-
Quade Cooper celebrates his try with a backflip -
Related
WARATAHS
Best Super Performance:
Finalists (2005,
2008)
2011 Super Rugby: 5th (10 wins, seven
losses)
History: 7th, 8th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 8th, 3rd, 5th,
8th, 2nd, 3rd, 13th, 2nd, 5th, 3rd, 5th.
TAB Odds: $7.00
In:
Chris Alcock, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rocky Elsom, Bernard
Foley, Greg Peterson, Sarel Pretorius, Sitaleki Timani, John
Ulugia, Dan Vickerman.
Out: Sosene Anesi, Al Baxter, Kurtley Beale Luke
Burgess, Ryan Cross, Josh Holmes, Cam Jowitt, Locky McCaffrey, Ben
Mowen, Pat O'Connor, Phil Waugh,
Injuries prevented the franchise from NSW from really reaching
their potential last year with big names such as Berrick Barnes,
Drew Mitchell and Wycliff Palu all out of action at the business
end of the season. This year the Waratahs have a new coach in
Michael Foley and will be looking to kick on deeper into the
playoffs. They have lost an outstanding talent in the backline with
the departure of Wallabies star Kurtley Beale, but they have a
capable replacement in Adam Ashley-Cooper if he can rediscover his
best form. The addition of Cheetahs halfback Sarel Pretorius sohuld
add a bit of a spark to a potentially dangerous backline. In the
forwards Rocky Elsom returns to New South Wales to take over the
captaincy and will provide experience in the pack following the
retirement of Phil Waugh.
Verdict: They are easily the best chance to knock
the Reds off their perch in the Australian conference, however they
have already been affected by injury with Elsom and Mitchell both
set for spells on the sideline.
Conference prediction: 2nd
Overall prediction: 7th
Waratahs: Chris Alcock, Adam Ashley-Cooper,
Berrick Barnes, Tom Carter, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Rocky Elsom,
Damien Fitzpatrick, Bernard Foley, Daniel Halangahu, Rob Horne,
Brackin Karauria-Henry, Sekope Kepu, Tom Kingston, Pat McCutcheon,
Brendan McKibbin, Drew Mitchell, Dean Mumm, Atieli Pakalani,
Wycliff Palu, Greg Peterson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sarel Pretorius,
Benn Robinson, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse, Sitaleki Timani, Lachie
Turner, John Ulugia, Dan Vickerman.
REDS
Best Super Performance: Champions (2011)
2011 Super Rugby: 1st (15 wins, three
losses)
History: 3rd, 10th, 5th, 3rd, 7th, 4th, 5th, 8th,
10th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 12th, 13th, 5th, 1st.
TAB Odds: $7.00
In: Jono Lance, David McDuling, Beau
Robinson, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Aidan Toua.
Out: Albert Ana, Will Chambers, Leroy Houston,
Kimami Sitauti, Lei Tomiki,
After charging to their maiden title last year, there's no question
Ewen McKenzie's men will be considered the team to beat this year.
McKenzie has managed to keep the bulk of his championship winning
squad together which will be crucial in their quest to go back to
back. However they have already suffered an early speed bump with
the loss of the mercurial Quade Cooper to injury. His combination
with outstanding halfback Will Genia was instrumental last season
and the absence of the New Zealand-born playmaker will be a massive
loss. Hi place will be taken by another Kiwi Mike Harris, who has
big shoes to fill leading the talented Reds backline around the
park.
Verdict:
Lock this side in as playoff certainties. Whether
they can become the first Australian side to win back-to-back
titles remains to be seen, but they're bound to be in the running
when we get to the business end of the season.
Conference prediction:
1st
Overall prediction: 2nd
Reds: Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rod Davies, Anthony
Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Michael
Harris, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, James Horwill, Van
Humphries, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Jono Lance, Ben Lucas, David
McDuling, Luke Morahan, Ed Quirk, Beau Robinson, Radike Samo, Jake
Schatz, Guy Shepherdson, Dom Shipperley, Rob Simmons, Chris
Feauai-Sautia, James Slipper, Ben Tapuai, Aidan Toua, Adam
Wallace-Harrison
BRUMBIES
Best Super Performance: Champions (2001,
2004)
2011 Super Rugby: 13th (four wins, 1 draw, 11
losses)
History: 5th, 2nd, 10th, 5th, 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 4th,
1st, 5th, 6th, 5th, 9th, 7th, 6th, 13th
TAB Odds: $50
In: Fotu Auelua, Sam Carter, Tom Cox, Ben
Hand, Cam Crawford, Ruaidhri Murphy, Jono Owen, Siliva Siliva, Ben
Mowen, Jesse Mogg, Ita Vaea, Ian Prior, Joseph Tomane, Kimami
Sitauti, Tevita Kuridrani, Anthony Hegarty, Leon Power, Dylan Sigg,
Scott Sio, Zack Holmes, Nic White.
Out: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Mitch Chapman, Mark
Chisholm, Huia Edmonds, Rocky Elsom, Francis Fainifo, Matt Giteau,
Stephen Hoiles, Salesi Ma'afu, Patrick Phibbs, Julian Salvi, Tyrone
Smith, Ed Stubbs, Samu Wara, Josh Valentine.
