Super 14 Rugby 2010

Couldn't be bothered looking for the 09 thread.

The Melbourne Rebels, ahead of their entry to Super Rugby in 2011 have announced Rod McQueen as coach.

He was the man appointed as coach for the Brtumbies when they entered the comp in the 90s. The Brumbies, largely off the back of that foundation, remain the most successful Australian side in Super Rugby.

Don't think he will have the same player base this time around

A lot of the players he founded the Brumbies with weren't exactly considered top-drawer at the beginning.

Some pretty good ones though. Remember he only had the Waratahs and Reds as competition.

they are not allowed to nick any current wallabies...this means they are likely to start with a strong side

Brumbies players who made their debuts in 1996.
No. Name Debut
1 Noriega, Patricio 1996 v Transvaal
2 Caputo, Marco 1996 v Transvaal
3 McKenzie, Ewen 1996 v Transvaal
4 Giffin, David 1996 v Transvaal
5 Sweeny, Craig 1996 v Transvaal
6 Fenukitau, Ipolito 1996 v Transvaal
7 Langford, John 1996 v Transvaal
8 Finegan, Owen 1996 v Transvaal
9 Gregan, George 1996 v Transvaal
10 Knox, David 1996 v Transvaal
11 Roff, Joe 1996 v Transvaal
12 Vunipola, Elisi 1996 v Transvaal
13 Larkham, Stephen 1996 v Transvaal
14 Hardy, Mitch 1996 v Transvaal
15 Kafer, Rod 1996 v Transvaal
16 Ross, John 1996 v Transvaal
17 Friend, Adam 1996 v Wellington Hurricanes
18 Williams, Andrew 1996 v Wellington Hurricanes
19 Coker, Troy 1996 v Auckland Blues
20 Robinson, Brett 1996 v Auckland Blues
21 Holbeck, James 1996 v Auckland Blues
22 O’Connor, Liam 1996 v Auckland Blues
23 Didier, Geoff 1996 v Auckland Blues
24 Howard, Patrick 1996 v NSW Waratahs
25 Tavalea, Timote 1996 v Waikato Chiefs
26 Magro, Adam 1996 v Canterbury Crusaders
27 Brown, Paul 1996 v Otago

Some players who went on to be handy, but not many who were considered top of the heap at the time.

Agreed, but even players of that calibre might be harder to find this time around.

I don't think it'll be easy for melbourne, but McQueen's the man for the job.

So how will the Giteaus go this year? Where are they playing?

Debuts galore for Western Force in opening game

Justin Chadwick From: AAP February 10, 2010


One-Test Wallaby Mark Bartholomeusz will take up the five-eighth role following the season-ending injury to Andre Pretorius, while scrumhalf Brett Sheehan, inside centre Sam Harris and props Matt Dunning and Nic Henderson will also don Force colours for the first time in Super 14 competition after being named in the starting XV.

Wallabies centre Ryan Cross has been named in the run-on side despite struggling to overcome an abdominal injury in recent weeks.

Young gun James O'Connor will play at fullback while prop Pek Cowan will start at hooker after his impressive display there in the Force's trial win over Queensland last week.

Wingers Haig Sare (Achilles tendon) and Nick Cummins (foot) couldn't be considered due to injury.


Matt Hodgson, David Pocock and Richard Brown will form a formidable back row while Sam Wykes will partner Nathan Sharpe at lock.

Star Wallabies flyhalf Matt Giteau has been named by the Brumbies but is no certainty to play due to a lingering quad complaint.

Force: James O'Connor, Dane Haylett-Petty, Ryan Cross, Sam Harris, Cameron Shepherd, Mark Bartholomeusz,
Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, Sam Wykes, Matt Dunning, Pek Cowan, Nic Henderson. Reserves: Ben Whittaker, Tim Fairbrother, Richard Stanford, Ben McCalman, Chris O'Young, Mitchell Inman, Josh Tatupu.

Brumbies: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Stirling Mortlock, Christian Lealiifano, Francis Fainifo, Matt Giteau/Matt Toomua, Josh Valentine, Stephen Hoiles (capt), George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Justin Harrison, Mark Chisholm, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Res: Huia Edmonds, Salesi Maafu, Ben Hand, Mitchell Chapman, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Alfi Mafi, Afusipa Taumoepeau.

Will be played at Member's Equity and not Subi Oval ...be interesting what difference that makes ...harder for me to get to for a start

Hopefully the Force can go well

The Western Force v The S14 Galacticos.

Hope Valentine gets smashed

Brumbies met by police at Perth airport PETER FITZGERALD
February 11, 2010 - 9:00AM .
Nine police officers greeted the ACT Brumbies at Perth airport on Tuesday night after the pilot of their Qantas plane called through a complaint of in-flight disruption.

The pilot was concerned several players had failed to remain seated while the fasten seatbelt sign was on during regular turbulence on the flight from Canberra.

Upon landing in Perth, a stewardess announced the rugby players who were all dressed in the Brumbies' travelling kit were required to remain on board the plane while the rest of the passengers disembarked.

Head coach Andy Friend was called to the front of the plane to talk to the pilot.

The first fear of the players was bad news had been called through to the pilot, such as when they were told of teammate Shawn Mackay's death on a flight from South Africa 10 months ago.

Once Friend and team manager Mal Daisley had met the pilot and police officers on Tuesday night, the Brumbies touring party was allowed to leave the plane.

No damage was reported and no players were individually questioned.

Daisley described the incident as ''minor''.

So they're learning from their leeeeg counterparts. Good for them.