- Joined
- May 29, 2007
- Messages
- 4,120
- Reaction score
- 129
[TABLE="class: grid, width: 500, align: left"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]Sharks
[/TD]
[TD]So far the Sharks have looked to be by far the most consistent team in the competition, with a very good win against the Bulls in Loftus and a smothering showing against the Hurricanes. With the South African conference looking a bit weaker this year the Sharks should top the ladder.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]Chiefs
[/TD]
[TD]The hallmark of a top team is that they can win games they have no business winning. With a ridiculous number of injuries and less than 40% territory and possession, to go to Christchurch and win is an outrageous feat. The Chiefs will only get better as players return from the sidelines.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]Reds
[/TD]
[TD]It's no coincidence that the Reds won the competition in a year when Genia and Cooper were the top halves combination in the competition. So much of their success relies on these two players, and it looks like they're in top form at the moment and just as importantly injury free! Like the other top teams the Reds managed to win away from home against a tough rival.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]Waratahs
[/TD]
[TD]The best thing to come out of the largely forgetful 2013 season for the Waratahs was Israel Folau. With three tries under his belt already this year he looks to be a force to be reckoned with, and with the return of Beale to Sydney the Waratahs could be in for their best year in a long time.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]Lions
[/TD]
[TD]At the start of the season how many people would have picked the Lions to win two games? How many people would have picked the Lions to win their first two games in a row? While they may not yet convince as a long term threat to the other teams in the competition, with their metronomic kicker Boshoff firing the Lions will knock over a few more teams this year.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]Highlanders
[/TD]
[TD]Like the Lions, the Highlanders have surprised a few people already this season. They subdued the Blues and prevented them from really getting into the game until after half time, at which point the match was all but decided. Ben Smith is the ultimate counter attacker and if Aaron Smith can deliver quick service to a backline with a few underestimated new recruits, the Highlanders could dent a few team's finals chances this year.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]Crusaders
[/TD]
[TD]On paper, the Crusaders are the best team in the competition; they have 19 All Blacks at their disposal and are the most experienced Super Rugby team. Unfortunately, it looks like they're going to fail to impress once more. The Crusaders lack creativity in the backline, a problem they suffered from last year too. They'll be tough opponents for many, but will they be able to turn it on enough to beat the top teams in the competition?
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]Brumbies
[/TD]
[TD]After the lofty heights of last year, many will write off the Brumbies due to the loss of coach Jake White. Whilst the majority of the team remain from 2013, it's not unfair to suggest some of their top players lack the big game temperament required in Super Rugby - players like Mogg and White look decidedly average when put under pressure, something they'll face a huge amount of against their local rivals this year.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]Cheetahs
[/TD]
[TD]The Cheetahs have been a bit of a mixed bag so far this season. Loosing to the Lions should be inexcusable and whilst normally beating the Bulls would be considered a brilliant achievement, the Bulls are not the quality team of yesteryear. With a tour of Australasia ahead, the Cheetahs may find themselves too far off the pace once they return to the Republic in order to make the playoffs.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]Bulls
[/TD]
[TD]The Bulls don't have a poor squad - far from it. They do, however, lack quality players in key positions. Coach Ludeke appears unsure as to who his top 10 is, and with two sub par performances from Fouche it looks like the Bulls will start from scratch again this week with Potgieter taking the reigns. Like the Crusaders, the Bulls look uninspired, and without Steyn's prodigious kicking they may find themselves facing a tough season.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]Hurricanes
[/TD]
[TD]Every year it's the same, the Hurricanes have a brilliant back line, quality loose forwards, and a brittle tight five. The Sharks monstered the Hurricanes in the set piece for most of their match, and without quality front foot ball players such as Barrett and Savea don't have much room to move. If Schwalger can sure up the scrum then perhaps the Canes will have a chance this year, otherwise they look set for a repeat of 2013.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]Rebels
[/TD]
[TD]We're two weeks into the competition and the Rebels are yet to play a game. The Stormers showed this week how difficult is is to begin your campaign a week late against a team with a game already under the belt, and the Rebels will likely struggle early on too. With key signings such as Tamati Ellison and Toby Smith, the Rebels will likely be much improved from last year, and it all starts this week against the touring Cheetahs.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]Blues
[/TD]
[TD]The key issue for the Blues in 2013 was the lack of a first five to direct a young but promising back line. It doesn't appear that the off season pick up of Benju Marshall has done anything to rectify this problem. Although the Blues top line up is intimidating, a few injuries will completely destroy their campaign, especially if their stalwart All Blacks fail to impress.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]Stormers
[/TD]
[TD]Two years ago the Stormers were top of the table heading into the playoffs, with very few losses to their name. It's been a steady drop down the table since then. With the loss of key personnel they've had this year and the horror draw that sees them facing the Crusaders, Chiefs, Brumbies and Reds away from home in successive weeks, it doesn't look like the Stormers will be anywhere near the top this year.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]Force
[/TD]
[TD]It must be incredibly frustrating to be a Force supporter, looking at the blank table at the start of the year knowing that the only direction the team will be heading is down. In players like Kyle Godwin the Force have some real superstars, but without the other players to support them, the Force will never be anything but spoilers.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]Sharks
