Smith further boosts Brumbies

Smith further boosts Brumbies

25 Feb 2013

RICHARD FERGUSON updates keo.co.za followers on the latest Super Rugby news from Australia

Smith back at the Brumbies

Jake White has pulled off a masterstroke by luring former captain George Smith to the Brumbies on a short term Super Rugby deal.

Smith completed his spell in Japan with club Suntory, who won the All Japan title over the weekend, and will join the Brumbies in training this week in the hope to add to his 128 Super Rugby caps.

White successfully got Clyde Rathbone back from retirement, having started both matches for the Brumbies and scoring a try this past weekend, and will hope Smith has a similar impact on the team.

O’Connor and Beale set to face Waratahs

According to Rebels coach Damien Hill, the Rebels were in with a chance of beating the Brumbies until James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale and Scott Higginbotham went off injured and Jarred Saffy got a yellow card.

Beale’s shoulder popped out during the match, but is expected to be fit with O’Connor to face the Waratahs in an unchanged team. Hill did mention that he will tinker with the bench though.

Deans backs Folau

Israel Folau made his much publicised debut against the Reds this weekend, and came away from the match with mixed reactions about his performance.

While the ex-league, ex-AFL player looks to have some pace, he looked rather nervous on the Super Rugby stage. That said though, Australian coach Robbie Deans came forward to defend the player, stating that the decision to play the youngster at fullback was the correct call.

Folau scored a try on debut, but had very little to do to get the five pointer, literally catching the ball and falling over the line. Nevertheless, the player is sure to improve and have an impact for the Sydney based side.


25 Comments

  • 1.goodstuff: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 11:58 am

    So Pocock, Hooper and now Smith, wow! Jake White has made a complete180 on his view on fetchers!

  • 2.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 12:21 pm

    @goodstuff-1:
    Is Hooper still at the Brumbies? Thought he had gone to the Tahs.

    Didnt realise Smith is only 32. Could be a good short term signing by Jake if Pocock needs a break or gets injured.

  • 3.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 12:35 pm

    Excellent news, thanks for the update, Richard.

    Appreciated.

  • 4.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 12:41 pm

    class act….had Schalk for breakfast at openside for years…

  • 5.Richard Ferguson: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 12:44 pm

    @BrumbiesBoy-3:

    Only a pleasure!

    Are you happy with Smith being back? What is the general feeling there about this?

    Will he not be keeping someone younger out of the team?

  • 6.SamM: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 12:46 pm

    Jake is way ahead of the game

  • 7.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 12:52 pm

    Yes, I think it’s a very shrewd move by Jake & Co, but I’m not sure about the general feeling as I live in Johannesburg.

    But John Gait makes a good point in that he can also be used “in rotation” with Pocock.

    Time will tell, I suppose.

  • 8.Richard Ferguson: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 12:56 pm

    @BrumbiesBoy-7:

    Oh I see.. Sorry..

    Should be good to see him back in Super Rugby..

  • 9.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 13:02 pm

    I thought Super XV squads were finalised.
    Is Smith a replacement for an injured player?
    Or is there in fact a revolving door of players in and out the squads?
    Clarity please

  • 10.Richard Ferguson: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 13:08 pm

    @Angostura-9:

    As far as I know, squads need to be confirmed and finalised by April.

    I will do some research and get back to you on that..

  • 11.brains_trust: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 13:23 pm

    I saw “Smith” and my mind read it as Smit – I thought Jakey had lured old Johnno Smitty to the Brumbies….

  • 12.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 13:23 pm

    @Richard Ferguson-10: April? hmmm thx

  • 13.brains_trust: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 13:23 pm

    Plod turning out for the Brumies – can you imagine… [Imagine it happens, anything is possible]

  • 14.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 13:34 pm

    @Angostura-9: I think the cutoff date is April Fool’s Day!

    I seem to recall the Stormers having a problem with a player returning from overseas after the cutoff date last year and although registered in the squad he wasn’t allowed in the playoffs (or something like that).

  • 15.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 13:46 pm

    I wouldn’t be surpised to see Jake coaching the wallabies in a few years!!

  • 16.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 13:47 pm

    @BrumbiesBoy-14: Thx
    & what was that other rule that applied to Frans Steyn last year? – the rule that said that since he was a late addition to the squad he could only play in the round robin stage but not in the play off/knock out stages. When does that rule kick in?

    And the Final Squad (April), is that a 30- or 35-man squad?

    This is particularly relevant to the Kings & their 5 foreign players, one would think.

  • 17.Richard Ferguson: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 14:12 pm

    @Angostura-16:

    I’ve consulted another rugby journalist:

    35 man squads have to be in before the first match.

    Thereafter, players can be added, but none after 1 April..

    In the case of Steyn last year, he was brought in after 1 April, but the Sharks could not come up with ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ to prove that he should be added.

    So a player can play after being added to the squad late, but cannot play in the playoffs.

  • 18.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 14:13 pm

    @Angostura-16: Yes, actually it must’ve been The Sharks and not Stormers that I was thinking of.

    And I’m not sure what other restrictions apply, hopefully Richard will be able to enlighten us.

  • 19.Richard Ferguson: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 14:25 pm

    @John Galt-2:

    And to answer your question, Hooper has indeed gone to the Waratahs.

  • 20.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 14:40 pm

    Thanks Richard.

  • 21.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 15:22 pm

    @Richard Ferguson-17: Thx a lot, Richard

  • 22.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2013, 19:40 pm

    For the record:

    http://www.brumbies.com.au/News/Article/tabid/1213/ArticleID/8466/Default.aspx

  • 23.wallabie.: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2013, 02:27 am

    @Richard Ferguson-5:

    Richard the general feeling is Pocock is going to have his work cut out for him. Smith is a better ball carrier whilst Pocock is a better pilferer and obviously younger. early indications will be pocock will start and then smith off the bench.

    Knowing Jake he knows that they subtly have different styles he may alternate who plays off the bench. Against the NZ’ers like Crusaders, blue and chiefs I would think it is wise to get Smith on first for his ball carrying and speed to get field advantage then pocock to come on 25 minutes to go. against the saffa sides I would go Pocock due to the forward play being slightly slower and use pocock ability to slow the ball and his strength over the ball. then bring smith on the run the forwards ragged.

  • 24.Richard Ferguson: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2013, 07:56 am

    @wallabie.-23:

    Thanks!

    Either way, it seems that Jake has played a masterstroke in getting him back!

  • 25.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2013, 08:15 am

    Smith has been brought in due to the power-house Ita Vitae’s heart condition (blodd clot) which has ruled him out for the season…

    Smith can play anywhere in the back-row and Colby Faingaa is very much still in the mix as Pocock’s understudy…

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