S14 2010 expectations

[Dexter Tauvao]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Boggle @ Nov 18 2009, 04:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

At the very least the Bulls are turning into the SA version of the Crusaders, so it shouldn't be such an easy task for the saders anymore.[/b]

And the Sharks are the SA version of the Hurricanes

 

[Nickdnz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dexter Tauvao @ Jan 24 2010, 01:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I think

Bulls
Crusaders
Stormers

then fourth place will be either

Sharks, Waratahs, Cheetahs or Chiefs.

Bulls will still be on a high from last season thrashing of the Chiefs in the final, and they've only lost Habana, so they'll still be strong. When Bakkies comes back, they'll hit top form, and just clinch number one. Hope Morne slots another four drop goals! More lineout dominance

Crusaders, even with McCaw and Carter will still fall behind the Bulls through a slump in the mid season to finish second. I'd bet Morne Steyn lands more kicks than DC this year.

Stormers,THEY HAVE THE TEAM TO WIN! But for some reason they never switch on. With Habana and Fourie in their new Stormers colours, they will make it third.

Fourth place is always the biggest tussle. The Sharks and Waratahs always seem to be fighting for it. Sharks, perhaps weakened by the loss of Steyn and now Hernandez will probably nab fifth, but can pull fourth if they are lucky with Waratah losses. Same for the Tahs, but should have better luck looking at Sharks losing in the late rounds as they did last year.

Chiefs, can't count them out anymore after last year, but that was ONE year. So I wont be too surprised if they drop out.

And the Cheetahs. I believe that they have been the BEST South African team in the last couple of years, but for some reason, it looks like they ONLY play against the South African teams. A win against the any South African team wouldn't be much of an upset after the Currie Cup, and it seems as if the Cheetahs are still stuck in Currie Cup mode when it comes to S14. Usually a bad travelling team, but if they switch on and realise that they can win this, we might see their status as Wooden Spoon hopefuls disappear. Bring Louis Strydom in a few games, and youll be all set for the second Currie Cup in the Super 15

The Force, maybe sixth? But with some luck, and Andre Pretorius in their team, MIGHT snab out fourth through a coule of bonus points.

I don't know much about the Aussies, but after last year, you can't expect too much from them? Waratahs their best hope, but they looked fairly average last year as well.

Good Luck to all the teams this year [/b]

Can't see the Hurricanes not making it to at least the semi final. They have a great team this year, with a 1st 5 who actually has a future. The fact you havn'tput them in the top 6 seems like a joke.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

And the Sharks are the SA version of the Hurricanes[/b]

Hurricanes are a much more exciting team.

 

[Dexter Tauvao]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nickdnz @ Jan 24 2010, 09:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dexter Tauvao @ Jan 24 2010, 01:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think

Bulls
Crusaders
Stormers

then fourth place will be either

Sharks, Waratahs, Cheetahs or Chiefs.

Bulls will still be on a high from last season thrashing of the Chiefs in the final, and they've only lost Habana, so they'll still be strong. When Bakkies comes back, they'll hit top form, and just clinch number one. Hope Morne slots another four drop goals! More lineout dominance

Crusaders, even with McCaw and Carter will still fall behind the Bulls through a slump in the mid season to finish second. I'd bet Morne Steyn lands more kicks than DC this year.

Stormers,THEY HAVE THE TEAM TO WIN! But for some reason they never switch on. With Habana and Fourie in their new Stormers colours, they will make it third.

Fourth place is always the biggest tussle. The Sharks and Waratahs always seem to be fighting for it. Sharks, perhaps weakened by the loss of Steyn and now Hernandez will probably nab fifth, but can pull fourth if they are lucky with Waratah losses. Same for the Tahs, but should have better luck looking at Sharks losing in the late rounds as they did last year.

Chiefs, can't count them out anymore after last year, but that was ONE year. So I wont be too surprised if they drop out.

