Brumbies won't release pivots

[KenyaQuin]

Bret Harris | May 20, 2009
The Australian

THE Western Force is dreaming if it imagines the Brumbies will release either Matt Toomua or Christian Lealiifano to solve the Perth-based side's five-eighth crisis.

The Force is desperate to recruit a five-eighth following Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau's decision to leave Perth to return home to Canberra next year.

The club has approached several international five-eighths, including Peter Grant, Derick Hougaard, Charlie Hodgson and Carlos Spencer.

If the Force does not find a suitable five-eighth, coach John Mitchell may have no choice but to play teenage Wallaby James O'Connor at No10. O'Connor's preference is to play inside centre or fullback at this early stage of his career.

The Brumbies have offered O'Connor the starting inside centre or fullback position as part of their attempt to lure him to Canberra.

"If James O'Connor comes here, we will not be releasing any players," Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said.

"We are not recruiting James as a five-eighth, but as an inside centre or fullback."

Full Article Here

[mudskipper]

AS expected Brumbies CEO Fagan has closed down the player release issue… These guys Toomua and Lealiifano are versatile and will play important roles in the Brumbies squad in 2010… Once we get to the new S15 season format versatile players will be essential to cover the longer season…

[brokendown gunfighter]

AS expected Brumbies CEO Fagan has closed down the player release issue… These guys Toomua and Lealiifano are versatile and will play important roles in the Brumbies squad in 2010… Once we get to the new S15 season format versatile players will be essential to cover the longer season…

if an important role is cutting up oranges,so be it

[laura]

"If James O'Connor comes here, we will not be releasing any players,"

So if JO'C doesn't go there they will be releasing the players? haha

O'Connor is not expected to make a decision on his future for another few weeks.

So for the next few weeks we won't hear anything about JO'C except that he may/may not have been named in the Wallabies squad? Good.

AS expected Brumbies CEO Fagan has closed down the player release issue

hahahahaha what was that yesterday about teams being greedy by holding onto their players?

[mudskipper]

If JOC doesn't there is no need to release players. Fagan had already stated only if the players request the Brumbies would consider it...

Force just need to keep trying to get Grant...

It’s not the Brumbies problem the Force has been caught short... That’s a broader succession plan issue…

Even if JOC stays its not the answer for the Force thay still need to recruit good inside backs...

[GIGS20]

What was that Fagan was saying about not warehousing players?

Muddy, I'm sure you've got a response which makes sense of this announcement, how it's best for rugby and the alignment of the planets etc but to me it just sounds like Fagan is upset the Force beat them this year

what a weiner!

[James]

I have said long before this issue came to light that with consent short term 'loaning' would be beneficial to Australia rugby. If we expand the competition I think the ARU should definitely look at it. Financial restrictions are looking at limiting squads when what we need is bigger squads for a bigger competition. Since we lack the depth for much bigger squads we should look at doing a bit of trading here and there. If all parties agree it solves one teams problem of lack of players and the other teams problem of development/unhappy players because of non-selection.

Worth thinking about anyway.

[mudskipper]

Friend reassures his young flyhalves
BY JOHN-PAUL MOLONEY
20/05/2009 10:44:00 AM

ACT Brumbies coach Andy Friend met young flyhalves Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano yesterday to assure them he wanted both to stay in Canberra next year.
The Western Force is desperately trying to fill the void created by Matt Giteau's defection to the Brumbies, whose wealth of playmaking talent could increase further if Force star James O'Connor opts to follow Giteau to Canberra.

Force chief executive Greg Harris said this week the Brumbies should release either Lealiifano or Toomua from the final year of their contacts ''in the best interests of Australian rugby''.

While Friend said he had no interest in ''warehousing'' talent and would consider releasing a player if Giteau, O'Connor, Toomua and Lealiifano were on the club's books and fit at the start of next season, he would not rush to offer the Force a player.


http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...s/1518220.aspx

---------- Post added at 12:28 ---------- Previous post was at 12:23 ----------

What was that Fagan was saying about not warehousing players?

Muddy, I'm sure you've got a response which makes sense of this announcement, how it's best for rugby and the alignment of the planets etc but to me it just sounds like Fagan is upset the Force beat them this year

what a weiner!

GIGS... if your down to cheap Deli descriptives... I've got the right response....

[AndyS]

So, to summarise, the Brumbies were prepared to discuss releasing Toomua to the 'Tahs had Halangahu decided to go overseas. But should the Force ask, Toomua and Lealiifano are both required to provide cover at 10 and 15 but have not actually developed to the point where they could preventing players from the Force getting either starting spot. Despite that, the Brumbies development system is still better though...

[Stone Cold]

Looks like Daruda might be getting a run...

[Sheikh]

If the forwards are going forward Daruda could look like a world beater.

[Swee_82]

So since Gits is going there, Toomua and Lealiifano can expect to get shifted to cover fullback if they want a game. But if they recruit J O'C, he'll be looking at fullback, but their release remains non-negotiable?

Hope these boys like picking splinters out of their behind.

[mudskipper]

So, to summarise, the Brumbies were prepared to discuss releasing Toomua to the 'Tahs had Halangahu decided to go overseas. But should the Force ask, Toomua and Lealiifano are both required to provide cover at 10 and 15 but have not actually developed to the point where they could preventing players from the Force getting either starting spot. Despite that, the Brumbies development system is still better though...

The Brumbies weren't going to release Toomua to the Tahs... I don't remeber the Force being prepared to release Matt Giteau for 2009 to the Brumbies...

Better development question... Well the fact that the Force haven't developed a second flyhalf, hooker, or Prop after so many years the answer would be yes...

[BaldCunus]

James O'Connor, Ben Whittaker, Keiran Longbottom aint too bad. The reason we havnt developed anymore is because we have only been around for FIVE YEARS

[James]

The Brumbies weren't going to release Toomua to the Tahs... I don't remeber the Force being prepared to release Matt Giteau for 2009 to the Brumbies...

Better development question... Well the fact that the Force haven't developed a second flyhalf, hooker, or Prop after so many years the answer would be yes...

In the last 5 years which team has developed a tighthead or flyhalf?

The Reds with Barnes, the Brumbies with Giteau and how many tightheads? Zero.