Brumbies hoping to settle centre combination in trial

[mudskipper]

Brumbies hoping to settle centre combination in trial

Peter Fitzgerald, Canberra Times | February 3, 2009 - 9:37AM

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...423180111.html


The prospect of Stirling Mortlock permanently switching to inside-centre this season will become clearer after Thursday night's trial against the NSW Waratahs.

Brumbies coach Andy Friend will name Mortlock at No.12 today for the Waratahs match, providing Adam Ashley-Cooper with a chance to cement the outside-centre role.

The centre combination will be unchanged for the opening Super 14 match against the Otago Highlanders in 10 days time unless it proves a disaster against NSW in the Brumbies' final trial game.

Mortlock has played outside-centre for the majority of his career, but switched to inside-centre for part of the Wallabies' end of season European tour last year.

Friend sees Ashley-Cooper as the next long-term No.13 in Australian rugby and wants to play him there for the Brumbies this year.

Friend will name two teams today for Thursday night, a first-choice XV to take on a stronger Waratahs team and a separate 22-man squad to tackle a less experienced NSW outfit.

The match will be the first hit-out of 2009 for Wallabies Mortlock, Ashley-Cooper, Stephen Moore and George Smith as well as Gene Fairbanks, Huia Edmonds and Mitchell Chapman.

Friend hoped for an improvement in ball control from Friday night's 28-14 trial win over the Wellington Hurricanes, and ability to use the width of the field in attack.

"The four Wallabies guys are obviously back and they haven't played yet but they're intelligent footballers and have got a good idea of what we're trying to do," Friend said.

"We're looking at giving Stirling 40 minutes and the other guys anywhere between 45 and 60 minutes.

"The centre combination of Mortlock and Ashley-Cooper paints a clearer picture of how the Brumbies backline will shape up for their round-one Super14 contest in Dunedin.

Mortlock moving to inside-centre all but expels any chance of Tyrone Smith or Gene Fairbanks forcing their way into the starting XV.At least one of those players should come off the bench in Dunedin, but one could miss selection.It would also appear Mark Gerrard would line up at fullback with Clyde Rathbone on one wing and Francis Fainifo likely to be on the other.

But Friend denied yesterday the make-up of the first-choice team and separate squad for Thursday night's trials clarified how the Super 14team would look next weekend.

"When people see the teams named [today] one side will probably stand out and make you think 'that's the team he's thinking of' but to that I would say, 'Yes and no,"' Friend told The Canberra Times.

"One team is definitely stronger, yes, but there are players in the first game [against NSW] who are most definitely still in contention for the Highlanders match but who we want to see how their combinations go in certain areas."

THURSDAY Super 14 trial: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at the SFS. First game begins at 5.15pm, second game at 7.40pm.

[JediKnight]

If Mortlock moves to inside centre for the Brumbies, does that mean his Wallabies days are over (if they aren't already)? I can't see Aussie Rob picking guys out of position & his preferred combination at #10 & #12 will probably be Giteau & Barnes (not necessarily in that order).

[Burgs]

I just don't see Stirling as a viable #12 anyway.
Fair enough filling in but not building a season around his limited #12 skill set.
As one of the best #13's in the sport why tinker with it

And Friend is mistaken, Ryan Cross is the next long term Outside Centre for the Wallabies. AAC will remain a jack-of-all-trades.

[JediKnight]

AAC will remain a jack-of-all-trades.

And master of none!!!

[jargan83]

Hopefully Shep gets plenty of runs on the board during the Super 14 and can walk back into the 15 jersey leaving AAC on the bench or carrying the drinks

[mudskipper]

I just don't see Stirling as a viable #12 anyway.
Fair enough filling in but not building a season around his limited #12 skill set.
As one of the best #13's in the sport why tinker with it

And Friend is mistaken, Ryan Cross is the next long term Outside Centre for the Wallabies. AAC will remain a jack-of-all-trades.

Sounds like nervous banter from the west… The centre combination of Mortlock and Ashley Cooper will have the measure and pace to rip apart any Super rugby backline in 2009…

I guess Robbie Deans was mistaken... playing Mortlock at 12... what was he thinking?

He will demolish flyhalfs will to engage

[TOCC]

how long will mortlock go before getting injured though

[jargan83]

when do they play the tahs
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[mudskipper]

how long will mortlock go before getting injured though

twice as long as Barnes I guess...

[jargan83]

yeah but Barnes is just starting, Mortlock is over the hill
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[mudskipper]

when do they play the tahs
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THURSDAY Super 14 trial: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at the SFS. First game begins at 5.15pm, second game at 7.40pm.

[jargan83]

THURSDAY Super 14 trial: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at the SFS. First game begins at 5.15pm, second game at 7.40pm.

Tocc I believe the answer to your question is roughly 8pm on thursday night
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[GIGS20]

Sounds like nervous banter from the west…

pfffft, what are you on!

The centre combination of Mortlock and Ashley Cooper will have the measure and pace to rip apart any Super rugby backline in 2009…

Oh PuhLease.....do you really think a granddad and a washed up has been....never was will really stck up against a real centre pairing with talent.

Heck, I reckon even the Waratahs will have a centre pairing that will embarrass that!

I guess Robbie Deans was mistaken... playing Mortlock at 12... what was he thinking?

I guess it was something about keeping his named captain on the park whilst replacing him with a player (Ryan Cross) who can handle the pressures of #13 at an international level.......Stiring Mortlock is yesterday's news, Ryan Cross is the current Wallaby #13 and will cement this by DESTROYING Adam-Ashley Cooper in front of a rabid, baying home crowd of 8 (not counting ball boys) when they meet in Canberra this year.

Tipping James O'Connor to slip through Stirling's clutches more often than a greased eel during the same match.

[mudskipper]

Mortlock is respected... I refer to Professor THIAN...just as a reminder (not for Kiddies)


http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=sVQShv...ber.php?u=1801

[mudskipper]

[quote=GIGS20;187599]pfffft, what are you on! Less than jargs and move than TOCC

Oh PuhLease.....do you really think a granddad and a washed up has been....never was will really stck up against a real centre pairing with talent.

Heck, I reckon even the Waratahs will have a centre pairing that will embarrass that!
I guess it was something about keeping his named captain on the park whilst replacing him with a player (Ryan Cross) who can handle the pressures of #13 at an international level.......Stiring Mortlock is yesterday's news, Ryan Cross is the current Wallaby #13 and will cement this by DESTROYING Adam-Ashley Cooper in front of a rabid, baying home crowd of 8 (not counting ball boys) when they meet in Canberra this year. Unlikely... Cross is still looking for the sideline...and wondering what that ruck stuff is all about...

Tipping James O'Connor to slip through Stirling's clutches more often than a greased eel during the same match. JOC's Mum wont let him play against the rugby warhorse Mortlock.../quote]