In my first preview of the 2013 Super Rugby season, I look at the teams in the Australian Conference, their strengths and weaknesses and my prediction of how their seasons will go:
With the Lions lurking in the middle of the year (of the British and Irish variety and not the Johannesburg-based ones wrestling with Russian Bears), 2013 is a massive year for all concerned in Australian Rugby.
While its Dingo Deans that will be under fire during the Lions tour, there will be a lot of interesting sub-plots emerging during the Super Rugby season that will keep this conference interesting. Epic battles for Wallaby starting jerseys, Australian Health Services struggle to try and keep the country's top players fit (as opposed to the carnage of last season), Israel Folau's foray into rugby union, Michael Cheika taking on Mission Impossible in Sydney, Quade Cooper battling the urge to not post any 'toxic' tweets, James O'Connor's ongoing war with his hair stylists and of course Australian players battle with the bottle and the nightclubs - all occurring against the backdrop of a growing perception that the Australian Conference is the weakest one of them all.
Can the Western Force avoid the bottom of the Conference (and the overall log)? Will the Melbourne Rebels stars finally stay injury-free and start a climb up the standings? Can Michael Cheika finally do something with the competition's underachievers, the Waratahs? Will the Brumbies learn from the mistakes made in 2012 and can Jake White's boys avoid 'Second Season Syndrome'? And can the Reds go to the playoffs for a third successive time, but without Ewen McKenzie as their head coach?
Can the Western Force avoid the bottom of the Conference (and the overall log)? Will the Melbourne Rebels stars finally stay injury-free and start a climb up the standings? Can Michael Cheika finally do something with the competition's underachievers, the Waratahs? Will the Brumbies learn from the mistakes made in 2012 and can Jake White's boys avoid 'Second Season Syndrome'? And can the Reds go to the playoffs for a third successive time, but without Ewen McKenzie as their head coach?
With some high-profile player movement from last season, and Lions aspirations on the line, the Australian Conference promises to be tougher than ever.
ACT BRUMBIES
Last Year: The Brumbies surprised fans and experts alike by coming to within a whisker of winning the Australian Conference and qualifying for the playoffs, when most predicted that the team would be struggling at the bottom of the conference. The Brumbies were able to win most home games and pick up 2 wins from the 4 games in South Africa and New Zealand, and they looked like favourites to win the conference before the June international break. But injuries to playmakers Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano during the season and a fatal loss in the 'all or nothing' last round clash with the Blues in Canberra was the difference between 3rd place (winner of the Australian Conference) and 7th place and out of the playoffs.
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| The Brumbies players were much happier than expected last season |
Key Players: Losing Michael Hooper, one of the Brumbies and Wallaby players of the season, would have been considered a massive loss, had Jake White not brought in one of the top openside flankers in the world in David Pocock. Pocock's influence in the rucks, in defence, as a ball carrier and as a leader on and off the field could be a vital part in the team's bid for the title. A front row of Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore and Dan Palmer has international experience and would be one of the better scrummaging front rows in the competition, supported by a competent second row combination of Sam Carter and Peter Kimlin. Captain Ben Mowen had a great season from the back of the scrum and fans will be hoping he maintains his high work rate and mobility on the field.
The Brumbies real strength last season was a backline filled with players that were able to strike at any moment. While Christian Lealiifano, counter-attacking master Jesse Mogg, and top Australian Conference try scorer Henry Speight will be scoring all the points and getting all the headlines, it is the often-criticised Pat McCabe that is the key player, in the backline. The tireless winger-cum-centre is a hard runner and tough tackler, able to finish off any chances given and is able to protect his channel and afford assistance to weaker defenders around him. He is the solid team man that any good team needs. Lealiifano and Matt Toomua will be relied on to lead the attack and create chances for outside backs and will be expecting speedy service from Wallaby-capped scrumhalf Nic White. Hard-running centre Andrew Smith and former IRB u20 Player of the Year nominee for 2010, Robbie Coleman, also add depth and will play supporting acts to the team's season.
The Brumbies real strength last season was a backline filled with players that were able to strike at any moment. While Christian Lealiifano, counter-attacking master Jesse Mogg, and top Australian Conference try scorer Henry Speight will be scoring all the points and getting all the headlines, it is the often-criticised Pat McCabe that is the key player, in the backline. The tireless winger-cum-centre is a hard runner and tough tackler, able to finish off any chances given and is able to protect his channel and afford assistance to weaker defenders around him. He is the solid team man that any good team needs. Lealiifano and Matt Toomua will be relied on to lead the attack and create chances for outside backs and will be expecting speedy service from Wallaby-capped scrumhalf Nic White. Hard-running centre Andrew Smith and former IRB u20 Player of the Year nominee for 2010, Robbie Coleman, also add depth and will play supporting acts to the team's season.
This Is the Season. . . That Clyde Rathbone (yes, the traitor) rises from the ashes like a phoenix!
