1
Brumbies unveil Christian Lealiifano's replacement as captain
By Online Editors
Wallabies tighthead prop and self-described "joker" Allan Alaalatoa and vowed not to change after being named the Brumbies captain for 2020 Super Rugby season.
Alaalatoa has made 75 appearances for the Brumbies since making his debut in 2014 and earned 37 test caps for Australia.
The 25-year-old is contracted until the end of 2023 and replaces Christian Lealiifano, who departed in the off-season for Japan.
Continue reading below...
Alaalatoa was named vice-captain of the Wallabies side who played the Barbarians in 2018 and made six starts at his maiden World Cup in Japan last year.
"It's a huge honour," Alaalatoa said.
"When [coach Dan McKellar] called me to have a discussion about it I was overwhelmed and the first thought you go to is of all the past players who have been in this position.
"To add your name to that list is very special.
"I've always been someone that talks on the field then is a relaxed joker off the field. I think you've got to find that balance and I think being captain isn't going to change who I am."
"enormous potential".
"It was clear then, as a 19-year-old, he was going to be an international tighthead prop if he applied himself and that's what he does," McKellar said.
"He's someone that will always come to the coaches with ideas and is happy to challenge the coaches when required.
"He's a true professional. It's not rocks and diamonds with Al, you always get that consistency around his preparation and he leads by example."
"It's a new-look team but that brings new excitement," he said.
"We're looking to win Super Rugby, you can't set the bar any lower than that."
The Brumbies play a trial match against the Melbourne Rebels in Albury on Thursday then kick off their season against the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium on January 31.
- AAP
In other news:
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode
5
Latest Comments
Excellent points Mz. Because of other commitments I have just watched the game.
Interesting watching it after reading all the news reports especially in the English media. I was expecting to see a game that the ABs were very lucky to win. What I saw was a game that England showed their tactical incompetence and their inability to construct any try scoring opportunities.
They can go on deluding themselves that they were unlucky to lose ( as Borthwick said post match ) but until they stop relying on rush defence and goal kicking to win I feel they're doomed to be ranked 4 or 5 in the world.
Can't wait until the weekend to see how the Wallabies go against them
Though I dare say Walter will be hoping for an England win.
Go to commentsIF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.
As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.
Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).
This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.
If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.
Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.
After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.
Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.
Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)
Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.
Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.
Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.
Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:
Seeding Band 1
IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG
Seeding Band 2
SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: FIJI
1/8 final opponent GEORGIA
Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA
1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND
Prognosis: You know the prognosis
I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?
Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.
Go to comments