Brumbies looking to change gears - Super Rugby 2018 Preview
The Brumbies have been Australia’s conference champion the last two years. Although in 2017, that didn’t mean much – the side qualified for the playoffs with a 6-9 losing record as Australia’s sides registered their worst ever collective season.
Two straight first-round playoff exits has left the Brumbies at an impasse. No one in Canberra is satisfied as conference champions.
Newly promoted head coach Dan McKellar understands that Super Rugby has become all about relentless attack. In order to get back to competing for Super Rugby titles, the side needs to change.
“We can’t be so reliant on our lineout and our maul and our set-piece to win a competition,” McKellar told Fox Sports Australia.
“Whilst that will win us games at times, in conditions and oppositions that we’re playing against, it’s not going to win us the Super Rugby comp and that’s our end goal.
The ‘oppositions’ McKellar refers to are New Zealand’s high-powered teams and South Africa’s Lions. They play at a frenetic pace and score points in frenzies. Playing a conservative, set-piece dominant game has failed Australian sides in recent years.
“If you think of the Brumbies over the last few years — certainly while I’ve been here over the past four years — we’ve been known for our lineout, our maul, our breakdown and our defence, so we’ve identified that we need to score more tries.
“To do that, we’ll tweak how we’ll play the game and certainly make sure we’re more threatening from unstructured situations and transition.”
How they will do that is easier said than done but the realisation that it needs to be is a step in the right direction.
The return of their best player, David Pocock, has been delayed by the need for surgery following a season in Japan. His attacking game has broadened under Robbie Deans where he has become a damaging edge runner, but bringing this to Super Rugby will be a different task.
Pocock’s game is more of a trump card in defence – his disruption at the breakdown is key to slowing opposition ball and winning the odd turnover – which can stifle and suffocate fast teams dragging them into a stop-start affair.
Much of the attack will rest on the shoulders of Christian Lealiifano, back to full health and returning from a short European stint with Ulster. He was outstanding for the Irish club and his experience will be instrumental in guiding the Brumbies backline.
New recruit Matt Lucas joins the side from the Waratahs to compete with Joe Powell as Lealiifano’s halves partner while last years Kiwi flyhalf Wharenui Hawera will likely be the backup 10.
Kyle Godwin and Tevita Kuridrani will likely start in the midfield, while ex-Force winger Chance Peni joins the team looking to pair with Henry Speight on the wing. Queenslander Tom Banks will be back at fullback.
The strength of the Brumbies still looks to be in the forward pack, with Wallabies Allan Alaalatoa, Scott Sio, Ben Alexander, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Josh Mann-Rea, Tom Cusack and Blake Enever.
Australia’s Super Rugby Player of the Year Isi Naisarani will join the Brumbies from the Force, adding a dynamic ball-carrying Number 8 to the pack. In just his first season Naisarani made a huge impact, and the Brumbies will benefit from his play this season.
It’s hard to see the Brumbies diverging too far away from their strength until their attacking prowess develops, but the pack has the ability to set the platform. The Brumbies will compete for the Australian conference with the Waratahs, but as changes take place they will find it hard to do more.
2018 Predictions
Australian Conference Placing: 2nd
Player of the Year: Christian Lealiifano
Rookie of the Year: Folau Fa’ainga
Breakout Player: Lolo Fakaosilea
Best Signing: Isi Naisarani
Franchise History
Best finish: Champions in 2001 and 2004
Worst finish: Thirteenth in 2011
Squad movements
In: Richie Arnold (Western Force), Mees Erasmus (Perth Spirit), Folau Fainga’a (NSW Country Eagles), Matt Lucas (Waratahs), Lachlan McCaffrey (Leicester Tigers), Isi Naisarani (Western Force), Chance Peni (Western Force), David Pocock (return from sabbatical), Darcy Swain (Canberra Vikings), James Verity-Amm (Western Force).
Out: Nigel Ah Wong (Counties Manukau), Chris Alcock (Kamaishi Seawaves), Jarrad Butler (Connacht), Thomas Cubelli (Jaguares), Anthony Fainga’a (Kintetsu Liners), Saia Fainga’a (London Irish), Scott Fardy (Leinster), Nick Jooste (Perth Spirit), De Wet Roos (Southern Districts), Faalelei Sione (Canberra Vikings), Jordan Smiler (Sungoliath), Tom Staniforth (Waratahs), Isaac Thompson (Blue Zoomers), Aidan Toua (Heat).
Squad: Robbie Abel, Allan Alaalatoa, Ben Alexander, Richie Arnold, Rory Arnold, Tom Banks, Sam Carter, Tom Cusack, James Dargaville, Blake Enever, Mees Erasmus, Folau Fainga’a, Lolo Fakaosilea, Kyle Godwin, Mack Hansen, Wharenui Hawera, Ben Hyne, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Ryan Lonergan, Matt Lucas, Josh Mann-Rea, Nic Mayhew, Lachlan McCaffrey, Andy Muirhead, Isi Naisarani, Chance Peni-Ataera, David Pocock, Joe Powell, Scott Sio, Faalelei Sione, Andrew Smith, Henry Speight, Darcy Swain, Lausii Taliauli, Rob Valetini, James Verity-Amm.
More Super Rugby Previews
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Stormers the enigma of South Africa
Queensland Reds heading forward with youth movement
Comments on RugbyPass
Quite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
2 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to comments