Brumbies white-out claims Phibbs
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Jake White’s cleanout just keeps growing at the Brumbies, with stalwart halfback Pat Phibbs the latest to be shown the door and two more backs set to follow.
Phibbs on Thursday revealed he was unwanted by new coach White, who was taking the bold move of running just two specialist halfbacks in his 30-man squad for the 2012 Super Rugby season.
But it hasn’t stopped current coach Tony Rea giving the 29-year-old a gilt-edged chance to push his claims for a NSW contract by calling him up to start on Saturday night against Queensland.
Phibbs will team with skipper Matt Giteau in the halves, with the 91-Test back recovering from the fever which ruled him out of last week’s 16-3 loss to the Stormers.
Regular starting half Josh Valentine – also unlikely to remain in Canberra next year, along with winger Francis Fainifo – has succumbed to a hamstring strain, but Rea has preferred Phibbs ahead of the uncapped Nic White to attempt a Suncorp Stadium boilover.
Rising youngster White has impressed for the Brumby Runners and Sydney club Eastwood, and is the only halfback the franchise have on their books for 2012.
It’s understood Wallabies halfback Will Genia’s Queensland back-up, Ian Prior, is in White’s sights and is close to linking with the Brumbies.
Having already lost Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Mark Chisholm, Rocky Elsom, Mitchell Chapman and Salesi Ma’afu, winger Fainifo is expected to become the next to join the exodus by signing to play in France.
After 70 Super Rugby caps in seven seasons in Canberra, Sydney-raised Phibbs admitted it was a shame to be shown the door but was determined to go out with a bang.
“Being here for so long and (having) always played here, I feel like the Brumbies is a part of the family for me,” he said in Canberra.
“It’s the nature of the game. New coaches, if they don’t want you around, that’s the way it works.”
Having lost French-bound Test halfback Luke Burgess, the Waratahs are in the market for a new No.9 and Phibbs is among the list of contenders which also reportedly includes All Black Andy Ellis.
“I’ve got a few things in the pipeline,” said Phibbs. “This (start against the Reds) is a great chance for me to show what I’ve got and really push my case.
“To play against the best in the country (Genia) is a good opportunity so I’m looking forward to it.”
Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan also hinted journeyman Valentine might struggle to remain in the ACT after the end of the season.
“We’ll just have two specialist halfbacks in the main squad,” Fagan said.
“Jake and (backs coach) Stephen Larkham are assessing a few halfbacks and Josh is one of those, but we haven’t made a final decision.”
In a further sign of how forgettable 2011 had been for the Brumbies, another loss would give them 11 for the season – equal to the worst result by an Australian team, set in 2007 by the Reds.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/06/03...claims-phibbs/
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