Brumbies’ back row bolstered as Chapman, Vanderglas sign

Tuesday, 16 June 2009
A Mudskipper Propaganda Initiative




The CA Brumbies have finalised their back row stocks with flankers Mitchell Chapman and Henry Vanderglas each committing to the ACT-based province. Chapman has re-signed on a two-year deal while local product Vanderglas has signed a one-year rookie contract.

Chapman and Vanderglas join Wallabies George Smith, Rocky Elsom and CA Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles as specialist back rowers for the two-time Super Rugby Champions ahead of the 2010 Investec Super 14 season.

Chapman, who joined the CA Brumbies from the Reds for the 2008 season, has played 47 Investec Super 14 matches since making his debut for the Queenslanders against the Crusaders in 2005. The former Australian Schoolboys captain missed the first half of the 2009 season returning from shoulder surgery before starting in seven of the side’s final eight matches.

The 26-year-old, who has also represented Australia A in 2006 and 2008, says he’s pleased to remain with the CA Brumbies.

“My priority was always to stay in Canberra,” he said. “I’ve loved being part of the Brumbies and I felt like this season I started getting to a point where I was playing some of my best football.

“I don’t think it’s any secret that the back row will be one of our strengths next year and being a part of that is something I’m looking forward to. I still hold a strong desire to represent the Wallabies and I think I’m best placed to do that at the Brumbies.

“There’s no doubt we’re building to something pretty special here in the next year or so, and I’m looking forward to being part of it.”

Vanderglas joined Brumbies Rugby on an Academy contract at the beginning of the 2009 season having represented Canberra club, Easts, in their 2008 John I Dent Cup grand final season. The former St Edmund’s College student made his Investec Super 14 debut against the Hurricanes and represented the Australian Sevens side in their Wellington, Dubai, Hong Kong Adelaide, Edinburgh and London tournaments.

Vanderglas, who scored a competition high 13 tries in last year’s John I Dent Cup, says he’s keen to add to his three Investec Super 14 caps.

“I’ve loved being part of the Brumbies this year,” he said. “I’ve grown up in Canberra and always wanted to play for the Brumbies, and to have that opportunity this year was unbelievable.

“I was grateful for the chances I was given this season and I certainly want to build on that next year.

“I’ve learnt a lot about the technical parts of the game from [CA Brumbies Forwards Coach] Owen Finegan as well as learning a lot from the older guys in the team, like Hoilesy [Stephen Hoiles] and George Smith. I’m really excited about next season and I can’t wait for the pre-season to begin.”

Head Coach Andy Friend says the retention of Chapman and Vanderglas consolidates a star-studded CA Brumbies back row for 2010.

“A quality back row is integral to the success of football side and we’re very fortunate to have such incredible depth at 6, 7 and 8 for next season,” he said. “However, there can be no guarantees for any player and there’ll be first class competition for positions.

“Mitch was outstanding for us through the back half of the year after returning from an off-season shoulder surgery. His work rate was excellent, he provides a first-class lineout option and he has the ability to regularly dent or break the defensive line. There’s no question he was among the top ‘6’s in the competition and I’m sure he’ll be giving the Wallaby selectors a lot to think about next year as well.

“Henry is one of the younger members of the squad who made the most of his opportunities at both Super 14 and Sevens in 2009. He’s a very athletic flanker who reads the game very well. His attitude towards his football is first rate and he’s shown that he’s someone that can be counted on to do the hard work. It’s also fantastic to see another local product come through the ranks and join other Canberra juniors like Guy Shepherdson, Huia Edmonds, Peter Kimlin and now Matt Giteau in the Brumbies squad.”

Brumbies Rugby CEO Andrew Fagan says the retention of Chapman and Vanderglas further completes a strong CA Brumbies squad in 2010.

“We’re very pleased to have both Henry and Mitch returning for the Brumbies in 2010,” he said. “With both of them joining the likes of Steve Hoiles, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, and someone like Peter Kimlin if needs be, we’re confident that we’ll be running out one of the strongest back rows in the Super 14.”


Mitchell Chapman
Position: Flanker/lock
Physical: 1.97m, 110kg
Age: 15.03.1983, Sydney
Super 14 Caps: 47
Super 14 Points: 20 (4t)
Super 14 Debut: 2005 (Reds) v Crusaders, Nelson

http://twf.com.au/picture.php?albumid=39&pictureid=557



Henry Vanderglas
Position: Flanker
Physical: 1.92m, 103kg
Age: 09.05.1985, Canberra
Super 14 Caps: 3
Super 14 Points: -
Super 14 Debut: 2009 v Hurricanes, Wellington

http://twf.com.au/picture.php?albumid=39&pictureid=558

http://www.brumbies.com.au/act.rugby/page/56259

End of article as above but mentions the loss of Salvi, another bound for the fifth team I am sure.
Doesn't say where he's headed in the meantime though.

