Brumbies sweat on Giteau, Elsom

9 Feb 2010

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Brumbies sweat on Giteau, Elsom

Andy Friend has selected injured Wallabies Matt Giteau and Rocky Elsom for the Brumbies’ opening Super 14 clash against the Western Force on Friday.

Elsom (ankle) and Giteau (quadriceps) are still suffering from their respective injuries, but Friend will start the duo should they be given the go-head.

Elsom is expected to recover in time for the trip to Perth, but Giteau has a 50-50 chance of recovery and has been bracketed with deputy pivot Matt Toomua, who had a short stint with Western Province last year.

Should Giteau recover in time, Toomua will fall out of the match 22.

Brumbies – 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau/Matt Toomua, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (c), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Justin Harrison, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Subs: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Salesi Maafu, 18 Ben Hand, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Tyrone Smith, 22 Alfi Mafi/Afusipa Taumoepeau.

Bartholomeusz succeeds Pretorius

Utility back Mark Bartholomeusz will be the Western Force’s first-choice flyhalf with André Pretorius out for the season.

After an impressive pre-season showing against the Sharks at Newlands, incumbent pivot Pretorius was ruled out of this year’s Super 14 after picking up a serious hamstring injury during training last week.

Bartholomeusz, who has had stints with Ulster and Saracens and has one Wallabies Test cap to his name, will now spearhead the Force.

The 33-year-old believes he can excel at flyhalf this season.

‘Obviously it’s heartbreaking for Andre…the news he’s going to miss the whole season, but things move on and opportunities arise for other people,’ said Bartholomeusz.

‘I’ve played in that role before. It’s a position I enjoy playing and at this stage of my career probably my best position.’

This thread will be updated throughout the course of the day



12 Comments

  • 1.grant10: Reply to this comment
    9 Feb 2010, 08:04 am

    probably a better bet anyway

  • 2.Mighty Horua: Reply to this comment
    9 Feb 2010, 09:28 am

    Certainly the worlds best 10!….then Carter…then Ruan Pienaar!

  • 3.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    9 Feb 2010, 11:28 am

    @Mighty Horua:

    WTF ???

  • 4.WOLFMAN21: Reply to this comment
    9 Feb 2010, 11:43 am

    @Blouste: Think he is talking about Giteau.

  • 5.klippies101: Reply to this comment
    9 Feb 2010, 11:47 am

    i would say andre is better than giteau any day
    gits just runs side ways andre has a great kicking and passing game

  • 6.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    9 Feb 2010, 11:51 am

    @WOLFMAN21:
    Dont care wich one he is talking about, none of them are the worlds best 10.

    Thanks though…

  • 7.DonutDunning: Reply to this comment
    9 Feb 2010, 12:22 pm

    Really not happy about them starting Lealifano at inside centre.
    Has moments of brilliance but can’t kick or tackle. The Brumbies backs looked most dangerous last year once Toomua came into the pivot role, dropping him out of the 22 is stupidity.

  • 8.klippies101: Reply to this comment
    9 Feb 2010, 13:02 pm

    i would say the worlds best tens are carter and steyn

  • 9.scar: Reply to this comment
    9 Feb 2010, 15:07 pm

    Bo Derek was the perfect 10 for me though

  • 10.klippies101: Reply to this comment
    9 Feb 2010, 16:10 pm

    who is bo derek ?

  • 11.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    9 Feb 2010, 16:21 pm

    @Mighty Horua:

    Giteau Worlds Best 10 ?!?

    overrated, too flighty, too solo, too selfish. Should be a 12.

    sensational little player but more of a BaaBaas 10 than a Test 10.

    @klippies101: @10

    OK, answers like that really start to remind me how old I am and definitely how old you are not…..

  • 12.klippies101: Reply to this comment
    10 Feb 2010, 13:42 pm

    checked out bo derek on the net not my type she looks to much like the a charlies angel to old fashioned

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