Super 14 Trials

[QLD]

Post all info regarding S14 trials here.

Queensland team to face NSW in Toowoomba

Mark McLinden; Blair Connor, Brando Va'aulu, Charlie Fetoai, Rod Davies; Anthony Faingaa, Brendan McKibbin; Leroy Houston, Poutasi Luafutu, Scott Higginbotham; Adam Byrnes, Robert Simmons; Laurie Weeks, James Hanson, Ben Daley.

Replacements: Saia Faingaa, Jack Kennedy, Dayna Edwards, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, Morgan Turinui, Aidan Toua, Luke Morahan.

Faingaa at flyhalf will be interesting
if he can play solidly there he might keep his spot and relatage cooper.

[Fushitsusha]

I think Faingaa is better suited to inside centre.

Personally, I think Mooney should put Barnes back at flyhalf (where he belongs) and have Faingaa at inside centre.

As for the trials in general, I never pay too much attention to them.

I can't remember the last time the Brumbies won a trial game?

[Woldog]

NOT GENIA NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....


But yeah I'll be at the Toowoomba game as its like 30 mins from my house and I'll be at the Western Force one.

[Vambo]

Be interesting to see how Mark McLinden goes.

[ChiefsFan]

Chiefs already beat the Blues 21-17 last weekend.

Today they are playing the Highlanders at Rotorua.

Teams:
CHIEFS: James Wilson, Lelia Masaga, Jackson Willison, Dwayne Sweeney, Tim Mikkelson, Mike Delany, Toby Morland, Colin Bourke, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Craig Clarke, Toby Lynn, James McGougan, Aled de Malmanche, Joe Savage. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Hikairo Forbes, Sona Taumalolo, Culum Retallick, Romana Graham, Luke Braid, Serge Lilo, Sione Lauaki, David Bason, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Callum Bruce, Richard Kahui, Save Tokula, Trent Renata.

HIGHLANDERS: Israel Dagg, Lucky Mulipola, Jason Shoemark, Jayden Hayward, Kenny Lynn, Mat Berquist, Sean Romans, Steven Setephano, Tim Boys, Hayden Triggs, Ross Kennedy, Anthony Perenise, David Hall, Keith Cameron. Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Clint Newland, George Naoupu, Alando Soakai, Scott Cowan, Daniel Bowden, Pehi Te Whare, Johnny Leota, Brett Mather, Karne Hesketh.

[ChiefsFan]

The Chiefs beat the Highlanders today 36-19.

Also, the Hurricanes beat the Blues.

[rsea]

HSBC WARATAHS
1. Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University)
2. Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood)
3. Dan Palmer (Southern Districts)
4. Chris Thomson (Warringah)
5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts)
6. Ben Mowen (Randwick)
7. Ben Coridas (Eastwood)
8. Scott Fava (Eastwood)
9. Jeremy Su'a (Penrith)
10. Kurtley Beale (Northern Suburbs)
11. Peter Playford (Sydney University)
12. Tom Carter (Sydney University)
13. Matt Carraro (Randwick)
14. Tim Bennetts (Eastwood)
15. Sam Norton-Knight (Northern Suburbs)
Reserves
16. Nath Nicol (Gordon)
17. Martin Plotskys (Gordon)
18. Dave Dennis (Sydney University)
19. Will Caldwell (Sydney University)
20. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University)
21. Rob Horne (Southern Districts)
22. Brett Sheehan (Warringah)
23. Tim Archibald (Northern Suburbs)
25. Lachlan McCaffrey (Eastwood)
26. Sitiveni Mafi (Parramatta)
27. Mark Preston (Gordon)
29. Damon Anderson
30. Mitch Inman (Sydney University)

[ChiefsFan]

I still can't help but laugh when people say Beale has great potential.I watched him a couple of times last year and he was downright horrible...

Crusaders beat Force, by six points.

[bobilycious]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChiefsFan @ Jan 24 2009, 09:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ('index.php?act=findpost&pid=372920')</div>
I still can&#39;t help but laugh when people say Beale has great potential.I watched him a couple of times last year and he was downright horrible...

Crusaders beat Force, by six points.[/b]

They won by five, actually, coming back from a 14 point deficit to get the winning try in the 74th minute.
CRUSADERS 24: George Whitelock 2, Jared Payne, Kade Poki tries; Colin Slade con, Hamish Gard con

WESTERN FORCE 19: penalty try, Josh Tatupu, Luke Holmes tries; Scott Daruda 2 con

[ChiefsFan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (allyoop @ Jan 24 2009, 09:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ('index.php?act=findpost&pid=372924')</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChiefsFan @ Jan 24 2009, 09:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ('index.php?act=findpost&pid=372920')
I still can&#39;t help but laugh when people say Beale has great potential.I watched him a couple of times last year and he was downright horrible...

Crusaders beat Force, by six points.[/b]

They won by five, actually, coming back from a 14 point deficit to get the winning try in the 74th minute.
CRUSADERS 24: George Whitelock 2, Jared Payne, Kade Poki tries; Colin Slade con, Hamish Gard con

WESTERN FORCE 19: penalty try, Josh Tatupu, Luke Holmes tries; Scott Daruda 2 con


[/b][/quote]

My mistake. Can someone add light to how good that Force team is compared to the first string one?

