BRUMBIES 2010
The Brumbies' chances of winning a third Super Rugby championship will depend to a fair extent on the start they get this year, which sees them playing three matches away from home. They play against the Western Force and then travel to South Africa to play the defending champion Bulls at altitude and then the Stormers.
Whether they return home triumphant, or having to play catch-up, will be crucial to their prospects for adding to their 2001 and 2004 Super 12 title victories.
In the Super 12 they did well enough through their campaign to get to three other finals and one semi-final, but they lost all four of those play-off games. Their record since the start of the Super 14 in 2006 is less impressive, with positions sixth, fifth, ninth and then last year's seventh on the log.
Brumbies coach Andy Friend recognises that a good start is crucial to a successful Super 14 and feels they have the structures in place to see them return to the winners' podium in 2010.
He speaks of his team's determination to play a "different style of rugby" this year. What substantial variation we'll see in their pattern of play will be interesting indeed, since at their best in the old Super 12 they tested opposition defences to the limit, scoring a host of impressive tries.
The Brumbies have certainly made some very good acquisitions, with consummate playmaker Matt Giteau and Wallaby captain Rocky Elsom the major signings. Giteau is one of the most complete rugby players of the modern age, with skills approaching the sublime, and Elsom returns to Australia having been at his unrelenting best for Leinster in the Heineken Cup and for Australia (both as flank and captain) on the Test stage.
Add Giteau's 77 Super games and 78 Test caps to Elsom's 66 Super caps (for the Waratahs) and 49 Tests to the experience of Stirling Mortlock, George Smith and Stephen Moore and the likes of fellow Wallabies Mark Chisholm, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Alexander and Josh Valentine, and you must have a formidable team.
Strengths: At their best the Brumbies are renowned for relentless retention of possession, skilful flair and astute variation of points of attack. They have a strong core of experienced campaigners and a few excitingly talented youngsters.
Weaknesses: They start with a game in Perth, then have to brave the fortress that is Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, and then what is likely to be a capacity crowd of passionate Stormers supporters at Newlands in Cape Town. This is a tough assignment. Depth at prop could be a problem, initially at least, with Ben Alexander's fractured left hand keeping him out until game two at the earliest, and Jerry Yanuyanutawa's stress fracture in his left foot, and Brumbies Academy prop Jono Owen's injured calf muscle also pre-season concerns.
Noteworthy signings: Matt Giteau returns to the Brumbies after three years with the Western Force. Rocky Elsom returns after nine months with Leinster (Ireland), where he won 11 Man-of-the-Match awards in 13 games. Josh Valentine, having played for the Reds, the Waratahs and the Force, is now at the Brumbies. Justin Harrison has concluded his eight-month suspension for actions "prejudicial to the interests of the Game", and joins the Brumbies from Bath and before that the Waratahs and Ulster. He turns 36 in April but is remarkably resilient, having started in 29 of 31 matches for Bath during the 2008/09 season.
Noteworthy losses: Scrumhalf Josh Holmes and Nic Henderson (after 70 games for the Brumbies) have moved to the Western Force. Openside flank Julian Salvi has transferred to Bath, Mark Gerrard (wing / full back) to Japanese second division club NTT Communications, and inside centre Gene Fairbanks to Honda Heat in Japan. Clyde Rathbone has retired. Shawn Mackay died tragically, aged 26, in April last year after being hit by a car in Durban while on tour with the Brumbies.
Coach: Former Brumbies fullback Andy Friend enters his second season as coach after replacing Laurie Fisher last year. Friend spent four years coaching Japanese club, Suntory Sungoliath, and after an advisory role with the Wallabies, was assistant coach of the Waratahs under Bob Dwyer and Ewen McKenzie before his two years as head coach of London Harlequins. Tony Rea joins the Brumbies as assistant coach responsible for defence and skills after an impressive career as player and coach in Rugby League. The renowned former Brumby and Wallaby Owen Finegan is forwards coach and fellow former Wallaby Bill Young is scrummaging coach.
Captain: Stephen Hoiles has been reappointed captain after succeeding Stirling Mortlock last year. A skilful No.8 or flank, he is regarded as an astute reader of the game and a strong leader. An interesting innovation was the announcement that he will be joined in a five-man leadership team by Stephen Moore, Mitchell Chapman, Justin Harrison and Matt Giteau.
Potential bolter: Afusipa Taumoepeau (centre or wing) was the youngest player ever to debut for the Brumbies. He still qualifies for Australia U20 this year but is about to embark on his third Super 14 season, having played five games for the Brumbies in each of 2008 and 2009. A former Australian Schools, Sevens and U20 representative, he has elusive attacking skills and is regarded as a particularly bright prospect.