In one of the feel-good stories of this season, the former Wallaby outside centre and the winning captain for the Baby Boks in the Under 21 World Cup in 2002, makes a long-awaited return to the rugby field, after overcoming his battle with personal problems and depression. Clyde Rathbone is one of two current squad members that were part of the 2004 Brumbies squad that won the Super 12 that year, therefore his experience will be vital this season as well. Reunited once again with his Baby Boks coach, Jake White, Brumbies fans will be hopeful that Rathbone will come back to his hard-running and aggressive best, while offering vital experience and leadership to a young backline.
In one of the feel-good stories of this season, the former Wallaby outside centre and the winning captain for the Baby Boks in the Under 21 World Cup in 2002, makes a long-awaited return to the rugby field, after overcoming his battle with personal problems and depression. Clyde Rathbone is one of two current squad members that were part of the 2004 Brumbies squad that won the Super 12 that year, therefore his experience will be vital this season as well. Reunited once again with his Baby Boks coach, Jake White, Brumbies fans will be hopeful that Rathbone will come back to his hard-running and aggressive best, while offering vital experience and leadership to a young backline.
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| Up. . . Up. . . And AWAY! |
Beating the Brumbies: Jake White has turned back the clock with this side by emulating the 2004 Championship-winning Brumbies side. He has changed the team into a unit that plays multi-phase rugby focusing on quick and efficient ball retention, formed an attacking backline which is able to strike from set plays and exploit an unorganised defence and an organised, uncompromising defence. Teams would be well advised to avoid kicking aimlessly down the throats of Mogg, Speight and Joe Tomane and they should try to nullify the threat of Pocock in the rucks by running at him and making sure he is on the ground as the tackler rather than competing for the ruck ball (like the All Blacks do). Strong forward packs could try and dominate this team in the set pieces too which means the Brumbies backline would not get front foot ball, and the defence of Lealiifano should be tested by hard running loose forwards and centres.
Prediction: Playoffs - 6th Overall (2nd in Australian Conference)
It will be nip-and-tuck for the top of the Australian Conference, and the acquisition of David Pocock could well be the clincher for the Brumbies, but this relatively inexperienced squad could struggle to keep up the form needed to win a conference. The Brumbies could certainly benefit from the strength of the New Zealand Conference with the teams possibly knocking each other out of the running, and by playing the Force and the Rebels twice each in a season. But the second season for a coach and a team is notoriously difficult, as luck with form and injuries tend to desert you, which could realistically put the Brumbies in the also-rans and fighting for 3rd place in the Conference. While I cannot see the Brumbies in the final (never mind winning it), stranger things have happened and a relatively injury-free squad could see Jake White doing wonders.
It will be nip-and-tuck for the top of the Australian Conference, and the acquisition of David Pocock could well be the clincher for the Brumbies, but this relatively inexperienced squad could struggle to keep up the form needed to win a conference. The Brumbies could certainly benefit from the strength of the New Zealand Conference with the teams possibly knocking each other out of the running, and by playing the Force and the Rebels twice each in a season. But the second season for a coach and a team is notoriously difficult, as luck with form and injuries tend to desert you, which could realistically put the Brumbies in the also-rans and fighting for 3rd place in the Conference. While I cannot see the Brumbies in the final (never mind winning it), stranger things have happened and a relatively injury-free squad could see Jake White doing wonders.
Squad: Ben Alexander, Fotu Auelua, Sam Carter, Robbie Coleman, Tom Cox, Colby Faingaa, Scott Fardy, Zack Holmes, Tevita Kuridrani, Peter Kimlin, Christian Lealiifano, Pat McCabe, Jesse Mogg, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen (c), Ruaidhri Murphy, Etienne Oosthuizen, Dan Palmer, David Pocock, Leon Power, Ian Prior, Clyde Rathbone, Siliva Siliva, Scott Sio, Andrew Smith, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Ita Vaea, Nic White.
Teams that they don't Play: Cheetahs and Chiefs
MELBOURNE REBELS
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| The Rebels could certainly "Dougie" last season, but can they win consistently in 2013? |
Key Players: While old heads such as Stirling Mortlock, Mark Gerrard, Adam Frier and Julian Huxley have left, the Rebels now have a younger squad ready to show their worth. It is definitely the Rebels' backline that will be their strength this season, as the team and its fans will be relying on their two world-class Wallabies, Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor, to be the game-breakers and creators-in-chief for the likes of the pacy and powerful Cooper Vuna - the team's top try scorer last season - to benefit from. Beale and O'Connor will probably be alternating at first receiver in open play and will be relying on quick service from the Wallabies regular scrumhalf last season, Nick Phipps. Mitch Inman will be a solid presence in the midfield, in addition Richard Kingi and Rory Sidey will add experience and depth to the backs, but watch out for young utility backs Alex Rokobaro (who played for Stade Francais) and Jason Woodward (part of the Baby Blacks IRB U20 Championship team of 2010) who will also be eager to impress.
