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SUPER 14

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BRUMBIES 2008

Tuesday 30th January 2007

The Brumbies have experienced a three-year Super Rugby semi-final drought, which must be rather frustrating for a team that possesses so much talent, skill and patience.

Indeed the two-time Super Rugby champions have underachieved in the past three years and the fact that the squad is in a rebuilding phase will make their task substantially harder this year.

Coach Laurie Fisher has very little to show for all the work he has done with his team over the past three years and one suspects he might have to wait a tad longer for Super Rugby glory.

While winning the tournament this season might be too much to expect from the current crop of Brumbies players, we can still expect the Canberra-based franchise to at least be competitive.

The squad has players that understand and read the game very well and while stars like George Gregan and Stephen Larkham might no longer be in the system, Julian Huxley - although a tad slower than the former Brumbies pivot - has a very educated boot.

There is this perception that the Brumbies don't have enough experience, but Stirling Mortlock, George Smith, Huxley, Huia Edmonds, Mark Gerrard and Mark Chisholm have a lot to offer in the way of experience and should guide the team reasonably well.

Strengths : The Brumbies are one of the more dynamic groups in the Super 14 and possess tremendous skill in both the backline and the forward pack. The Canberra outfit has a good blend of youth and experience in the squad and a lot of discipline - not many teams keep the ball alive through as many phases - which will stand them in good stead this season.

Weakness: The Brumbies lack experience and depth in critical positions, with rising star Josh Holmes likely to get his first full season of Super 14 action, while talented fly-halves Matt Toomua and Chris Lealiifano have minimal top flight experience.

One senses that even the slightest bit of pressure could make life difficult for the trio. The front row may be slightly vulnerable without Wallaby hooker Jeremy Paul in the fray as well.

Noteworthy signings: : Mitchell Chapman (Reds), Huia Edmonds (Stormers), Josh Holmes (Waratahs), Tyrone Smith (Harlequins RL), Matt Toomua (Australian Schools)

Noteworthy losses : Luke Burgess, Matt Carraro (both Waratahs), George Gregan (Toulon), Daniel Heenen (Japan), Stephen Larkham (Black Rams, Japan), David Palavi (retired), Jeremy Paul (Gloucester)

Coach: Laurie Fisher will start his fourth season as Head Coach of the Brumbies and will be anxious to get some silverware in the Brumbies' trophy cabinet. He did some wonderful work with the Brumbies forward pack when the team won the Super 12 tournament in 2004, but has struggled to carry that momentum through as head coach.

Captain : Stirling Mortlock will be out of action for a few weeks in the Super 14 and fellow Wallaby George Smith will shoulder the responsibility of leading the team for the first part of the tournament. This is Smith's eighth season of Super Rugby and his performance is possibly at its optimum level after winning the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) Medal for Excellence last year. He has always played a leadership role in the team and should have no problems guiding a squad that has a number of new youngsters.

Player(s) to watch : A lot is expected from former Waratahs scrum-half Josh Holmes this season. He didn't play enough rugby while at the Tahs and an opportunity to play a lot more rugby at the Brumbies could be just what the doctor ordered for the Australia 'A' star. Julian Huxley is a great thinker on the field and his influence and educated boot could determine the level of his team's success. Adam Ashley-Cooper rose to prominence last year already and is another one of the many talented players that should ignite the Brumbies backline.

2007 Position: 5th
Best finish: Super 12 winners in 2004 and 2001
Worst finish: 10th 1998
Home Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra (capacity: 27,000)

2008 Prediction: The Brumbies are still by far the most threatening of the Australian teams on attack and showed last season that they are very competent on the defence too. In fact they had a better defensive record than the top four teams in last year's competition. Expect a top-six finish for the Brumbies at the very least and maybe qualification for the semi-final.

Brumbies: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Alister Campbell, Mitchell Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Huia Edmonds, Anthony Fainga, Saia Fainga, Francis Fainifo, Gene Fairbanks, Mark Gerrard, Nic Henderson, Stephen Hioles, Joshua Holmes, Julian Huxley, Peter Kimlin, Christian Lealiifano, Salesi Ma'afu, Stirling Mortlock, Patrick Phibbs, Peter Playford, Clyde Rathbone, Julian Salvi, Guy Shepherdson, Richard Stannard, George Smith, Tyrone Smith, Jone Tawake, Matt Toomua, John Ulugia, Adam Wallace-Harrison

Schedule:
February 15: v Crusaders, away
February 23: v Highlanders, home
March 1: v Reds, home
March 7: v Waratahs, away
March 14: v Hurricanes, home
March 21: v Cheetahs, home
March 28/29: Bye
April 4: v Chiefs, home
April 12: v Blues, away
April 19: v Sharks, home
April 25: v Lions, home
May 3: v Stormers, away
May 9: v Bulls, away
May 16: v Western Force, away