The Brumbies hopes this year rest heavily on the shoulders of new
coach Jake White. The South African famously took the Springboks
from losing World Cup quarter-finalists to World Champions in 2007
and the two-time Super Rugby champions will be hoping for something
similar. However it may not be a quick fix with the Brumbies set
for a rebuilding phase after losing a wealth of talent last year.
Internationals Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rocky Elsom, Matt Giteau and
Salesi Ma'afu are all gone and there are no big names to replace
them. The role played by Wallaby front rowers Stephen Moore and Ben
Alexander, as well as utility back Pat McCabe will be crucial if
they are to move on from last year's dismal season.
Verdict: 2012 should be a season too soon for the
men from the Australian capital, but they should improve as the
year goes on and White's influence comes into play.
Conference prediction: 5th
Overall prediction: 14th
Brumbies: Fotu Auelua, Ben Alexander, Sam Carter,
Tom Cox, Robbie Coleman, Ben Hand, Cam Crawford, Ruaidhri Murphy,
Michael Hooper, Peter Kimlin, Christian Lealiifano, Pat McCabe,
Stephen Moore, Dan Palmer, Jono Owen, Siliva Siliva, Ben Mowen,
Jesse Mogg, Andrew Smith, Henry Speight, Matt Toomua, Ita Vaea, Ian
Prior, Joseph Tomane, Kimami Sitauti, Tevita Kuridrani, Anthony
Hegarty, Leon Power, Dylan Sigg, Scott Sio, Zack Holmes, Scott
Fardy, Colby Faingaa, Nic White, Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
FORCE
Best Super Performance :
7th (2007)
2011 Super Rugby: 12th (five wins, two draws, nine
losses)
History: 14th, 7th, 8th, 8th, 13th, 12th?TAB Odds:
$50
In:
Angus Cottrell, Patrick Dellit, Tetera
Faulkner, Toby Lynn, Salesi Ma'afu, Lachlan McCaffrey, Salesi Manu,
Napolioni Nalaga, Jordan Rapana, Ben Seymour, Winston Stanley,
Elvis Taione, Will Tupou, Samu Wara.
Out: Paul Alo-Emile, Mark Bartholomeusz ,
Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother, Mitch Inman,Tom Hockings, Jono
Jenkins, Tevita Metuisela, James O'Connor, Willie Ripia, David
Smith, Mark Swanepoel,
The Force have improved in recent years, but there's no hiding that
this season they have a massive hole to fill in the No. 10 jersey.
The departure of James O'Connor was bad enough, but the shock loss
of Willie Ripia just weeks before the season kicks off has only
exacerbated the problem. The back row is set to be the Force's
biggest strength with David Pocock, arguably the world's best
openside, set to lead from the front. Veteran lock Nathan Sharpe
will also be looking to finish his outstanding career on a high in
his final season.
Verdict:
Without a quality playmaker the Force are going
to struggle to challenge the top two teams in the Australian
conference. They look set to battle the Rebels for third best team
in the lucky country.
Conference prediction:
3rd
Overall prediction: 11th
Force: Phoenix Battye, Richard Brown, Nathan
Charles, Angus Cottrell, Pekahou Cowan, Nick Cummins, Patrick
Dellit, Gene Fairbanks, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin, Matt Hodgson,
Kieran Longbottom, Toby Lynn, Salesi Ma'afu, Salesi Manu, Alfie
Mafi, Lachlan McCaffrey, Ben McCalman, Napolioni Nalaga, David
Pocock, Jordan Rapana, Ben Seymour, Nathan Sharpe, Brett Sheehan,
Cameron Shepherd, Rory Sidey, Winston Stanley, James Stannard,
Elvis Taione, Will Tupou, Justin Turner, Samu Wara, Ben Whittaker,
Sam Wykes.
REBELS
Best Super Performance:
15th
2011 Super Rugby: 15th (three wins, 13
losses)
History: 15th
TAB Odds: $50
Ins: Paul Alo-Emile, Kurtley Beale, Mitch
Inman, Lloyd Johansson, James King, James O'Connor
Outs: Peter Betham, Sam Cordingley, Hoani
McDonald, Kevin O'Neill, Luke Rooney, Greg Somerville, Afusipa
Taumoepeau.
Unsurprisingly it was a tough start to Super Rugby for the
Melbourne franchise, but some good player recruitment makes them a
tougher proposition this time around. They have added two genuine
game-breakers to their backline in James O'Connor and Kurtley
Beale. They will join the experience of Stirling Mortlock and the
creativity of playmaker Danny Cipriani to form a potentially deadly
backline. However all the skill in their backs will mean nothing if
they can't get parity up front where a lack of firepower may see
them struggle.
Verdict: Expect to see some improvement from the
Rebels, but don't get carried away and pick them to make the
playoffs.
Conference prediction: 4th
Overall prediction: 13th
Rebels:
Paul Alo-Emile, Kurtley Beale, Rodney Blake, Adam
Byrnes, Alister Campbell, Danny Cipriani, Tom Chamberlain, Tim
Davidson, Gareth Delve, Adam Freier, Mark Gerrard, Nic Henderson,
James Hilgendorf, Julian Huxley, Mitch Inman, Lloyd Johansson, Luke
Jones, James King, Richard Kingi, Michael Lipman, Lachlan Mitchell,
,James O'Connor, Nick Phipps, Hugh Pyle, Ged Robinson, Jarrod
Saffy, Heath Tessmann, Cooper Vuna, Laurie Weeks.