A key purchase by the Rebels in the off-season is the purchase of Scott Higginbotham, a player that can play in any position in the loose trio and has grown over the years to become one of the top loose forwards in Super Rugby. Hard-running, hard-tackling and full of energy, he will complement the pilfering talents of Jarrod Saffy and Scott Fuglistaller (another Kiwi) and the high work rate and mobility of captain and 8th man, Gareth Delve. The Rebels are blessed with some young, tall timber in the lock department and not many teams will be able to dominate the lineouts with Hugh Pyle, Cadeyrn Neville and Luke Jones in the air. The Rebels' big weakness is their front row. The experience of Nic Henderson and Laurie Weeks will be vital in anchoring their scrum and the Rebels have also recruited the services of Shota Horie, the Japanese international hooker who impressed in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
A key purchase by the Rebels in the off-season is the purchase of Scott Higginbotham, a player that can play in any position in the loose trio and has grown over the years to become one of the top loose forwards in Super Rugby. Hard-running, hard-tackling and full of energy, he will complement the pilfering talents of Jarrod Saffy and Scott Fuglistaller (another Kiwi) and the high work rate and mobility of captain and 8th man, Gareth Delve. The Rebels are blessed with some young, tall timber in the lock department and not many teams will be able to dominate the lineouts with Hugh Pyle, Cadeyrn Neville and Luke Jones in the air. The Rebels' big weakness is their front row. The experience of Nic Henderson and Laurie Weeks will be vital in anchoring their scrum and the Rebels have also recruited the services of Shota Horie, the Japanese international hooker who impressed in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
This Is the Season. . . That the Number "10" Becomes the Most Talked-About in Australian rugby!
So, with Quade Cooper in self-inflicted Wallaby exile, Christian Lealiifano being too inexperienced, Berrick Barnes probably being used at inside centre for Australia, that leaves the 2 superstars in Melbourne, James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale, to fight it out for not only the Rebels 10 jersey but also the Wallaby one. Beale is the incumbent and put in some impressive performances for Australia at the end of last season, but O'Connor was injured for the majority of 2012 and will be looking to stake his claim as well. O'Connor has the all-round game to become a world-class flyhalf, and is a safer, more composed player than Beale. O'Connor playing at 10 will allow Beale the opportunity to play in space at fullback. But working out the perfect formula to get the best out of the two players and the team will be a difficult task for head coach Damien Hill, and a formula Robbie Deans will be eager to copy!
Another thing to look forward to (well, I'm not so sure about that anymore) this season is what James O'Connor will do with his hair during the season. Below is his early-season attempt. Young kids, please look away!
So, with Quade Cooper in self-inflicted Wallaby exile, Christian Lealiifano being too inexperienced, Berrick Barnes probably being used at inside centre for Australia, that leaves the 2 superstars in Melbourne, James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale, to fight it out for not only the Rebels 10 jersey but also the Wallaby one. Beale is the incumbent and put in some impressive performances for Australia at the end of last season, but O'Connor was injured for the majority of 2012 and will be looking to stake his claim as well. O'Connor has the all-round game to become a world-class flyhalf, and is a safer, more composed player than Beale. O'Connor playing at 10 will allow Beale the opportunity to play in space at fullback. But working out the perfect formula to get the best out of the two players and the team will be a difficult task for head coach Damien Hill, and a formula Robbie Deans will be eager to copy!
Another thing to look forward to (well, I'm not so sure about that anymore) this season is what James O'Connor will do with his hair during the season. Below is his early-season attempt. Young kids, please look away!
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| Not sure if its James O'Connor or some butch lesbian! |
How to rebel vs the Rebels: If you allow the Rebels front-foot ball, or kick aimlessly to their dangerous backs, the Rebels backline players, led by Beale and O'Connor can hurt you from just about anywhere. But it is the tight 5 that is their weak spot and teams will be well-advised to try and slow down the tempo of the game, make it as stop-start and as tight as possible to expose the Rebels' weak tight 5 and kill the momentum that ball carriers such as Higginbotham will try to generate. Teams must ensure that they control the contact area through efficient rucking when in possession, the knocking ball of Rebels' ball carriers in defence and the slowing down of Rebels ball. Also try to stay away from lineouts, as the likes of Neville, Pyle and Jones will look to dominate.
Prediction: 11th (4th in Australian Conference)
IF O'Connor, Beale and Higginbotham are fit for the whole season, the Rebels have a team that can finish 3rd in the conference and maybe finish just outside the playoff places. But this being Super Rugby (with the inevitability of injuries) and the possibility that the contracted Australian players (like the 3 mentioned) will not play all the rounds of the competition in preparation for the B&I Lions, this is unlikely to happen. So, it will become an up-and-down type of season, with the Rebels knocking over some big scalps, but failing to maintain the type of consistency needed to break into the top 10 (or top 6 for that matter).
