Super Rugby favourites

I agree. The Lions and the Bulls have given the Hurricanes a big opportunity to go all the way and win this year's comp. 2 wins from 2 and their toughest tour under the belt already. C an't ask for a better start than that. I wouldn't write off the Chiefs though. They've also won two tough games and they're proving they have a lot of depth in their squad.

I think the Waratahs will finish top of the Aussie sides and the Sharks will carry the SA flag again (although they were pretty pathetic in their opening game). Must admit, I did think the Bulls looked a very strong side on paper before the tournament kicked off but they've been the most disappointing team of all so far and they'll need to turn things around very quickly if they want to be a factor.

 agree also, there have been only 2 rounds and no team has still rounded their game but some tendencies can be sighted.

Bulls are the most dissapointing, I also thought that they were the main favourites to win the SA conf. but they've lost both matches and showed a poor level. They need Matfield out of the team or at most on the bench to give advice and leadership.
In spite of their 2 wins I cannot see the Stormers as favourites, their backline is very average, except de Allende. If de Allende gets injured the stormers are lost. But even with him.....
This leaves Sharks as the only candidate waiting to see what the Cheetahs are capable of in their second match against the blues. They deservedly imposed over the sharks at Durban and they could be the surprise package alongside the Canes.

In the NZ conference the dispute will be btwin the saders, chiefs and canes if they can mantain their pace throughout the whole season.
This weekend match btwin the chiefs and saders is very important but I'm afraid is too soon for the saders, besides still being without Read and S. Whitelock.

In the Oz conf. brumbies cannot be discarded. Untill they throwed the match dawn the drain in that own lineout lost in the last minutes, they looked strong and were almost all the match in front of the chiefs.

 It is way too early to0 make any kind of prediction insofar as any of the teams are concerned.    Ind\safar as the SA teams are concerned - the Bulls on paper should be a top category team - but their coach is a dolt and he cannot coach the team to achieve anything.   The SA Conference winners will be between the Sharks and the Stormers.   I would say the Stromers has the better forwards and they also have an edge in the backline.  However the latter could change as the season goes on.
In the Australian Conference I would say the fight is going top be between the Brumbies and the Waratahs - would not dare to predict a conference winner at this stage.
In the case of the New Zealand conference I am not at all sure.   Like last year both the Chiefs and the Hurricanes have excellent backlines and crinkle paper forwards - the first two matches have shown that already.   Last year the Chiefs by some luck managed to be in the play-offs - and I cannot see any difference this year.   As to the Hurricanes I would say that they would not be much higher on the log than they were last year.   My money is on the Crusaders - provided they discard Carter if he repeats his performance of the Rebels game.     

 Clevermike, your assessment of the NZ teams going forward is how I would rate them after last years performance as well.

The Blues just can't seem to find a decent captain, Mealamu was adequate, Kaino is unproven as a skipper, as I believe, a top captain, not necessary a great player as captain, is the winning of a championship.


The Blues will always be the fly in the ointment for both the Hurricanes and the Crusaders as a loss to the Blues will affect their places in the semi's.
HOWEVER, I will still back the Blues each week unreservedly and hope they do well against he Cheetars

 Welcome Nwcambell. We all keep waiting for the blues to put it all together - they will one day but you are right, they are more likely to be spoilers messing up the chances of other kiwi teams. Hopefully the will notch up some wins against Oz & the SAs.

It's going to be a hard call...I suspect the Brumbies to do well, the Hurricanes to surprise with the Chiefs to look the one to beat but you never write off the Crusaders despite their disappointing start. Logically the Tahs must be the edge but I still favour the Brumbies in the Oz camp.

Sharks, I hope will find the answer...backline is a concern...will have to step up. Not sure of the Stormers but the Bulls always can surprise but I don't think so this year.

The final, well The Chiefs versus the Brumbies could be a reasonable call but so could the Tahs versus the Sharks with the Canes the danger side.

Maybe it's just time for an upset

 Canes dominated set pieces againgst Bulls. So while Canes dont have the strongest tight five, they are solid at best. 

 But what a backline ! Must be the top provincial lineup in world rugby .