-
-
Related
Week one: The 14 Super burning questions
14. Does rugby have a place in February?
With fires raging over Victoria, New Zealand scorching heat waves of its own and cricket (and to a lesser extent sailing) taking centre stage on both sides of the Tasman, the simple answer is: no - rugby has no place in February.
Although the temperatures are forecasted to cool significantly over the three nations this weekend they are sure to rise once again.
Or let me put it this way: Highlanders v Brumbies or Australia v Black Caps on Friday. Hmmm tough choice.
13. Will the recession keep the punters away?
Well you only have to look at last season to answer this question. The gates were down, television ratings plummeted and the disinterest in our national game was well documented.
Karen from Otago rugby confirmed on Thursday that just 6,000 tickets have been sold for the Super 14 opener against the Brumbies on Friday night. For your information last season's average was 7,500.
Television ratings may improve (as people choose to stay home) but gate takings are likely to suffer.
12. Who is going to get up for Cheetahs vs. the Lions at 8:10am on Saturday morning?
One of the problems with this super-dooper competition is the time differences, along with the steady stream of mouth-watering games.
A lot of the matches in the Republic are on at more daunting hours than this fixture but really the Cheetahs with your cup of tea? Thanks but no thanks.
11. Will John Mitchell keep his job?
The New Zealand TAB refused to put odds on this state of affairs but that didn't stop Barry Crompton from the Kalgoorlie Pub providing me with the inside information.
Crompton says there has been a stream of money pouring in on Mitchell to quit mid-season at $3.20.
But he helpfully adds that the influx has been so significant that the Kalgoorlie Pub is likely to drop the odds to $2.50 over the coming days. Interestingly enough that means the mid-season walkout is now the favourite bet, just overtaking: Mitchell to join the Australian Army in Afghanistan at $2.70.
10. Are the Chiefs going to make another slow start?
The perennial poor-starters need to bank some points in the opening rounds but their draw again suggests they might struggle.
Following the Crusaders in Christchurch, they then face the Waratahs in Sydney before taking on the Sharks at home.
On their day, the Chiefs have the potential to beat any team and these three games will give us a fair indication of their credentials.
9. Should the Super 14 playoffs have been expanded?
Yes totally. Last season the third place Sharks finished on 42 competition points while the sixth place Blues finished just two points behind.
Both teams registered eight wins out of 14, bonus points proving the difference. If teams can conjure up well over a 50 percent winning record they should be rewarded with a playoff.
Furthermore, the playoffs are all over quicker than you can say super and prove to be an anti-climax of super proportions.
8. Is the word 'super' over used?
Yes.
7. Who is going to take the wooden-spoon?
Lions, Cheetahs, Reds, Force and Highlanders (in that order) are currently the favourites. Will keep you posted.
6. Who is Dan's back-up?
With DC out of action for at least six months that means when France arrive in June the All Blacks could potentially blood a new first-five eighth.
Stephen Donald is currently the incumbent so therefore the favourite but Colin Slade, Stephen Brett and maybe even Tavesa Lavea could all push their causes with strong campaigns.
But it might just be the cool, calm head of the converted Piri Weepu that is the makeshift solution.
5. Is this finally the Hurricanes year?
Forever semi-finalists the boys from the capital may just crack their hoodoo in 2009.
They possess probably the strongest roster in the competition and their bogey team, the Crusaders, certainly don't look as daunting without two notables.
TAB has them third favourite to take the title at $5.50 - which is probably about right.
4. Who are the new stars?
Watch out for: Israel Dagg, Colin Bourke, Benson Stanley, and even though he already has a Super 14 season under his belt: Timana Tahu - this guy is going to step up at second five-eight or inside centre as Dingo Deans would say.
3. Do the Aussies deserve another team?
Well they could prove me wrong but the Reds and to a lesser extent the Force have a player roster so thin that Jenny Craig has left the proud cities of Brisbane and Perth.
2. What's the worst team name in the competition?
While no one is quite sure exactly what a Red or Blue is meant to be and the Cheetahs have some conniving connations, in these sensitive times the Crusaders take the cake for the most inappropriate team name. Maybe they should change it to the Canterbury Boy Racers?
1. Was Robbie Deans really the secret to the Crusaders success?
One gets the feeling he was. But his legacy could live on with former charge Todd Blackadder taking over the reigns.
However, the absence of DC will visibly affect the champions, and all great dynasties must come to an end.
And 2009 I'm afraid is the end. Thanks Robbie.
What are your burning questions? Comment on our messageboard below!
Add a Comment:
Post new commentsamuelleague said on 2009-05-15 @ 15:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
Im a fan of Waikato Smash ya'll, and the auckland burn in hell. Have nice rings to them, All that matters is the Chiefs are going to win the comp unless the bulls finish first then we'll get 2nd
samuelleague said on 2009-05-15 @ 15:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
Im a fan of Waikato Smash ya'll, and the auckland burn in hell. Have nice rings to them, All that matters is the Chiefs are going to win the comp unless the bulls finish first then we'll get 2nd
Bullethole said on 2009-05-15 @ 14:40 NZDT: Report abusive post
The Waikato Burn
Bullethole said on 2009-05-15 @ 14:39 NZDT: Report abusive post
I've always been of the opinion that the Force should recognise Perth's rich maritime history by renaming themselves the Western Australian Anchors, or WAAnchors for short.
Zaz01 said on 2009-05-15 @ 12:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
Canterbury All We've Got Is Rugbys or Waikato Wish We Were Aucklanders