Super 15 Rugby Preview
Saturday 19 February 2011
Super 15 Rugby Preview - Week 1
Blues vs. Crusaders
After several disappointing seasons, the men from Auckland will count on 2011 as the season when they finally right the ship. After finishing in a mediocre seventh place last year in Super Rugby competition, and with the World Cup on home soil right around the corner, several Blues should be putting their hands up for selection in the All Blacks squad. The Blues are one of the strongest teams in the league up front, led by Tony Woodcock and Kevin Mealamu, who captain the side. They are helped by All Blacks Ali Williams and Jerome Kaino, as well as Daniel Braid, who was selected for the 2010 end of year tour.
In the backline, many point to Isaia Toeava as a failed experiment who had infinite potential. However, after finding a place in Graham Henry's squad last autumn, he will hope to secure it with strong performances this season. Joe Rockocoko, who has 230 points in international rugby, will look to cement his place for another World Cup. Rene Ranger, who starts on the other wing, is considered to be on the outside looking in, and must produce something special to earn a place on Henry's team.
The Crusaders, perennial favourites, come into the 2011 season experience. The tried and true partnership of Andy Ellis and Daniel Carter is legendary in Canterbury, and the two halfbacks will look to continue the winning trend against their rivals. Head coach Todd Blackadder, who once captained the Crusaders, will rely on newcomer Israel Dagg to produce some of the magic he showed last season. Sean Maitland, who got a taste of the All Blacks jersey last year, will want to prove his worth against opposite number Rockocoko, who currently occupies his spot.
In the pack, the Crusaders boast a young yet skilled group of men. Owen Franks gets the starting nod, while his brother Ben looks on from the bench. Experienced hand Brad Thorn partners with rising star Sam Whitelock in the second row, while Chris Jack is the odd man out and takes a spot in the reserves. Whitelock, who got his first taste of international rugby last year, already has 13 caps to his name, and will certainly look to be included in Henry's World Cup squad. Richie McCaw's injury makes room for 22 year old Matt Todd to take the open-side spot, and Kieran Read captains the side at 8.
Player to Watch: Look for Tony Woodcock to do battle with Owen Franks in the front row come scrum time. Both will want to show that they are one of the best scrummagers in New Zealand and won't give up an inch.
Prediction: Perhaps the hardest game to call of Round 1, I give the edge to the home side and expect to see the Blues come out on top. However, if the boys from Auckland give up too many penalties inside their own half, Dan Carter will make this game his own “ Blues 22, Crusaders 18
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Adam Whitelock, 11 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (C), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Tom Marshall/Tyler Bleyendaal.
Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Chris Lowrey, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Broic, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (C), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney/Ash Dixon, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Lachie Munro, 22 Sherwin Stowers.
Venue: Auckland
Kick-off (GMT): 0635
Referee: Chris Pollock
ACT Brumbies vs. Chiefs
The biggest news of the Brumbies season may have already been let out of the bag “ Matt Giteau, who has played 52 times for his club, is leaving for Toulon after the World Cup. Letting the rugby world know last week by Twitter, Giteau intends ultimately to return to Australia and play rugby; however with Berrick Barnes and Quade Cooper currently occupying the Wallabies 12 and 10 jerseys respectively, Giteau seems to be out of a space in Robbie Deans' backline. On Saturday he will be looking to silence the critics as he plays inside 20 year old Robbie Deans and lethal Adam Ashley-Cooper. With few standouts in the rest of the backline, except for familiar Josh Valentine at 9, Giteau will have his hands full at fly-half.
Julian Salvi has big shoes to fill as he replaces George Smith in the #7 spot this weekend. Smith, who left the Brumbies for France this past season, was capped 122 times for the Brumbies and 110 times for Australia, and was a force to be reckoned with at the breakdown. Expect Ben Alexander and Steve Moore to hold their own in the scrum, with newcomer Ben Hand right behind them at lock.
A familiar face is back in New Zealand after some time away in France. Tana Umaga, a true rugby legend who has notched 185 points for the All Blacks during his illustrious career, anchors a solid Chiefs backline at inside centre. Expect Umaga to look to create gaps for dynamic veteran Mils Muliaina, who retains the fullback spot. Stephen Donald will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing end of year tour, which saw him allow the Wallabies to come back and ultimately win the fourth Bleidsloe Cup test in Hong Kong. Brandon Leonard will be feeding him the ball from the #9 position.
