Super Rugby returns this weekend to great fanfare. 15 teams will be looking to claim the mantra as the southern hemisphere's best club side, with the Queensland Reds defending the title they earned with some razzle-dazzle football in 2011.
For all newcomers to the new expanded format of super rugby...check the link below on the official super rugby site for a detailed explanation of how the Conference system works.
www.superxv.com/format
For all newcomers to the new expanded format of super rugby...check the link below on the official super rugby site for a detailed explanation of how the Conference system works.
www.superxv.com/format
Here though we are getting down to the nitty gritty stuff and a prediction for each of the teams involved.
Today we'll debate....THE NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE
Crunch....this is shaping up to be the most competitive conference of the lot. There have been some major changes in the off season and the kiwi battles ahead are really wetting the appetite.
Today we'll debate....THE NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE
Crunch....this is shaping up to be the most competitive conference of the lot. There have been some major changes in the off season and the kiwi battles ahead are really wetting the appetite.
CRUSADERS
Captain - Richie McCaw
Coach - Todd Blackadder
The Crusaders stole the hearts of many sport fans across the globe last year. Following the tragic Christchurch earthquake that caused so much death and destruction early in the year, the Crusaders were forced to play all their games away from home. They clocked up some serious mileage along the way, and almost completed a rugby miracle only to fall at the last hurdle.
This year they will be back playing in their home town and looking to go one better. With the majority of their playing squad back from last year plus a few new handy additions, they look like a good bet for the final. The Crusaders will have to navigate the early rounds without their two main talismen, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. But with Kieran Reid (an All Black captain in waiting) and a number of All Blacks available, we don't think they will have too much of a problem.
KEY ADDITION
With Brad Thorn departing the side, Todd Blackadder has looked to Tom Donnelly to add experience and sure up the tight five. The pre-season games have shown lineout numbers to be almost double the average amount of last season's games (due to refereeing changes of the breakdown)..so having an expereinced pro in the ranks to call the lineouts and secure posession will be invaluable.
YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH
Tom Marshall - The Crusaders have an abundance of young talent coming through their ranks. Patrick Osbourne had a blinding ATM Cup at the end of last year and loose forward Luke Whitelock looks a future All Black contender. However, we are picking Tom Marshall to have an impact on this years Super Rugby Competition. Incredibly versatile, Marshall showed touches of pure class last year when the Crusaders had significant injuries. We think he might just be a new Leon MacDonald.
KEY PLAYER
Tyler Blyendaal - What...Tyler Blyendaal???!! Okay okay I know we could have chosen Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Kieran Reid, Israel Dagg or any other number of this All Black laden squad. However, with messrs McCaw and Carter out for the roughly the first half of the season through injury, it will be up to Tyler Blyendaal to run a slightly less steady ship from fly half. How the newcomer performs in the opening rounds may well determine where the Crusaders end up on the ladder.
PREDICTION
Despite starting the season with injuries to key men...it's difficult to look past this lot for another Conference heading effort. There may be some surprises along the way, but the Crusaders being the Crusaders and also having a squad stacked with talent..we expect consistency and too much class for their competitors.
This year they will be back playing in their home town and looking to go one better. With the majority of their playing squad back from last year plus a few new handy additions, they look like a good bet for the final. The Crusaders will have to navigate the early rounds without their two main talismen, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. But with Kieran Reid (an All Black captain in waiting) and a number of All Blacks available, we don't think they will have too much of a problem.
KEY ADDITION
With Brad Thorn departing the side, Todd Blackadder has looked to Tom Donnelly to add experience and sure up the tight five. The pre-season games have shown lineout numbers to be almost double the average amount of last season's games (due to refereeing changes of the breakdown)..so having an expereinced pro in the ranks to call the lineouts and secure posession will be invaluable.
YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH
Tom Marshall - The Crusaders have an abundance of young talent coming through their ranks. Patrick Osbourne had a blinding ATM Cup at the end of last year and loose forward Luke Whitelock looks a future All Black contender. However, we are picking Tom Marshall to have an impact on this years Super Rugby Competition. Incredibly versatile, Marshall showed touches of pure class last year when the Crusaders had significant injuries. We think he might just be a new Leon MacDonald.
