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Super Rugby 2012: Predictions
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 471551" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>While there is no doubt this is the worst Hurricanes team in years I don't think they will do as bad as you are suggesting. Over the last 5 years the worst placing from a New Zealand franchise team was 12<sup>th</sup> (Highlanders in 2010), while last year (when they started the conferance format) the worst placing New Zealand franchise was 10<sup>th</sup> (Chiefs). As a Highlanders supporter I can tell you that we have had some pretty horrible teams over the 5 years, but we normally have been 3-4 places from the bottom of the table. I think the Canes team this year is better than those Highlanders teams too; while they lost a whole pile of star power they still have some genuine world class players (Smith, Jane), and plenty of exciting young talent (Allen, Shields, Perenara, Barrett, Savea <em>et al.</em>). That puts them in a far better position than the Highlanders teams of previous years that were often full of 14 journeymen and Jimmy Cowan <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> I don't expect the Canes to win consistently but they have enough talent sprinkled throughout the team to cause the odd upset which I think will see them stay off the bottom of the table. Even though Canes squad looks poor I personally don't think the Cheetahs, Lions, Brumbies, Force, or Rebels squads look any better.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>As others have already mentioned the Highlanders have a very good chance of making the playoffs this year - they got pretty close last year and have added a number of key players since. At this stage the only NZ team that doesn't look like they have a realistic chance of making the playoffs is the Hurricaanes.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>I think getting the right selections is going to be be key for the Sharks - I went through all the South African teams and sorted out a likely 22 in my head and found the Sharks by far the hardest team to do this for. The problem is that they seem to have so much depth in the backline, as well as plenty of players that can play multiple positions. What do you think the backline is going to look like? I came up with a backline of McLeod, Lambie, Pieterson, Bosman, Joubert, Mvovo, Viljoen (not necessarily the backline I would pick, but the one I think will be picked) but the likes of Hoffman, Michalek, JL Potgeiter, O Ndungane, and Ludik all probably have strong cases for inclusion. Likewise the loose-forward make-up will be interesting: on paper I like the look of a Daniels, Alberts, Kankowski trio, but I'm sure both Botes and Deysel will get plenty of gametime too (though I understand Deysel was playing lock for much of the Currie Cup).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 471551, member: 24910"] While there is no doubt this is the worst Hurricanes team in years I don’t think they will do as bad as you are suggesting. Over the last 5 years the worst placing from a New Zealand franchise team was 12[SUP]th[/SUP] (Highlanders in 2010), while last year (when they started the conferance format) the worst placing New Zealand franchise was 10[SUP]th[/SUP] (Chiefs). As a Highlanders supporter I can tell you that we have had some pretty horrible teams over the 5 years, but we normally have been 3-4 places from the bottom of the table. I think the Canes team this year is better than those Highlanders teams too; while they lost a whole pile of star power they still have some genuine world class players (Smith, Jane), and plenty of exciting young talent (Allen, Shields, Perenara, Barrett, Savea [I]et al.[/I]). That puts them in a far better position than the Highlanders teams of previous years that were often full of 14 journeymen and Jimmy Cowan ;) I don’t expect the Canes to win consistently but they have enough talent sprinkled throughout the team to cause the odd upset which I think will see them stay off the bottom of the table. Even though Canes squad looks poor I personally don’t think the Cheetahs, Lions, Brumbies, Force, or Rebels squads look any better. As others have already mentioned the Highlanders have a very good chance of making the playoffs this year - they got pretty close last year and have added a number of key players since. At this stage the only NZ team that doesn't look like they have a realistic chance of making the playoffs is the Hurricaanes. I think getting the right selections is going to be be key for the Sharks - I went through all the South African teams and sorted out a likely 22 in my head and found the Sharks by far the hardest team to do this for. The problem is that they seem to have so much depth in the backline, as well as plenty of players that can play multiple positions. What do you think the backline is going to look like? I came up with a backline of McLeod, Lambie, Pieterson, Bosman, Joubert, Mvovo, Viljoen (not necessarily the backline I would pick, but the one I think will be picked) but the likes of Hoffman, Michalek, JL Potgeiter, O Ndungane, and Ludik all probably have strong cases for inclusion. Likewise the loose-forward make-up will be interesting: on paper I like the look of a Daniels, Alberts, Kankowski trio, but I'm sure both Botes and Deysel will get plenty of gametime too (though I understand Deysel was playing lock for much of the Currie Cup). [/QUOTE]
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