Super Rugby Preview 2015
It has been seven long months since we were treated to Super Rugby action and we don’t have to wait much longer with the first round of action kicking off this weekend (February 13th). As The Profits resident rugby union writer, I will provide you with my thoughts, analysis and betting predictions every week for the duration of the competition. Over the next six months, the biggest, fastest, most skilful and exciting rugby players on the planet will compete for glory in what is arguably the toughest and most competitive provincial rugby competition on the planet. The 2015 version of Super Rugby has been condensed as a result of the impending Rugby World Cup due to take place in England later this year. Each team will play 16 regular season matches before the finals series kicks off in June. As a result, World Rugby (formerly known as the IRB) have decided to can the International Test match window that usually takes place in June.
2015 is shaping up as a huge year for all competing nations as players will have their eyes on gaining a squad placement for their country’s attempt to taste International glory in England later this year. All conferences will be intense with some historical and fierce battles just around the corner, but the teams that have the most depth and fewest injuries generally prevail. Statistics state that no team has ever won the Super Rugby title finishing outside of the top two at the culmination of the regular season since 1999, so every game has some bearing on the overall result. Let’s start off by having a look at each team and I look forward to your company throughout the season. Make sure you follow me on Twitter (@S15_TheProfits) for last minute tips, game coverage, expert insight or just for a chat!
Conference Predictions:
New Zealand: Crusaders, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Blues, Highlanders
Australia: Waratahs, Reds, Brumbies, Force, Rebels
South African: Sharks, Stormers, Bulls, Lions, Cheetahs
Futures:
South Africa Conference Winner – Sharks @ $2.35 – Sportingbet
To Finish Bottom – Cheetahs @ $3.50 – Sportsbet
Winning Nationality – New Zealand @ $2.10 – Sportsbet
NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE
Canterbury Crusaders (1st)
Team Base: Christchurch, New Zealand
Home Stadium: AMI Stadium
Coach: Todd Blackadder
Captain: Kieran Read (Number 8)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 2nd/2nd
Key Players Gained: Ged Robinson (Hooker), Robbie Fruean (Centre), Jone Macilai (Wing)
Key Players Lost: Corey Flynn (Hooker), George Whitelock (Flanker), Tyler Bleyendaal (Flyhalf)
Superstars: Richie McCaw (Flanker), Kieran Read (Number 8), Dan Carter (Flyhalf), Israel Dagg (Fullback)
Rising Stars: Dominic Bird (Lock), Nemani Nadolo (Wing/Centre)
Preview
Over the years, the Crusaders have been both the most successful and most consistent teams in the competition. With a squad that has multiple All Blacks at their disposal week in and week out, it hasn’t come as a huge surprise. The ‘golden era’ between 2002-2008 yielded four trophies in seven years, however, pressure is firmly on them having not won a title since then. In 2014, the Crusaders fell at the final hurdle in Sydney with Bernard Foley’s accurate boot proving the difference and stretched the Crusaders failure to win the title under Coach Todd Blackadder’s to a fifth consecutive year. Put simply, you have to respect this team. They have gone through adversity in recent years, however, they still remain the most consistent Super Rugby team of all time. I made mention of this last year, but I still think it is a valid point. Should the Crusaders fail to recapture some silverware this year, I think coach Todd Blackadder will get the boot.
Looking at the squad for this year’s tournament, the forward pack remains one of the best in the business littered with All Blacks at the peak of their careers. The scrums should remain strong and players like Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read will dominate the lineouts. The backline is where the Crusaders issues might lie. In 2014, the Christchurch-based outfit had the smallest backline in New Zealand. As a result, teams targeted players like Ryan Crotty and Kieron Fonotia (who stood up), but on attack there was an overemphasis to get the ball to the giant winger, Nemani Nadolo. Once or twice they overplayed their hand and unfortunately for this Crusaders, it cost them. The return of powerful centre Robbie Fruean to the franchise where he earned his stripes is a huge bonus for Todd Blackadder. Fruean has battled cardiac issues over the past couple of seasons and as a result, he struggled to play enough minutes to solidify his spot within the Chiefs, so fans will be hoping that a return home reinvigorates his career.
Prediction
In a world cup year, I expect the experienced players at the Crusaders to stand up and be counted for. Like last year, the Crusaders should be in the final six at the end of the regular season and depending on their overall positioning, a home final would put them in the box seat to win that elusive 8th title.
