Super Rugby 2017: Get up to speed ahead of the big kick-off
Ahead of the start of the Super Rugby season on Thursday, we take a look at some of the talking points that could shape the coming campaign.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR?
The 2016 season was dominated by the New Zealanders, with the Hurricanes eventually claiming their maiden Super Rugby crown with a 20-3 victory over the Lions of South Africa.
It was a difficult year for the Australian clubs as best-placed finishers the Brumbies – the only Aussie outfit to make the play-offs – were outscored by all but one of their New Zealand counterparts in the Australasian Group.
The Lions’ victory over the Crusaders prevented the semi-finals from being a Kiwi lockout, marking a first appearance in the play-offs since they reached the last four as the Cats in 2000 and 2001.
Last season also signalled the introduction of the Jaguares and the Sunwolves to an expanded format. The Argentines finished fifth in the South African Group, with the Japanese outfit bottom.
WILL NZ TEAMS CONTINUE TO DOMINATE?
No country has won more than two consecutive titles since teams from New Zealand triumphed in the first five seasons of the Super 12, but the Hurricanes are favourites to defend their crown.
Only three of the previous 21 seasons have seen a final without a team from New Zealand represented (2001, 2007, 2010), and the continued struggles of their Australian rivals could see them thrive again.
The Crusaders have won seven Super Rugby titles, more than twice as many as any other team, but only the Chiefs (2) have won more than once since the tournament’s 2011 expansion.
REDS TO LEAD AUSSIE REVIVAL?
Australia’s Super Rugby clubs face an uncertain season as the country’s rugby bosses deliberate over format-change proposals that could see one or more of them dropped from the competition.
It is hoped there will be more clarity over Super Rugby’s future after a SANZAAR executive committee meeting on March 9, but the focus for Australia’s clubs, who have also faced financial struggles in recent times, must be to improve on last year’s performance.
The Reds, who won only three matches last season, have turned to some old faces to inspire their challenge, with Stephen Moore, Quade Cooper and Scott Higginbotham all returning to the club, and 111-Test former Wallaby George Smith added to the ranks.
CAN LIONS LEAD SOUTH AFRICAN CHARGE AGAIN?
The Lions’ decision to play a weakened team in their final group match against the Jaguares last season came back to bite them when they missed out on a home final.
It was, nevertheless, a memorable campaign for Johan Ackermann’s side, who remain largely unchanged for 2017 and will be aiming to go one step further and clinch the title.
The Stormers ran the Lions close in the South African Group last season, while many expect the Sharks to close the gap this time around.
WHO PLAYS WHO IN ROUND ONE?
Thursday
Rebels v Blues
Friday
Highlanders v Chiefs
Reds v Sharks
Saturday
Sunwolves v Hurricanes
Crusaders v Brumbies
Waratahs v Force
Cheetahs v Lions
Kings v Jaguares
Stormers v Bulls
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments