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Brumbies duo itching for season to start after eight months out of action
By AAP
The Super Rugby Pacific season can't come soon enough for game-starved Brumbies duo Tom Banks and Ryan Lonergan.
The Brumbies open their campaign against the Western Force at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon and it's not before long for Banks and Longergan.
Banks hasn't played since breaking an arm against South Africa in September, while it's been more than eight months since Lonergan last stepped out for a match proper.
The 23-year-old didn't plan on the final match of last year's Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in June being his season ender.
But after being called into the Wallabies squad as injury cover for Brumbies teammate Nic White before the three-Test series with France, the classy halfback ended up staying in camp for the duration of the Rugby Championship as well.
While he impressed Wallabies coach Dave Rennie and even come under selection consideration, Lonergan never enjoyed any game time at international level.
Little wonder he's champing at the bit to get stuck in against the Force.
"Yeah, it's been a while," he said on Monday.
"It was a great year - pretty long - but I'm just keen to get back into some footy now.
"I was in that Wallabies camp quite a while and, due to circumstances, couldn't come back and play for the Vikings or anything."
Lonergan's experience with the Wallabies was invaluable, though.
"A couple of things to work on - there always is - and it fuelled that fire," he said.
"It was so much fun being there. It would have been great to get a game - I obviously didn't but it makes you want to come back bigger and better this year."
Banks, too, is eager for 2022 to get under way.
"It's been a long pre-season but a really good one," the fullback said.
"My form has been really good but nothing compares to being out there (in a match proper)."
Banks and Lonergan are also excited at the prospect of facing off against former Brumbies trio Bayley Kuenzie, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Reece Tapine.
As much for the banter as anything.
"Obviously 'Ray' has come a long way. DK as well. I was living with Finesy so hopefully I'll be able to see him out there as well," Banks said.
"We know what they bring. They're all threatening players so it's going to be an interesting battle."
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Latest Comments
No just because the personal is much better than last year. I've shown no antagonism of Crusader players, you must be confusing me with someone else.
I have critized Razor for picking players he knows occasionally?
I said I'm not surprised because of his style, he's more a grinder player like Cane, not going to show up on peoples radar until you see how bad the other choices are. This year players like Clarke have been on fire and just show a bit more.
Are you one of those posters continually taking it easy on Razor because he doesn't have his Crusaders stars available? Do you think the rugby world is going to up to him suddenly once Mo'unga returns? lol
Go to commentsJohn you have been beating this drum for a couple of years, if you get proven right get back to us.
The last recent and decent Aussie coach was Ewen McKenzie, he was undermined and forced out by a couple of slimy Aussie players who were given a free pass when they should have been disciplined.
So our history since McQueen is very checkered and it seems to make little difference whether we have an Aussie coach or a Kiwi coach. The players have been entitled for a long time and we had to hit bottom to get them back into reality and to stop thinking it is all about them.
Cheika was an OK coach but his 'go our and destroy the opposition' tactic worked for a while and then didn't.
Please give me a list of great Aussie coaches that I have missed.
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