Waikato Chiefs (2nd)
Team Base: Hamilton, New Zealand
Home Stadium: Waikato Stadium
Coach: Dave Rennie
Captains: Liam Messam (Flanker) & Aaron Cruden (Fly half)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 5th/5th
Key Players Gained: Michael Leitch (Number 8), Sonny Bill Williams (Centre), Hosea Gear (Wing)
Key Players Lost: Hika Elliot (Hooker), Tanerau Latimer (Flanker), Gareth Anscombe (Fullback)
Superstars: Brodie Retallick (Lock), Aaron Cruden (Flyhalf), Sonny Bill Williams (Centre)
Rising Stars: Damien McKenzie (Flyhalf), Seta Tamanivalu (Centre)
Preview
As one of the three New Zealand teams to have won the Super Rugby title, the Chiefs are a proud franchise that have really come of age in the last few years. After achieving back-to-back championship winning seasons in 2012 and 2013, there was a lot of anticipation about the Chiefs 2014 campaign after so many of their title-winning contributors either retired or signed lucrative deals overseas. The Chiefs certainly left it late last year needing two wins from their final two fixtures to qualify, but their class prevailed and they managed to make the playoffs, only to go down to the Brumbies in what could be deemed as a classic quarter-final.
Looking ahead to this season, the Chiefs will be led by Dave Rennie who has established himself as one of he best in the business and I believe he is due for higher honours, perhaps after the culmination of the Rugby World Cup this year. Rennie and his fellow management team have helped transform a team that was once extremely entertaining, but very inconsistent into provincial world-beaters with a forward pack that can match it with the best and backs that can run riot and easily expose any defensive frailties that are in front of them. Despite losing a few players that Super Rugby fans would be familiar with, the Chiefs have recruited well. Along with the Hurricanes, the Chiefs will field one of the most dangerous backlines in the competition with the return of both Sonny-Bill Williams and Hosea Gear who will be marshalled by the mercurial Aaron Cruden in the number 10 jersey. Also keep an eye on Seta Tamanivalu who stormed onto the New Zealand provincial scene last year and was voted as the most valuable player for the entire competition. He is a barnstorming runner in the centres and ferocious in defense so his combination with SBW will be mouth-watering in the centres and well worth the price of admission at a Chiefs game alone.
The team from Hamilton are full of game breakers, they possess a mix of seasoned and developing All Blacks and Hamilton Stadium is not a place where other teams like playing, especially when the chainsaws are operating. The Chiefs will certainly be in the mix this year and should qualify for the playoffs, but I wouldn’t be confident putting my money on them being outright winners.
Prediction
The Chiefs should make the playoffs in 2015, but repeating the achievements of 2012-2013 seems like a tall order.
Wellington Hurricanes (3rd)
Team Base: Wellington, New Zealand
Home Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Coach: Chris Boyd and John Plumtree
Captains: Conrad Smith (Centre)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 4th/7th
Key Players Gained: Ma’a Nonu (Centre), Jason Woodward (Fullback)
Key Players Lost: Tim Bateman (Centre), Alapati Leiua (Centre), Andrew Taylor (Fullback)
Rising Stars: Ardie Savea (Flanker), Nehe Milner-Skudder (Fullback)
Preview
I made mention of this last year and it is still pertinent: the Hurricanes have always played one of the most attractive brands of rugby with hall of famers Lomu, Cullen, Umaga and in more recent times, Jane, Savea and Taylor. They combine blistering pace with raw power and have a deadly eye for the try line. However, a balance is crucial and this is something that seems to let the Hurricanes down year after year. Last year, the ‘Canes finished just outside of the playoff picture in seventh place. Looking back, they had a disastrous start to the season dropping four of the first five before a midseason revival led by the likes of Beauden Barrett and Alapati Leiua gave the Wellingtonians some hope. The ‘Canes were required to do a little bit too much at the business end of the season and as a result, they hit the showers early.
The Hurricanes will start fresh in 2015 with a new coaching duo of Chris Boyd and John Plumtree replacing Mark Hammett who now plies his trade in Wales. Despite the departure of a few key players such as Jack Lam, Alapati Leiua, the Hurricanes still have a great balance in their squad and they will feature one of the strongest backlines in the competition. Firstly, in the pack, I expect Dane Coles and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen to really kick-on and in turn, be selected for the All Blacks squad, but it is their back row that really excites me. Brad Shields, Ardie Savea and Victor Vito will be a handful for any team, whether in the tight or the loose and I expect them to pick up some tries as a result of their support play. A potential backline of Perenara, Barrett, Savea, Nonu, Smith, Jane and Woodward speaks for itself and given they remain relatively injury-free, I can see them running in some big scores. The Hurricanes have a great blend of youth and experience and with a number of Hurricane stalwarts returning to the Cake Tin, I really do think that the ‘Canes have a lot to be hopeful for in 2015.