Brumbies still want O'Connor

June 16, 2009 - 1:12PM

The Brumbies are holding an outside back spot open in the hope of signing rising Wallabies star James O'Connor.

While the Western Force remain the favourites to snare the signature of the teenage Test fullback, the Brumbies have made it clear they have not given up on O'Connor.

The Brumbies cannot match what is understood to be a massive third-party offer for O'Connor to stay in Perth, but what they can give him is a spot in a backline boasting a number of key Wallabies.

With Test five-eighth Matt Giteau having signed with the Brumbies for 2010, joining fellow Wallabies in captain and outside centre Stirling Mortlock and utility Adam Ashley-Cooper, the Canberra side already has an imposing backline.

O'Connor relished playing outside Giteau in the Wallabies clash with Italy on Saturday night, picking up three tries in the 31-8 win.

The Force are yet to sign a quality five-eighth for next season with the latest out of the west a suggestion that former Springbok Andre Pretorius could sign this week.

O'Connor has said he won't be making a decision on his future until after he knows who is calling the shots in the Force backline.

The Brumbies announced on Tuesday they had signed flankers Mitchell Chapman and Henry Vanderglas for 2010, taking their squad to 29 players and leaving an outside back spot as the only position left to fill.

While having previously indicated they were out of the race to sign O'Connor, the word out of Canberra suggests he remains firmly in their sights.

Brumbies forwards coach Owen Finegan said the side was happy to wait for O'Connor to make up his mind.

"We'll wait and see ... he'll make a decision in time," Finegan said.

"We've left that rest and we'll leave that to him and see what decision is made."

And in typical Finegan form, the former Wallaby was full of mirth when asked if he was privy to details of talks between the Brumbies and O'Connor when the teenager was in Canberra for the Italy match.

"I don't talk to many of the backs really, it's a habit I've been into for a long time," he joked.

"I'm sure Matt Giteau would have had a word to him, and Stirling Mortlock, but I wasn't privy to that."

Chapman has re-signed for two years while Vanderglas has signed on a one-year rookie deal.

Flanker Julian Salvi has departed the Brumbies after executing an option in his contract following the signing of Wallaby Rocky Elsom.

"It puts us at 29," Finegan said. "There's one left and it will probably be an outside back and that will be Friendy's (coach Andy Friend's) choice."

AAP

"While the Western Force remain the favourites to snare the signature of the teenage Test fullback, the Brumbies have made it clear they have not given up on O'Connor."

Maybe they need to have a word with their CEO?

Good little run of media banter between the to Australian provinces over getting O’Connor’s signature... I expect the forces reply tomorrow... Still no word on Sand Castles Andre Pretorius but negotiating with South Africans is always awfully time consuming... Do think the force is getting his x-rays for their doctors to peruse? …. It would be nice to hear from CEO Vern Reid about now...

I think the Brumbies just want to make sure the Force and third party sponsor has to pay top dollar for JO'C...:D

http://twf.com.au/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=518

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mudskipper

Good little run of media banter between the to Australian provinces over getting O’Connor’s signature... I expect the forces reply tomorrow... Still no word on Sand Castles Andre Pretorius but negotiating with South Africans is always awfully time consuming... Do think the force is getting his x-rays for their doctors to peruse? …. It would be nice to hear from CEO Vern Reid about now...

---

Show a bit of respect to this site and other TWF people and use a capital F in future, when mentioning my team.
That would be :force:

Watched Vanderglaas playing Sevens from Scotland last night, he did some excellent work.
Chucky is over there too and Brocky was playing pretty well.

The Brumbies added depth to an already experienced back row by extending the contracts of Mitchell Chapman and Henry Vanderglas yesterday.

Former Australian schoolboys captain Chapman, who started seven of the Brumbies' final eight Super14 games this year, signed a two-year deal.

StEdmund's College product Vanderglas, who joined the Brumbies Academy this year, has signed a one-year rookie contract.

The pair will add back-up to an already formidable group of back-rowers comprising captain Stephen Hoiles, Wallabies squad members Rocky Elsom, George Smith and Peter Kimlin, and the Brumbies' big man Sitaleki Timani.

Julian Salvi has exercised an out clause in his contract and is set to sign a deal with English club Bath.

Brumbies assistant coach and former Wallabies back-rower Owen Finegan said the back row was just one area where he expected competition for spots to be fierce.

''By the start of next year no one will be guaranteed a starting spot,'' Finegan said. ''The atmosphere and attitude around the team this year was great and it will only improve for next year.''

---------- Post added at 04:34 ---------- Previous post was at 04:28 ----------

Just in case anyone was interested....

Gees the world must be about to implode or freeze over or some shit. A Nags post not posted by Muddy, wonders will never cease!!!