BRUMBIES

Tuesday 30th January 2007

The Brumbies' backline again looks like its strength for this season, but like the Australian side over the past two years has battled to adapt to new faces and new combinations.

The gaping hole left by Matt Giteau's transfer to the Western Force is apparently going to be filled by Mark Gerrard, who will play at inside centre for the first time in his Super career.

With this in mind it's obvious that the old hands - a rested George Gregan and the brilliant Stephan Larkham - will be called on once again not just to bring experience to the table, but also the form required to make the Wallaby squad in a Ruby World Cup year.

They'll be brilliant in Canberra, but may well struggle away from home.

Strengths: Without doubt their ability to recycle the ball and retain possession. Also their patience, their ability to stay calm when for 10 phases it appears that they have not gained an inch of ground.

Weakness: They still do have a tendency to be poor travellers. The age of some key players could also come back to haunt them and they may feel the absence of Giteau's creativity..

Noteworthy signings: Stephen Hoiles (from the Waratahs), Julian Huxley (from the Reds)

Noteworthy losses: Matt Giteau (to the Western Force)

Coach: Laurie Fisher. After taking over from David Nucifora in 2005, Fisher saw his team slump from first place (under Nucifora) to fifth and failing to make the play-offs the following year. Last year they went even one lower and dropped to sixth place in the standings. He will be hoping for more consistency from the players and fewer injuries to key players.

Captain: Stirling Mortlock will be hoping for a better 2007 season after his team struggled for consistency last year. His leadership is crucial to their cause.

Player(s) to watch: No doubt their hopes will rest on the half-back combination of George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, while Stirling Mortlock is another vital cog in their machinery.

2006 Position: 6th
Best finish: Super 12 winners in 2004 and 2001
Worst finish: 10th 1998
Home Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra, (capacity: 27,000)

2007 Prediction: They will be competitive, but will again struggle to make the play-offs. 7th

Brumbies squad: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Luke Burgess, Alister Campbell, Mark Chisolm, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Gene Fairbanks, Mark Gerrard, George Gregan, Daniel Heenan, Nic Henderson, Stephen Hoiles, Julian Huxley, Stephen Larkham, Salesi Ma'afu, Stirling Mortlock (captain), David Palavi, Jeremy Paul, Patrick Phibbs, Peter Playford, Clyde Rathbone, Julian Salvi, Guy Shepherdson, George Smith, Richard Stanford, Jone Tawake, Adam Wallace-Harrison.


Schedule:

3 February: v Chiefs, away
10 February: v Blues, home
17 , February: v Reds, away
23 February: v Hurricanes, away
3 March: v Bulls, home
9 March: v Stormers, home
17 March: v Cheetahs, away
24 March: v Sharks, away
31 March: v Lions, away
8 April: v Waratahs, home
13/14 April: BYE
20 April: v Force, home
28 April: v Crusaders, home
5 May: v Highlanders, away

By James White