Prediction
I expect the Hurricanes to be right in the thick of things at the culmination of the regular season, but their lack of quality second rowers and their embedded inconsistency issues could potentially be their downfall and prevent them from securing Wellington’s first ever Super Rugby title.
Auckland Blues (4th)
Team Base: Auckland, New Zealand
Home Stadium: Eden Park
Coach: John Kirwan
Captain: Jerome Kaino (Flanker/Number 8)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 5th/10th
Key Players Gained: Josh Bekhuis (Lock), Jimmy Cowan (Halfback)
Key Players Lost: Tom McCartney (Front Row), Tom Donnelly (Lock), Piri Weepu (Halfback), Ma’a Nonu (Centre)
Superstars: Jerome Kaino (Flanker), Steven Luatua (Flanker), Charles Piutau (Fullback)
Rising Stars: Ihaia West (Flyhalf), Tevita Li (Wing)
Preview
Historically, the Blues have been one of the strongest Super Rugby sides having won three titles, however, the fans in Auckland have been waiting since 2003 to add some more silverware to their once impressive trophy cabinet. The Blues battled to 10th position on the overall log in 2014 and as a result, finished the worst of the New Zealand-based teams. A lot of people have questioned whether or not John Kirwan really has what it takes to develop a squad and convert them into Champions, having failed to do so in both Italy and Japan before getting another shot at Super Rugby level. What is alarming for the Blues franchise is the selection of yet another captain for the 2015 season. Despite the newly appointed captain Jerome Kaino being an exceptional player and one that truly leads by example, he has lost the likes of Tom McCartney, Piri Weepu and Ma’a Nonu to call upon.
Looking at the playing squad, the Blues will rely heavily on their pack that possesses six players with All Blacks experience, but they will need to shoulder the responsibility given the backline losses of the aforementioned players. New Zealand teams have never had an issue with developing powerful and fast backs, but finding a way for them to fit into the system and playing collectively as a unit has always been a challenge. Like last year, I don’t see the Blues as a title contender in 2015. Year on year since 2012, they have continued to develop, play attractive rugby and they cause the odd upset, but I foresee players like Jerome Kaino and Charles Piutau really carrying this team over the finish line having failed to make the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.
Prediction
The Blues will be in a battle with the Highlanders to see who finishes fourth and fifth in the New Zealand conference, but they will manage to beat some of the lower ranked Australian and South African teams.
Otago Highlanders (5th)
Team Base: Dunedin, New Zealand
Home Stadium: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Coach: Jamie Joseph
Captains: Nasi Manu (Number 8) & Ben Smith (Wing)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 3rd/6th
Key Players Gained: Dan Pryor (Flanker), Marty Banks (Flyhalf)
Key Players Lost: Chris King (Prop), Brad Thorn (Lock) Jarrad Hoeata (Lock), Phil Burleigh (Centre)
Superstars: Aaron Smith (Halfback), Malakai Fekitoa (Centre), Ben Smith (Wing)
Rising Stars: Dan Pryor (Flanker), Patrick Osborne (Wing)
Preview
The Highlanders exceeded all expectations in 2014 finishing 6th overall after losing a nail-biter to the Sharks in Durban. Last season was a stark contrast to the year before, when the Highlanders possessing a talented squad struggled to secure three wins and only a few bonus points saved them from propping up the competition at the foot of the ladder. It was a year where Aaron Smith cemented himself as the world’s best halfback and Malakai Fekitoa vastly improved the All Blacks centre stocks with some scintillating play. In saying that, the Highlanders shaky set piece will once again be targeted by other teams and it will be up to a number of newly signed New Zealand-based recruitments to bolster the scrum and secure their own lineout ball.