KEY PLAYER
Tyler Blyendaal - What...Tyler Blyendaal???!! Okay okay I know we could have chosen Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Kieran Reid, Israel Dagg or any other number of this All Black laden squad. However, with messrs McCaw and Carter out for the roughly the first half of the season through injury, it will be up to Tyler Blyendaal to run a slightly less steady ship from fly half. How the newcomer performs in the opening rounds may well determine where the Crusaders end up on the ladder.
PREDICTION
Despite starting the season with injuries to key men...it's difficult to look past this lot for another Conference heading effort. There may be some surprises along the way, but the Crusaders being the Crusaders and also having a squad stacked with talent..we expect consistency and too much class for their competitors.
Final Standing in NZ Conference - 1st
BLUES
Captain - Keven Mealamu
Coach - Pat Lam
Its been a long time since the Blues have won a Super Rugby competition. As far back as 2003 in fact when they exuded the talents of the mercurial Carlos Spencer, Rupeni Caucaunibuca and a young generation of players (including Joe Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina and Keven Mealamu) who blew the competetion away that year. The Eden Park faithful will be hoping for a return to their aforementioned glory days.
Having been knocked out of the competition by the eventual Champions last year, the Blues don't look too far away from doing so. Factor in the additions of proven star quality in Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu from the Hurricanes and they look a worthwhile punt. Old boys Rudi Wulf and Bradley Mika also return from Europe to complete a squad that looks great on paper.
KEY ADDITIONS
Piri Weepu/ Ma'a Nonu - Two class players whose relationships with Hurricanes Coach Mark Hammett eroded last year. What the hurricanes lose, the blues gain and that is top level nous and sheer x factor. During the blues loss in the play offs to the reds last year, the blues backline lacked real game breakers until Rene Ranger came on...but it was too little to late. Once Ma'a Nonu returns from Japan, that is exactly what the Blues will get.
YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH
After playing an integral role in NZ's victorious under 21 team, Gareth Anscombe will be looking to cement a place in the Blues star studded backline. With competition from Piri Weepu and Michael Hobbs returning (after injury sidelined him last year), it is going to be difficult. Anscombe seems to have the bottle though and might possibly play himself into contention as a starter given a chance.
KEY PLAYER
'Keep calm. Piri's on'. Yes anyone who watched Rugby World Cup 2011 saw the influence Piri Weepu can exert on a game at the highest level (we'll forgive him for his goalkicking blues in the final). If he can get into peak physical condition early, the Blues may have finally found someone who can really run the game for them. He adds some much needed organisation to the backs and the forward pack will love running off him. Whether he plays at 9 or 10 remains to be seen.
PREDICTION
The Blues final position may well depend on how quickly some of the off season signings gel. But with Rene Ranger, Isaia toeava and Ma'a Nonu in the backline...their is one thing we know for certain. There will be TRIES!!! We predict some high scoring games and ultimately a place in the play offs.
Final Standing in NZ Conference - 2nd
CHIEFS
Coach - Dave Rennie
Captain - Craig Clarke
Its all change for the Chiefs this year. Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith take over the coaching batton as Ian Foster leaves for pastures new (a much coveted seat on the All Black coaching team) after 8 years in charge. Although the Chiefs reached the final a few years ago (before getting soundly beaten by a rampant Bulls side), one tends to look at the Chiefs as serial under-achievers (also See Hurricanes). They have never won the competition and suffer from severe inconsistency. Notorious slow starters too, the Chiefs have a lot of improvements to be made this year. Despite all this...the chiefs have fresh blood in the coaching staff and a raft of new young players which have created a genuine optimism in Hamilton.
KEY ADDITIONS
Mils Mulaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Stephen 'Beaver' Donald all depart this year, but replacing them are new All Black sensation Aaron Cruden and the media circus that is Sonny Bill Williams. Although there is a loss of experience, these new signings should give them a new spark as the form of Muliaina and Sivivatu wained during 2011.
YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH
Tawera Kerr Barlow,Aaron Cruden and Robbie Robinson are the future for the Chiefs franchise and would be good bets to take the competition by storm this year. However we are plumping for Tim Nanai-Williams. The counties manakau man with dancing feet is coming out of the shadow of Mils Muliaina and we expect him to flourish. The time has come for this man to make the next step up. After all, if your called the 'most brilliant player in New Zealand' by non other than Sir Colin Meads, you must be a pretty special player.
KEY PLAYER
Richard Kahui - Kahui proved during the world cup to be the player many felt he could be. If he can be a consistent figure in the chiefs backline and not suffer from his usual bout of injuries, we can expect some fireworks and an extremely potent centre partnership with Sonny Bill.