IF O'Connor, Beale and Higginbotham are fit for the whole season, the Rebels have a team that can finish 3rd in the conference and maybe finish just outside the playoff places. But this being Super Rugby (with the inevitability of injuries) and the possibility that the contracted Australian players (like the 3 mentioned) will not play all the rounds of the competition in preparation for the B&I Lions, this is unlikely to happen. So, it will become an up-and-down type of season, with the Rebels knocking over some big scalps, but failing to maintain the type of consistency needed to break into the top 10 (or top 6 for that matter).
Squad: Eddie Aholelei, Paul Alo-Emile, Kurtley Beale, Tim Davidson, Gareth Delve, Scott Fuglistaller, Nic Henderson, Scott Higginbotham, Mitch Inman, Luke Jones, James King, Richard Kingi, Lachlan Mitchell, Cadeyrn Neville, James O’Connor, Nick Phipps, Hugh Pyle, Angus Roberts, Ged Robinson, Alex Rokobaro, Jarrod Saffy, Rory Sidey, Kimami Sitauti, Nic Stirzaker, Chris Thomson, Ryan Tyrrell, Cooper Vuna, Laurie Weeks, Jason Woodward
Teams that they don't play: Bulls and Hurricanes
QUEENSLAND REDS
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| Injuries to key players, such as captain James Horwill, were a big feature of the Reds 2012 campaign |
Last Year: It is always said that staying at the top is much harder than getting there, and the Reds found that out last season. Having started with 3 wins from 3, the wheels fell off in South Africa, as they were hit with so many backline injuries that Will Genia had to play flyhalf and the tour culminated in a 61-8 spanking from the Bulls in Loftus. The battered and bruised Reds bumbled along, until they beat the then-table-toppers the Chiefs 42-27 in Round 12 - in one of the most exciting games of the season - which started a sequence of 6 straight wins and made them winners of the Australian Conference (after the Brumbies bumbled in the last round). But the streak came to an end in the playoff game against the Sharks in Brisbane, as they lost 17-30. 2013 will be a season of change, with Richard Graham (who was the coach of Australia's basement-dwellers, the Western Force) becoming head coach and Ewen McKenzie taking a backseat role as director of rugby.
Key Players: There is only one place to start with the Reds and that is with the halfback pairing. Will Genia has established himself as one of (if not) the best scrumhalf in world rugby, with his sharp service and his running game from the base of the ruck that keeps defenders on the ruck fringes guessing. He has the ability to expose gaps close to rucks with his turn of pace and to create time and space for his maverick flyhalf, Quade Cooper, who will be hoping that any excitement he creates will be limited to the field. But Genia will only be fit in mid-March, as he is still recovering from major knee surgery. The hard-tackling Anthony Fainga'a and the guile and quick-feet of Ben Tapuai gives the Reds a very balanced midfield that will offer a lot in attack and defence and hopefully creating chances for last season's team top try scorer, Dom Shipperley and the unstoppable force of Digby Ioane to finish. Shipperley's pace and quick feet and Ioane's power will be hard to stop in space. Mike Harris will be relied on to deliver dead-eye goal-kicking and giving Steve Hansen more reason to complain about New Zealanders playing for Australia. There is also some depth in the backs, with 'Rocket' Rod Davies a worthy wing replacement and the versatile youngsters such as Nick Frisby, Ben Lucas and speedster Chris Feauai-Sautia - who scored a scincillating try on debut against the Lions last year - offering depth and added spark when Coach Graham needs it. This is arguably the best backline in the Conference
The loss of Scott Higginbotham to the Rebels is a big hit to the Reds, and they will now be looking at Jake Schatz to be the main ball-carrier and the go-to man when the Queenslanders need to move forward. He will be assisted by the senior citizen Radike Samo, who will be expected to play more minutes this season and offering his teammates opportunites with his ability to break the line and offload. This is a big season for Liam Gill, who was upstaged by Michael Hooper last season and will be looking to prove that he is the heir to David Pocock's openside throne. Gill will be a threat at ruck time with his ability to slow opposition ball down and force turnovers, but he should be weary of Beau Robinson trying to steal the Reds 7 jersey away from him. Reds captain, James Horwill, will be making his comeback from his hamstring injury and will add valuable experience and leadership that the team probably missed in last season's playoffs. Lock partner Rob Simmons will be looking for the form that he showed in 2011. Ben Daley, James Slipper and Greg Holmes are more than capable props who can hold their own against most front rows and there will be some stiff competition at hooker with Saia Fainga'a and James Hanson fighting it out. If the Reds can avoid the injury crisis that they had last year, then this squad could also consider themselves contenders for the Conference, and maybe more...