After casting my eyes over the Highlanders squad, alarmingly there are no All Blacks in the forward pack, an area where the game is won more often than not. Especially with the talent that is on show in the backline, the Highlanders forwards would’ve spent a large portion of their off-season in the gym working on their strength and conditioning to try and gain parity at the set piece. Unfortunately for the Highlanders and the Dunedin rugby faithful, 2015 doesn’t paint a pretty picture. They are positioned in the strongest conference of the tournament and the class and squad depth of the other provinces are going to painstakingly expose the gaping holes that currently exist within the Highlanders franchise. The Highlanders have a number of world-class players, but their depth is questionable and in this arduous competition that we have come to love, there is simply nowhere to hide.
Prediction
There is very little expectations of the Highlanders this season and rightly so. Their best 15 simply doesn’t have the firepower to mix it with the crème of the crop and they will be focussing on their matches against the ‘best of the rest’ to chalk up some victories. I expect Highlanders to finish last in their conference and in the bottom 5 of the competition.
AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE
NSW Waratahs (1st)
Team Base: Sydney, Australia
Home Stadium: Allianz Stadium
Coach: Michael Cheika
Captain: Dave Dennis (Flanker, Lock)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 1st/1st
Key Players Gained: Sam Lousi (Lock), Andrew Kellaway (Wing)
Key Players Lost: Kane Douglas (Lock), Alofa Alofa (Wing) Superstars: Tatafu Polota-Nau (Hooker), Michael Hooper (Flanker), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Utility Back), Israel Folau (Fullback)
Rising Stars: Sam Lousi (Lock)
Preview
2014 will go down as a benchmark year for the Waratahs after winning the Super Rugby title by playing an attractive brand of rugby. It wasn’t long ago where the Waratahs invited their fans to a public forum in Sydney after a haul of poor results, dwindling attendance figures and mismanagement across the board. Credit must go to Michael Cheika and his coaching team for achieving what they did last season. It has been said for many years that when the Waratahs field a strong squad that contends for the title, the Wallabies usually replicate that form on the international stage as well, and although the Wallabies didn’t necessarily perform at their best last season, the Waratahs players certainly carried their form and confidence onto the international stage. It is commonly known that the sign of a good team is doing the double as the Blues, Crusaders, Bulls and Chiefs have done and the Waratahs will be well aware that teams will be gunning for them this year and they will have a big target on their backs.
Prediction: The Waratahs franchise is brimming with confidence after such a successful season in 2014 and they do enter as favourites to win the Australian Conference. The Waratahs should finish in first place in the Australian conference, but I feel they will be pipped in either the semi-finals or the finals against one of the New Zealand teams this year.
Queensland Reds (2nd)
Team Base: Brisbane, Australia
Home Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Coach: Richard Graham
Captain: James Slipper (Prop)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 4th/13th
Key Players Gained: Adam Thomson (Flanker), James O’Connor (Wing), Karmichael Hunt (Fullback)
Key Players Lost: Mike Harris (Centre), Ben Lucas (Fly half), Dom Shipperley (Wing)
Superstars: James Slipper (Prop), Will Genia (Scrumhalf), Quade Cooper (Flyhalf)
Rising Stars: Samu Kerevi (Centre), Karmichael Hunt (Fullback)
Preview
2014 was a bitterly disappointing year for Queensland Reds players and fans alike as their beloved team only managed to win five of their 16 games. The Reds will want to put last season’s efforts behind them very quickly with the 2015 season fast approaching. In saying that, Richard Graham and the Reds leadership group have managed to secure a number of high-profile recruits in the off-season with the likes of Hendrik Tui and Adam Thomson returning from Japan to bolster what is an already strong back row, the mercurial James O’Connor returns from a stint in the UK and France and Karmichael Hunt returns to the code where I believe he could be most dominant. In the Reds recent trial win over last year’s finalists, the Crusaders, Hunt had an exceptional game and as a result, won the praises of Dan Carter amongst many other past and present players. With Quade Cooper still on the sidelines and only due to return in April, Karmichael has the perfect opportunity to cement himself in the Reds setup, whether it is at flyhalf, inside centre or fullback.
Richard Graham now has a season under his belt as the Reds head coach and with a few question marks surrounding his record at this level, 2015 will be a crucial year for his career. Any team that possesses names like Horwill, Gill, Genia and Cooper are going to take some stopping and I’ve experienced first hand the influence that Reds fans have on their team at the fortress known as Suncorp Stadium. For the Red’s fans, I am hoping that injuries don’t derail their season, as they have done so in the past, but their depth appears to be improving and they might not be as exposed this year should a couple of players need to take some time off. Time after time they have surprised us all with their enterprising play and ability to grind out the close matches. I expect the Reds to be in the top half of the table, however, keeping their players fit might well determine whether or not they make the playoffs this season.
