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Brumbies confident of keeping majority of squad intact despite dire financial outlook

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

The Brumbies are expecting to keep their bulk of their squad intact as Australian rugby’s dire financial state bites at Super Rugby clubs.

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A five-team domestic competition that will start on July 3 was confirmed by Rugby Australia this week but with a broadcast deal yet to be locked in beyond 2020, some players are feeling edgy.

A number of off-contract Melbourne Rebels players are contemplating their futures, tempted by big money in Japan or Europe.

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Brumbies No. 8 Pete Samu

Video Spacer

Brumbies No. 8 Pete Samu

That includes starting lock Matt Philip, hooker Anaru Rangi, halfback Ryan Louwrens and centre Billy Meakes.

The club, however, are confident of holding on to prized asset, Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete, who signed a new two-year deal late last year.

They also feel secure about their future line-up with key Test players such as Dane Haylett-Petty, Matt Toomua, Jordan Uelese and Reece Hodge locked in.

The Brumbies are similarly upbeat about holding on to key personnel.

Brumbies assistant coach Peter Hewat said most of their players were signed beyond 2020 and believed they wanted to stay put.

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The Canberra-based club were leading the Australian conference and sitting second overall on the Super Rugby ladder before the competition was shut down in March.

“I think the majority of our squad are locked in and in regards to being uneasy I think that’s the world all over at the moment,” Hewat said on Thursday.

“There’s been no signs from our players that they are looking to get out and from a coaching point of view we’ve got to back our program and hopefully players feel they’re getting better and not looking elsewhere.”

Hewat, who earned 40 caps for the Waratahs between 2005 and ’07 and represented Australia in Sevens, welcomed the return of the Force to the Australian Super Rugby competition.

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He predicted the Perth side, who who were cut from Super Rugby at the end of 2017, would have a point to prove.

He said Force players might take on the “reject” tag that spurred the Brumbies when they first joined Super Rugby in 1996.

“They’ve been together for a few years now – their group has been pretty stable,” Hewat said.

“A lot of those players will probably be thinking how the Brumbies did back in the day in terms of that they weren’t wanted by other Super Rugby franchises, so I imagine they will have a big point to prove.

“They are excited to play and we are excited to play against them.”

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R
RedWarrior 47 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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