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Super Rugby 2012: Predictions
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<blockquote data-quote="Larksea" data-source="post: 471522" data-attributes="member: 43875"><p>I'd find it hard to comment on teams other than the NZ ones, I havn't kept up with the player movements outside NZ other than the obvious ones like Matfield & Smit retired. Giteau gone and the force picking up Beale and O'Conner but losing Summerville.</p><p></p><p>For the chiefs I have some high expectations this year. I think Renee and Smith will be very good and they are obviously working really hard at the moment to build the team and honestly I'm looking forward to seeing them in action. They will miss Donald and his experience but it's Cruden's time. He hasn't had the full responsibility of running a super team as the main #10 yet so it will be a step up for him. Locks are a traditional weakness for the chiefs and out of the NZ teams the chiefs will again this year have the weakest locking stocks. But in some ways that is made up for by having one of if not the best Loose forward combinations around. Messam was IMO the top loose forward in super rugby last season, though he carried a lot of weight on his shoulders and slowed down a bit towards the end of the season having played every min of every single game for the entire chiefs season. Latimer is now vastly experienced and works well with Messam, Waldrum is brilliant and when fit he's NZ's best 7 behind McCaw at super level. Fritz Lee was awesome last season and if he can cut down his penalty rate he will be a huge asset. And of course Sam Cane is on the books - the age group player of the year. My big worry for the chiefs outside the locks is who's going to play 15? Nanai? Robinson? Both are amazing young talents but neither give me that "safe as Mills" feeling. That said I do see the potential for the chiefs to be top 4 or top 6 and I think they have the coaching to reach their potential. Dave Renee has done really well with the turbos and the best thing about that team IMO is not Cruden it's their forward pack that always seems to be able to punch above it's weight. If the chiefs can do that they have one of the most talented backlines around. I think their top lineup 10 - 14 at least is maybe the strongest in the comp.</p><p></p><p>For my hometown boys the Blues. I think they have maybe the strongest team on paper of all. all blacks all over the place through both the forwards and backs one of the most experienced all blacks in history and one of the most respected players in world rugby leading the side. They have lost Payne, McAlister and Rokocoko who are big losses Brett not so much a big loss but they have Gained two players who are at the top of the world game in Nonu and Weepu and a comeback of former all black and Very classy super level player Rudi Wulf - what they dont have is a solid option at 10. Anscombe is a great prospect but he's still very young and sure Weepu can play 10 but I hope he's only seen as a backup. He's NZ's best 9 and it will be a sin to see him used otherwise. Honestly the blues and Auckland have so much talent that if they arent winning a ***le every few season and making the playoffs every year they should find new coaches & management. If Lam can't find the goods this year he should make way for someone else.</p><p></p><p>Crusaders squad will be awesome again, look to them to make the finals and be odds on to win it. Key will be getting top of the table and getting the home finals games. They were IMO the best team by far last year but suffered for the simple reason they didn't have a proper home game all season and traveling for finals games is fricken hard. Not easy winning the top finals positions as a NZ team in the new format because the NZ conference is the hardest.</p><p></p><p>Highlanders will be strong again and I hope they make their new home ground a fortress and murder visiting teams to get the locals behind them - and I'm glad they wont be using that green outfit too much. I can see another strong start to the season but I can't see them making the finals.</p><p></p><p>Hurricanes - They look on paper like they have got the NZ wooden spoon before the comp has even started... They still have Conrad Smith, Victor Vito and Jane but their stocks of world class players has run dry. If they couldn't do well with All Blacks - Hore, Nonu, Weepu, Tialata, Cruden and Gear on their books what can we expect from them without those guys? Nothing you would expect... But they did manage to snare Beauden Barrett who is the most exciting young player on the scene for a long time - I think more so than Cruden, Anscombe, Slade or anyone else for that matter. Will be good to see Tim Bateman back in NZ and they do have a lot of guys who have a point to prove I'll be keepign my eye on James Broadhurst (better known as the guy who broke Weepu's leg *I think?) I think he's potential Future all black material - with Thorn out there is a spot up for grabs in NZ's top 4 locks. But sugar coat it all you want I look down the 2012 Canes player list and it doesn't look threatening. Honestly it doesn't look much of a step up from a top NPC team.</p><p></p><p>I think the stormers will be the top Bok team, I dont think the bulls will quite be front runners this year but still strong. Sharks to mid table and Lions & cheetahs to bottom feedwhich as been their place most of the time - though they play really good rugby that's fun to watch and like all SA sides enjoy a huge home advantage that always earns them a couple of wins a year.</p><p></p><p>Reb's look like they should leap frog the force. Reds to have another strong year but not win it. Tah's will really miss Beale and Waugh and I have no idea what state the brumbies will be in.