Prediction
If the Reds remain relatively injury-free, they could finish in the top two in the Australian conference, and maybe sneak out fifth or sixth spot overall. They have recruited well and should they get on a roll, fans will flock to Suncorp Stadium and make it very tough for visiting teams.
ACT Brumbies (3rd)
Team Base: Canberra, Australia
Home Stadium: Canberra Stadium
Coach: Stephen Larkham
Captain: Stephen Moore (Hooker)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 2nd/4th
Key Players Gained: Sean Doyle (Flanker), Nigel Ah Wong (Flanker/Wing)
Key Players Lost: Ben Mowen (Flanker), Pat McCabe (Centre), Andrew Smith (Centre)
Superstars: Stephen Moore (Hooker), David Pocock (Flanker), Christian Leali’fano (Flyhalf/Inside Centre), Matt Toomua (Flyhalf/Inside Centre), Tevita Kuridrani (Centre)
Rising Stars: Nigel Ah Wong (Flanker, Wing)
Preview
The Brumbies faithful waited almost a decade for their team to return to the top echelon of Super Rugby, before narrowly losing the Grand Final to the Chiefs in 2013 and last year they backed it up with a strong fourth-placed finish, losing to the eventual Champions (Waratahs) in the semi-finals. The installation of Stephen Larkham as the permanent Head Coach went as well as it could’ve for the Brumbies in 2014 and hopes will be high once again for the Canberra-based franchise to press for higher honours. However, their has been some speculation about the departure of Assistant Coach Laurie Fischer, someone who knows the Brumbies very well, and how his unavailability could really test the mettle of the Brumbies forward pack. Traditionally, the Brumbies have been one of the more consistent Australian teams in recent years and it isn’t hard to figure out why with a number of youngsters coming through the ranks surrounded by some of the most experienced players in the country.
A huge bonus for the Brumbies is that the highly prolific and almost immovable David Pocock will run out in front of his home fans in week one after suffering yet another career-threatening knee injury last year and by all accounts, his preseason form suggests that he hasn’t skipped a beat. With an all-Wallaby front three, a second row with a mix of athleticism and enforcers and a traditionally strong back row, the seasoned forwards will once again lay the platform for some of their exciting youngsters to shine. Tevita Kuridrani has established himself as one of the best outside centres in the game and his ongoing partnerships with Christian Leali’fano and Matt Toomua will only continue to get stronger. The Brumbies start with a tough match against the Reds in Canberra before playing four of their next five matches away and with a shortened season in place due to the Rugby World Cup, it will be vital that the Brumbies have a strong start to the season.
Prediction
The Brumbies have an impressive squad and I expect them to potentially make the playoffs this year, but their home and away matches against the Reds and the Waratahs could really determine how far they go.
Western Force (4th)
Team Base: Perth, Australia
Home Stadium: NIB Stadium
Coach: Michael Foley
Captain: Matt Hodgson (Flanker)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 3rd/8th
Key Players Gained: Steve Mafi (Lock), Maritino Nemani (Wing), Albert Nikoro (Wing)
Key Players Lost: Kieran Longbottom (Prop), High McMeniman (Back Row)
Superstars: Ben McCalman (Flanker/Number 8), Nick Cummins (Wing)
Rising Stars: Angus Cottrell (Flanker), Kyle Godwin (Flyhalf)
Preview
The Western Force had their best season in 2014 since their inception into the competition in 2006. The men in blue have one of the most passionate fan bases in the competition and the Force Field is slowly becoming a venue that other teams seldom like to visit. It is great to see their loyalty finally being rewarded, however, I will be very interested to see how the Force back up this year, especially given that their inspirational leader and last year’s top tackler in the entire tournament will be sidelined or the first couple of months due to an injury sustained in the trials. Matt Hodgson has been the heartbeat of the Western Force for many years and with a couple of tough derbies to start off with followed by a trip to South Africa with Hodgson absent, the Force will need to hit the ground running to cash in their late run of home games to close out the season.