And the Cheetahs. I believe that they have been the BEST South African team in the last couple of years, but for some reason, it looks like they ONLY play against the South African teams. A win against the any South African team wouldn't be much of an upset after the Currie Cup, and it seems as if the Cheetahs are still stuck in Currie Cup mode when it comes to S14. Usually a bad travelling team, but if they switch on and realise that they can win this, we might see their status as Wooden Spoon hopefuls disappear. Bring Louis Strydom in a few games, and youll be all set for the second Currie Cup in the Super 15

The Force, maybe sixth? But with some luck, and Andre Pretorius in their team, MIGHT snab out fourth through a coule of bonus points.

I don't know much about the Aussies, but after last year, you can't expect too much from them? Waratahs their best hope, but they looked fairly average last year as well.

Good Luck to all the teams this year [/b]

Can't see the Hurricanes not making it to at least the semi final. They have a great team this year, with a 1st 5 who actually has a future. The fact you havn'tput them in the top 6 seems like a joke.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

And the Sharks are the SA version of the Hurricanes[/b]

Hurricanes are a much more exciting team.
[/b][/quote]


hahah how did I forget about the HUrricanes. I come from Wellington! hahah..
I dont expect them to make the semis even after last year..
oh, and I meant the Sharks and Hurricanes are unbeaten for a while, only to fail to make the semis.
Like the Sharks last year? 6 games in a row unbeaten, ended up 6th.

 

[ChiefsFan]

Top 4 to be made up of Crusaders, Stormers, Bulls, Chiefs, Brumbies and Hurricanes. Cheetahs to again take the wooden spoon, with Force not far off them, along with the Reds. I can see the Lions as the big improvers this year, the Sharks will be ones who won't perform too well. Blues to start well, fizzle out at the end, whereas the Highlanders will do the opposite. Waratahs to be average.

Predicted standings come the end of the competition are:
Crusaders
Stormers
Chiefs
Bulls
Brumbies
Hurricanes
Blues
Lions
Highlanders
Waratahs
Sharks
Western Force
Reds
Cheetahs

Or something similar.

 

[Nickdnz]

At least the Cheetah's have decent strike power in two good wingers. Lion's only have Carlos out of any note worthy back.

 

[gingergenius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nickdnz @ Jan 24 2010, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

At least the Cheetah's have decent strike power in two good wingers. Lion's only have Carlos out of any note worthy back.[/b]

chavhanga's gone to joburg no?

 

[ChiefsFan]

Yeah, they've got Chavhanga, plus Mentz and Noble. Plus Rose, Ludik's ok too.

And then they've got a decent loose trio.

 

[stormer2010]

Lots of people rating the Stormers for the play-offs. Its a possibility but I don't think we have have the depth yet.

My prediction:


Crusaders
Bulls

Chiefs
Brumbies
Hurricanes
Stormers
Waratahs

Sharks
Cheetahs
Blues
Lions
Highlanders
Force
Reds

 

[stormer2010]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChiefsFan @ Jan 25 2010, 09:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Yeah, they've got Chavhanga, plus Mentz and Noble. Plus Rose, Ludik's ok too.

And then they've got a decent loose trio.[/b]

Jano Vermaak is probably only behind du Preez, Genia and Pretorius. Chavanga and Mentz are good wingers for the Super rugby. Francis I expect to help them as he is way better than Andre Pretorius. Losing Fourie and Ludik will hurt but Earl Lewis is an exciting fullback if a little rough around the edges. Earl Rose I don't know, the guy gives away more points than he creates. Centres will be their undoing as the forwards can dominate on the day. Willem Alberts a huge loos as he gets massive go-forward ball. This team suffers most from a lack of confidence and structure and rarely back themselves and build patiently.
Depth also an issue.

Decent team but there are to many teams that are better and don't have glaring weaknesses.

 

[gingergenius]

Can someone do a comprehensive link of all SH transfers please? Apart from anything elses I need to put rugby 08 up to date.