[BLR]

Its funny all the shite that the reporters have been putting on the Force, saying we are a doomed team and we will sink into obscurity, yet we come out with a sell out crowd, with 18,100 packing into Members Equity with people being turned away from the gates.

Still a decent performance from the Force apparently, missing alot of their players and had heaps of chances to take the game in the last ten minutes apparently. Of course I am in Berlin at the moment so this is just what the run down I have been told.

[Woldog]

Just got back from Reds V Waratahs, Reds lost 17 - 7, Reds try scored by Will Genia. Waratahs tries scored by insignificant players.

[rsea]

How&#39;d you like the light show?
I thought Halangahu played well for the tahs. Hopefully he&#39;ll get some time in the 10

[Woldog]

It was a good game, until the rain came and the drunk chicks all crowded in one place. I had a big chat with Berrick Barnes and James Horwill before the game, and a bit of a talk with Rodney Davies after the game.

[QLD]

How did Mark McLinden; Blair Connor and Rod Davies play?

[Fushitsusha]

The Tahs first two tries were scored by Peter Playford who I believe only signed with the club a few weeks ago...

I guess he couldn&#39;t get a contract overseas?

[ChiefsFan]

Wait, so the Reds, whose supporters have been talking them up for a while, lost to the Waratahs..?

Ah well, it&#39;s preseason, so you can hardly take anything from that.

[Fushitsusha]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChiefsFan @ Jan 24 2009, 10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ('index.php?act=findpost&pid=373131')</div>
Wait, so the Reds, whose supporters have been talking them up for a while, lost to the Waratahs..?

Ah well, it&#39;s preseason, so you can hardly take anything from that.[/b]

Preseason games don&#39;t mean squat... as I said earlier - I can&#39;t remember the last time the Brumbies won a preseason match... even in 2004 when they lost to the Reds and the Hurricanes (I think) in the preseason then went on to put 50+ points on these teams (and others) and eventually won the championship...

[rsea]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Fushitsusha @ Jan 25 2009, 11:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ('index.php?act=findpost&pid=373153')</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChiefsFan @ Jan 24 2009, 10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ('index.php?act=findpost&pid=373131')
Wait, so the Reds, whose supporters have been talking them up for a while, lost to the Waratahs..?

Ah well, it&#39;s preseason, so you can hardly take anything from that.[/b]

Preseason games don&#39;t mean squat... as I said earlier - I can&#39;t remember the last time the Brumbies won a preseason match... even in 2004 when they lost to the Reds and the Hurricanes (I think) in the preseason then went on to put 50+ points on these teams (and others) and eventually won the championship...
[/b][/quote]
A long time ago now
I hope Phibbs and Lealiifano step up this season

[Fushitsusha]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RSEA @ Jan 25 2009, 02:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ('index.php?act=findpost&pid=373155')</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Fushitsusha @ Jan 25 2009, 11:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ('index.php?act=findpost&pid=373153')
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChiefsFan @ Jan 24 2009, 10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ('index.php?act=findpost&pid=373131')
Wait, so the Reds, whose supporters have been talking them up for a while, lost to the Waratahs..?

Ah well, it&#39;s preseason, so you can hardly take anything from that.[/b]

Preseason games don&#39;t mean squat... as I said earlier - I can&#39;t remember the last time the Brumbies won a preseason match... even in 2004 when they lost to the Reds and the Hurricanes (I think) in the preseason then went on to put 50+ points on these teams (and others) and eventually won the championship...
[/b][/quote]
A long time ago now
I hope Phibbs and Lealiifano step up this season
[/b][/quote]

Just saying... the Brumbies haven&#39;t won a trial game since I can remember... the trials have absolutely no indication on how a team is going to in the actual competition, and that applies to every team...

I don&#39;t even know if Phibbs or Lealiifano will be starting for the Brumbies this year...

[Woldog]

Rodney had a great game.

[Fushitsusha]

The Brumbies have actually named a fairly decent side to take on the Hurricanes on Friday...



CA Brumbies Squad v Hurricanes

Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Friday, 30 January 2009
Kick-off: 7.40pm


1.Nic Henderson
2. John Ulugia
3. Guy Shepherdson
4. Shawn Mackay
5. Mark Chisholm
6. Peter Kimlin
7. Julian Salvi
8. Stephen Hoiles ©
9. Joshua Holmes
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Francis Fainifo
12. Tyrone Smith
13. Afusipa Taumoepeau
14. Peter Betham
15. Mark Gerrard

Reserves

16. Nathan Charles
17. Ben Alexander
18. Sitaleki Timani
19. Ben Hand
20. Patrick Phibbs
21. Matt Toomua
22. Pat McCabe
23. James Stannard
24. Clyde Rathbone
25. Henry Vanderglas
26. Salesi Ma’afu
27. Anthony Hegarty
28. Talalelei Gray
29. Sanualio Afeaki

[Fushitsusha]

What?!!

The Brumbies won a trial match!?!?!