The Force’s roster has been relatively unscathed throughout the transfer period, but they have managed to lure Steve Mafi, a lock from Leicester to cover for the departure of Hugh McMeniman. They have also managed to snag a couple of New Zealand provincial players with Maritino Nemani and Albert Nikoro now calling Perth ‘home’. These players join the likes of Pek Cowan, Ben McCalman and Alby Mathewson, all players that bring a degree of toughness and grit to the Western Force. It will also be a big year for young-gun Kyle Godwin, who most likely would’ve had a Wallabies cap by now if he hadn’t succumbed to so many injuries. He is a strong player with exceptional attacking skills, but his midfield defense might just be what the doctor ordered, both in Perth and for the Wallabies. Here’s hoping that he remains injury-free in 2015.
Prediction
Unfortunately for Force fans, last year’s effort will be in vein and despite having a well-drilled squad and an exceptional fan base, they will fail to make the playoffs for the ninth time and finish mid-table.
Melbourne Rebels (5th)
Team Base: Melbourne, Australia
Home Stadium: AAMI Park
Coach: Tony McGahan
Captain: Scott Higginbotham (Number 8)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 5th/15th
Key Players Gained: Mike Harris (Centre), Cam Crawford (Wing), Dom Shipperley (Wing)
Key Players Lost: Hugh Pyle (Lock), Jason Woodward (Fullback) Superstars: Scott Higginbotham (Flanker, Number 8), Luke Burgess (Halfback), Tamati Ellison (Centre)
Rising Stars: Sean McMahon (Flanker)
Preview
Similarly to last year, I believe 2015 is going to be a long and painful season for all Rebels fans either in Australia or abroad. Once again the Rebels organisation has struggled to hold onto some of their big name players (Hugh Pyle and Jason Woodward) and they have only managed to pick up ‘super rugby level’ players with the likes of Mike Harris, ex-Waratahs bench player Cam Crawford and Dom Shipperley from the Reds. When you finish with the wooden spoon, one would expect there to be a bit of a shake-up, however, the Rebels organisation has placed a lot of faith in ex-Wallabies coach Tony McGahan, who is notoriously known for his coaching of the breakdown and his defensive patterns. The Rebels still have a number of class players in their line-up, with Captain Higginbotham set for a big year after a fairly subdued last couple of seasons. Last year’s rising star, Sean McMahon had an exceptional year, playing for the Australian Sevens team and the Rebels, which then led to him securing three Wallabies caps on the end-of-year Wallabies tour. His combination with Higginbotham and their ability to provide halfback Luke Burgess with some quality ball will be vital if the Rebels want to score some points this year, after being the 14th ranked offensive team last year.
Prediction
The Rebels should finish last in the Australian Conference and very close to the bottom of the overall ladder, yet again.
SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE
Natal Sharks (1st)
Team Base: Durban, South Africa
Home Stadium: Kings Park
Coach: Brendon Venter
Captain: Bismarck du Plessis (Hooker)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 1st/3rd
Key Players Gained: Matt Stevens (Prop), Mouritz Botha (Lock), Jack Wilson (Wing)
Key Players Lost: Anton Bresler (Lock), Jean Deysel (Flanker), Jacques Botes (Flanker), Keegan Daniel (Number 8), Charl McLeod (Halfback)
Superstars: Tendai Mtawawira (Prop), Bismarck du Plessis (Hooker), Marcell Coetzee (Flanker), Patrick Lambie (Flyhalf)
Rising Stars: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Lock, Flanker), S’bura Sithole (Centre)
Preview
It would be fair to say that the Sharks will be disappointed having not come away with the chocolates after such a positive start to the season under Jake White in 2014. Defensively they were the second best team in the competition, however, their offense left little to be desired having only scored 29 tries from 16 matches, equalling the Rebels in last place. Looking ahead to this year’s squad, the Sharks once again would be considered one of the front-runners in the competition having the option of picking from their 11 Internationals in the forwards and a further six in the backline. The offseason departure of super-coach Jake White to Montpellier in France came as somewhat of a surprise, however, Brendon Venter and Gary Gold are both astute technically and can bring something new to the Sharks as well. Gary Gold’s European connection has already proved worthwhile given the signings of three English Premiership players in Matt Stevens (prop), Mouritz Botha (lock) and Jack Wilson (wing), all of which who are South African-born. This has created more depth and allows the coaches to rotate his players more freely.