PREDICTION
The performance of the chiefs is difficult to predict. Their backline suggests that they are contenders for the title, but with relatively little experience/star power in the tight five, it might be a case of how much clean ball can they deliver to their star studded backline?? We think they'll go close, but not close enough.
Final Standing in NZ Conference - 3rd
Captain - Keven Mealamu
Coach - Pat Lam
Its been a long time since the Blues have won a Super Rugby competition. As far back as 2003 in fact when they exuded the talents of the mercurial Carlos Spencer, Rupeni Caucaunibuca and a young generation of players (including Joe Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina and Keven Mealamu) who blew the competetion away that year. The Eden Park faithful will be hoping for a return to their aforementioned glory days.
Having been knocked out of the competition by the eventual Champions last year, the Blues don't look too far away from doing so. Factor in the additions of proven star quality in Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu from the Hurricanes and they look a worthwhile punt. Old boys Rudi Wulf and Bradley Mika also return from Europe to complete a squad that looks great on paper.
KEY ADDITIONS
Piri Weepu/ Ma'a Nonu - Two class players whose relationships with Hurricanes Coach Mark Hammett eroded last year. What the hurricanes lose, the blues gain and that is top level nous and sheer x factor. During the blues loss in the play offs to the reds last year, the blues backline lacked real game breakers until Rene Ranger came on...but it was too little to late. Once Ma'a Nonu returns from Japan, that is exactly what the Blues will get.
YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH
After playing an integral role in NZ's victorious under 21 team, Gareth Anscombe will be looking to cement a place in the Blues star studded backline. With competition from Piri Weepu and Michael Hobbs returning (after injury sidelined him last year), it is going to be difficult. Anscombe seems to have the bottle though and might possibly play himself into contention as a starter given a chance.
KEY PLAYER
'Keep calm. Piri's on'. Yes anyone who watched Rugby World Cup 2011 saw the influence Piri Weepu can exert on a game at the highest level (we'll forgive him for his goalkicking blues in the final). If he can get into peak physical condition early, the Blues may have finally found someone who can really run the game for them. He adds some much needed organisation to the backs and the forward pack will love running off him. Whether he plays at 9 or 10 remains to be seen.
PREDICTION
The Blues final position may well depend on how quickly some of the off season signings gel. But with Rene Ranger, Isaia toeava and Ma'a Nonu in the backline...their is one thing we know for certain. There will be TRIES!!! We predict some high scoring games and ultimately a place in the play offs.
Final Standing in NZ Conference - 2nd
CHIEFS
Coach - Dave Rennie
Captain - Craig Clarke
Its all change for the Chiefs this year. Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith take over the coaching batton as Ian Foster leaves for pastures new (a much coveted seat on the All Black coaching team) after 8 years in charge. Although the Chiefs reached the final a few years ago (before getting soundly beaten by a rampant Bulls side), one tends to look at the Chiefs as serial under-achievers (also See Hurricanes). They have never won the competition and suffer from severe inconsistency. Notorious slow starters too, the Chiefs have a lot of improvements to be made this year. Despite all this...the chiefs have fresh blood in the coaching staff and a raft of new young players which have created a genuine optimism in Hamilton.
KEY ADDITIONS
Mils Mulaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Stephen 'Beaver' Donald all depart this year, but replacing them are new All Black sensation Aaron Cruden and the media circus that is Sonny Bill Williams. Although there is a loss of experience, these new signings should give them a new spark as the form of Muliaina and Sivivatu wained during 2011.
YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH
Tawera Kerr Barlow,Aaron Cruden and Robbie Robinson are the future for the Chiefs franchise and would be good bets to take the competition by storm this year. However we are plumping for Tim Nanai-Williams. The counties manakau man with dancing feet is coming out of the shadow of Mils Muliaina and we expect him to flourish. The time has come for this man to make the next step up. After all, if your called the 'most brilliant player in New Zealand' by non other than Sir Colin Meads, you must be a pretty special player.
KEY PLAYER
Richard Kahui - Kahui proved during the world cup to be the player many felt he could be. If he can be a consistent figure in the chiefs backline and not suffer from his usual bout of injuries, we can expect some fireworks and an extremely potent centre partnership with Sonny Bill.
PREDICTION
The performance of the chiefs is difficult to predict. Their backline suggests that they are contenders for the title, but with relatively little experience/star power in the tight five, it might be a case of how much clean ball can they deliver to their star studded backline?? We think they'll go close, but not close enough.