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Larksea, post: 471522, member: 43875"] I'd find it hard to comment on teams other than the NZ ones, I havn't kept up with the player movements outside NZ other than the obvious ones like Matfield & Smit retired. Giteau gone and the force picking up Beale and O'Conner but losing Summerville. For the chiefs I have some high expectations this year. I think Renee and Smith will be very good and they are obviously working really hard at the moment to build the team and honestly I'm looking forward to seeing them in action. They will miss Donald and his experience but it's Cruden's time. He hasn't had the full responsibility of running a super team as the main #10 yet so it will be a step up for him. Locks are a traditional weakness for the chiefs and out of the NZ teams the chiefs will again this year have the weakest locking stocks. But in some ways that is made up for by having one of if not the best Loose forward combinations around. Messam was IMO the top loose forward in super rugby last season, though he carried a lot of weight on his shoulders and slowed down a bit towards the end of the season having played every min of every single game for the entire chiefs season. Latimer is now vastly experienced and works well with Messam, Waldrum is brilliant and when fit he's NZ's best 7 behind McCaw at super level. Fritz Lee was awesome last season and if he can cut down his penalty rate he will be a huge asset. And of course Sam Cane is on the books - the age group player of the year. My big worry for the chiefs outside the locks is who's going to play 15? Nanai? Robinson? Both are amazing young talents but neither give me that "safe as Mills" feeling. That said I do see the potential for the chiefs to be top 4 or top 6 and I think they have the coaching to reach their potential. Dave Renee has done really well with the turbos and the best thing about that team IMO is not Cruden it's their forward pack that always seems to be able to punch above it's weight. If the chiefs can do that they have one of the most talented backlines around. I think their top lineup 10 - 14 at least is maybe the strongest in the comp. For my hometown boys the Blues. I think they have maybe the strongest team on paper of all. all blacks all over the place through both the forwards and backs one of the most experienced all blacks in history and one of the most respected players in world rugby leading the side. They have lost Payne, McAlister and Rokocoko who are big losses Brett not so much a big loss but they have Gained two players who are at the top of the world game in Nonu and Weepu and a comeback of former all black and Very classy super level player Rudi Wulf - what they dont have is a solid option at 10. Anscombe is a great prospect but he's still very young and sure Weepu can play 10 but I hope he's only seen as a backup. He's NZ's best 9 and it will be a sin to see him used otherwise. Honestly the blues and Auckland have so much talent that if they arent winning a ***le every few season and making the playoffs every year they should find new coaches & management. If Lam can't find the goods this year he should make way for someone else. Crusaders squad will be awesome again, look to them to make the finals and be odds on to win it. Key will be getting top of the table and getting the home finals games. They were IMO the best team by far last year but suffered for the simple reason they didn't have a proper home game all season and traveling for finals games is fricken hard. Not easy winning the top finals positions as a NZ team in the new format because the NZ conference is the hardest. Highlanders will be strong again and I hope they make their new home ground a fortress and murder visiting teams to get the locals behind them - and I'm glad they wont be using that green outfit too much. I can see another strong start to the season but I can't see them making the finals. Hurricanes - They look on paper like they have got the NZ wooden spoon before the comp has even started... They still have Conrad Smith, Victor Vito and Jane but their stocks of world class players has run dry. If they couldn't do well with All Blacks - Hore, Nonu, Weepu, Tialata, Cruden and Gear on their books what can we expect from them without those guys? Nothing you would expect... But they did manage to snare Beauden Barrett who is the most exciting young player on the scene for a long time - I think more so than Cruden, Anscombe, Slade or anyone else for that matter. Will be good to see Tim Bateman back in NZ and they do have a lot of guys who have a point to prove I'll be keepign my eye on James Broadhurst (better known as the guy who broke Weepu's leg *I think?) I think he's potential Future all black material - with Thorn out there is a spot up for grabs in NZ's top 4 locks. But sugar coat it all you want I look down the 2012 Canes player list and it doesn't look threatening. Honestly it doesn't look much of a step up from a top NPC team. I think the stormers will be the top Bok team, I dont think the bulls will quite be front runners this year but still strong. Sharks to mid table and Lions & cheetahs to bottom feedwhich as been their place most of the time - though they play really good rugby that's fun to watch and like all SA sides enjoy a huge home advantage that always earns them a couple of wins a year. Reb's look like they should leap frog the force. Reds to have another strong year but not win it. Tah's will really miss Beale and Waugh and I have no idea what state the brumbies will be in. [/QUOTE]
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