The Chiefs forwards don't claim many international credentials, with Liam Messam perhaps being the most familiar face, with only 3 caps. Expect the pack to work hard to provide a stable platform for the backs, and contest ferociously at the line-out.
Player to Watch: Expect Robbie Coleman to experience a rude awakening when he encounters wily veteran Tana Umaga as his opposite number. Don't expect Umaga to go easy on the youngster, he will want to show Coleman what Super Rugby is all about and why he is the best of his generation.
Prediction: With home field advantage, I have to take the ACT Brumbies to come out on top in Canberra on Saturday. Giteau will want to start this season on a strong foot, and he will create gaps for Ashley-Cooper to come searing through “ ACT Brumbies 19, Chiefs 10
Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (C), 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Dwayne Sweeney, 12 Tana Umaga, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Toby Smith, 17 Daniel Perrin, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Lelia Masaga.
Brumbies: 15 Pat McCabe, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Robbie Coleman, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Mitch Chapman, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Steve Moore 1, Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Stephen Hoiles, 19 Colby Faingaa, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Andrew Smith.
Venue: Canberra
Kick-off (GMT): 0840
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Sharks vs. Cheetahs
The Sharks come into the Super Rugby season having already captured the prestigious Currie Cup, and the current squad looks strong enough to garner more hardware by season's end. New revelation Patrick Lambie will play fly-half in front of a very strong backline. Lambie, only 20 years old, was a standout for the Sharks and earned a call up to the Springboks for the Investec Autumn Internationals. He will look to release speedsters Lwazi Mvovo and Odwa Ndungane on the wing, as both have pace to burn. Stefan Terblanche is an experienced Super Rugby player, having been involved in 65 matches for the Sharks since his return from Ospreys in 2007.
John Plumtree has been spoiled with front row selection in 2011, as he has four Springboks at his disposal. World Cup winner John Smit claims the #1 jersey, and he will be bolstered by brothers Jannie and Bismarck Du Plessis at tight-head prop and hooker, respectively. Ryan Kankowski showed he's not to be messed with last season, and look for the man from Port Elizabeth to make his presence felt on the pitch.
The Free State Cheetahs usually claim one of the best open-side flankers in the world in Springbok representative Juan Smith. However after struggling with a calf injury all week, head coach Naka Drotske has wisely left the powerhouse off the team sheet this weekend. 9-capped Adriaan Strauss captains the side from the hooker position, and is aided by WP Nel and Coenie Oosthuizen in the front row. Old hand Kamba Floors looks to make his presence felt at the #8 position.
Player to watch: With such a strong forward pack giving him a great platform to work off, expect Patrick Lambie to show why he was so good in the Currie Cup last season. He has lots of help outside of him to make big plays, but he probably won't need it.
Prediction: The absence of Juan Smith really hurts the Cheetahs. The Cheetahs front row which would normally be one of their strengths has suddenly become a glaring weakness against three very talented Sharks stalwarts. Expect talent to shine on Saturday “ Sharks 21, Cheetahs 7
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Philip Burger, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Ryno Benjamin, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Kabamba Floors, 7 Juan Smith/Philip van der Walt, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (C), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Kobus Calldo, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Riaan Viljoen.
Sharks:15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane,13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Meyer Bosman,11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10.Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 John Smit (C).
Replacements: 16 Tendai Mtawarira, 17 Eugene van Staden, 18 Anton Bresler, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Adrian Jacobs.
Venue: Durban
Kick-off (GMT): 1500
Referee: Craig Joubert
Lions vs. Bulls
The Bulls could be on the verge of something special. Should they capture the Super Rugby final at the end of the season, which very realistically could happen, they would become only the second team to capture three straight titles, the 1998-2000 Crusaders being the first. With every member of the starting XV back from last season's final, the Bulls have opted for newcomer and record try scorer Bjorn Basson on the wing. The return of Fourie du Preez will be a welcome sight in South Africa, as he missed the Tri-Nations and Investec Autumn Internationals with injury in 2010. He will partner with Morne Steyn, as they resume their lethal partnership in the halfback positions, and look set to reclaim their Springbok jerseys.
Up front, the Bulls look as strong as ever with old friends Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha occupying the engine room of the scrum. A very capable Danie Rossouw waits for his turn from the bench. The monstrous Pierre Spies will be looking to make a huge impact as a loose forward, his off the ball running skills set to be key for the Blue Bulls this season. Expect the Bulls to dominate the lineout with very possibly the best jumper in the world in Matfield.
