I got a feeling that 2012 is going to be a year of massive upsets in Super Rugby.
My team to watch for:
The Force - They started to play like machines in the latter stages of 2011
Lions - Ag come on boytjies, make us proud up here!
Blue - Flip i love watching them when they run the ball from everywhere. Is McAllistar playing for them this year?
Yes it looks like there's a few teams that are par for the course starting out with new players and the odd new coach. Interesting to see how they all shape up, from a SAFFA perspective my focus will be on the Stormers, I've just about given up on the Sharks with another pensioner running out in the centres alongside the clueless Bosman, but hey, the Cheetahs and the Bulls are in this for a long way.
I always find it difficult to tell until after about 3 matches how teams will do.
My sense is that the Lions are not as good as they think they are. Cheetahs will really miss Sarel and Rian a great deal. That said both these teams should move up the log this year.
Sharkies may have a few problems. Center as you mentioned Denny but also in the front row. van Staden I think has also left them. How good are the back ups. Will they ruin Rian Viljoen also?
Stormers all of a sudden lack depth at centre. However apart from that should be okay again this year. Looking forward to seeing what our young 120kg lock Etzebeth is made of! Also will be watching Malherbe at tighthead to see if he can lift Stormers scrum a bit.
Chippo you are probably right- after a world cup you kinda all start again. Players retire or move on so we are not clear how sides will do.
Sharks have a huge amount of depth and with Jordaan and Whitehead they may suprise many. They have a strong selection pool on the wing and have great finishers.
you guys should maybe do a bit more homework on the Sharsk back up forwards..especially their front row.
The Lions have the Most Dynamic coaches and i think this is the team to to most of the damage work. Their Captain is a top guy and will be making his move for Bok selection.
For the Lions, depth remains the key issue. That said, the quality is there to progress far into the tournament. The key factor for me is the development of Jantjies. Van Straaten loos to have sorted out his wonky kicking game and the rest has matured nicely. He suits their game nicely and I think they can run any team into the ground. I don't think they have the defence to win this comp though. Very vulnerable from turnovers or direct play.
Cheetahs, my boys are capable of big things. Traditionally we just can't seem to close out games. Last season they turned a corner. I think they are dark horses potentially.
Interesting to see what the Brumbies dish up. Jake has a marvelous track record and could very well be what the doctor ordered. The Brumbies have not been the great side of Jone's era for some time and were in chaos last season. I think Jake's discipline and organization will temper the tradition Brumbies style. I think they'll be a much more rounded side.
Sharks to me look a mess. Their backline just doesn't inspire me at all. Potentially great players out of position or simply presenting filler selections. Lambie and that midfield look awful. The forwards look tight and will be the backbone of a workmanlike campaign. I don't see them going far. someone really needs to sack Straeuli, he is letting this union down... badly!!
Most of the SA teams have a few problems, especially in a season where the availability of quality replacement players in all positions is going to be extremely important. The coaches are going to have to regularly rotate the players to prevent burnout and injuries are going to be high.
Heres my opinion :
Bulls : forwards will do well, a very exciting looking backline, although some inexperienced players.
Stormers : look very good on paper, but might have depth problems, especially in midfield.
Sharks : Especially weak midfield with the better players watching from the sidelines. Their forwards look good and they have a replacement front row who will give the first choice a run for their money
Lions : good starting team, not much depth
Cheetahs : good starting. Team, not much depth.
I expect the Lions and Cheetahs to start well but fade after injuries and player burnout take their toll.
My 5 cents worth!!!
Very true, every team has weaknesses. Overall I'm not sure which SA side inspires the most confidence. Much expectation in the Lion camp, but they too have certain vulnerabilities that concern me. Overall I feel the Lions have the brand that best suits the very unstructured and fast paced style of the SH game. If they cn shore up their defence they would be much, much tougher. A little more brute force in the midfield. Frans perhaps to join them in the future?
The Sharks have great potential. But dud signings and too many players out of position have ruined them. Chasing off Fransie et al and buying carthorses has left a massive hole in their depth. They need a real 10 and a new centre pairing.
I'm not sure what to expect from the Bulls! No doubt Meyer will eventually build a solid team, but they may at their most vulnerable for quite some time. yet again, changes may yeild freshness and exuberance. In Hougaard and Morne they have an outstanding half back combination, the best in the world. A shame Steenkamp, the premier loosehead over the last two years, is no longer among them though.
I think what is unusual is all SA sides have the potential to finish in the top 10. Visiting sides will find it harder to get points here.
Yes all sides have a few problems but I still think the lack of depth at the Cheetahs and Lions will cost them later in the tournament as has been mentioned. I also believe the Lions win in The Currie Cup is over valued. That said they are improving incrementally and if they continue on this jactectory they could surprise sceptics like me. What I am glad about re the Lions is the way their coaches are showing up some plodders here. King Carlos in particular needs more credit. Our forwards are always good bu it is the scintilating backline play of the Lions that is noteworthy. This has only been matched by the Cheetahs.
The top SA sides, Stormers, Sharks and bulle have not had backlines performing as well as Cheetahs and Lions. I do not think it is a matter of talent its about creativity etc.
I dont recal seeing this young Stormers center who did so well against the cavaliers play - Plessis is his name. Anybody know anything about him?
I was pleased to hear young Etzebeth and Malherbe doing well as they ar eones to watch and also the fitness levels of the fringe Stormers being very good. Bolla I hear also starred and will be a useful back up to the under rated Duvenage. Center depth is about the only squad weakness of the Stormers provided we do not suffer undue injuries.
The Lions backplay has been good since Eloff took over. They have been the more enterprising side since then, well, except for their time under Mire. So I don't attribute too much credit to Carlos. Eloff did about as much with far less to boot!
The Mighty Chiefs will weave their MOOLOO MAGIC and thats no mumbo jumbo
Just wondering why nobody ever has something good to say about the bulls.
Anyway, Although Im A bull, i think its about time that the Lions do well in the Super competions. It feels like the
where out of the competition for ages.
This seems to be the oldest thread that can be recovered. There is one before it posted by the webbie at the time warning of a hacking attack....so presumably what went before is gone.
But the record is still there.....Cheezer take note and apo logize if you areso inclined.
