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Brumbies Super 14 season preview: semi-finals least of their ambitions
By Greg Clark
Fox Sports rugby commentator
February 04, 2010
Second-year coach Andy Friend is on a hiding to nothing. The Brumbies were just one win away from a spot in the semi-finals last year, and now they've added two world-class players in Matt Giteau and Rocky Elsom to their ranks.
Fans in the nation’s capital are expecting big things this year, and you can’t blame them.
Wallabies Stirling Mortlock, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Giteau, Josh Valentine, Stephen Hoiles, George Smith, Elsom, Justin Harrison, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Mark Chisholm and Ben Alexander provide a stack of experience.
The Brumbies also boast Wallabies tourists Tyrone Smith, Mitchell Chapman, Peter Kimlin and Matt Toomua.
Hoiles will again lead the side, but he has a wonderful leadership group around him including Test captains Rocky Elsom, George Smith and Stirling Mortlock.
The Brumbies have an embarrassment of riches, and it’ll be interesting to see if they can perform amid so much expectation.
The Brumbies remain Australia’s most successful Super Rugby team, with two titles to their credit, but heads should roll if they don’t make the semis at least this season.
The Brumbies face a tough opening to the season, with three games on the road.
But with seven home clashes in 2010, they will hope to have a semi-final berth shored up before meeting the Crusaders in Christchurch in the final round.
Fox Facts: Brumbies
Home ground: Canberra Stadium
Coach: Andy Friend
Best Super 12/14 finish: Champions 2001, 2004
Last season: P13 W8 D0 L5 F311 A305 BP6 Pts38 (seventh)
Squad:
Forwards:
Ben Alexander, Mitchell Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Huia Edmonds, Rocky Elsom, Ben Hand, Justin Harrison, Stephen Hoiles (C), Peter Kimlin, Salesi Ma’afu, Stephen Moore, Guy Shepherdson, George Smith, Sitaleki Timani, John Ulugia, Justin Harrison, Henry Vanderglas, Jerry Yanuyanutawa
Backs:
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Francis Fainifo, Matt Giteau, Christian Lealiifano, Alfi Mafi, Stirling Mortlock, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Matt Toomua, Josh Valentine, Pat McCabe, Andrew Smith,
Gains: Rocky Elsom (Leinster), Matt Giteau (Western Force), Josh Valentine (Western Force), Justin Harrison (Bath)
Losses: Josh Holmes (New South Wales Waratahs), Nic Henderson (Western Force)
Brumbies' Head-To-Head Records
Week 1, v Western Force (away)
H2H: Played 4: Won 2, Lost 2 =
In Perth: Played 2: Won 1, Lost 1 =
Week 2, v Bulls (away)
H2H: Played 14: Won 9, Lost 5 +
In Pretoria/Brakpan: Played 7: Won 3, Lost 4 -
Week 3, v Stormers (away)
H2H: Played 12: Won 9, Drawn 1, Lost 2 +
In Cape Town: Played 6: Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 2 +
Week 4, v Lions (home)
H2H: Played 15: Won 11, Lost 4 +
In Canberra: Played 8: Won 8 +
Week 5, v Sharks (home)
H2H: Played 15: Won 8, Lost 7 +
In Canberra: Played 8: Won 7, Lost 1 (one match at Manuka Oval) +
Week 6, v Blues (away)
H2H: Played 16: Won 7, Lost 9 -
In Auckland: Played 9: Won 3, Lost 6 -
Week 7, v Chiefs (home)
H2H: Played 15: Won 9, Drawn 1, Lost 5 +
In Canberra: Played 8: Won 5, Drawn 1, Lost 2 +
Week 8, Bye
Week 9, v Cheetahs (home)
H2H: Played 4: Won 3, Lost 1 +
In Canberra: Played 2: Won 2 +
Week 10, v Hurricanes (home)
H2H: Played 15: Won 8, Lost 7 +
In Canberra: Played 8: Won 5, Lost 3 +
Week 11, v New South Wales Waratahs (away)
H2H: Played 15: Won 7, Lost 8 -
In Sydney: Played 8: Won 1, Lost 7 -
Week 12, v Queensland Reds (home)
H2H: Played 15: Won 14, Lost 1 +
In Canberra: Played 8: Won 8 (one match at Manuka Oval) +
Week 13, v Highlanders (home)
H2H: Played 14: Won 8, Lost 6 +
In Canberra: Played 7: Won 5, Lost 2 (one match at Manuka Oval) +
Week 14 v Crusaders (away)
H2H: Played 17: Won 8, Lost 9 -
In Christchurch/Timaru: Played 8: Won 2, Lost 6 -
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