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A Mudskipper Brumbies Propaganda Initiative
Josh Valentine will make his first appearance for the Brumbies during their development tour of France.
The Brumbies have named four Wallabies in their 28-man squad for their four-match development tour of France.
Seventeen contracted members of the 2010 Brumbies squad have been selected including new recruit Josh Valentine. Valentine is one of four members of the squad with Test experience, along with Stephen Hoiles, Peter Kimlin and Guy Shepherdson.
Former Brumbies Academy recruits, Jerry Yanuyanutawa and Pat McCabe, will make their first appearances as full-contracted CA Brumbies. The pair will join CA Brumbies teammates Francis Fainifo, Ben Hand, Christian Lealiifano, Salesi Ma’afu, Alfi Mafi, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Sitaleki Timani, Matt Toomua and Henry Vanderglas in the squad.
Eight members of the Brumbies Academy will also tour, including Tevita Metuisela and Steven Noriega (both Uni-Norths), Anthony Hegarty and Robbie Coleman (both Queanbeyan), Colby Faingaa (Tuggeranong) and Sokai Tai (Royals). Gordon captain Ed Gower and Sydney University hooker Nathan Charles have also been selected.
Former Sydney Rooster and current Australian Sevens representative Shaun Foley (Randwick) has been selected in the squad alongside fellow Sydney club rugby backs Andrew Smith (Norths) and John Grant (Eastwood).
The trio will be looking to impress the Brumbies coaching staff with two places still available in their 2010 Investec Super 14 squad.
Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend, who will share the coaching responsibilities on tour with Tony Rea, Owen Finegan and Darren Coleman, says the tour is a chance for the players to play some additional high quality rugby ahead of the 2010 Investec Super 14 pre-season.
“This is definitely an opportunity for a lot of these players to stake their claim for a place within our Super 14 squad – not necessarily for just 2010 but further down the track as well,” he said.
“For guys already contracted, it’s a chance for them to get some early form on the board in regards to next season. It’s no secret that there will be significant competition for positions next year and any chance these guys can get to test themselves against quality opposition will ultimately stand them in good stead when selection time rolls around next year.
“We’ve got a number of quality young players who will be joining us from the Academy. They’ve all been playing well at club level and this is an opportunity for them to show that they can take that next step.
“For guys like John, Shaun and Andrew, this tour presents a real opportunity for them to play their way into a Super 14 contract. Their selection was a result of the great form they’ve shown in Sydney this season and we’ll be looking at them to show they’re capable of playing at the provincial level.”
Brumbies hooker Huia Edmonds was not available due to an ankle injury while Mitch Chapman and Mark Chisholm will also remain in Australia to recover from their respective shoulder and wrist surgeries.
The team will assemble for their first training session in Canberra on Monday before departing on Tuesday afternoon.
The tour has been completely financed by a French organisation arranging the tour and the participating French clubs.
(Please note: With all players available for club rugby this weekend, the squad is subject to change pending injuries)
Brumbies Development Tour
Tuesday, 21 July, 2009 – Sunday, 9 August, 2009
Brumbies Tour Squad
Forwards: Nathan Charles, Colby Faingaa, Ed Gower, Ben Hand, Anthony Hegarty, Stephen Hoiles, Peter Kimlin*, Salesi Ma’afu, Tevita Metuisela, Steven Noriega, Guy Shepherdson, Sokai Tai, Sitaleki Timani, Henry Vanderglas, Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Backs: Robbie Coleman, Francis Fainifo, Shaun Foley, John Grant, Christian Lealiifano, Alfi Mafi, Pat McCabe, Patrick Phibbs, Andrew Smith, Tyrone Smith, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Matt Toomua, Josh Valentine.
* subject to Wallaby selection
Brumbies Tour Schedule
Friday, 24 July:
CA Brumbies v Bourgoin-Jallieu (Lyon)
Kick-off: 6.30pm local time (2.30am AEST – Saturday, 25 July)
Tuesday, 28 July:
CA Brumbies v Bayonne (Bayonne)
Kick-off: 8.00pm local time (4.00am AEST – Wednesday, 29 July)
Friday, 31 July:
CA Brumbies v Perpignan (Perpignan)
Kick-off: 7.00pm local time (3.00am AEST – Saturday, 1 August)
Thursday, 6 August:
CA Brumbies v Toulon (Toulon)
Kick-off: 7.30pm local time (3.30am AEST – Friday, 7 August)
http://www.brumbies.com.au/act.rugby/page/56482
Nice to see the Brumbies bring’n on the next generation of player with such a magnificent development tour…
---------- Post added at 23:18 ---------- Previous post was at 17:20 ----------
No comment, is just sad surrender....
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