2009 Position: 7th
Best finish: Super 12 winners in 2001 and 2004
Worst finish: 10th 1998
Home Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra (capacity: 27,000)
2010 Prospects: If their frontline players remain injury-free and their talented youngsters can make the impact their potential suggests possible, the Brumbies combination of experience and youth could certainly see them challenge for a semi-final spot. They have the players this year to revive memories of the glory days of the Brumbies teams of coaches Rod McQueen, Eddie Jones and David Nucifora, and instil the fear in opponents generated in the days of George Gregan and Stephen Larkham.
Brumbies squad: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Mitchell Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Huia Edmonds, Rocky Elsom, Francis Fainifo, Matt Giteau, Ben Hand, Justin Harrison, Stephen Hoiles, Peter Kimlin, Christian Lealiifano, Salesi Ma'afu, Alifeleti Mafi, Pat McCabe, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Patrick Phibbs, Guy Shepherdson, Andrew Smith, George Smith, Tyrone Smith, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Sitaleki Timani, Matt Toomua, Josh Valentine, Henry Vanderglas, Jerry Yanuyanutawa. (plus John Ulugia, who has a short-term contract to cover for the injured Ben Alexander)
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REDS 2010
As coach of the Waratahs, Ewen McKenzie guided his teams to Super Rugby finals in three of his five years. Returning to Australia after a stint as coach of French club Stade Francais, he was appointed head coach of the Queensland Reds in October to replace Phil Mooney, sacked after two seasons in the role.
Experienced and respected as he is, McKenzie is expected to bring a professionalism and expertise to the Reds which they desperately need.
But he has a veritable mountain to climb.
Except in the early days of the Super 12, when in 1996 and 1999, under John Connolly, the Reds topped the log and lost in semi-finals, and in 2004 when, with Mark McBain as coach, they came fourth and again lost their semi-final, Super Rugby has provided little success for the men from Queensland.
In the four years since the advent of the Super 14 in 2006, with Jeff Miller, then Eddie Jones, then Phil Mooney as coaches, they have fared miserably, finishing 12th, 14th, 12th and then 13th last year.
Sadly, the last time the Reds scored more points for than against was way back in 2002.
McKenzie has spoken of the "quantum leap" the players need to make in attitude and level of skills. He is happy that the players have the right mindset going into the new season and that he has the right sort of players at his disposal to make headway in the tournament. The endeavour will be, he says, to be creative and play to the team's strengths and to be unpredictable.
With McKenzie in charge, opposition teams will take the Reds seriously, which they haven't necessarily always done, but they will need to go out and win games to be considered a real threat.
Strengths: With players of the calibre of Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane, Morgan Turinui, rising Wallaby star Will Genia, the much heralded Melbourne Storm recruit Will Chambers, and the exciting young talents Richard Kingi and Luke Morahan, the Reds backline looks capable of asking big questions of opposition defences. James Horwill and his fellow forwards have the huge task of winning sufficient possession against some very formidable packs.
Weaknesses: It's some years now since the Reds were strong contenders for a semi-final spot and the change in mindset their new coach talks about will need to be substantial. The frontline backs are capable of penetration on attack but do they have the back-up if they should suffer injuries? There are question marks as to whether their pack can secure enough ball.
Noteworthy signings: Much is expected of the 21-year old Rugby League star Will Chambers, who is expected to play fullback or outside centre. A premiership winner with Melbourne Storm, he played rugby as a schoolboy and represented Queensland alongside Quade Cooper in 2006. Lei Tomiki, a schoolboy prodigy who left the Waratahs at 21 after struggling to get game-time with Phil Waugh the incumbent fetcher, returns after five years in France where he played for Narbonne and then Castres Olympique.
Noteworthy losses: The departure of Berrick Barnes to the Waratahs is a massive loss. Wallaby lock/flank Hugh McMenamin is playing in Japan. Fullback Mark McLinden retired for medical reasons after making a successful transition from rugby league.
Coach: Phil Mooney, fired after two years as head coach, is now Rugby League club Brisbane Broncos' skills coach. Former Wallaby prop (with 51 Test caps) Ewen McKenzie was a Wallaby assistant coach to both Rod MacQueen and Eddie Jones before his successes with the Waratahs. He has the experience and acumen to get the best out of this team.
Captain: James Horwill is a 24 year old lock respected in world rugby for his strength, controlled aggression and the consistency of his performance. He has now played 46 Super 14 game since his debut in 2006 and has 24 Test caps for the Wallabies. He is regarded as a strong, intelligent captain.
