Alexander insisted the players don't care what the critics say.

''People can say whatever they want about us. It doesn't worry us one bit,'' Alexander said. ''All we're doing is worrying about what we need to do and you know, we might surprise a few people.

''It feels like a new beginning. From when I first started here there is only one staff member left and at least half the playing squad is gone from last year.

''It's like playing for a new team but it still has a lot of those qualities that makes the Brumbies - everyone lives close to each other and spends a lot of time together outside of training. That's what makes the Brumbies so special.''

With a star roster for three years but with nothing to show for it, Alexander admitted the team had become stale and frustrated, something NSW recruit Adam Ashley-Cooper suggested last month.

He said mounting pressure from the public and within had led to a horror season for the dual Super Rugby premiers. But he doesn't expect that to be the case this year.

The Brumbies are relishing the underdog tag. ''There mightn't be any expectations on us from outside but as a group, there's still that expectance from within,'' Alexander said.

[Rex Messup]

What's the likely run on team Mud?

[jono]

a bunch of girls?

[Rex Messup]

There's a few locals on here that like their pie humble Mud

[mudskipper]

ACT Brumbies coach Jake White is prepared to show blind faith in his off-contract players and hopes some will re-sign with the Super Rugby franchise in the coming months.

White declared he was keen to engage in contract negotiations despite being yet to see his players in a regular season match.

However, the World Cup-winning mentor admits he faces a challenge getting the players to commit to the deals early if ARU top-ups are not included in the Brumbies' offers.

The Brumbies need to fit all of their players under a salary cap and rely on the ARU to beef up the deals of the top players to keep them in Australia.

There are nine Brumbies whose contracts expire at the end of the year.

Christian Lealiifano has already been offered a three-year deal and White will look to secure more players as soon as he can.

"You need superstars and the high-paid players, but you've got to keep guys in your system so you don't have to restart the cycle every year," White said.

"It's crazy to just let players go if they know your systems, they buy into what you're doing and they can develop when they're in your system.

"You have to find a balance and convince guys their rugby will improve here in Canberra.

"I know if I keep this same group for four years we will be better, I'd like to keep these boys in the system."

Players in Australia have traditionally signed two-year contracts with their franchises and the ARU to ensure they have maximum bargaining power.

But White is keen to forge a new path and table longer-term deals if it doesn't affect his players' earning abilities. Brumbies halfback Nic White played just two games in his debut Super Rugby campaign last year.

He is one of just two specialist No. 9s on Jake White's roster.
The former Australian under-20s representative is yet to begin new contract negotiations, but keen to have his future sorted soon.

"Hopefully I can put together some good footy and let the contract stuff sort itself out," Nic White said.

"My first focus is locking down the No. 9 jersey and I don't want to think about my future too much even though it's in the back of my mind.

"If I can get a chance to sign a couple of more years then I'd definitely be keen on doing that."


Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugb...#ixzz1mj9K1WwD