Final Standing in NZ Conference - 3rd
HIGHLANDERS
Coach - Jamie Joseph
Captain – Jamie MacIntoshThe Highlanders have been in the doldrums for a few years now and their faithful supporters can only dream of the days when Kelleher, Brown and Wilson swept sides away in the late 90's. However, after an impressive debut season for new coach Jamie Joseph last year and a brand spanking new stadium having opened during the World Cup (the Forsyth Barr), Dunedin may just be the place to be on a Saturday night. Experienced signings and the maturing of a relatively youthful squad should see an improvement on the final standings for them.
KEY ADDITIONS
Andrew Hore is yet another of the Hurricanes stalwarts to have got on the wrong side of Mark Hammett and has found himself moving down south to join an already impressive forward pack. Jason Rutledge must have his head in his hands after having such a strong season last year but he will most likely lose his place to the incredibly experienced All Black. Furthermore, Hosea Gear joins the Highlanders and will be looking for a strong season following his surprise omission from the New Zealand World Cup Squad. His inclusion in the 7's squad a few weeks ago suggests he is chomping at the teeth. Tamati Ellison returns to the land of the long white cloud after a brief stint in Japan, while English international James Haskell also makes a surprise move from the Top 14 to challenge in the loose forward department.
YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH
Ben Smith will be looking to continue his brilliant form from last year and make himself an All Blacks regular. However being rather a known quantity now, we are choosing Kurt Baker. The guy has been a star on the sevens scene for a couple of years now and we are looking forward to see him strut his stuff on the big stage.
KEY PLAYER
The Highlanders always compete due to their massive forward pack, but it has lately been in the backs where they have struggled especially when injuries have made their squad look very bare indeed. If Colin Slade can stay fit and supply attacking ball to Hosea gear and Ben Smith, the Highlanders have the potential to surprise a few and even possibly get a play-off place.
PREDICTION
If the Highlanders get on a roll they could easily surpass most pundits expectations. With names like MacIntosh, Hore, Hoeata, Haskell, Manu and Thomson in the forward pack, the Highlanders will be looking to create a new 'House of Pain' in the deep south. However, despite predicted good home form they are most likely to finish around mid-table in the overall standings. They are perhaps unlucky to be in the most difficult Conference and we suspect it ultimately will be their downfall.
Final Standing in NZ Conference - 4th
HURRICANES
Coach - Mark Hammett
Captain - Conrad SmithThe Hurricanes have promised so much over the last few years but ultimately they have failed to deliver. The infamous fog final was as close as they came to the title under previous coach Colin Cooper but it seems his replacement Mark Hammett has lost faith in many of the old guard and has injected youthful exhuberance into the team in their place. A lot of pressure is being heaped on his shoulders because of his seemingly heavy handed treatment of some loyal players and he has lost a lot of friends along the way. We will have to see if he can create a new team culture similar to that of the one
he experienced with the Crusaders as a player. Expect the unexpected at the Cake-tin this year.
KEY ADDITIONS
Chris Smylie and Ben May have moved franchises this year from the Blues and Chiefs respectively while Tim Bateman comes into the squad after a stint in Japan. Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear and Piri Weepu all depart leaving massive holes in the squad. Other useful additions this year are from the Hurricanes Wider training group.
YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH
The Hurricanes have a very youthful look this year. Victor Vito, Julian Savea, Andre Taylor, TJ Perenara, Brad Shields and Charlie Ngatai all have big futures ahead of them. Its is Beauden Barrett however who seems to be the golden boy. The Hurricanes faithful are pinning a lot of their hopes on Barrett to herald a new era for the Wellington based franchise.
KEY PLAYER
With a heap of experienced players gone from last year. The Hurricanes may struggle at times this year. New captain Conrad Smith will have to call upon all his experience nurturing their talents and try to usher in this new generation. Having not played a pre-season match at all following a successful World Cup campaign, it is going to be an enormously difficult job. However don't bet against the qualified lawyer to make a good attempt at it.
PREDICTION
It is difficult to be too optimistic about the Hurricanes. Despite undoubted talent in the squad, the loss of so many old heads is sure to affect them during such a long season. We may not see the best of these players for a few years and one suspects that the relative success of the Hurricanes this year depends on how much confidence this young group gains during the early rounds. We don't expect the Hurricanes to finish very high on the log though. Expect a bottom 4 finish.
