Muds Brumbies 2012 Thread - Warning -

[James]

Unfortunately Toomua will stay in Canberra. A deal was almost sown up before the injury. The only way the Brumbies will lose him is if they screw him around and change terms since the injury.

I like the way Lealiifano has been playing.

[mudskipper]

Brumbies had too much drop ball, pushed too many passes.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mudskipper]

The ACT Brumbies hope David Pocock will follow the path created by George Smith and become the second openside flanker superstar in the club's history as they attempt to lure him to Canberra next year.

But Brumbies coach Jake White insists he will not pressure Australia's premier No.7 into a decision and is happy to wait until Pocock is ready to finalise his future.

Western Force skipper Pocock is off contract at the end of the Super Rugby season and White has contacted him to express his interest.

Pocock would be a perfect fit at the Brumbies after the two-time champions lost Michael Hooper to the NSW Waratahs last week.

The Brumbies were blessed with Wallabies great Smith filling the No.7 duties for almost a decade, while Hooper is viewed as a future Wallaby.

Injured Brumby Colby Faingaa is also highly rated, but White said he would be ''crazy'' not to consider signing the Wallabies flanker.

The former Springboks coach is also keen to use his South African contacts to help grow Pocock's charitable foundation, Eightytwenty Vision, which helps underprivileged people in rural Zimbabwe.

The chance to work closely with politicians in Canberra could also attract Pocock to the Brumbies.

But after a week of turmoil at the Force where the players voted to oust coach Richard Graham, White said the recruiting process was sensitive and ''there's no rush''.

''There's always going to be speculation about the top players … we have shown an interest in [Pocock] just like all other franchises have,'' White said.

''But there's no rush, the fact he would consider [joining the Brumbies] is fantastic.

''We want to become better and better and better every year, so if bringing him to the Brumbies would send a positive message and I'm sure it will add value to us.

''I respect the fact David doesn't want to rush into anything and I'm not going to put pressure on him.

''When the time is right we would be happy to offer him something if he's keen.''

The Brumbies' impressive start to the season will help them in their pursuit of Pocock.

They unexpectedly sit at the top of the Australian conference and will attempt to extend their lead when they play the Johannesburg Lions on Saturday morning.

Pocock is the best player on the Force's roster and he is trying to lead the club through one of the most difficult periods in its history.

Graham was sacked last week after it was announced he had signed to become the Queensland Reds' coach for the next Super Rugby season.

The Force is keen to secure Pocock beyond the end of the year.

But after watching the Brumbies' new generation rapidly evolve into a strong team, Pocock could be keen to move to Canberra.

Pocock - who turned 24 yesterday - is the best No.7 in Australia and is considered one of the premier openside flankers in the world.

If he does decide to join the Brumbies, it would be a massive coup for a club which had a disastrous campaign last year.

White has put the Brumbies in a position where they are considered a chance of breaking their seven year finals drought.

Expectations for the young group are beginning to change and White was confident his team could handle the extra attention.

''It's nice for us that people are seeing us as a team that can win against tough oppositions,'' White said.

''Outsiders didn't think we would win a game this season so we don't think about that … every week the pressure is different.''



Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugb...#ixzz1stweSz40

[mudskipper]

It has taken a while, but the Brumbies have to be taken seriously. For weeks, many have been waiting for this young bunch of no-names to lose their way. Instead, they keep performing, remain on top of the Australian conference and are providing the right indicators they will be an irritant around finals time.

Sure, the Brumbies lost to the Bulls by two points on Saturday, but this was a defeat that involved glory, and numerous positive aspects. To score five tries to two at Loftus Versfeld, including several stunners, in particular the Jesse Mogg five-pointer, is an exceptional achievement, as was their fightback in the last 12 minutes, which suggests the Brumbies have rediscovered some of the verve that made the province the tournament trendsetters eight years ago.

The boot of Bulls five-eighth Morne Steyn, who finished with 26 points, proved too much, as did a mid-game slump where the inexperience of several Brumbies showed by either giving away unnecessary penalties or getting overexcited, leading to wrong options.

