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Brumbies duo itching for season to start after eight months out of action

Tom Banks sizes up a gap for the Brumbies. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Super Rugby Pacific season can’t come soon enough for game-starved Brumbies duo Tom Banks and Ryan Lonergan.

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The Brumbies open their campaign against the Western Force at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon and it’s not before long for Banks and Longergan.

Banks hasn’t played since breaking an arm against South Africa in September, while it’s been more than eight months since Lonergan last stepped out for a match proper.

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The 23-year-old didn’t plan on the final match of last year’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in June being his season ender.

But after being called into the Wallabies squad as injury cover for Brumbies teammate Nic White before the three-Test series with France, the classy halfback ended up staying in camp for the duration of the Rugby Championship as well.

While he impressed Wallabies coach Dave Rennie and even come under selection consideration, Lonergan never enjoyed any game time at international level.

Little wonder he’s champing at the bit to get stuck in against the Force.

“Yeah, it’s been a while,” he said on Monday.

“It was a great year – pretty long – but I’m just keen to get back into some footy now.

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“I was in that Wallabies camp quite a while and, due to circumstances, couldn’t come back and play for the Vikings or anything.”

Lonergan’s experience with the Wallabies was invaluable, though.

“A couple of things to work on – there always is – and it fuelled that fire,” he said.

“It was so much fun being there. It would have been great to get a game – I obviously didn’t but it makes you want to come back bigger and better this year.”

Banks, too, is eager for 2022 to get under way.

“It’s been a long pre-season but a really good one,” the fullback said.

“My form has been really good but nothing compares to being out there (in a match proper).”

Banks and Lonergan are also excited at the prospect of facing off against former Brumbies trio Bayley Kuenzie, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Reece Tapine.

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As much for the banter as anything.

“Obviously ‘Ray’ has come a long way. DK as well. I was living with Finesy so hopefully I’ll be able to see him out there as well,” Banks said.

“We know what they bring. They’re all threatening players so it’s going to be an interesting battle.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith' Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'
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