As aforementioned, the forward pack speaks for itself, but I will be interested in seeing Pieter Steph du Toit (PSDT) back in action after an impressive season last year was curtailed by a knee injury. In the backs, this season could be a big year in terms of the ongoing development of halfback Cobus Reinach, who managed to earn his first few caps for the Springboks on last year’s end of year tour. With Fourie du Preez seemingly succumbing to injuries more often than not and Francois Hougaard’s inconsistency challenges, a solid season for the Sharks could help cement Reinach’s position within the Springbok setup. His partnership with Pat ‘the roast’ Lambie is going to be vital if the Sharks are to progress. I expect the ‘Shark Tank’ to take prisoners this year and providing the bounce of the ball goes their way in terms of injuries and general luck, they could very easily press on for higher honours, and particularly look at winning their first championship in franchise history.
Prediction
I can’t see the Sharks getting toppled in South Africa with their depth and class being their two key assets, but one gets the feeling that the Sharks attacking inefficiencies could get exposed by the likes of the Waratahs or some of the high flyers in New Zealand later on in the tournament.
Western Province Stormers (2nd)
Team Base: Cape Town, South Africa
Home Stadium: Newlands Stadium
Coach: Allister Coetzee
Captain: Duane Vermuelen (Number 8)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 3rd/11th
Key Players Gained: Bongi Mbonambi (Hooker)
Key Players Lost: Deon Fourie (Hooker), Pat Cilliers (Prop), Tiaan Liebenberg (Hooker), Peter Grant (Flyhalf)
Superstars: Eben Etzebeth (Lock), Schalk Burger (Flanker), Duane Vermuelen (Number 8)
Rising Stars: Oli Kebble (Prop), Cheslin Kolbe (Wing)
Preview
The Stormers will be looking to turn things around in 2015 with the aim of making the finals series for first time since 2013. The last two seasons have been mediocre for the Stormers finishing in 7th and 11th place respectively, despite having a talented roster at their disposal. The loss of Jean de Villiers to a knee injury during the Springboks end of year tour last year has curtailed the Stormers hopes somewhat, along with the departure of a number of experienced forwards to the ‘greener’ pastures of European and Japanese rugby. However, the Western Cape has a reputation for producing/poaching some of the best talent in the country and it will be good to see what damage the likes of Sevens speedsters Seabelo Senatla and Cheslin Kolbe can create out wide.
Prediction
I can’t see the Stormers claiming outright honours in the South African conference, although they are certainly playoff hopefuls, especially if they can keep their stars on the park. In saying that, they don’t have the roster to go all the way this year, especially given the fact that some of their star players will be rested at different parts of the season to cope with the demands of International rugby later on in the year.
Blue Bulls (3rd)
Team Base: Pretoria, South Africa
Home Stadium: Loftus Versfeld
Coach: Frans Ludeke
Captain: Pierre Spies (Number 8)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 2nd/9th
Key Players Gained: Lappies Labuschagne (Flanker), Trevor Nyakane (Prop), Adriaan Strauss (Hooker)
Key Players Lost: Paul Willemse (Lock), Jono Ross (Flanker)
Superstars: Adriaan Strauss (Hooker), Handre Pollard (Flyhalf)
Rising Stars: Arno Botha (Flanker), Jan Serfontein (Centre)
Preview
Hailing from Pretoria, the Blue Bulls have managed to earn a reputation over the past decade as being one of the most intimidating and aggressive teams in the competition. In saying that, the Bulls have really struggled over the past few seasons and their three Super Rugby titles seem like a lifetime ago (2007, 2008, 2010). The success of the Bulls has led to a mass exodus of players, with two of those occurring in the past four seasons.
Like many of their predecessors before them, the Bulls game plan has been very one-dimensional. They like to play 10-man rugby, keep the ball in the forwards, dominate the collisions and the set pieces and convert pressure into points via their accurate goal-kickers. In saying that, this type of approach often stunts their offensive creativity and with the off-season recruits heavily focussed on their forward play, I can see more of the same happening this year, but I do expect Handre Pollard to continue his development as a flyhalf and really push the boundaries in terms of the way the Bulls want to play. The re-introduction of Victor Matfield into the pack has bolstered their lineout play, with the Bulls stealing more ball than any other team in the competition last year. Although it might be an improved season from the Bulls, they are still lacking that shine and experience that they once had when they won their Super Rugby titles.
Prediction
The Bulls have a tough start to the competition and their lack of depth, particularly in the backs will position them mid-table in both their conference and the overall log.
