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Predictions per conference 2014
- Thread starter Gena_ZA
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My predictions:
SA
Sharks
Stormers
Bulls
Cheetahs
Lions
Aus
Reds
Waratahs
Brumbies
Rebels
Force
NZ
Chiefs
Crusaders
Hurricanes
Blues
Highlanders
SA
Sharks
Stormers
Bulls
Cheetahs
Lions
Aus
Reds
Waratahs
Brumbies
Rebels
Force
NZ
Chiefs
Crusaders
Hurricanes
Blues
Highlanders
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As in previous years everyone thinks the Sharks will be the best SA team. I am just waiting for some unfortunate injuries (i.e. Mtawarira breaking his arm, du Plessis tearing his knee ligaments) to ruin the season. Wouldn't be the first time.
IRISH RUGBY MAN
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My Predictions:
New Zealand:
Chiefs
Blues
Crusaders
Hurricanes
Highalnders
Australia:
Reds
Brumbies
Waratahs
Rebels
Force
South Africa:
Sharks
Stormers
Bulls
Cheetahs
Lions
New Zealand:
Chiefs
Blues
Crusaders
Hurricanes
Highalnders
Australia:
Reds
Brumbies
Waratahs
Rebels
Force
South Africa:
Sharks
Stormers
Bulls
Cheetahs
Lions
flank for days
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My predictions
NZ
Chiefs- Would not be surprised if they went three in a row
Crusaders- Always a strong team will be up the top of the table
Hurricanes- Hammett has to try and get the hurricanes into the top 6 or else he should be relieved of his coaching duties
Blues- Could surprise and do well, all depends if the new players gel and play well. I think that at least in this season they will be very hit and miss
Highlanders- Losing top players is never good especially when you were at the bottom with. I expect them to have a poor season this year
Aus
Reds- Classy players throughout the team. Expecting them to do well
Brumbies- Losing Jake White and now Mowen will prove to big of a loss and they will not be able to repeat last seasons performances
Waratahs- They have a good solid squad, could surprise a few teams with players such a Folau and Beale
Rebels- Best of the rest really losing players with the x-factor like O'connor and Beale will cost them.
Force- Don't expect much from them this year, wooden spoon contenders
SA
Sharks- class team really playing well in the past couple of seasons, expect big things.
Stormers- Good team, quite consistent. They will reach top 6 but go no further
Bulls- With big Victor coming back I will be think he adds a lot to the team. I think that they lack sufficient top players to be competitive in NZ and Aus
Cheetahs- A very entertaining side. they have made the most progress over recent years, although I feel they could be what the hurricanes were last year and everyone is now aware of their attacking threat.
Lions- Coming back into Super Rugby the have a point to prove. Will have to make Ellis park a fortress and win as many games at home because I feel that they will struggle on the road. Will be fighting with the Force to avoid the wooden spoon.
Table
Chiefs
Sharks
Reds
Crusaders
Stormers
Hurricanes
Bulls
Brumbies
Blues
Cheetahs
Waratahs
Highlanders
Rebaels
Force
Lions
NZ
Chiefs- Would not be surprised if they went three in a row
Crusaders- Always a strong team will be up the top of the table
Hurricanes- Hammett has to try and get the hurricanes into the top 6 or else he should be relieved of his coaching duties
Blues- Could surprise and do well, all depends if the new players gel and play well. I think that at least in this season they will be very hit and miss
Highlanders- Losing top players is never good especially when you were at the bottom with. I expect them to have a poor season this year
Aus
Reds- Classy players throughout the team. Expecting them to do well
Brumbies- Losing Jake White and now Mowen will prove to big of a loss and they will not be able to repeat last seasons performances
Waratahs- They have a good solid squad, could surprise a few teams with players such a Folau and Beale
Rebels- Best of the rest really losing players with the x-factor like O'connor and Beale will cost them.
Force- Don't expect much from them this year, wooden spoon contenders
SA
Sharks- class team really playing well in the past couple of seasons, expect big things.
Stormers- Good team, quite consistent. They will reach top 6 but go no further
Bulls- With big Victor coming back I will be think he adds a lot to the team. I think that they lack sufficient top players to be competitive in NZ and Aus
Cheetahs- A very entertaining side. they have made the most progress over recent years, although I feel they could be what the hurricanes were last year and everyone is now aware of their attacking threat.
Lions- Coming back into Super Rugby the have a point to prove. Will have to make Ellis park a fortress and win as many games at home because I feel that they will struggle on the road. Will be fighting with the Force to avoid the wooden spoon.
Table
Chiefs
Sharks
Reds
Crusaders
Stormers
Hurricanes
Bulls
Brumbies
Blues
Cheetahs
Waratahs
Highlanders
Rebaels
Force
Lions
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My Predictions:
South Africa:
Bulls
Sharks
Stormers
Cheetahs
Lions
New Zealand:
Crusaders
Chiefs
Blues
Hurricanes
Highlanders
Australia
Brumbies
Reds
Waratahs
Forca
Rebels
I think my Bulls team has a chance to give many teams a go, and will be again underrated like last year. With the Return of Victor Matfield, Deon Stegman, Arno Botha, Pierre Spies and Francois Hougaard, is 5 springboks from number 5 to 9!!
