Elsom, Giteau named in full strength Brumbies side to face Western Force

[Lee Grant]

There's a lot of brave talk here but there is no doubt than pride and passion can overcome on-paper dominance of another team, especially if they are playing away.

The thing is though that the Force don't have a great record of winning at home nor winning close games.

Talk is cheap - let's see how both teams go in the games. Then we will have a better take on what is likely to happen after that. Right now everything is hypothetical.

[Burgs]

It is interesting that, at least close to the start of the season, none of the media has really talked with Sheehan. Good for him to focus, but would be interesting to hear how he views his new team.
Is it a case of "coming home" or just another team? Surely there must be some sense of the former, even if it is a team that didn't exist when he first went East.
Perhaps they are sitting on that angle for the Tahs match.
In any case, my gut instinct is that we are going to see Sheehan with a fresh lease of life compared to the cranky grouch he had become at Tah land.

[mudskipper]

Sheehan is your classic angry little half back... A bit of passion is all good...

[shasta]

Is it a case of "coming home" or just another team? Surely there must be some sense of the former.

What's the trivia there, Burgs? I thought he went East while still too young to know. Is he from Gerro ancestry or an Eastern Stater who's parents just happened to be in WA for a time and then went back "home" after Brett was born?

[MI5_Dog]

The thing is though that the Force don't have a great record of winning at home nor winning close games.

and our record for winning our first game of the season is even worse. However our record against the Brumbies is 2 out of 4 including the last 2 games and a 14 - 12 loss in 2007 in Canberra.

Going by our record, well, anything could happen.

[Burgs]

My understanding is he was primary schooled in Gero and went over in his teens and finished schooling there Shasta, but certainly by no means 100% on that.
We'll claim him until proven otherwise

[PerthGirl]

IThe area where the Brumbies will have advantage all over the Force is in leadership on the park and especially when things aren't going well. In Moore, Harrison, Smith, Holies, Elsom, Motlock and Giteau (if he plays) they have de facto assistant coaches on the park that the Force won't have.

Suprised that you don't rate our leadership group more highly Lee. Sharpie has led the Force since its inception and is a former Wallaby captain who leads by example and gives 100% in every game.Pocock has lead the under 20 team and will be a Wallabies captain before too long. I wouldn't be relying on players like Harrison and Giteau or even Smith and Elsom to be "defacto coaches"

[GIGS20]

I'll be more worried if Gits doesn't suit up tomorrow Lee. He's well known for killing the outside backs through asphyxiation. Toomua would step up and have something to prove. With a fairly balanced pack (across the board) an exciting, capable flyhalf like Toomoua could touch us up badly......Gits is predictable and selfish, that's easier to combat!

[brokendown gunfighter]

bit worried about our midfield defence,got opened up a few times against the Reds

[James]

and our record for winning our first game of the season is even worse. However our record against the Brumbies is 2 out of 4 including the last 2 games and a 14 - 12 loss in 2007 in Canberra.

Going by our record, well, anything could happen.

And you should add that that 14-12 loss in Canberra was an absolute robbery. Yellow cards for the pissiest little things and that last minute penalty was a bit of a joke too.

[mudskipper]

bit worried about our midfield defence,got opened up a few times against the Reds

thanks for that tip... twitter