Golden Lions (4th)
Team Base: Johannesburg, South Africa
Home Stadium: Ellis Park Stadium
Coach: Johan Ackermann
Captain: Warren Whitely (Centre)
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 4th/12th
Players Gained: Howard Mnisi (Centre), Sampie Mastriet (Wing)
Players Lost: Willie Britz (Flanker), Franco van der Merwe (Lock)
Superstars: Warren Whiteley (Number 8)
Rising Stars: Jaco Kriel (Flanker), Marnitz Boshoff (Flyhalf)
Preview
After a season in the wilderness in 2013, no one really knew what to expect from the Lions when they were granted their Super Rugby license back last season. Since becoming beaten semi-finalists in 2000 and 2001, the Lions have just made up the numbers and teams have racked up some impressive score lines against them since then. However, the Lions proved almost everyone wrong in 2014 when they became probably the biggest surprise packet of the entire competition, by completing the franchise’s best season in Super Rugby history, which is an incredible feat given that many of their players left the franchise when the Lions were displaced by the Southern Kings in 2013. With former Springbok lock Johan Ackermann at the helm, the Lions managed to secure seven victories and surprisingly gave away fewer penalties than any other franchise last year. Their set piece and their scrum in particular was one of the strongest in the competition last year and with so many hard-nosed forwards in their pack, they are not afraid to get their hands dirty which often converts to more time and space for the halves combination of Faf de Klerk and Marnitz Boshoff, who was deadly accurate with the boot.
What was most impressive was that the Lions then kicked-on from Super Rugby and took their form into the Currie Cup, where they finished second and won many new fans, including myself, with the enterprising and attacking nature of their play. The Lions possess an unheralded front row with the likes of Julian Redelinghuys and Robbie Coetzee and their back row is well balanced with the power and pace of Jesse Kriel (keep an eye out for him), the scavenging ability of Derrick Minnie and former Springbok Sevens player Warren Whitely at number eight. Their backline could certainly use some recruits as it doesn’t include any Springboks, but it is important to note that this team has played together for the past three seasons in the Currie Cup, so the combinations are there, even though the X-factor might not be.
Prediction
Other teams might take the Lions a little bit more seriously this year and resist resting their stars when they matchup, which could make the challenge even tougher for the team from Johannesburg. A top 10 finish would be a great result for the Lions this season, however, in a Rugby World Cup year, there will be players looking to stake their claims to be a part of the major event in England and as a result, I see the Lions failing to make any great roar, especially away from home.
Free State Cheetahs (5th)
Team Base: Bloemfontein, South Africa
Home Stadium: Free State Stadium
Coach: Naka Drotske
Captain: Heinrich Brussow
2014 Position (Division/Overall): 5th/14th
Players Gained: Willie Britz (Lock), Joe Pietersen (Flyhalf)
Players Lost: Trevor Nyakane (Prop), Adriaan Strauss (Hooker), Johan Goosen (Flyhalf)
Superstars: Heinrich Brussow (Flanker), Willie le Roux (Fullback)
Rising Stars: Lood de Jager (Lock), Oupa Mohoje (Flanker)
Preview
Season after season, the Cheetahs are one of the most exciting teams to watch in Super Rugby, despite never being able to fill their home stadium. However, in the past excitement and entertainment hasn’t always translated into lucrative wins. In 2013, their fortunes changed and they were without a shadow of a doubt, the most impressive and improved team, however, since then, Cheetahs rugby has taken a turn for the worst and it doesn’t look like improving anytime soon. I mentioned last year that 2014 was going to be a franchise-defining season, but a mass exodus of both budding and experienced talent coupled with the worst defensive team in the tournament made for a disastrous season. What is unfortunate is that their attack at times is so good that they do manage to sneak a few victories, but defense wins Championships and the Cheetahs look like simply just be making up the numbers this year.
Additionally, by my judgement, the Cheetahs have been struck the worst in the transfer window losing their inspirational Captain Adriaan Strauss, their top tackler last year (and potentially the best name in the business) Lappies Labushcagne and the ever-smiling and always improving prop, Trevor Nyakane to the Bulls. Historically speaking, the Cheetahs are in for a tough start to the competition. A number of losses in succession would really harm the Cheetahs brand and by the time they come home, they might have very little to play for and in turn, the fans might not turn up in the numbers like they used to when they went on a franchise-record run a couple years ago.
Prediction
The Cheetahs will be fighting it out with the Rebels and the Lions to see who finishes as the cellar dwellers in 2015.