The loss of Scott Higginbotham to the Rebels is a big hit to the Reds, and they will now be looking at Jake Schatz to be the main ball-carrier and the go-to man when the Queenslanders need to move forward. He will be assisted by the senior citizen Radike Samo, who will be expected to play more minutes this season and offering his teammates opportunites with his ability to break the line and offload. This is a big season for Liam Gill, who was upstaged by Michael Hooper last season and will be looking to prove that he is the heir to David Pocock's openside throne. Gill will be a threat at ruck time with his ability to slow opposition ball down and force turnovers, but he should be weary of Beau Robinson trying to steal the Reds 7 jersey away from him. Reds captain, James Horwill, will be making his comeback from his hamstring injury and will add valuable experience and leadership that the team probably missed in last season's playoffs. Lock partner Rob Simmons will be looking for the form that he showed in 2011. Ben Daley, James Slipper and Greg Holmes are more than capable props who can hold their own against most front rows and there will be some stiff competition at hooker with Saia Fainga'a and James Hanson fighting it out. If the Reds can avoid the injury crisis that they had last year, then this squad could also consider themselves contenders for the Conference, and maybe more...
This Is the Season. . . That Quade Cooper does his talking on the field!
Very hopeful prediction there, but for the sake of rugby, I do hope we see the return of the old Quade from 2011's Super Rugby season. That was the player that could beat any defender one-on-one, put his teammates in tons of space and who put in one of the most masterful kicking displays I have seen in Newlands in 2011. Hopefully the boxing training will improve his suspect defence and he can finally defend in the '10-channel', like any flyhalf worth his salt should. If the forwards give him front foot ball and Genia (or Lucas/Frisby in the earlier rounds) give him great service and time to make his decisions, then Quade can showcase the talent that he has. Just somebody, anybody, take his twitter away from him!
Very hopeful prediction there, but for the sake of rugby, I do hope we see the return of the old Quade from 2011's Super Rugby season. That was the player that could beat any defender one-on-one, put his teammates in tons of space and who put in one of the most masterful kicking displays I have seen in Newlands in 2011. Hopefully the boxing training will improve his suspect defence and he can finally defend in the '10-channel', like any flyhalf worth his salt should. If the forwards give him front foot ball and Genia (or Lucas/Frisby in the earlier rounds) give him great service and time to make his decisions, then Quade can showcase the talent that he has. Just somebody, anybody, take his twitter away from him!
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| See? Quade isn't scared of contact! |
Making the Reds see red: There are a handful of tight fives in the competition that could out-muscle the Reds one, but the real "secret" to beating the Reds is to cut the supply to their two playmakers: Genia and Cooper. The attacking gameplan relies so much on their ability to draw defenders to them and put others in space that if a team either slows down their ruck ball or employs an aggressive rush defence tactic on the halfbacks, then the Reds outside backs will not be able to hurt you as much as they can. The lack of Higginbotham makes it easier to stop the Reds forwards from getting over the advantage line and gaining momentum that could put Genia and Cooper on the front foot.
Prediction: Semifinalists - 3rd Overall (1st in Australian Conference) -
It could get mighty close between the Reds and the Brumbies for the top spot, but the Reds squad and Ewen McKenzie in the background possess the know-how about winning matches on the trot and peaking in the right time to ensure that they get into the playoffs. With a class backline and hard-working forwards, this is a team that can take down any team in top form and if the squad suffers few injuries, like they did in 2011, then they might well win the whole thing again. But, unless Schatz steps up and Samo's ageing body holds up, the loss of a game-breaker like Higginbotham will tell in the business end of the competition and could cost them a place in the final. But this team is definitely a decent outside bet to win the championship again.
It could get mighty close between the Reds and the Brumbies for the top spot, but the Reds squad and Ewen McKenzie in the background possess the know-how about winning matches on the trot and peaking in the right time to ensure that they get into the playoffs. With a class backline and hard-working forwards, this is a team that can take down any team in top form and if the squad suffers few injuries, like they did in 2011, then they might well win the whole thing again. But, unless Schatz steps up and Samo's ageing body holds up, the loss of a game-breaker like Higginbotham will tell in the business end of the competition and could cost them a place in the final. But this team is definitely a decent outside bet to win the championship again.
Squad: Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rod Davies, Anthony Fainga'a, Saia Fainga'a, Will Genia, Liam Gill, James Hanson, James Horwill, Mike Harris, Greg Holmes, Jono Lance, Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Eddie Quirk, Radike Samo, Jake Schatz, Dom Shipperley, Rob Simmons, Aidan Toua, Beau Robinson, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Albert Anae, Nick Frisby, Jono Owen, James Slipper, Ben Tapuai, David McDuling, Adam Wallace-Harrison.