The Bulls also have a favourable draw, which might be just the thing to pip the Sharks. The Bulls last year won for the first time in Auckland, and then also went on to draw and win a game in Australia. With only losing one game on the abroad tour. That showed that they are adapting and are no longer afraid of the long trips.
There are 2 things that will make the Bulls even more dangerous than before: 1. The new scrum laws. Their massive pack will definitely benefit from the new laws, and their forward orientated play will be more potent. 2. A running fly half. Morne Steyn is gone, and with that, Handre Pollard makes his way into the Bulls Super Rugby fold. A guy that loves to run with the ball and not kicking the ball every time he gets.
As for the NZ conference. I think the Chiefs will not make it 3 in a row. Every team will now be gunning for them, and they will be the obvious target or "Big Scalp". I just think the Crusaders will use this to their advantage and then gain the top spot.
Australia, hmm, difficult to call. Jake White has left the Brumbies, Ian Mckenzie isn't involved with the Reds anymore, their top 2 teams of the last season with new management could become a conundrum. But I made my picks purely on the squads they have.
South Africa:
Bulls
Sharks
Stormers
Cheetahs
Lions
New Zealand:
Crusaders
Chiefs
Blues
Hurricanes
Highlanders
Australia
Brumbies
Reds
Waratahs
Forca
Rebels
I think my Bulls team has a chance to give many teams a go, and will be again underrated like last year. With the Return of Victor Matfield, Deon Stegman, Arno Botha, Pierre Spies and Francois Hougaard, is 5 springboks from number 5 to 9!!
The Bulls also have a favourable draw, which might be just the thing to pip the Sharks. The Bulls last year won for the first time in Auckland, and then also went on to draw and win a game in Australia. With only losing one game on the abroad tour. That showed that they are adapting and are no longer afraid of the long trips.
There are 2 things that will make the Bulls even more dangerous than before: 1. The new scrum laws. Their massive pack will definitely benefit from the new laws, and their forward orientated play will be more potent. 2. A running fly half. Morne Steyn is gone, and with that, Handre Pollard makes his way into the Bulls Super Rugby fold. A guy that loves to run with the ball and not kicking the ball every time he gets.
As for the NZ conference. I think the Chiefs will not make it 3 in a row. Every team will now be gunning for them, and they will be the obvious target or "Big Scalp". I just think the Crusaders will use this to their advantage and then gain the top spot.
Australia, hmm, difficult to call. Jake White has left the Brumbies, Ian Mckenzie isn't involved with the Reds anymore, their top 2 teams of the last season with new management could become a conundrum. But I made my picks purely on the squads they have.
Freshprince88
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New Zealand:
Chiefs
Blues
Crusaders
Hurricanes
Highlanders
Australia:
Waratahs
Reds
Brumbies
Rebels
Force
South Africa:
Sharks
Stormers
Bulls
Cheetahs
Lions
Chiefs
Blues
Crusaders
Hurricanes
Highlanders
Australia:
Waratahs
Reds
Brumbies
Rebels
Force
South Africa:
Sharks
Stormers
Bulls
Cheetahs
Lions
Kevin Robarts
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Gena - Hurricanes will be nowhere in 2014. Blues to finish above them.
Rebels might also have a nightmare, could take the wooden spoon instead of Force
Rebels might also have a nightmare, could take the wooden spoon instead of Force
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I've made up a spreadsheet to chart people's selections and average the selections out to see how our opinions match reality later in the season
I have allocated 5 points for 1st choice, 4 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd etc, in each of the three conferences. Here are the results so far up to and including Conrad Smith's post.
SAF
43 Sharks
36 Stormers
28 Bulls
19 Cheetahs
09 Lions
AUS
40 Reds
34 Brumbies
34 Waratahs
18 Rebels
09 Force
NZL
41 Chiefs
36 Crusaders
29 Blues
21 Hurricanes
09 Highlanders
I have allocated 5 points for 1st choice, 4 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd etc, in each of the three conferences. Here are the results so far up to and including Conrad Smith's post.
SAF
43 Sharks
36 Stormers
28 Bulls
19 Cheetahs
09 Lions
AUS
40 Reds
34 Brumbies
34 Waratahs
18 Rebels
09 Force
NZL
41 Chiefs
36 Crusaders
29 Blues
21 Hurricanes
09 Highlanders
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Ooh I'd better throw my lot in...
NZ
Crusaders
Chiefs
Blues
Hurricanes
Highlanders
AU
Waratahs
Reds
Brumbies
Rebels
Force
SA
Sharks
Bulls
Stormers
Cheetahs
Lions
NZ
Crusaders
Chiefs
Blues
Hurricanes
Highlanders
AU
Waratahs
Reds
Brumbies
Rebels
Force
SA
Sharks
Bulls
Stormers
Cheetahs
Lions
Kevin Robarts
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So, to go against the aggregate in all 3 conferences...
