TOURNAMENTS: SUPER 14 By Jan de Koning
Thursday February 09 2006
Let the games commence
It is with a touch of irony that the Blues and Hurricanes kick-off the inaugural Super 14 competition in Auckland on Friday. It was back in 1996 that the same two teams went head-to-head in Wellington for the start of the Super 12.
A decade ago the Blues won on the opening day and went on to win the Super 12. Will history repeat itself? Will it be as exciting and refreshing as it was back then?
The Super 14 brings with it new excitement - even if it is only to see how the two newcomers, the Cheetahs and Western Force, will do. But it is exciting times!
And with the extra teams go extra games, from 69 game over 13 weeks to 94 games over 16 weeks.
Lots more excitement and it all starts in Auckland on Friday.
Let the games commence!
Friday 10 February:
Blues v Hurricanes
(Eden Park, Auckland, 19.35 - 06.35 GMT)
If the two team sheets are anything to go by, this will be a humdinger. The number of All Blacks on display will ensure it will be a memorable encounter.
The Blues will look to produce their usual fast-paced, audacious style of rugby. Fast-running backs and a pack of forwards that boast the skills of backs.
The Hurricanes will look to dominate at the breakdowns and in cover defence, where the loose forward trio of Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins and Chris Masoe will be up against Angus Macdonald, Nick Williams and Daniel Braid.
Midfield is another area that could prove decisive - the Blues youngsters, Luke McAlister and Ben Atiga, going head-to-head with Hurricanes veteran Tana Umaga and ever-improving Conrad Smith.
Prediction: Difficult to tell first up. Pre-season form is not really a yard-stick and on paper they also match up quite evenly. We'll go for a Blues win, by less than 10 points.
Teams:
Blues: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Ben Atiga, 12 Luke McAlister/Rua Tipoki, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Tasesa Lavea, 9 John Senio, 8 Angus Macdonald, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Nick Williams, 5 Greg Rawlinson, 4 Ali Williams, 3 John Afoa, 2 Kevin Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock
Replacements: 16 Tim Dow, 17 Saimone Taumoepeau/ Mike Noble, 18 Kurtis Haiu, 19 Justin Collins, 20 Steve Devine, 21 Rua Tipoki /Anthony Tuitavake, 22 Brent Ward.
Hurricanes: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Tana Umaga, 11 Ma'a Nonu, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo (captain), 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Luke Andrews, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Joe McDonnell
Replacements: 16 Luke Mahoney, 17 Tim Fairbrother, 18 Paul Tito, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Brendan Haami, 21 David Holwell, 22 Shannon Paku
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Gary Wise, Vinny Munro (both New Zealand)
Television match official: Josh Noonan (New Zealand)
Assessor: Alan Riley (New Zealand)
Western Force v Brumbies
(Subiaco Oval, Perth, 19.05 - 11.05 GMT)
With all new things come excitement and anticipation. But what makes this clash even more intriguing is that the Force is now what the Brumbies were a decade ago ... the new kid on the block.
The Brumbies were formed mostly out of discards from the Waratahs and Reds 10 years ago. The Force went and head-hunted players. They feel they bought as good as they could.
And that is the one question that will be answered, partially, on Friday, when the Brumbies - now an established force - will test the mettle of the new Force.
We know exactly what the Brumbies bring to the party. Multi-phased, patient rugby. They don't place too much emphasis on the set pieces and this is often said to be their one weakness. But they have skills aplenty and game breakers all over the park.
Two former Brumbies, Matt Henjak and David Fitter, will be able to give their new teammates at the Force (the Western variety) plenty of advice.
The key will be how the Force's pack, under the guidance of former Red Nathan Sharpe, stands up in the set pieces.
Prediction: The Brumbies might just be too structured for the newcomers and while the Force will be exciting and full of energy, they may also self-destruct. The Brumbies to win comfortably - 10 points or more.
Teams:
Western Force: 15 James Hilgendorf, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Junior Pelesasa, 12 Lachlan MacKay, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Scott Daruda, 9 Matt Henjak, 8 Scott Fava, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Luke Doherty, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 John Welborn, 3 David Fitter, 2 Brendan Cannon, 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements: 16 Tai McIsaac, 17 David Te Moana, 18 David Pusey, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Chris O'Young, 21 Josh Graham, 22 Cameron Shepherd
Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Clyde Rathbone, 13 Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Mark Gerrard, 10 Stephen Larkham, 9 George Gregan, 8 George Smith, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Daniel Heenan, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Alister Campbell, 3 Nic Henderson, 2 Jeremy Pau, 1 Bill Young.
Replacements: 16 David Palavi, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Jone Tawake, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Gene Fairbanks, 22 Joel Wilson.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Paul Marks, James Scholtens (both Australia)
Television match official: Bradley Wahl (Australia)
Assessor: Sandy MacNeill or Ian Hailes (Australia)
Cheetahs v Bulls
(Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein, 19/19 - 17.10 GMT)
Both teams have gone out of their way to tell us this game is NOT a replay of the 2005 Currie Cup Final. Don't be fooled, there will be lots of emotion, as there always is in South African derby matches, and this could be a brutal affair.