Josh Holmes underlines potential with great display as Brumbies win trial

By David Beniuk

January 30, 2009

BRUMBIES half-back Josh Holmes gave an early indication he intends to challenge Luke Burgess for the Australian No.9 jersey in 2009 with a dominant display in a 28-14 Super 14 trial win over the Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium.

Holmes was in everything during his first half run and scored the only try of the first 40 in the 29th minute on a hot night in the national capital.

The No.9 was on the spot to crash over after 2008 revelation Tyrone Smith had made an incisive burst, Mark Gerrard&#39;s conversion giving the home side a 7-0 half-time lead.

The former Waratahs half-back also came close on two other occasions as the Brumbies began their new era under Andy Friend by dominating the territory and possession against an under strength Hurricanes side.

It wasn&#39;t all good news for the 22-year-old who was assisted off at half-time after taking a heavy knock following one of his trademark bursts.

Holmes has long been highly rated but is yet to realise his full potential, something he hoped would turn around when he switched to the Brumbies last year.

Burgess starred for the Waratahs last year but had a mixed debut international season, with his passing game coming under scrutiny.

Coach Friend made nine changes at half-time, including Holmes&#39;s replacement, ex-Western Force recruit James Stannard, and former Wallaby winger Clyde Rathbone, playing his first game for the Brumbies in nearly two years.

The Canes made 10 changes, including Cory Jane who scored his side&#39;s first try five minutes after the break to make it 7-7.

A try under the posts to Wallaby prop Ben Alexander put the Brumbies ahead again 14-7 but the visitors hit back three minutes later through Zac Guildford as the second favourites for this year&#39;s Super 14 title began to get the better of the Brumbies&#39; Bs.

But the Brumbies third half-back to be used, Patrick Phibbs, sealed the win with a 76th minute five-pointer before Afusipa Taumoepeau scored out wide to make it 28-14.

Test stars Stirling Mortlock, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stephen Moore and George Smith sat out the trial.




Josh Holmes was just a disappointment last year after being touted as Gregan&#39;s replacement... I seriously hope he fulfills his potential this year, because if he plays at his best he can knockout Burgess for the Wallaby job...

And we all know the Wallabies need a halfback who can actually pass the ball... and make decisions...

[rsea]

Urghhhh so after 1 trial the scrummy that couldn&#39;t get a consistent start in 08 is going to bump to incumbent wallabies half

Glad to see he had a good game though. Was surprised by his lack of game time last year after the media wave he rode at the Tahs in 07

[Fushitsusha]

I didn&#39;t say that at all...

I just hope that he could find the form he displayed in recent years when he was the IRB U19 player of the year two years ago, and the fine form he displayed in his brief appearances with the Tahs in 07... at least for the sake of the Brumbies... the fact is that Burgess was dumped by the Brumbies for Holmes...

Unfortunately he just didn&#39;t perform well in 08... and was rotated with Phibbs...

But I&#39;m sure we can all agree that Burgess&#39; service was RUBBISH for the Wallabies last year, and if he doesn&#39;t perform well this year we seriously need a halfback that can do the job... whether it be Burgess, Holmes, Lucas, Sheehan or whoever...

Despite the NSW media&#39;s pathetic attacks on Gregan in recent years, he was at least able to distribute the ball without getting sacked by the opposition forwards, and didn&#39;t continuously pass the ball 10m behind the flyhalf... and despite all the NSW media&#39;s criticism of his apparently &#39;slow&#39; service - Stephen Larkham never complained about it...

Anyways, point is - good competition for positions can only help Australia...

[rsea]

Burgess service wasn&#39;t rubbish but it was inconsistent. His box kick however is rubbish.

[Fushitsusha]

Nah, it was consistently rubbish....

Rarely did he pass the ball where it was meant to go... and his indecisiveness at the breakdown cost Australia so many times...

[Maccaweeny]

Maybe Deans picked him because of his pretty face?

Come on you&#39;re being a bit too harsh, sometimes his passing was right on the money, it was his pass that led to Mitchell&#39;s break against the Barbarians and he performed really well under pressure in the Ireland test. Like you said competition can only benefit the Wallabies, but Burgess has the potential to be a class player.

[Fushitsusha]

Personally, I don&#39;t think Deans is the messiah and that all of his decisions are correct... highlighted by the fact that he continued to put AAC at fullback and never considered Gerrard...

Anyways, Burgess might have had a few moments of good play for the Wallabies but overall his service was just lousy... his passing was erratic... and unfortunately his primary task is to distribute the ball...

However, I do think that Burgess deserved to be where he was last year based on a good Super 14 campaign... and he definitely has potential... but, there are guys like Holmes and Lucas who have shown just as much potential and I hope they put pressure on Burgess and we have some competition for the halfback spot... the last thing we need is an untouchable halfback who isn&#39;t performing...

[Maccaweeny]

Yeah I agree, he needs a good kick in the pants. One thing I noticed was how in last years S14&#39;s he always provided quick ball, never loitered around the back of a ruck. Yet in the Wallabies jersey he seemed to always wait, putting the forwards under pressure and allowing the defence to reset. It will be interesting to see how he plays this year.