When Morne Steyn looks across the field from him, he may well be looking into the future fly-half of South Africa in Elton Jantjies. The 20 year old was electric for the Lions last season, and the other team from Johannesburg will hope that this season he will be able to make the step up into the upper echelon of Super Rugby pivots. However he will be without the help of Earl Rose this season, who left for the Cheetahs, which could potentially be a huge blow for the Lions. Coach Dick Muir has opted to bench ex-Shark Rory Kockott in favour of Jano Vermaak, but expect Kockott to win the scrumhalf spot from Vermaak by season's end.
Franco van der Merwe, the experienced lock, takes reign of the captaincy this season, and he will be looking to put a marker down early against the strongest second row in the competition. He will need lots of poise and composure if he is to bring much lineout ball down, but expect the Paarl native to rally the troops. Bandise Maku, who was called up to the Springbok squad in 2010, starts at hooker and will be tested early and often.
Player to watch: It will be very interesting to see how Elton Jantjies fares against such stiff competition so early in the season. He faces a lethal counterattack from Zane Kirchner and Basson should he choose to kick deep, and don't expect Wynand Olivier to give up an inch in the midfield. This is a chance for the youngster to prove how talented he really is.
Prediction: The Blue Bulls come into this match riding two seasons of domination, and it's hard to see how the Lions will stop them. Watch du Preez and Steyn make some magic with the ball in hand, as they will both be eager to play after coming back from injury “ Bulls 33 Lions 12
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (C), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Derick Kuun, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Doppies La Grange, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Josh Strauss, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe (C), 4 George Earl, 3 Patrick Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Wikus van Heerden, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Burton Francis, 22 James Kamana.
Venue: Johannesburg (of course)
Kick-off (GMT): 1710
Referee: Marius Jonker
Reds vs. Western Force
James O'Connor has experienced some pressure before, to say the least. With the scores tied in Hong Kong last October against the All Blacks, O'Connor made Wallaby history by slotting a sideline conversion to give Australia the win. However, this isn't Hong Kong, and the memory of that kick will have faded for the fresh-faced fly-half, who will command the Force on Sunday. He will be expected to carry a Western Force backline that pales in comparison to their opponents this weekend, but O'Connor has produced some magic in the past.
It will be tough to top 2010 for open-side rugby machine David Pocock. Last year saw the birth of a new Wallaby hero, just as the vacancy was opened by George Smith's departure for France. This season he will be looking to prove last year was no fluke, and that he is still one of rugby's premier flankers. He will be helped by old friend Nathan Sharpe, as he makes his return to Western Force's second row after recovering from a hernia operation.
The Reds have named a very strong, and very familiar, backline for the 2011 opener. Wallaby pairing of Will Genia and Quade Cooper will occupy scrumhalf and fly-half, respectively. Expect Cooper to want to put a move or two on his close friend O'Connor, so watch for that patented side step in Cooper's 50th game for the Reds. Digby Ioane will want to prove he has what it takes to crack Robbie Deans' Wallaby side, so expect him to run off the dynamic midfield partnership of Anthony Faingaa and Will Chambers. Faingaa has missed both trial matches this season due to injury, but is at full fitness for the opener.
Ed Quirk will look to make the most of his opportunities on Sunday, as he claims the 7 jersey as his own in only his second appearance for the 1st XV. Anthony's brother Saia Faingaa is in the hooker spot, and should build on his solid performances last season for the Wallabies. James Horwill captains the powerful forward group at blindside flanker.
Player to watch: With the chance to have a go against one of his teammates, who is also one of the best players in the Australian squad, expect Quade Cooper to run the show on Sunday. He is one of, if not the most, exciting player in Super Rugby, and it will be a pleasure to watch him expose defenders once again.
Prediction: The Western Force aren't a bad team by any means, but I believe that this is the Reds year. With such a talented young squad, it would be nice to see them reach at least the semi-final stage this season, and I believe that all starts with a win on Sunday “ Western Force 18 Reds 32
Reds: 15 Peter Hynes, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Will Chambers, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Ed Quirk, 6 James Horwill, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Van Humphries, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Scott Higginbotham, 19 Beau Robinson, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Mike Harris, 22 Aidan Toua.
Western Force: 15 Cameron Shepherd, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Gene Fairbanks, 11 David Smith, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Ben McCalman, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ben Whittaker, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Sam Wykes, 19 Tevita Metuisela, 20 James Stannard, 21 Alfie Mafi, 22 Rory Sidey.
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off (GMT): 0640
Referee: Ian Smith
