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David Pocock set for 2018 return
By RugbyPass
Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar unveiled his squad for the forthcoming Super Rugby season today, with nine new faces featuring, including returning Wallaby David Pocock.
Pocock, who had taken a sabbatical this year, returns to his former club with a pack boasting eight Australian internationals. The former Australian captain could potentially be packing down with fellow Wallabies Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, Ben Alexander, Josh Mann-Rea, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter and Blake Enever.
The @Plus500 Brumbies squad for season 2018 has been revealed.
STORY: https://t.co/pGmxPFoNUS#BrumbiesTogether pic.twitter.com/rUX2WQFzIt
— Plus500 Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) November 30, 2017
There are three new signings up front with former-Force trio Mees Erasmus, Richie Arnold, and Isi Naisarani. Meanwhile, Lachlan McCaffrey returns to the Brumbies after a three-year spell with the Leicester Tigers.
Also returning to the squad is Christian Lealiifano, who is currenty with Ulster this season in the Pro14.
Some of the new faces in the backline include scrumhalf Matt Lucas, who signed from the Waratahs this season, while outside backs Chance Peni and James Verity-Amm, join from the Force.
In the coaching department, former assistant McKellar takes over from Stephen Larkham as head coach. He is joined by Laurie Fisher as forwards coach and Peter Hewat as backs coach while Peter Ryan and Dan Palmer will continue their positions as defence coach and scrum coach respectively.
Brumbies 2018 Super Rugby squad:
Forwards
Robbie Abel, Allan Alaalatoa, Ben Alexander, Richard Arnold, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Tom Cusack, Blake Enever, Mees Erasmus, Folau Fainga’a, Lolo Fakaosilea, Ben Hyne, Leslie Leulua’Iali’i-Makin, Josh Mann-Rea, Nic Mayhew, Lachlan McCaffrey, Isireli Naisarani, David Pocock, Scott Sio, Darcy Swain, Rob Valetini
Backs
Tom Banks, James Dargaville, Kyle Godwin, Wharenui Hawera, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Ryan Lonergan, Matt Lucas, Andrew Muirhead, Chance Peni-Ataera, Joe Powell, Andrew Smith, Henry Speight, Lausii Taliauli, James Verity-Amm
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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