Potential bolters: Rugby League convert Will Chambers is an exciting prospect. Powerfully built Lei Tomiki, highly rated by Ewen McKenzie, is an aggressive openside scavenger. Wing Luke Morahan (age 19) and scrumhalf Richard Kingi (20) - both graduates from the Reds Academy in 2010 - were awarded Wallaby colours in November despite being novices in senior rugby. With this sort of recognition from Wallaby coach Robbie Deans so early in their careers, they have much to gain from impressive Super 14 appearances.
2009 Position: 13th
Best finish: 1st on standings and losing semi-finalists in Super 12 in 1996 and 1999
Worst finish: 14th in 2007
Home Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (capacity 52,500)
2010 Prospects: They can only improve on their dismal record in the Super 14 thus far. They have their first realistic shot at the top half of the table for a few years, but if they cannot complete the "quantum leap" coach McKenzie says they need to make, it could be another disappointing year for the Reds.
Reds squad:
forwards: Saia Faingaa, Sean Hardman, James Hanson, Ben Daley, Dayna Edwards, Greg Holmes, Jack Kennedy, Laurie Weeks, Adam Byrnes, James Horwill, Van Humphries, Rob Simmons, Ezra Taylor, Daniel Braid, Scott Higginbotham, Lei Tomiki, Poutasi Vaiofiso Tuasivi Luafutu, Leroy Houston
backs: Will Genia, Ben Lucas, Richard Kingi, Quade Cooper, Blair Connor, Anthony Faingaa, Morgan Turinui, Digby Ioane, Peter Hynes, Rod Davies, Brando Va'aulu, Luke Morahan, Will Chambers
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WARATAHS 2010
The Waratahs have been an ongoing enigma as regards Super 12 and Super 14 performance, inconsistent and unpredictable. With their quality of personnel and depth of talent they should offer greater consistency, but a good year has too often been followed by a disappointing slump in performance.
In 1998 they just missed the play-offs, but then hovered in the lower half of the log (eighth, ninth and eighth positions respectively) for the next three years.
Continued inconsistency was to follow. In 2002 they finished third on the log but in the next two years fifth and eighth. In 2005 (second) and 2006 (third) they again reached the play-offs, but in 2007 slumped to a hugely disappointing 13th.
In 2008 they were runners-up again but last year ended fifth, securing 41 logs points along with the Crusaders but missing out on the play-offs on four points difference between them and the Crusaders in for-and-against tallies.
Can 2010 be their big season?
Skipper Phil Waugh compliments management for assembling one of strongest squads the Waratahs have ever been able to put together.
The troubled Lote Tuqiri has left, along with Matt Dunning and Brett Sheehan, but there is top-class cover for each of those, and in Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Sosene Anesi, Hendrik Roodt and Cam Jowitt the Waratahs have acquisitions who could add substantial quality to the campaign.
Add that to the likes of Al Baxter, Benn Robinson, Dean Mumm and Adam Freier at tight-forward, Phil Waugh and Wycliff Palu at loose forward, and Luke Burgess, Lachlan Turner and Kurtley Beale behind them, and it would take a campaign gone badly off track for them not to be one of the leading lights of the 2010 tournament.
Strengths: They have a well-balanced squad with forwards who should be able to win more than sufficient possession for their exciting backs to cause havoc with opposition defences.
Weaknesses: Their inconsistency is a real problem, and the relative inexperience at this level of the game - compared with many of his opposing coaches - of head coach Chris Hickey, could be a factor. They have a tough start to the tournament, playing the rejuvenated Reds (now under former Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie) in Brisbane and then playing the defending champion Bulls at altitude in Pretoria and the Stormers in Cape Town. Winning on the road would give them great momentum, but a losing start would mean playing catch-up from week four, which is never easy.
Noteworthy signings: The transfer of Berrick Barnes from the Reds was one of the big signings ahead of the Super 14. Drew Mitchell (from the Western Force) is also a big acquisition for the Waratahs. Sosene Anesi, a fullback or wing who played one test for the All Blacks - he prefers playing full back - transfers from the Chiefs. To bolster the second row, the Waratahs have contracted Cam Jowitt (lock or flank), a New Zealander with Australian ancestry which makes him eligible to play for the Wallabies, after four seasons at Leinster (Ireland), along with Emerging Springbok lock Hendrik Roodt. Scrumhalf Josh Holmes (from the Brumbies) and centre (inside or outside) Rory Sidey (Newport Gwent Dragons) may also be useful signings.