[TD]So far the Sharks have looked to be by far the most consistent team in the competition, with a very good win against the Bulls in Loftus and a smothering showing against the Hurricanes. With the South African conference looking a bit weaker this year the Sharks should top the ladder.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]Chiefs
[TD]The hallmark of a top team is that they can win games they have no business winning. With a ridiculous number of injuries and less than 40% territory and possession, to go to Christchurch and win is an outrageous feat. The Chiefs will only get better as players return from the sidelines.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]Reds
[TD]It's no coincidence that the Reds won the competition in a year when Genia and Cooper were the top halves combination in the competition. So much of their success relies on these two players, and it looks like they're in top form at the moment and just as importantly injury free! Like the other top teams the Reds managed to win away from home against a tough rival.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]Waratahs
[TD]The best thing to come out of the largely forgetful 2013 season for the Waratahs was Israel Folau. With three tries under his belt already this year he looks to be a force to be reckoned with, and with the return of Beale to Sydney the Waratahs could be in for their best year in a long time.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]Lions
[TD]At the start of the season how many people would have picked the Lions to win two games? How many people would have picked the Lions to win their first two games in a row? While they may not yet convince as a long term threat to the other teams in the competition, with their metronomic kicker Boshoff firing the Lions will knock over a few more teams this year.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]Highlanders
[TD]Like the Lions, the Highlanders have surprised a few people already this season. They subdued the Blues and prevented them from really getting into the game until after half time, at which point the match was all but decided. Ben Smith is the ultimate counter attacker and if Aaron Smith can deliver quick service to a backline with a few underestimated new recruits, the Highlanders could dent a few team's finals chances this year.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]Crusaders
[TD]On paper, the Crusaders are the best team in the competition; they have 19 All Blacks at their disposal and are the most experienced Super Rugby team. Unfortunately, it looks like they're going to fail to impress once more. The Crusaders lack creativity in the backline, a problem they suffered from last year too. They'll be tough opponents for many, but will they be able to turn it on enough to beat the top teams in the competition?
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]Brumbies
[TD]After the lofty heights of last year, many will write off the Brumbies due to the loss of coach Jake White. Whilst the majority of the team remain from 2013, it's not unfair to suggest some of their top players lack the big game temperament required in Super Rugby - players like Mogg and White look decidedly average when put under pressure, something they'll face a huge amount of against their local rivals this year.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]Cheetahs
[TD]The Cheetahs have been a bit of a mixed bag so far this season. Loosing to the Lions should be inexcusable and whilst normally beating the Bulls would be considered a brilliant achievement, the Bulls are not the quality team of yesteryear. With a tour of Australasia ahead, the Cheetahs may find themselves too far off the pace once they return to the Republic in order to make the playoffs.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]Bulls
[TD]The Bulls don't have a poor squad - far from it. They do, however, lack quality players in key positions. Coach Ludeke appears unsure as to who his top 10 is, and with two sub par performances from Fouche it looks like the Bulls will start from scratch again this week with Potgieter taking the reigns. Like the Crusaders, the Bulls look uninspired, and without Steyn's prodigious kicking they may find themselves facing a tough season.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]Hurricanes
[TD]Every year it's the same, the Hurricanes have a brilliant back line, quality loose forwards, and a brittle tight five. The Sharks monstered the Hurricanes in the set piece for most of their match, and without quality front foot ball players such as Barrett and Savea don't have much room to move. If Schwalger can sure up the scrum then perhaps the Canes will have a chance this year, otherwise they look set for a repeat of 2013.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]Rebels
[TD]We're two weeks into the competition and the Rebels are yet to play a game. The Stormers showed this week how difficult is is to begin your campaign a week late against a team with a game already under the belt, and the Rebels will likely struggle early on too. With key signings such as Tamati Ellison and Toby Smith, the Rebels will likely be much improved from last year, and it all starts this week against the touring Cheetahs.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]Blues
[TD]The key issue for the Blues in 2013 was the lack of a first five to direct a young but promising back line. It doesn't appear that the off season pick up of Benju Marshall has done anything to rectify this problem. Although the Blues top line up is intimidating, a few injuries will completely destroy their campaign, especially if their stalwart All Blacks fail to impress.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]Stormers
[TD]Two years ago the Stormers were top of the table heading into the playoffs, with very few losses to their name. It's been a steady drop down the table since then. With the loss of key personnel they've had this year and the horror draw that sees them facing the Crusaders, Chiefs, Brumbies and Reds away from home in successive weeks, it doesn't look like the Stormers will be anywhere near the top this year.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]Force
[TD]It must be incredibly frustrating to be a Force supporter, looking at the blank table at the start of the year knowing that the only direction the team will be heading is down. In players like Kyle Godwin the Force have some real superstars, but without the other players to support them, the Force will never be anything but spoilers.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
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