S14 2010 expectations

[bates]

Hi guys,

The new shirts are unveiled, squads have been announced.
So who do you think will win the cup.

My expected top 4 ( as I didn't have a look at the SA and AUS squads)

1)Crusaders ( Jack and Carter are back, they will make the difference)
2)Bulls ( played such an awesome season, they will end in the top 4, but will not make it against the Crusaders)
3)Chiefs ( had an awesome season, will try to achieve the same level)
4)Canes ( are very consistent but the 2 last seasons they have some difficulites to push thru to the finals)

What do you think about the upcoming season?

 

[stormer2010]

I am really looking forward to this upcoming season as I feel my first and second favourite teams have made absolutely huge progress since this year's Super seres; the Stormers and Cheetahs and if they can carry that momentum through and take the step up in sealing some early close games don't be surprised to see them push for the knock-out stages (is it the final 6 yet?). That said, the old favourites should be up for it and it would still be an upset for these teams to overcome who I see as the 6/7 heavies.

Real contenders
Crusaders
Bulls

Contenders for top spots
Chiefs
Hurricanes
Sharks
Brumbies (if only for their big name signings for next season)
Warratahs

Could sneak it into top spots
Blues
Cheetahs
Stormers

Making up the numbers
Highlanders
Reds
Force
Lions

in that order IMO

Really ddifficult to pick between position 3 to 9! Blues on would expect to come back as a powerhouse and i really believe the Stormers and Cheetahs have the talent if maybe not the depth to contend for the long duration of the tournament.

 

[stormer2010]

Ja, those top 4 teams just have quality fomr 1 to 15. Can't argue with that. Sharks, Blues, Tahs and Brumbies just have some weaknesses and I see them losing close matches against each other, the top 4 IMO and also wouldn't be surprised to see them cop out against the Blues, Cheetahs or Stormers on tour.

 

[bates]

The Blues always ahve a very decent team but fail to keep up with their consistence. That's why they most of the time don't get into the semis ( which is a pity).
But who knows what next season brings.

Are the Sa and AUS squads already announced?

 

[Moonfire]

I predict the Cheetah's taking it!

Well... I can only hope...

 

[bates]

I hope the Chiefs can realise it this year
@ Opperstopper: I tried to register on the S14 site ( while crossing my fingers to find pictures of Os in Cheetah colours) but wasn't allowed to register.

Would you be so kind to have a look on their board?

Thanks mate.

 

[redunderthebed]

Simple Brumbies to finish just outside the finals again.

 

[Steve-o]

Watch the Stormers next season, they gonna be good next season. Habana and Fourie are HUGE signings for them. I just hope Nick Koster gets settled this season, he's a rare talent.

 

[Moonfire]

I'll have a look for you, I think I saw some somewhere... were you able to use the others I posted?

 

[bates]

Well those gettyimages were pretty cool and the waterproof wasn't an issue the quality on the other hand wasn't that good.
While importing them in the project the photo wasn't that sharp and the result was quiet lame.
Luckily I foud some Cheetah pictures on Zimbo but those were of the S14 2009 season. SO for now this is the back up plan ;-).
If you want I can try to work out my idea by this weekend and send you a preview, using a pictures/some pictures I found on Zimbo.

 

[Boggle]

I agree with Steve-o, we might not win it next year, but seriously, watch out for the Stormers, I think they're going to be bigger ***le contenders than most people think, can definitely see them getting into the semis if they play it right.
Although I think the loss of JDV in terms of both skill and the leadership role he lent to the stormers will be a loss, as well as Watson, who was an immense player for the team.

But having Jacque Fourie -and- Bryan Habana in the team should give us quite the formidable backline, hell if JDV were still here I'd have been crying out of joy, A shame about Chavanga leaving, but if Koster gets moulded into a decent wing I'll still be happy, can't wait to see how Jean De Jong and Fourie play together.

 

[bates]

I also enjoy watching there games. Schalk Burger is always hitting it so hard.

 

[Steve-o]

I must say the Stormers tight 5 is finally showing signs of some potential. Blaauw has been good this season, Liebenberg is playing the best rugby of his career and I rate Fondse as a future Bok prospect.

 

[munross]

Hope the Stormers do well next season and get into the semi's.They should just get rid of Naqelevuki, he is a useless case!With Habana there I hope he gets very little game time.
Damn if only JDV had stayed with the Stormers and Chavanga too, what a backline we would have had...

15.Joe Pietersen
14.Chavanga
13.Jacque Fourie
12.JDV
11.Habana
10.Grant/de Waal

Wonder if they will play de Jongh at 12 or Welsh...?Then again Welsh is more of an outside center so I guess de Jongh will get the no.12 jersy...hopefully

Wonder what surprises Rassie will pull out of the bag for the Stormers in 2010

 

[Steve-o]

I reckon Welsh might find himself on the wing with Fourie coming in. Who are the other wingers you guys have?

 

[munross]

That I know of...:

Habana
Koster
Naqelevuki
Gio Aplon
JJ Engelbrecht(possibility)

 

[Boggle]

Oooooh, to be honest I think a Habana + Gio Aplon winger setup could be quite spectacular, Gio Aplon is a great runner, and -extremely- solid on defense, actually, a lot like Habana
Methinks it's possibly going to be a Habana/Aplon and Habana/Koster wing formation depending on what the coach wants, as I see Koster as one of those big strong pacy Wingers and Aplon as pure speed, Naqelevuki should definitely be seeing less game time this season. I am quite interested at what's going to happen in the midfield, seems we're gonna have too many wingers at the end of the day, if Welsh does indeed get moved to wing to accommodate Fourie and De Jong.

Obviously we're all thinking that Habana and Fourie will be instant starters for the team, but honestly though, why wouldn't you start with one of the best wingers and one of the best centers in the world ?

 

[Woldog]

Reds will win it

 

[QLD]

S14 is too predictable. Same teams winning it every year and same teams at the bottom.

 

[Juggernaut]

Actually mate, even though they have lost Barnes, I see the Reds as one of the top threats next season...they will be the top Aussie team (put your $$$ on it )

If our key players can remain injury free for an entire season, then we definitely would be in the final 4.