Crusaders fan Tim Cronin from RugbyShirts.net looks ahead to the new Super Rugby campaign…
With the Super XV about to kick off and rugby set to get in to full-swing in the Southern Hemisphere I thought I'd take a look at each of the sides and the chances they have in 2013.
As always at the start of a new season there are plenty of questions awaiting answers - Can a young Blues side bounce back from their franchise's worst ever year? Can the Crusaders, who have lost in the playoffs for four years on the trot finally add another trophy to their cabinet? Can the experienced campaigners that the Highlanders have added get them to the Semis, or will a lack of depth trip them up at the business end of the competition again? Will the Hurricanes continue to build on a positive year in 2012 in which their culture returned, and can the Chiefs defend their crown despite the loss of some key personnel?
Across the ditch can the brilliant David Pocock help take Jake White's already impressive Brumbies to the next level? Does Quade Cooper have anything left to offer the Reds, or were the handful of Touch Rugby tricks he pulled out a couple of years ago the best he had to offer? Is this the year of the 'Tahs, with marquee signing Israel Folau looking sharp already? Can the Rebels get some consistency into their game, and will the Force offer any resistance at all?
In the Republic the usual suspects will shine again, but can the Sharks carry on from their barn-storming finish last year? Can the Stormers take their dominant performances in recent years to the next level? Can Morne Steyn remember how to play and help the Bulls to the playoffs, or is a great career stumbling to an end? Can the Cheetahs offer anything other than the odd upset win, and can the Kings really be competitive in their first year?
To offer some insights in to these questions here are 20 words, no less, no more, on each of the 15 sides.
Blues – Talent to burn but lacking experience. Will struggle - at best will trip up one or two of the big boys.
Brumbies – Hard working side looking to build on last year, where they overacheived. Good coach in White, great flanker in Pocock.
Bulls – May have made the playoffs last year but the writing was on the wall. The great Bulls era is ending.
Cheetahs – Play with courage and passion, but lack the genuine talent to be truly competitive. Will cause an upset or two.
Chiefs – Defending their title without go-forwad men Sonny Bill and Sona Taumalolo will be a huge ask for Dave Rennie's men.
Crusaders – Four years in the playoffs without a title. Crusaders simply must win if Todd Blackadder is to retain his job.
Force – The time spent travelling is the hardest part of a game in Perth, with the Force themselves offering little. Cellar-dwellers.
Highlanders – Packed full of expereince and exciting new talent, but lacking depth. Could struggle at the business end of the season.
Hurricanes – After a year where cohesion returned to the Hurricanes they must capitalise this season and make the playoffs. Outside contenders.
Kings – Without doubt will struggle, with the Cheetahs their only real hope of avoiding the wooden spoon in the African conference.
Rebels – Mix of some of Australia's top players and a bunch of mediocre campaigners. At best a stumbling block for others.
Reds – Will be one of the better Australian sides again, but does that really say much? Will Quade fire or fail?
Sharks – Finished hard last year with a gutsy display despite having to travel. Great work ethic and plenty of talent. Contenders.
Stormers – Schalk Burger will have a huge influence. Great defence, but can they attack? Guaranteed to be one of the best.
Waratahs – New coaches, exciting backs and hard working forwards. Odds-on to win the Australian conference, although the overall title a stretch.
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Tim Cronin is a Rugby fan and full time writer based in the rubble of the Canterbury Crusaders’ home town, Christchurch. Tim is a part of the Pukeko Sportsteam, where his role is watching, writing, and complaining about all things rugby.