Noteworthy losses: Wing Lote Tuqiri is now with Leicester Tigers. A back injury has forced flank/ No.8 Scott Fava to retire after 98 provincial games, 87 Super games and five Test caps. Brett Sheehan (scrumhalf) and Matt Dunning (prop) move to the Force, the latter after 99 games for the Waratahs. Matt Carraro (centre or wing) has moved to Bath and Sam Norton-Knight to Cardiff Blues. Centre / wing Timani Tahu has returned to rugby league. (Beau Robinson moves to Benevento Gladiators in Italy but does not fall into the "noteworthy loss" category as he was available but not contracted).
Coach: Chris Hickey enters his second season as Waratahs coach after a distinguished club coaching career and will be desperately keen to improve on last year's fifth position on the log. Can he crack it at Super 14 level? In Michael Foley (with 50 Test caps as a hooker and valuable experience as a highly regarded Bath and Wallabies forwards coach) and Scott Wisemantel (former Wallaby assistant coach) he has considerable expertise at his disposal.
Captain: Phil Waugh is the most-capped Waratahs player in their Super Rugby history. With 114 games since his 1999 debut, he is a mere four games short of Chris Whitaker's record for the most New South Wales caps, and five matches behind Whitaker's 40 caps as Waratahs captain. With a Test debut in 2000, he now has 79 Test caps, but will want a big season after missing the Wallaby November tour because of a quadriceps injury. He will be engaged in a tough contest with George Smith and David Pocock for a Wallaby Test spot. His leadership, by exceptional example as well as his astute reading of the game, is immensely important to the Waratahs. One thing certain about the Waratahs campaign will be the contribution of Waugh as flank and captain.
Potential bolter: Rob Horne played 20 Super 14 games before his 20th birthday. An Australian Schools' player in 2007, he represented Australia in Sevens and made his Super 14 debut at age 19. Selected for Australia's UK tour in November, he was regarded as a Test candidate, but his perennial hamstring problem caused an early return home. If he can remain free of injury, he could be a marquee player for Australia for many years to come.
2009 Position: 5th
Best finish: 2nd on the standings - losing finalists in 2005, 2008
Worst finish: 13th in 2007
Home Venue: Aussie Stadium (previously Sydney Football Stadium - capacity 42,000) and ANZ Stadium (capacity 83,500) - by agreement, for at least one game per season plus a home final if the Waratahs should get that far.
2010 Prospects: After losing semi-finals in 2002 and 2006, and finals in 2005 and 2008, this may conceivably be the year the Waratahs make their biggest impact. They must surely have a good shot at the play-offs. They have genuine talent and more depth than previously. If the Waratahs are not one of the front-runners come mid-May, they will have under-performed.
Waratahs squad: Chris Alcock, Sosene Anesi, Berrick Barnes, Alastair Baxter, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Will Caldwell, Tom Carter, Ben Coridas, Dave Dennis, Damien Fitzpatrick, Adam Freier, Daniel Halangahu, Josh Holmes, Rob Horne, Cam Jowitt, Sekope Kepu, Drew Mitchell, Ben Mowen, Dean Mumm, Nemani Nadolo, Dan Palmer, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Hendrik Roodt, Rory Sidey, Chris Thomson, Jeremy Tilse, Lachie Turner, Phil Waugh
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WESTERN FORCE 2010
Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe says that with 12 new players in their squad, the Force will play to different strengths and this is likely to mean a different style of play.
He expects the Force to focus more on set pieces and on field position and territory, and with the acquisition of a trio of battle-hardened props in Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother and Nic Henderson joining Pek Cowan as front row options, this looks feasible.
The award of penalties instead of the ELV's free kicks also serves, he says, to encourage less emphasis on running and more on field position.
After losing all but one game in their 2006 Super 14 debut season, the Force finished 7th, 8th and 8th again in subsequent years.
Do they have the personnel at their disposal to end in the top half of the log? Will this be the year coach John Mitchell and skipper Sharpe guide the franchise to a semi-final?
Along with the significant signing of new props, the really key acquisition, perhaps, is that of flyhalf André Pretorius to replace Matt Giteau. Pretorius made his Super 12 and Springbok debuts in 2002, has scored 171 pts in 31 Test matches, and when free of injury, can be skilful, decisive and dominant in the biggest games.
He may not be the consummate magician that Giteau is, but his tactical acumen, astute kicking game, and ability to attack the advantage line, all make him a pressure point for opposition defence systems. How he fares in place of Giteau as playmaker and goal-kicker may be crucial to the Force season.
