“The Brumbies Provincial Program is an important Rep pathway for us,” Daniel Hooper, Academy head Coach commented.
“The program enables our Country based players to play at a higher level, whilst also giving us a key Talent Identification opportunity with the best Country players all facing off at the one venue. This can open opportunities with the Brumbies Academy, or other Rep Pathways such as 7’s or NRC if players are good enough.”
The competing teams are:
Southern Inland Rugby Union
The defending champions, have named a strong team again and will go in as odds on favourites with players selected from 7 of their 8 First Grade clubs. A strong tight 5 will challenge the set piece of Monaro and South Coast, but it’s the Backrow of SIRU that will be a real threat. Krautz and De Meyer will but plenty of pressure on their opponents, and Number 8 and 2018 Brumbies Provincial Rep Menzies Seumanutafa is a powerful ball carrier. In the backs, winger Vaughn Scott, the former International Taekwondo Rep and London Olympian brings some handy footwork and agility, whilst on the other wing Semi Rokodinono is very dangerous when given space. David Serukai from Griffith is also one to watch in the midfield. SIRU have some strength on the bench also, with the experienced Chris Latu a fine player who can bring impact. Coach Nick McCarthy will no doubt be looking for some dominance up front to earn space for his talented backline to show their skills.
Monaro Rugby Union
Vic Amsteins and Matt Todd take the coaching reins, and after a much-improved showing from Monaro in 2018, the side again looks strong this year. Following the best training attendance in many years Vic and Matt will be very encouraged about what the team can do. Runaway First Division leaders Goulburn have nine players selected, but the side also has a good sprinkling of players from our Services clubs including ADFA teenager Jack Kearns who was a standout for Brumbies Provincial last year against NSW Country, and also played for the Brumbies U19s in 2018. Number 8 and Captain Mik Webber is a quality player and his experience will be valuable to the side. Jindabyne pair Liam Pepper and Matt Caldwell are both former Brumbies Provincial players as well and will bring their skills, and some Bushpig grit to the Monaro backline.South Coast Rugby Union
Littered with familiar names, the South Coast will again front with a team of experienced players, but with plenty of young talent mixed in. Up in the front row, Jimmy Roberts and James Bell are excellent experienced players with Provincial Rep caps under their belt, so expect South Coast to challenge Monaro and SIRU at scrum-time. All three teams at tournament have strength in the Backrow and South Coast are certainly well equipped in this area. Ash Kenny and Andy Goslett have been strong performers for many years in local rugby having represented all the way to Provincial Level. These two will be key to the ball carrying impact of South Coast, and both are physical defenders around the ruck. South Coast will be confident in their forward packs ability to match their opponents, the key to their success this Saturday will be the performance of the backline. Team numbers have fluctuated over the years on the South Coast but it’s great to see four clubs playing this year, and all four clubs have players selected this weekend.BRUMBIES PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS DRAW
Saturday 8 June (ANU North Oval, Canberra)
11.00am – Southern Inland Women v Uni-Norths Women (Exhibition Game)
12.00pm – Southern Inland v Monaro
1.30pm – Southern Inland v South Coast
4.00pm – South Coast v Monaro
6.00pm – Brumbies Provincial Representative Team will be announced and after-match function