 

[stormer2010]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gingergenius @ Jan 25 2010, 02:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Can someone do a comprehensive link of all SH transfers please? Apart from anything elses I need to put rugby 08 up to date.[/b]

I can give you some from the SA franchises:

Brian Habana - Bulls to Stormers
Jacque Fourie - Lions to Stormers
Tonderai Chavanga - Stormers to Lions
Andre Pretorius - Lions to Force
Willem Alberts - Lions to Sharks (contentious)
Louis Ludik - Lions to Sharks (contentious)
Jacques Louis Potgieter - Cheetahs to Bulls
Jacques Lombaard - Cheetahs to Lions
Jonathan Mokuena - Cheetahs to Lions
Burton Francis - Bulls to Lions
Fabian Juries - Cheetahs to Stormers
Jean de Villiers - Stormers to Munster
Francois Steyn - Sharks to Racing Metro
JP Joubert - Cheetahs to Lions

BJ Botha and De Wet Barry have come from abroad and signed with the Bulls while Wikus van Heerden has joined the Lions.

Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[Dexter Tauvao]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nickdnz @ Jan 25 2010, 01:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

At least the Cheetah's have decent strike power in two good wingers. Lion's only have Carlos out of any note worthy back.[/b]

You forgot Jano Vermaak.

 

[Nickdnz]

Yeah, I overlooked a few players. Chavhanga of course is the other very note worthy player.

 

[Wally]

Are they keeping the insanely stupid top four finals system again this year?

1. Bulls
2. Crusaders
3. Waratahs
4. Cheifs
5. Sharks
6. Brumbies
7. Blues
8. Hurricanes
9. Reds
10. Stormers
11.  Highlanders
12. Lions
13. Force
14. Cheetahs

 

[stormer2010]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wally @ Jan 27 2010, 09:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Are they keeping the insanely stupid top four finals system again this year?

1. Bulls
2. Crusaders
3. Waratahs
4. Cheifs
5. Sharks
6. Brumbies
7. Blues
8. Hurricanes
9. Reds
10. Stormers
11.  Highlanders
12. Lions
13. Force
14. Cheetahs[/b]

I'll take huge bet that the Stormers and Cheetahs will each be 4 spots higher. Game? Other than that I think the Sharks will be glad to be placed 5th IMO.

 

[stormer2010]

http://www.sarugby.com/news/Archive/sa=sho...10/month=2.html

Summary of the expectations from the guys at www.sarugby.com:

1 Bulls
2 Crusaders
3 Brumbies
4 Stormers
5 Chiefs
6 Sharks
7 Waratahs
8 Hurricanes
9 Blues
10 Highlanders
11 Cheetahs
12 Reds
13 Force
14 Lions

So what do you guys think? Personally I think teams with a history of consistency will win through and in that reagrd I will be surprised not to see the Bulls, Crusaders and Waratahs in the top 4 with a battle between the Stormers, Chiefs and Brumbies for the other spot. Hurricanes and Sharks to lose some ground this year IMO.

 

[Woldog]

1. Reds
2. Bulls
3. Hurricanes
4. Brumbies
5. Cheetahs
6. Stormers
7. Sharks
8. Blues
9. Highlanders
10. Lions
12. Chiefs
13. Force
14. Waratahs

True facts.

 

[TyphoonsRugby]

nah, its
1. Crusaders
2. Highlanders
3. Hurricanes
4. Chiefs
5. Blues
6. Stormers
7. Sharks
8. Bulls
9. Cheetahs
10. Lions
11. Brumbies
12. Force
13. Waratahs
14. Reds

In the order of how awesome each team and country is.

 

[Wally]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (stormer2010 @ Jan 25 2010, 07:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Lots of people rating the Stormers for the play-offs. Its a possibility but I don't think we have have the depth yet.

My prediction:


Crusaders
Bulls

Chiefs
Brumbies
Hurricanes
Stormers
Waratahs

Sharks
Cheetahs
Blues
Lions
Highlanders
Force
Reds[/b]

No South African teams in the bottom 3. LOL WUT!11

 

[Jer1cho]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Woldog @ Feb 8 2010, 02:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

1. Reds
2. Bulls
3. Hurricanes
4. Brumbies
5. Cheetahs
6. Stormers
7. Sharks
8. Blues
9. Highlanders
10. Lions
12. Chiefs
13. Force
14. Waratahs

True facts.[/b]

Yeah, apart from the fact that No.11... Presumably the Crusaders are missing. HAHA. Go Reds!