Teams that they don't play: Kings and Crusaders
NSW WARATAHS
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| It was at that moment that Dave Dennis realised that he is in a kak team! |
Key Players: New coach Michael Chieka is trusted with finally achieving the success that the people of Sydney crave, but this will be a long-term process. The 'Tahs pack remains one of the most formidable in the competition (certainly the best pack in Australia), with captain Benn Robinson expected to lead from the front in the scrums and give the best tightheads of the Southern Hemisphere a hard time. Add Sekope Kepu to that and the Waratahs have two of Australia's best props. A lot will be expected of Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sitaleki Timani in the tight-loose, as the team's 4th and 5th loose forwards, but fans will be hoping that Polota-Nau can fix his lineout throwing and Timani can give Kepu the support he needs in the scrum. Those two will assist Wycliff Palu in the ball carrying, bone-crunching tackling and ruck hitting departments, provided Palu can finish a whole campaign for once. Kane Douglas, Dave Dennis and Lopeti Timani are also big men that will help the Waratahs to try and win quality set piece ball and contribute to the loose play. Maybe even more importantly than the tight five, the Waratahs finally have a top class fetcher in Michael Hooper, who will be looking to fill the massive boots of Waratahs legend Phil Waugh.
Not too much to write home about in the backline in comparison with the Reds and the Brumbies, but the Waratahs have bought themselves one of the most talked about players in Australia in Israel Folau - a player who has excelled Aussie Rules and rugby league. Folau, Australia's youngest ever league international, is big, fast, skillful and is a great player in the air and will be hoping to force himself into the Wallaby squad to face the Lions in June. With Folau on one wing (he can also play outside centre), Australia's union internationals Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner will be left fighting to play on the other wing, and young Tom Kingston will be looking to play some more minutes this season too - showing the depth the 'Tahs have on the wing. With Mr Reliable Adam Ashley-Cooper at fullback (or centre or wing, depending on where the team needs him), this is certainly one of the more dangerous back threes in the competition. Outside centre Rob Horne will be looking to put the speedsters outside him in try-scoring situations and will look to cement his position as one of Australia's rising stars. His centre partner, Tom Carter will continue to cement his position as one of Super Rugby's most unlikeable players. With Daniel Halangahu gone, Berrick Barnes will be the pivot this year. As he showed in June last year vs Wales, with his Man of the Series performance at flyhalf, Barnes has the right mixture of creativity and composure able to steer the team to the right places this season. Understudies Bernard Foley and, former Western Province player, Sam Lane will do well to learn from a cool master like Barnes. Brendon McKibbin will be the scrumhalf this year, with Sarel Pretorius back in South Africa.
Not too much to write home about in the backline in comparison with the Reds and the Brumbies, but the Waratahs have bought themselves one of the most talked about players in Australia in Israel Folau - a player who has excelled Aussie Rules and rugby league. Folau, Australia's youngest ever league international, is big, fast, skillful and is a great player in the air and will be hoping to force himself into the Wallaby squad to face the Lions in June. With Folau on one wing (he can also play outside centre), Australia's union internationals Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner will be left fighting to play on the other wing, and young Tom Kingston will be looking to play some more minutes this season too - showing the depth the 'Tahs have on the wing. With Mr Reliable Adam Ashley-Cooper at fullback (or centre or wing, depending on where the team needs him), this is certainly one of the more dangerous back threes in the competition. Outside centre Rob Horne will be looking to put the speedsters outside him in try-scoring situations and will look to cement his position as one of Australia's rising stars. His centre partner, Tom Carter will continue to cement his position as one of Super Rugby's most unlikeable players. With Daniel Halangahu gone, Berrick Barnes will be the pivot this year. As he showed in June last year vs Wales, with his Man of the Series performance at flyhalf, Barnes has the right mixture of creativity and composure able to steer the team to the right places this season. Understudies Bernard Foley and, former Western Province player, Sam Lane will do well to learn from a cool master like Barnes. Brendon McKibbin will be the scrumhalf this year, with Sarel Pretorius back in South Africa.
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| According to Tom Carter, Tom Carter is the best player that Tom Carter has ever seen |
This Is the Season. . . That Michael Hooper begins a Waratah revival.
The Waratahs were clearly missing a real openside flanker during the struggles of last season, and no, Chris Alcock does not make the grade! The 20-year-old Hooper, recruited from the Brumbies, was one of the Brumbies and Australia's top players last season due to his ability to steal opposition ruck ball and make telling contributions with ball in hand or by making tackles. The Waratahs first fifteen are more than capable of beating any team on their day, with their Wallaby-laden forwards, Barnes steering the ship, Tom Carter's ball carrying abilities in the midfield and dangerous outside backs such as Horne, Folau and AAC. Last season they needed a player mobile enough to get to any ruck first and ensure quick Waratah ball and slow opposition ball. Could Michael Hooper be that missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle?
