CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
20 Oct 2014, 06:56#2
Sharkbok
The players that stood out in CC is not necessarily the better players for the Super 15 franchises. Most Super 215 franchises will be represented by different players in key positions - while the present starting CC players will be lucky if they end up on the bench for their franchises.
Insofar as the Lions are concerned they started with a list of complete newbies and unknown players and the experience gained by those player swill be a plus for them in Super 15 next year. I would not bet against them doing better in 2015 than they did this year. They have a few weak spots in the team - like they need another more solid lock to pair up with Mostert.
The Bulls have stocked up a lot with new contract signings and they woud do well by playing Pollard at flyhalf ahead of Potgieter - the latter was a dead loss on Saturday. They will also benefit from the returning Springboks. A reasonable improvement on the performances this year.
The Sharks needs an improvement on scrumming and they also will benefit from the returning Springboks. I think that Cronje will play Vodacom rugby next year - but they need a proper inside center - Francois Steyn is not the answer - he destroys backline play.
The team that lost a lot of players after Super 15 this year is the Cheetahs - so they will be in the team building phase. I think they may have new players coming through though and it would be interesting to see how they grow next year. I saw their training squad and there will have to be players to step up - otherwise they will be the wooden spoon team next year.
20 Oct 2014, 14:34#3
Yeah ... I agree. The Cheetahs are in a heap of trouble and next year will show this.
A little birdie told me that Naka (while receiving some coaching lessons abroad) has signed Joe Petersen for next year's Super Rugby season.
I'm excited about the Lions next season. We have made massif strides this year and that with a bunch of nobodies.
I hope we continue where we left off and not fall away like the Cheetahs did this year.
CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
20 Oct 2014, 14:40#4
CC
You must have missed it - but I posted the Cheetahs training group of 55 players for next years Super 15. Joe Pietersen is in that training group. There are some interesting players - but they have a problem in scrumming and ifthatis dealt with they would have some interesting backline performances.
The Cheetahs are ifen the side that take a few years to build up a squad and then the other franchises start stealing their players. If the Lions does well next year - watch and see what the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers do then. Lousy lot - they cannot discovr and develop their own top players - must steal them from oth er franchises.