But to leave Pretoria with two bonus points is an achievement, and could even lead to the Brumbies making the finals for the first time since 2004.

And all this from an outfit that not that long ago was a complete mess. About this time last year, the Brumbies were in turmoil. Coach Andy Friend had been farewelled and a dispirited playing group bumbled their way through, finishing 13th. At the end of the year was a mass exodus as countless senior players, including Rocky Elsom, Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stephen Hoiles, Mark Chisholm and Josh Valentine, departing Canberra. All that was left appeared to be the scraps, placing new coach Jake White in the most unenviable of positions.

White soon found this a tricky assignment. The number of players at his disposal was well short of what he was accustomed to in South Africa, and he then astounded many in Canberra by going left field for his captain, opting for Ben Mowen ahead of provincial stalwart Stephen Moore. White also readily admitted he wasn't certain of the capabilities of some of his squad members. He was fumbling about in the dark, having to gamble with new faces. Then there was the high anxiety involved in White pursuing the England head coaching position, which for several days destabilised the Brumbies. He finally decided to remain in Canberra, producing the celebrated quote that: ''My four years isn't a jail sentence.''

Instead, White's opening months have become decidedly more pleasant than weekend release, especially as he has been able to convince his squad to push their abilities to the limit. This outsider, with important input from the side's former coach Eddie Jones, has revived the Brumbies' spirit.

The hard heads in the team have been important, with Ben Alexander, Moore and Mowen crucial to a solid up-front base, while the attack has looked much better since Pat McCabe has been picked at No.12, where he has combined well with five-eighth Christian Lealiifano.

Much of the excitement has been created by the newcomers; Mogg is an interesting fullback prospect, Nic White has producing several excellent halfback performances, while Sam Carter in the second row appears Wallabies-bound.

There is still a long way to go though. The closeness of the Australian conference is shown by the leader having only won half of their matches, while the Brumbies still have five more derbies to endure, including two against the Waratahs, which could make or break either province.

And compared with the other Australian franchises, the Brumbies have suffered few serious injuries, which has avoided their bench from being exposed.

Big doubts remain, but at least the signs at the halfway mark of the competition are encouraging for the resurgent Brumbies.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...#ixzz1stxJxPcU

[jono]

Meh. Even white is saying how unremarkable it is. You would be insane not to have a conversation with pocock to see where his headspace is at. Doesnt mean they will put forward an offer

[Happy]

what are they saying about it on the Brumbies forum.. oh that's right....

[Cowboy]

I think this just highlights that the right person as headcoach can make a real difference. We just need to find the right person.

[James]

Meh. Even white is saying how unremarkable it is. You would be insane not to have a conversation with pocock to see where his headspace is at. Doesnt mean they will put forward an offer

Dan Carter in Phil Blake's plans for 2013

Phil Blake not in Dan Carter's plans. Easy, isn't it?

[mudskipper]

Bam Bam a Brumby... it would work... could be a nice career move moving to the Captital, would help his charity connections... join a team on the rise...be a genuine Super Rugby contender... ... could be a good time to choose change... I understand why he is happy to talk to Jake White...

[Cowboy]

It sure helped Matt Giteaus and Rocky Elsoms & et al. careers so much...

[normie]

Bam Bam a Brumby... could be a nice career move moving to the Captital, would help his charity connections... join a team on the rise...be a genuine ...

Of course! He could open an office in Fyshwick!

[Happy]

could be a nice career move moving to the Captital

if you don't travel to watch any games there why on earth would he want to move there?

[mudskipper]

if you don't travel to watch any games there why on earth would he want to move there?

I there tonight but no Brumbies game

[GIGS20]

I there tonight but no Brumbies game

Thus fitting the description of not travelling to watch them play rugby?

[mudskipper]

Thus fitting the description of not travelling to watch them play rugby?

Ffftt... there are sharper tools in my shed...