Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Brumbies sign former New Zealand Schoolboys star and potential Wallaby

By Alex Shaw
Irae Simone signs for Brumbies

The Brumbies have bolstered their squad for the 2019 season with a key addition in the form of centre Irae Simone.

ADVERTISEMENT

The former Waratah debuted in Super Rugby during the 2017 season, showing flashes of his ability, before playing an understudy role to Kurtley Beale over the last six months.

The form that Beale found himself in this past season was a significant contributor to the Waratahs making the semi-finals of the competition, but it also prevented Simone from building on his 2017 season, something which he will be keen to do when he moves to Canberra for the next campaign.

A previous Shute Shield Rookie of the Year and standout for the Sydney Rays in the National Rugby Championship, Simone will be looking to fill the void left at the Brumbies by Kyle Godwin’s move to Connacht.

Continue reading below…
You may also like: Cheika on Barrett v Mo’unga debate

Video Spacer

It’s a position that the Brumbies have struggled to fill since the 10-12 axis of Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano played together, a combination which helped the Brumbies challenge the dominion of the New Zealand teams in the competition.

If Simone can impress in pre-season and secure the 12 jersey next to Lealiifano – and develop a chemistry with Tevita Kuridrani outside of him – then the Brumbies will have a good chance of returning to the top of the Australian conference.

ADVERTISEMENT

Simone adds another powerful carrying option in the Brumbies midfield, capable of getting them over the gain line, something which the franchise struggled with in 2018. This season, the Brumbies were tied for last in the competition for defenders beaten, whilst their clean breaks total only surpassed those of the Reds and Sunwolves.

By adding a more direct option at inside centre in Simone, the Brumbies will hope to rectify this in 2019 and give their formidable pack the opportunity to run forward on to the ball, rather than crabbing sideways as aggressive defences stymie them on the gain-line.

In other news: Hooper speaks about record Wallabies contract

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Luke Cowan-Dickie: 'I didn’t feel right. I felt like I was going to pass out. Everything was going black in front of me' Luke Cowan-Dickie: 'I didn’t feel right. I felt like I was going to pass out. Everything was going black in front of me'
Search