No Gregan, no worries: Brumbies

January 29, 2008 - 12:43pm
Story by: Sportal


There's no George Gregan or Stephen Larkham and Stirling Mortlock will sit out the opening exchanges, but the ACT Brumbies see no reason why the 2008 Super 14 season should result in a slide towards the wrong end of the table.

With an emphasis on youth - the average age of the squad is 24 - and a fair sprinkling of internationals, the two-time Super 14 champions are confident their first-ever season without Gregan will again have them challenging for the title.

"It's important to recognise while we have brought in several excellent young players into the squad, we've been fortunate enough to retain the vast majority of our side from last year," coach Laurie Fisher said.

"If you look at players like Mortlock, Smith, Henderson, Shepherdson, Chisholm, Fairbanks, Gerrard, Hoiles, Huxley, Rathbone and Tawake, you have at least 10 or 12 players who've been playing at this level for at least four years."

"This is an exciting time for the squad as these players take on the senior roles within the team and establish their own identity while continuing the Brumbies culture and traditions."

Mortlock will miss the opening rounds of the season as he continues his rehabilitation following shoulder surgery.

With Gregan (retired) and Larkham (Japan) gone, there is a danger the ACT's lofty standards could fall away.

But Wallaby George Smith, who will captain the side in Mortlock's absence, doesn't wear talk the Brumbies will be light on due to the loss of so many senior players.

"It may be a cliche but we are lucky to have such a good mix of youth and experience within the squad," he said.

"There are a number of outstanding young players who have brought a lot of enthusiasm but we've still retained a core group of players with a great deal of maturity and experience in the squad."

"We still have 11 Wallabies, seven Australia A representatives and nine players who were part of the squad when we won the Championship in 2004."

Meanwhile, the Brumbies will unveil four new recruits when they take on NSW in a trial at Bluetongue Stadium on Friday night.

Huia Edmonds, Mitch Chapman, Matt Toomua and Tyrone Smith will all debut against the Tahs.

Chapman, who was at the Reds for three seasons, is looking forward to making his first appearance.

"It's been an intense pre-season and this is a great opportunity to get out onto the field and play some footy," he said.

"Over the years the Brumbies' trial form has generally counted for little during the regular season and we see this as a good opportunity, particularly for a lot of the younger guys, to have a good hit out at this level before the season begins."

Adam Lucius