Final Standing in NZ Conference - 5th
Coach - Jamie Joseph
Captain – Jamie MacIntoshThe Highlanders have been in the doldrums for a few years now and their faithful supporters can only dream of the days when Kelleher, Brown and Wilson swept sides away in the late 90's. However, after an impressive debut season for new coach Jamie Joseph last year and a brand spanking new stadium having opened during the World Cup (the Forsyth Barr), Dunedin may just be the place to be on a Saturday night. Experienced signings and the maturing of a relatively youthful squad should see an improvement on the final standings for them.
KEY ADDITIONS
Andrew Hore is yet another of the Hurricanes stalwarts to have got on the wrong side of Mark Hammett and has found himself moving down south to join an already impressive forward pack. Jason Rutledge must have his head in his hands after having such a strong season last year but he will most likely lose his place to the incredibly experienced All Black. Furthermore, Hosea Gear joins the Highlanders and will be looking for a strong season following his surprise omission from the New Zealand World Cup Squad. His inclusion in the 7's squad a few weeks ago suggests he is chomping at the teeth. Tamati Ellison returns to the land of the long white cloud after a brief stint in Japan, while English international James Haskell also makes a surprise move from the Top 14 to challenge in the loose forward department.
YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH
Ben Smith will be looking to continue his brilliant form from last year and make himself an All Blacks regular. However being rather a known quantity now, we are choosing Kurt Baker. The guy has been a star on the sevens scene for a couple of years now and we are looking forward to see him strut his stuff on the big stage.
KEY PLAYER
The Highlanders always compete due to their massive forward pack, but it has lately been in the backs where they have struggled especially when injuries have made their squad look very bare indeed. If Colin Slade can stay fit and supply attacking ball to Hosea gear and Ben Smith, the Highlanders have the potential to surprise a few and even possibly get a play-off place.
PREDICTION
If the Highlanders get on a roll they could easily surpass most pundits expectations. With names like MacIntosh, Hore, Hoeata, Haskell, Manu and Thomson in the forward pack, the Highlanders will be looking to create a new 'House of Pain' in the deep south. However, despite predicted good home form they are most likely to finish around mid-table in the overall standings. They are perhaps unlucky to be in the most difficult Conference and we suspect it ultimately will be their downfall.
Final Standing in NZ Conference - 4th
HURRICANES
Coach - Mark Hammett
Captain - Conrad SmithThe Hurricanes have promised so much over the last few years but ultimately they have failed to deliver. The infamous fog final was as close as they came to the title under previous coach Colin Cooper but it seems his replacement Mark Hammett has lost faith in many of the old guard and has injected youthful exhuberance into the team in their place. A lot of pressure is being heaped on his shoulders because of his seemingly heavy handed treatment of some loyal players and he has lost a lot of friends along the way. We will have to see if he can create a new team culture similar to that of the one
he experienced with the Crusaders as a player. Expect the unexpected at the Cake-tin this year.
KEY ADDITIONS
Chris Smylie and Ben May have moved franchises this year from the Blues and Chiefs respectively while Tim Bateman comes into the squad after a stint in Japan. Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear and Piri Weepu all depart leaving massive holes in the squad. Other useful additions this year are from the Hurricanes Wider training group.
YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH
The Hurricanes have a very youthful look this year. Victor Vito, Julian Savea, Andre Taylor, TJ Perenara, Brad Shields and Charlie Ngatai all have big futures ahead of them. Its is Beauden Barrett however who seems to be the golden boy. The Hurricanes faithful are pinning a lot of their hopes on Barrett to herald a new era for the Wellington based franchise.
KEY PLAYER
With a heap of experienced players gone from last year. The Hurricanes may struggle at times this year. New captain Conrad Smith will have to call upon all his experience nurturing their talents and try to usher in this new generation. Having not played a pre-season match at all following a successful World Cup campaign, it is going to be an enormously difficult job. However don't bet against the qualified lawyer to make a good attempt at it.
PREDICTION
It is difficult to be too optimistic about the Hurricanes. Despite undoubted talent in the squad, the loss of so many old heads is sure to affect them during such a long season. We may not see the best of these players for a few years and one suspects that the relative success of the Hurricanes this year depends on how much confidence this young group gains during the early rounds. We don't expect the Hurricanes to finish very high on the log though. Expect a bottom 4 finish.
Final Standing in NZ Conference - 5th
No comments:
Post a Comment