ACT Brumbies

2006 Preview

There are many critics who feel the Brumbies' multi-phased playing pattern has become stale and predictable. Some of their key players - read George Gregan and Stephen Larkham - are also getting on in years, which means injuries become more frequent.

Their prize recruit for the 2006 season is giant flanker Daniel Heenan, who joined the Brumbies after three seasons with the Queensland Reds. Hampered by injuries in recent times, Heenan has managed just 23 Super 12 caps since his making his debut for the Reds in 2002.

They also have a few exciting youngsters coming through, but the key for them will be to keep their old hands on deck for as long as possible.

Their style of quick recycling and the use of first-receiver runners has become a feature of their game and it is unlikely to change in 2006.

Strengths: Without doubt their ability to recycle the ball and retain possession. Also their patience, their ability to stay calm when for 10 phases it appear that they have not gained an inch of ground.

Weakness: They do have a tendency to be poor travellers. They lost to the Sharks in Durban last year, the only game the Sharks won all season. And they start with their first three games on the road - two of those in South Africa. The age of some key players could also come back to haunt them.

Noteworthy signings: Daniel Heenan (from the Reds), Salesi Ma'afu (from NSW juniors)
 
Noteworthy losses: Scott Fava (to Westerns Force), Owen Finegan (retired), Matt Henjak (Western Force)

Coach: Laurie Fisher. After taking over from David Nucifora last year, Fisher saw his team slump from first place (under Nucifora) to fifth and failing to make the play-offs. He will be hoping for more consistency from the players and fewer injuries to key players.

Captain: Stirling Mortlock will begin the 2006 season in peak condition after completing a full pre-season of training with the Brumbies for the first time in several seasons after being rested from the Wallabies 2005 year-end tour.

Player(s) to watch: We can go for the obvious ones - Matt Giteau, George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock - but we feel Daniel Heenan will benefit from the move to Canberra and may just come into his own in the more structured environment of the Brumbies.

2005 Position: 5th in the S12
Best finish: Super 12 winners in 2004 and 2001
Worst finish: 10th 1998
Home Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra, (capacity: 27,000)
 
2006 Prediction: They will be competitive, but might struggle to make the play-offs

Brumbies squad: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Batger, Luke Burgess, Alister Campbell, Mark Chisholm, Gene Fairbanks, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, George Gregan, Daniel Heenan, Nic Stephen Larkham, Salesi Ma'afu, Stirling Mortlock, Peter Owens, David Palavi, Jeremy Paul, Patrick Phibbs, Clyde Rathbone, Julian Salvi, Radike Samo, Guy Shepherdson, George Smith, Jone Tawake, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Ben White, Joel Wilson, Bill Young.

Schedule:

Friday 10 February: v Western Force, Perth
Friday 17 February: v Bulls, Pretoria
Friday 24 February: v Stormers, Cape Town
Friday 3 March: v Cats, Canberra
Saturday 11 March: v Sharks, Canberra
Saturday 18 March: v Blues, Auckland
Saturday 25 March: v Chiefs, Canberra
Saturday 1 April: BYE
Saturday 8 April: v Cheetahs, Canberra
Sunday 16 April: v Waratahs, Sydney
Saturday 22 April: v Hurricanes, Canberra
Saturday 29 April: v Reds, Canberra
Saturday 6 May: v Highlanders, Canberra
Friday 12 May: v Crusaders, Christchurch