The Waratahs were clearly missing a real openside flanker during the struggles of last season, and no, Chris Alcock does not make the grade! The 20-year-old Hooper, recruited from the Brumbies, was one of the Brumbies and Australia's top players last season due to his ability to steal opposition ruck ball and make telling contributions with ball in hand or by making tackles. The Waratahs first fifteen are more than capable of beating any team on their day, with their Wallaby-laden forwards, Barnes steering the ship, Tom Carter's ball carrying abilities in the midfield and dangerous outside backs such as Horne, Folau and AAC. Last season they needed a player mobile enough to get to any ruck first and ensure quick Waratah ball and slow opposition ball. Could Michael Hooper be that missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle?
How to Beat the 'Tahs: Michael Cheika has promised that the Waratahs will be more positive with ball in hand and stop kicking ball away aimlessly and just brainlessly crashing it up with their forwards (sounds familiar, eh Heyneke?). But old habits die young, and the opposition's best bet would be to play smart, tactical rugby by kicking for the corners, trying to gain parity in the set pieces, winning the collision battle and piling on the points when in Waratah territory. There are question marks surrounding this team about their ability to make a comeback and score tries if they fall behind by more than 7. Getting out the blocks quickly and putting points on the board will force the 'Tahs to play more attacking rugby, and players like Berrick Barnes (perfect player for closing down games when in the lead) are not too comfortable with that. Just be careful that you don't kick straight down the throat of Folau and co. while trying to win territory!
Prediction: 9th (3rd in Australian Conference)
I am backing the Waratahs to do relatively well this season because they still have a good team, have added a great fetcher Hooper, some untested X-factor in Folau and a coach in Michael Cheika that has won the Heineken Cup with Leinster before - safe to say, the team is in good hands. They have enough to threaten to get into the playoff places and I think they will get off to a good start in the early rounds, but ultimately there is not enough depth in the forwards (especially the front row) to sustain a challenge to get into the top 6. But, for a team that has lost some senior players and has a new coach, that is a satisfactory result and one they could build on.
Squad: Sekope Kepu, Benn Robinson, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse, Damien Fitzpatrick, Tatafu Polota-Nau, John Ulugia, Ollie Atkins, Kane Douglas, Greg Peterson, Sitaleki Timani, Mitchell Chapman, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Pat McCutcheon, Wycliff Palu, Lopeti Timani, Grayson Hart, Brendan McKibbin, Berrick Barnes, Bernard Foley, Tom Carter, Israel Folau, Michael Hodge, Rob Horne, Peter Betham, Tom Kingston, Drew Mitchell, Lachie Turner, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Cam Crawford.
Teams that they don't play: Sharks and Highlanders
WESTERN FORCE
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| With him gone, is it only the "Big Man Upstairs" that can help the Force not finish bottom of the Conference? |
Last Year: The only team worse than the Force last season were the Lions, and they're not even in the competition this season! Not only did they lose 13 games last season, they also lost their coach, Richard Graham to the Reds, their captain and the best fetcher in the world, David Pocock to the Brumbies and influential senior player Nathan Sharpe has retired from Australian rugby
Key Players: There is really not much to write about for the Force, but in Richard Brown, Matt Hodgson, Chris Alcock and Ben McCalman they have relatively strong options to use in their loose trio. A lot will be expected from Hodgson and Alcock to filll the void left by Pocock. Pek Cowan had a very good season at tighthead last season, and will be looking to carry on that form. Cowan, hooker Nathan Charles and Wallaby prop Salesi Ma'afu will be responsible for anchoring the Force scrum. Former Red, Hugh McMeniman, returns from a stint in Japan to fill the boots left by Sharpe. The mobile lock Sam Wykes will be looking for further growth in his game this season after impressing in patches of last season.
Never will you meet a more rag-tag bunch of has-beens and last-chance-salooners than the Force backline for 2013. You know hopes are low when Sam Norton-Knight could become a key player in your team, but this could turn into a brainwave of the Cameron Shepard variety for the Force. At halfback are two foreigners in former Blues scrumhalf Alby Mathewson and former Cheetah and schoolboy rugby sensation Sias Ebersohn trusted with steering the ship for the Perth-based franchise. Both will be looking to show their countries of birth what they are missing. Brett Sheehan offers vastly experienced cover in scrumhalf, while Kyle Godwin - who will be shadowing Ebersohn - is a youngster that plays a little bit like James O'Connor. The Force have their fair share of dangerous outside backs though, with Will Tupou, Jayden Hayward and last season's top try scorer Alfie Mafi on the wings, looking to use their size and pace to get over the whitewash. But all eyes will be on "THE HONEYBADGER!!!!" (said in Greg Martin voice) Nick Cummins, who impressed in the Wallabies end of year tour with his powerful running style, and tenacious attitude.
