In SA last year the hype was all about the Sharks and the Stormers and the noise was ear-splitting, The Bulls was treated as also rans - and the Cheetahs were basically ignored as of no consequence.
In New Zealand - judging on postings here and the Re-Union programme the week before the start - the hype was about the Chiefs, the Crusaders and the Highlanders. That story changed after the Blues defeated the Highlanders and sudden;ly the Blues became the favourites on the Re-Union programme.
Listening and reading to the hype this year - the
* Bulls are basically written down because of the loss of some of their players that went to play in Europe - even though some of the losses were blessings in disguise; and
* Like last year the Cheetahs is basically ignored.
In New Zealand the hype is always the Chiefs and Crusaders - and the third team constantly written up this year is the Blues.
Since hype does not win matches and based on last years pre-season stories - my advice to members are beware of the Bulls and Cheetahs in SA this year and the Highlanders in New Zealand. They are likely to upset many apple carts this year - same as happened last year,
GO THE SHARKS!!!!!!!