Unlike the Final the Cheetahs now seem to have a clear upperhand in the pack - the Bulls being minus stars like Victor Matfield, Gary Botha, Kees Lensing and Anton Leonard. In fact just two of the Bulls' forward of the Final - Bakkies Botha and Jacques Cronjé - will start on Friday night.
Six of the Cheetahs' forwards from the Final are back - with retired captain Naka Drotske and injured flank Hendro Scholtz absent.
The Cheetahs forwards are among the best in the business and in the scrums they could hold a decisive edge against a Bulls pack that fields a very untested front row.
It will be interesting to see how Cheetahs import Ronnie Cooke shapes up in the midfield against the formidable duo of JP Nel and Wynand Olivier.
And don't forget the exhilarating try-scoring abilities of Bryan Habana on the Bulls' wing.
Prediction: The Cheetahs could just be too good for the Bulls, who might struggle with continuity considering all the pre-season injury disruptions. The Cheetahs to sneak another win - 10 points or less.
Teams:
Cheetahs: 15 Bevin Fortuin, 14 Giscard Peters, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Barry Goodes, 11 Sinethemba Zweni, 10 Meyer Bosman, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Ryno van der Merwe, 7 Juan Smith (captain), 6 Kabamba floors, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 Corniel Van Zyl, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Trevor Leota, 17 Os du Randt, 18 Ockie van Zyl, 19 Frans Viljoen, 20 Falie Oelschig, 21 Willem de Waal, 22 Gaffie du Toit
Bulls: 15 Johan Roets, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JP Nel, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Fourie du Preez (captain), 8 Jacques Cronjé, 7 Johan Wasserman, 6 Danie Rossouw, 5 Francois van Schouwenburg, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Danie Thiart, 2 Kobus van der Walt, 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements: 16 Chilliboy Ralepelle, 17 Wessel Roux, 18 Pedrie Wannenburg, 19 Pierre Spies, 20 Heinie Adams, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Riaan van der Bergh
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Touch judges: JC Fortuin, Willie Roos (both South Africa)
Television match official: Christie du Preez (South Africa)
Assessor: Frans Muller (South Africa)
Saturday 11 February:
Crusaders v Highlanders
(Jade Stadium, Christchurch, 19.35 - 06.35 GMT)
Whenever you look at New Zealand derbies you notice the immense amount of talent and skill on display. Yes, this is a South Island derby and there is sure to be some emotion.
But we're rather keen to see the head-to-head between All Black fly-halves Dan Carter (the IRB and New Zealand Player of the Year) and Nick Evans, who played in the victories over Ireland and Scotland on the Grand Slam tour last year.
But the exciting match-ups don't stop there.
Both teams may be dependent on their forward packs to get things going and then it presents you with the Josh Blackie versus Richie McCaw showdown.
Then there is Carl Hayman versus Greg Somerville, Anton Oliver versus Corey Flynn, Chris Jack and Ross Filipo against James Ryan and Tom Donnelly.
See why we are getting so excited?
Prediction: As with all teams you can't judge either team on pre-season form ... especially not the Crusaders. But we feel history is enough to judge these two on and based on that it should be a Crusaders win - by 10 points.
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Caleb Ralph, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Scott Hamilton, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Kevin Senio, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Richard McCaw (captain), 6 Reuben Thorne, 5 Ross Filipo, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Greg Somerville.
Replacements: 16 Tone Kopelani, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Kevin O'Neill, 19 Johnny Leo'o, 20 Andrew Ellis, 21 Cameron McIntyre, 22 Casey Laulala.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Vilimoni Delasau, 13 Neil Brew, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Roy Kinikinilau, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Josh Blackie, 6 Craig Newby, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Anton Oliver (captain), 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Nick White, 18 Hoani MacDonald, 19 Hale T Pole, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Callum Bruce, 22 Richard Kahui
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Chris Pollock, Greg Watson (both New Zealand)
Television match official: Brent Murray (New Zealand)
Assessor: Kim Eichmann (New Zealand)
Reds v Waratahs
(Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 19.40 - 09.40 GMT)
This is the one game this weekend which has the potential to be a damp squib. Reds-Waratahs encounters are seldom exciting affairs - tense, yes, exciting, no.
Think back to last year when they bored us to death. Unless one of them truly dominates it could be another dreary encounter.
It is not that there's no talent. Exciting players there are plenty - Chris Latham, Drew Mitchell, Wendell Sailor Lote Tuqiri, Peter Hewat, etc.
But the problem with these teams are that they usually abandon their normal game plans and go for a safety first, win at all cost option in these derbies.
Let's hope the fact that it is a First Round match will ensure they put their A-Games on the park ... and then it could be a real cracker.
Prediction: At first glance the Waratahs seem to have the edge, but the game is being played in Brisbane and that makes it tougher to call. The Waratahs should have enough to pull through - by 10 to 15 points.