Never will you meet a more rag-tag bunch of has-beens and last-chance-salooners than the Force backline for 2013. You know hopes are low when Sam Norton-Knight could become a key player in your team, but this could turn into a brainwave of the Cameron Shepard variety for the Force. At halfback are two foreigners in former Blues scrumhalf Alby Mathewson and former Cheetah and schoolboy rugby sensation Sias Ebersohn trusted with steering the ship for the Perth-based franchise. Both will be looking to show their countries of birth what they are missing. Brett Sheehan offers vastly experienced cover in scrumhalf, while Kyle Godwin - who will be shadowing Ebersohn - is a youngster that plays a little bit like James O'Connor. The Force have their fair share of dangerous outside backs though, with Will Tupou, Jayden Hayward and last season's top try scorer Alfie Mafi on the wings, looking to use their size and pace to get over the whitewash. But all eyes will be on "THE HONEYBADGER!!!!" (said in Greg Martin voice) Nick Cummins, who impressed in the Wallabies end of year tour with his powerful running style, and tenacious attitude.
This Is the Season. . . of redemption at the Force!
Hugh McMeniman and Sam Norton-Knight return to Australian rugby, looking to show the public what they have learned up north and trying to show that they are not Wallaby has-beens. The loosies in McCalman, Hodgson and Brown have not been Robbie Deans' first choices of late, and will be looking to climb back up the pecking order in time for the Lions series. Alby Mathewson, who was once close to becoming the All Blacks' first choice scrumhalf, now finds himself in Perth in an effort to get more regular playing time and more recognition of his talents. But nobody has more to prove than Sias Ebersohn, who leaves South Africans feeling underwhelmed with his stint with the Cheetahs, giving us little tastes of the talent and potential that the 24-year-old has. Ebersohn left with a sour taste in his mouth after complaining about broken promises from Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske and becoming disillusioned. It will be heartwarming, but heart breaking too if Sias finally reaches his full potential in a gold Wallaby jersey (he is able to qualify to play for Australia in 4 years time).
Hugh McMeniman and Sam Norton-Knight return to Australian rugby, looking to show the public what they have learned up north and trying to show that they are not Wallaby has-beens. The loosies in McCalman, Hodgson and Brown have not been Robbie Deans' first choices of late, and will be looking to climb back up the pecking order in time for the Lions series. Alby Mathewson, who was once close to becoming the All Blacks' first choice scrumhalf, now finds himself in Perth in an effort to get more regular playing time and more recognition of his talents. But nobody has more to prove than Sias Ebersohn, who leaves South Africans feeling underwhelmed with his stint with the Cheetahs, giving us little tastes of the talent and potential that the 24-year-old has. Ebersohn left with a sour taste in his mouth after complaining about broken promises from Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske and becoming disillusioned. It will be heartwarming, but heart breaking too if Sias finally reaches his full potential in a gold Wallaby jersey (he is able to qualify to play for Australia in 4 years time).
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| It's been a while, sir! |
Fight the Force: While pitching up might be enough sometimes, a lot more will be required if the Force play to their potential. It will be a hard day's work for the opposition's loose forwards, as they will be up against a mobile, physical and clever loose trio who will be tireless in the effort put in for the team. There is not much depth in the tight 5, which means that scrums will get weaker as the match goes on. Ebersohn has been known to have a bit of a meltdown if the opposition put massive pressure on him from the beginning. But he is also able to exploit space left behind by a rush defence with his short kicking game. But for 13 of the 14 teams, a strong set piece, good rucking and ball retention and getting over the advantage line will provide many opportunities to pile on the points against the Force, a team without any world class players.
Prediction: 14th (5th in Australian Conference)
There is not much of an argument to make for the Force finishing anywhere but the bottom of the conference, especially if injuries hit their loose forwards, their props or Nick Cummins. Even then, their first team is not good enough to win week in week out and the new coach Michael Foley (sacked from the Waratahs) does not inspire confidence. Their loose forwards could win them a few games against the Rebels and the Kings at best, but not much else.
There is not much of an argument to make for the Force finishing anywhere but the bottom of the conference, especially if injuries hit their loose forwards, their props or Nick Cummins. Even then, their first team is not good enough to win week in week out and the new coach Michael Foley (sacked from the Waratahs) does not inspire confidence. Their loose forwards could win them a few games against the Rebels and the Kings at best, but not much else.
Squad: Chris Alcock, Phoenix Battye, Richard Brown, Nathan Charles, Sam Christie, Angus Cottrell, Pek Cowan, Nick Cummins, Patrick Dellit, Sias Ebersohn, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin, Jayden Hayward, James Hilterbrand, Matt Hodgson, Kieran Longbottom, Toby Lynn, Alfie Mafi, Salesi Ma'afu, Salesi Manu, Alby Mathewson, Lachlan McCaffrey, Ben McCalman, Hugh McMeniman, Sam Norton-Knight, Junior Rasolea, Brett Sheehan, Mich Snowden, Winston Stanley, Ed Stubbs, Heath Tessmann, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Will Tupou, Rory Walton, Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes
Teams that they don't play: Stormers and Blues
Coming Soon: New Zealand and South Africa's Conferences are previewed too.
Coming Soon: New Zealand and South Africa's Conferences are previewed too.
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