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It might have slipped through the cracks but there was a telling remark about Israel Folau last week from a purely rugby perspective.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, speaking on New Zealand television, confirmed that he and Wayne Smith had conducted talks with Folau earlier this year. The conversation took place when the Chiefs coaches were in Sydney for the first Bledisloe Test, but progressed no further as Folau was still locked into his AFL deal.
Still, as endorsements go about a player’s potential, they don’t come much better.
Does it mean Folau will be a success? Of course not.
In fact, with time against him it would be surprising if there weren’t times ahead when the game looks completely alien to him.
He could fail at the Waratahs. But if they do start to unlock some of Folau’s qualities, along with contributions from with returning casualties Lachie Turner and Drew Mitchell and new recruit Michael Hooper, the Australian conference begins to look more congested at the top than it did this year.
The oddsmakers are leaning this way. Punting is a fool’s game but the markets make interesting reading.
There is some difference of opinion about whether the Reds or Brumbies are the most likely Australian side to win Super Rugby in 2013, but they are the preferred pair at anywhere between $9 and $13. The Waratahs are spotted between $17 and $21 and the Rebels lurk at $67. The Force are loveless at up to $201.
At a glance those numbers look a little unkind towards the Rebels, while the Waratahs might be closer to their bitter rivals than is supposed. However, there is no doubting last year’s top two deserve their favouritism among the Australian outfits.
Regardless of Quade Cooper’s issues at Test level he remains a major threat in Super Rugby.
On a dry track and with quick ball Cooper can cut sides apart – and after this year’s dramas he will be expected to. More confident predictions of the Reds’ chances could be made had Will Genia’s knee and James Horwill’s hamstring not required the knife, but they have been so well run for two years now – on and off the field – that a fall in standards would be unexpected.
In fact, they might find it easier in 2013 with the burden of the title off their shoulders. And apart from the established superstars the likes of Ben Lucas, Liam Gill, Chris Feauai-Sautia and Jake Schatz have much more to give.
The Reds, especially at Suncorp, still look formidable.
In Canberra the recruitment of Brian Smith confirmed the Brumbies’ willingness to mine new sources for expertise and an edge. It’s an way of thinking that served them well last year, with the lack of household names encouraging a team ethos that should have taken them to the finals.
With Henry Speight and Joe Tomane on the rise they have a cutting edge to complement a hard-working pack whose front row looks particularly solid, but their next campaign will again depend on the excellent Nic White and Christian Lealiifano. The two were purring last year before the latter’s injury.
So much play goes through the clever White, whose lovely passing and smart kicking make him a more natural back-up to Genia at the next level than his rivals.
Yet they won’t be treated as lightly in 2013 as they were this year, especially with David Pocock on board. Raised expectations bring their own pressures and scrutiny.
It is that 9-10 pairing that continues to look like an Achilles heel for the Waratahs.
Michael Cheika has already said his back line is picked, and you suspect a decent percentage of NSW fans are hoping that means Bernard Foley will be wearing No.10. It would certainly be a statement of attacking intent.
But even if it is the case patience, and a sense of realism is required. Foley has talent but learning the ropes at Super level can take years, not months, even for those with the former Sevens player’s gifts.
Questions might also be asked if the options at halfback stack up well against the Reds and Brumbies.
Still, they look strong elsewhere, with Hooper’s vitality at openside potentially offering a transformational effect on how they play. At the least they should not be beaten at the breakdown, as they so often were in 2012.
The bookies also give us another picture of where they see the Super sides, a broader one. The top team from the Australian franchise is, of course, guaranteed third place on the ladder, at worst. But you have to go down to the fifth line of betting before you find the Reds or Brumbies.
The Crusaders, Chiefs, Stormers and Sharks are all rated more highly. That is motivational fuel, surely, for the Australian conference as a whole over the tough pre-season months.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.