Teams:
Reds: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Tim Atkinson, 13 Julian Huxley, 12 Elton Flatley, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Sam Cordingley, 8 John Roe (captain), 7 David Croft, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Hugh McMeniman, 4 Mark Connors, 3 Rodney Blake, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Tom Court , 18 James Horwill / Cameron Treloar, 19 Tom McVerry, 20 Nic Berry, 21 Lloyd Johansson, 22 Henari Veratau.
Waratahs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Wendell Sailor, 13 Lote Tuqiri, 12 Morgan Turinui, 11 Peter Hewat, 10 Tim Donnelly, 9 Chris Whitaker (captain), 8 David Lyons, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Daniel Vickerman, 4 Will Caldwell, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Adam Freier, 1 Matt Dunning.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Alex Kanaar, 19 Wycliff Palu, 20 Stephen Hoiles, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Daniel Halangahu.
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Touch judges: George Ayoub, Daniel Cheever (both Australia)
Television match official: Geoff Acton (Australia)
Assessor: Mick Keogh or Terry O'Connor (Australia)
Cats v Stormers
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 17.00 - 15.00 GMT)
Neither of these teams are being given much of a chance to reach the play-offs and both finished in the bottom half of the 2005 Super 12. They both have plenty to prove.
There are question marks hanging over the ability of both sets of tight forwards - the Cats supposedly too old and the Stormers too light. They both talked themselves up this week, dismissing those notions.
But it is the backlines of these two teams that get the pulses racing.
There is Cats fullback Earl Rose facing his former teammates after moving to Johannesburg this year.
Then there is Jaque Fourie against De Wet Barry and Wayne Julies against Jean de Villiers in an all Springbok midfield battle.
At scrum-half there is an even more juicy showdown between Enrico Januarie and Bolla Conradie ... two real bantams at play.
Prediction: The Cats may just have the edge up front and playing at home will also count in their favour. The Cats will sneak it - by less than 10 points.
Teams:
Cats: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Wylie Human, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wayne Julies, 11 Jorrie Muller, 10 Tiaan Snyman, 9 Enrico Januarie, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Wikus van Heerden (captain), 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Jannes Labuschagne, 4 Trevor Hall, 3 Marius Hurter, 2 Lukas van Biljon, 1 Pietman van Niekerk.
Replacements: 16 Delarey du Preez, 17 Lawrence Sephaka, 18 KleinJan Tromp, 19 Willem Stoltz, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Doppies la Grange, 22 Grant Esterhuizen
Stormers: 15 Werner Greeff, 14 Jonghi Nokwe, 13 De Wet Barry (captain), 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Bolla Conradie, 8 Adri Badenhorst, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Luke Watson, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Ross Skeate, 3 Eddie Andrews, 2 Hanyani Shimange, 1 JD Moller.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Attie Winter, 18 Henk Eksteen, 19 David Hendricks, 20 Neil de Kock, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Justin Peach.
Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)
Touch judges: Marius Jonker, Johann Meuwesen (both South Africa)
Television match official: Phillip Bosch (South Africa)
Assessor: James Apollis (South Africa)
Sharks v Chiefs
(ABSA Stadium, Durban, 19.10 - 17.10 GMT)
Neither team is keen to reflect on their past performances, especially not their 2005 campaigns - when the Sharks finished last and the Chiefs just managed a mid-table position.
Both teams have plenty of new faces and are promising lots of excitement and entertainment this year. We will give them the benefit of the doubt.
The Sharks' youth policy - four players in the backline that are 21 or younger - will ensure there is plenty of energy. But cool heads are also called for and here they will look to the likes of Percy Montgomery (at fly-half) and captain AJ Venter (on the flank) to steady the ship.
The Chiefs will hope new signing Mils Muliaina, the former Blues and All Black star, will be their key with his ability to create opportunities in broken play.
Sam Tuitupou is another newcomer to the Chiefs ranks, while coach Ian Foster has also picked speedster Sosene Anesi to start on the wing, alongside Sitiveni Sivivatu, with Muliaina making up a very exciting back.
The Chiefs are notorious poor travellers, but having based themselves in Port Elizabeth, away from the hype of Durban, they will hope for an improved start to their two-match tour of South Africa.
Prediction: The Sharks will be exciting and their youthful energy may just be too much for the Chiefs, who prefer a more structured approach. The heat and humidity could also count against the visitors. But in the end we're going for a Chiefs win - by 15 points.
Teams:
Sharks: 15 JP Pietersen, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Percy Montgomery, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jacques Botes, 7 AJ Venter (captain), 6 Warren Britz, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Johan Ackermann, 3 Brendon Botha, 2 Skipper Badenhorst, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Jody Jenneker, 17 Brent Moyle, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Daniel Farani, 20 Sandile Nxumalo, 21 Bradley Barritt, 22 Brent Russell
Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sosene Anesi, 13 Niva Ta’auso, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Steven Bates, 5 Sean Hohneck, 4 Bernie Upton, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tom Willis (captain), 1 Simms Davison
Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Deacon Manu, 18 Kristian Ormsby, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Loki Crichton, 22 Mark Ranby.
Referee: Scott Young (Australia)
Touch judges: Julian Pritchard (Australia), Linston Manuels (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Assessor: Keith Hendricks (South Africa)
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