THE AUSSIES | AT A GLANCE
BRUMBIES
Coach: Dan McKellar Captain: Allan Alaalatoa Departures: Rory Arnold (Toulouse), Sam Carter (Ulster), David Pocock (Panasonic Wild Knights), Christian Lealiifano (Shining Arcs), Henry Speight (Reds) Arrivals: Will Miller (Waratahs), Solomone Kata (Melbourne Storm)
Key men: Losing Henry Speight is a blow, but Tevita Kuridrani can score against any defence. Noah Lolesio has the inside running at No.10. Last season: 1st Austran Conference (semifinals)
Best finish: Champions (2001, 2004)
Tim Horan says: They have Australia’s best coach in Dan McKellar and the Brumbies have recruited the best of the four Aussie franchises over the past two years to be ready for 2020. New rugby league recruit Solomone Kata should receive plenty of ball on the front foot as the Brumbies have world-class props in Sio, Slipper and new skipper Allan Alaalatoa, plus Folau Fainga’a. The challenge for the Brumbies will be settling on a flyhalf post-Christian Lealiifano, but they have three youngsters to provide the platform for their exciting backline.
REBELS
Coach: David Wessels
Captain: Dane Haylett-Petty
Departures: Tetera Faulkner (Waratahs), Robbie Abel (Waratahs), Hugh Roach (London Irish), Adam Coleman (London Irish), Will Genia (Kintetsu Liners), Quade Cooper (Kintetsu Liners), Sione Tuipulotu (Yamaha Jubilo), Jack Maddocks (Waratahs)
Arrivals: James Tuttle (Reds), Andrew Kellaway (Northampton Saints) and someone who will bring magic to the backline — Harry Potter (Melbourne Rising)
Key men: Reece Hodge will rack up the points but the man fans pay to watch is winger Marika Koroibete. Not being funny, but how many tries would this bloke score if he played for a good team? Last season: 11th (overall) Best finish: 9th (2018) Tim Horan says: Missed a huge opportunity in 2019 to make the finals after leading the Aussie conference for three-quarters of the season. The loss of Quade Cooper and Will Genia will hit hard but it will allow Matt Toomua to push for the Wallaby No.10 jersey.
REDS
Coach: Brad Thorn Captain: Liam Wright Departures: Ruan Smith (Rebels), Caleb Timu (Montpellier), Scott Higginbotham (Bordeaux),
Matt McGahan (Ricoh Black
Rams), Samu Kerevi (Suntory Sungoliath), Duncan Paia’aua (Toulon), Sefa Naivalu (Stade Francois) Arrivals: Thorn is building from within – he’s brought in a bunch of players from Brisbane City and Queensland Country.
Key men: All eyes will be on teenager Jordan Petaia, with Thorn likely to play him at outside centre. New signing Henry Speight is a proven operator. Last season: 14th (overall) Best finish: Champions (1992, 1994, 1995, 2011)
Horan says: Six wins in 2018 and six again last year. Thorn, into his third year as head coach, needs eight wins to call this season a success and for the Reds to have any chance of making the finals. No Samu Kerevi anymore, but this allows for the return of James O’Connor to partner with whiz-kid Jordan Petaia. There’s a new young captain in Liam Wright, aged 22, while the forward pack is now settled.
WARATAHS
Coach: Rob Penney Captain: Rob Simmons
Departures: Sekope Kepu (London Irish), Shambeckler Vui (Brumbies), Tolu Latu (Stade Francois), Will Miller (Brumbies), Michael Wells (Rebels), Nick Phipps (London Irish), Bernard Foley (Kubota Spears), Curtis Rona (London Irish)
Arrivals: Jack Maddocks (Rebels)
Key men: He’s not getting any younger but Kurtley Beale will again be expected to provide the spark in the Tahs backline. He’s got a couple of good ’uns alongside him in Karmichael Hunt and former Rebel Jack Maddocks, while Michael Hooper will score tries and get yellow cards at regular intervals.
Last season: 12th (overall) Best finish: Champions (2014)
Horan says: A new coach in Rob Penney but some big-name departures from 2019. A key question will be where to play Kurtley Beale — at 10 or 15? This will likely depend on the early trial form of Mack Mason and Will Harrison at flyhalf. Rebels recruit Jack Maddocks adds strength and pace out wide.