Strengths: When they gel they offer attacking flair which can make life tough for opposition defences. In Sharpe they have a highly effective, influential captain. The acquisition of three new, strong, experienced props gives them authority - or at least parity - in an area hitherto lacking depth. With Pretorius joining Wallaby representatives like Sharpe, Cowan, David Pocock, James O'Connor, Ryan Cross, Richard Brown, Matt Hodgson and Cameron Shepherd, all of whom have shown they can crack it at top level, they have the chance to develop into a more formidable combination this year.
Weaknesses: Skipper Sharpe bemoans the Force's lack of consistency of performance, playing like world-beaters one week and then suffering a big dip the following week. Do they have the quality of players beyond their Wallaby stars? Are their youngsters ready for Super 14? These are real potential weaknesses.
Noteworthy signings: Pretorius to fill the enormous gap left by Giteau. He and scrumhalf Brett Sheehan (from the Waratahs) could form a match-winning halfback pair. Mark Bartholomeusz, a Super 12 winner with the Brumbies in 2004, then subsequently with Saracens, Ulster and Petrarca Padova (Italy); he can play fullback, flyhalf, inside centre or wing. And in the front row: tight-head Tim Fairbrother, after 58 caps for the Hurricanes, Matt Dunning, a veteran of 99 games for the Waratahs, and Nic Henderson after 70 games for the Brumbies. Sam Harris (inside centre or flyhalf) returns from Japan where he played for Honda Heat after leaving the Waratahs.
Noteworthy losses: The huge loss is their talisman Matt Giteau to the Brumbies. Drew Mitchell has moved to the Waratahs - another big hole to fill. Josh Valentine, having transferred over the years from the Reds to the Waratahs to the Force, is now at the Brumbies. Scott Staniforth and Tai McIsaac are playing in Japan; Junior Pelesasa (to Agen, France), flank Tamaiti Horua (to Ulster), prop Ben Castle (to Newport Gwent Dragons, Wales).
Coach: John Mitchell is one of only three players to have captained and coached the All Blacks. He has achieved success as Sale, Wasps, and Waikato coach, as technical assistant to Ireland, and then as England assistant coach. He enjoyed an 86% winning record as All Black coach. Now in his fifth year as Force coach, Mitchell will be exceptionally keen to translate that experience and success into a winning Super 14 season. With him this year will be Wallabies skills coach Richard Graham, who replaces John Mulvihill as assistant coach. He has enjoyed success previously at Saracens and Bath.
Captain: With a distinguished career in Super Rugby going back to 1998 and a Test career beginning in 2002, Nathan Sharpe has gained great respect internationally as a lock and a leader. He is one of the most influential players and captains in world rugby and the Force team revolves around his considerable presence.
Potential bolters: Though no longer merely a promising youngster, having won the prized No.7 Wallaby jersey from the legendary George Smith, David Pocock is still only 21 years old. He played in all 13 games during the 2009 Super 14 season and went on to make an indelible impression as a Test player. He could be one of the stand-out players in world rugby in 2010. Stefano Hunt does not turn 19 until August, but is on rookie contract with the Force for 2010. A schoolboy prodigy, the flyhalf / centre played Australian Schools in 2007 while still U16 and then again in 2008. His skilful, elusive attacking running is spectacular and defences at junior level have struggled to contain him. Luke Jones last year became the first Australian forward signed to a professional contract while still at school. An Australian Schools’ lock in 2008/09, he could be used at 6 or 8 as well if he gets to make his Super 14 debut this year. Only 18 years old, he is, like Hunt, rated a special talent.
2009 Position: 8th
Best finish: 7th in 2007
Worst finish: 14th in 2006
Home Venue: moving from the Subiaco Oval to ME Bank Stadium (Perth) (capacity 21 165)
2010 Prospects: They may not be in the mix when the tournament gets to the semi-final stage but they will cause problems for some of the log-leading teams and score at least a few impressive victories. If their frontline players can keep on playing week after week, they could conceivably finish in the top half of the table for the first time.
Western Force squad (provisional):
Backs: Mark Bartholomeusz, Ryan Cross, Nick Cummins, Sam Harris, Stefano Hunt, Dane Haylett-Petty, Mitchell Inman, James O'Connor, Chris O'Young, Andre Pretorius, Joelin Rapana (Academy), Haig Sare, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Mark Swanepoel, Josh Tatupu, Justin Turner (Academy). Forwards: Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother, Nic Henderson, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Luke Jones, David Pocock, Kieran Longbottom, Filipe Manu (Academy), Ben McCalman, Nathan Sharpe, Richard Stanford, Ryan Tyrrell, Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes.