SAF
43 Sharks
36 Stormers
19 Cheetahs
28 Bulls
09 Lions
AUS
34 Waratahs
34 Brumbies
40 Reds
09 Force
18 Rebels
NZL
41 Chiefs
36 Crusaders
29 Blues
09 Highlanders
21 Hurricanes
SAF
43 Sharks
36 Stormers
19 Cheetahs
28 Bulls
09 Lions
AUS
34 Waratahs
34 Brumbies
40 Reds
09 Force
18 Rebels
NZL
41 Chiefs
36 Crusaders
29 Blues
09 Highlanders
21 Hurricanes
I did a long post but the server/website died when I went to post it! >.<
I wont pretend to know the current state of SA/AUS squads and coaching setups. NZ looks strong again despite losing a lot of big names overseas again.
Highlanders have been gutted of their stars big time. BIG TIME! Nonu, Ellison, Gear, Slade and Woodcock. Gone. GONE! And the harsh reality is they have Zero big name signings to compensate.
Kinda puts a massive weight on the shoulders of Ben Smith, he has also been named co-captian. He kinda stands out like a god amongst mortals in the squad, one of the top players in the world amongst a squad of generally 2nd tier players. He and Ben Smith are the only current AB's in the squad, not current AB forwards.
What the highlanders do have is a lot of players I think can take a step up, realize a bit more if their potential. Hardie & Manu are great players who have spend a lot of time on the sidelines due to injury, Coltman maybe the next big thing in terms if hookers in NZ, treeby, burleigh I think have the potential to rise above their current journeymen status. Parker is a very talented young 10 they can work a gameplan for, quick, smart, kicks goals and can punish a tired defense but its small so needs some protection. So its not all doom and gloom. One advantage of not having a squad stacked with All Blacks is that they can assemble early and work their arses off pre-season, and I think that is what they have been doing.
Canes, they have maybe the best young 9-10 combination in the world, but they need key players in the tight 5 to step up big time. Vito played like a panzy last year in super rugby before he played like a werewolf in ITM cup, whats he going to do this year? He can spearhead an awesome back row with Shields and Savea, backup from Lam and Levave. I still think shields has huge potential, genuine natural power, will this be his year?
Chiefs brand is sitting pretty, they lost players but they made key signings. I want to see Charlie Ngatai come good I think he will be an All Black. Sick Depth, sick team. Big question marks over hooker with hika & Mo injured
I cant rewrite all my stuff again
chiefs and crusaders in the top 3, canes and highlanders in the bottom 3
I wont pretend to know the current state of SA/AUS squads and coaching setups. NZ looks strong again despite losing a lot of big names overseas again.
Highlanders have been gutted of their stars big time. BIG TIME! Nonu, Ellison, Gear, Slade and Woodcock. Gone. GONE! And the harsh reality is they have Zero big name signings to compensate.
Kinda puts a massive weight on the shoulders of Ben Smith, he has also been named co-captian. He kinda stands out like a god amongst mortals in the squad, one of the top players in the world amongst a squad of generally 2nd tier players. He and Ben Smith are the only current AB's in the squad, not current AB forwards.
What the highlanders do have is a lot of players I think can take a step up, realize a bit more if their potential. Hardie & Manu are great players who have spend a lot of time on the sidelines due to injury, Coltman maybe the next big thing in terms if hookers in NZ, treeby, burleigh I think have the potential to rise above their current journeymen status. Parker is a very talented young 10 they can work a gameplan for, quick, smart, kicks goals and can punish a tired defense but its small so needs some protection. So its not all doom and gloom. One advantage of not having a squad stacked with All Blacks is that they can assemble early and work their arses off pre-season, and I think that is what they have been doing.
Canes, they have maybe the best young 9-10 combination in the world, but they need key players in the tight 5 to step up big time. Vito played like a panzy last year in super rugby before he played like a werewolf in ITM cup, whats he going to do this year? He can spearhead an awesome back row with Shields and Savea, backup from Lam and Levave. I still think shields has huge potential, genuine natural power, will this be his year?
Chiefs brand is sitting pretty, they lost players but they made key signings. I want to see Charlie Ngatai come good I think he will be an All Black. Sick Depth, sick team. Big question marks over hooker with hika & Mo injured
I cant rewrite all my stuff again
chiefs and crusaders in the top 3, canes and highlanders in the bottom 3
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My prediction:
SA:
1. Bulls
2. Sharks
3. Stormers
4. Cheetahs
5. Lions
OZ:
1. Brumbies
2. Reds
3. Waratahs
4. Force
5. Rebels
NZ:
1. Crusaders
2. Chiefs
3. Blues
4. Highlanders
5. Hurricanes
SA:
1. Bulls
2. Sharks
3. Stormers
4. Cheetahs
5. Lions
OZ:
1. Brumbies
2. Reds
3. Waratahs
4. Force
5. Rebels
NZ:
1. Crusaders
2. Chiefs
3. Blues
4. Highlanders
5. Hurricanes
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