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With the official start of Super Rugby 2013 drawing nearer, it’s time to look at how some of the clubs may fair this year.
This installment will focus on the New Zealand teams.
Crusaders
In all likelihood, the Crusaders will continue their dominance of Super Rugby in 2013.
While their 2012 campaign would be considered a failure amongst the team itself due to the fact they didn’t make the final, they showed the rest of the competition that they can win with their marquee players into their 30s.
Right now the Crusaders have an effective mix of youth and age, with much of their youth in their fast-moving backline and much of their experience up front, which is a combination any team would be happy with.
Players such as Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford exemplify their youthful backline, while their is no lack of matches in forwards leaders such as Kieran Read and Corey Flynn.
However, it remains to be seen how much of an impact the loss of Richie McCaw will hurt. No matter what country you’re from, Richie McCaw is truly a legend of the sport of rugby, and without taking anything away from Kieran Read’s leadership qualities, McCaw is virtually as irreplaceable off the field as he is on.
It should certainly be an interesting Richie-less year in Christchurch, but the Crusaders should stay competitive as always.
Prediction: 3rd (1st in conference)
Chiefs
It’s hard to go past the Chiefs as one of the favourites for the Super Rugby crown in 2013, headed by captains Craig Clarke and Liam Messam, and star player Aaron Cruden, the Chiefs should look to have yet another solid season near the top of the table.
However, the off-season held its’ fair share of disappointment for the defending champions. The Chiefs lost some quality players in the off-season, including Jackson Willison and Kane Thompson, as well as top try-scorer Sona Taumalolo and All Black Sonny Bill Williams.
Sona Taumalolo was one of the completion’s top try-scorers, which for a prop is incredible, and Sonny Bll Williams is always a class act, whichever team he’s playing for and whatever sport he’s playing. While these losses will prove disappointing, there’s plenty to be encouraged about.
Aaron Cruden had his breakout year last year, emerging as one of the competition’s best players. He scored 139 more points in 2012 than he did in 2011 with his move from Wellington to Waikato.
While the Chiefs will most likely drop off a bit with the loss of star power from 2012, they will still be one of the more competitive teams all year, and you can almost lock them in for finals.
Prediction: 4th (2nd in conference)
Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have been one of those ever-present teams that can never seem to quite put it together correctly. They have made five semi-finals and one final in their 17 year Super Rugby, and while they have has many top teams and players pass through, they have never been able to break through for a championship.
Now they seem to be rebuilding again, and they most certainly have some good pieces to do it with. Arguably the brightest young star last year was Beauden Barrett, who managed to get a few All Black caps under his belt despite New Zealand’s incredible depth at his position.
Another one to watch for will be Andre Taylor, who led the competition in try-scoring with Bjorn Basson in 2012, and is poised to do better than his 10 2012 tries in 2013.
Taylor is also poised to earn his first All Black caps this year if he can keep his superb form up, and was probably unlucky to not win some last year.
Along with these two, the Hurricanes have a plethora of strong players such as Conrad Smith, Cory Jane and Julian Savea, rounding out a very strong backline.
However, the forwardline is where the Hurricanes lack. While they have some strong players such as Dane Coles, Victor Vito and Chris Eaton, the Hurricanes will need more of an All Black presence in their pack to contend for the Super Rugby title.
Until then, they may find themselves continuing to warble around the edge of the playoffs like they have been for so many years.
Prediction: 9th (3rd in conference)
Highlanders
The Highlanders are similar to the Hurricanes, an ever-present team never making much of a dent on the Super Rugby landscape.
In their Super Rugby campaign, also of 17 years, they have reached four semi-finals and one final. And similarly to the Hurricanes, they are also doing their own rebuilding, with a little less effectivity.
They did make some good off-season pickups in 2011 World Cup stars Ma’a Monu, Tony Woodcock and Brad Thorn. Their combined 224 games of All Black experience and 329 games of Super Rugby experience will bolster the Highlanders’ largely youthful lineup.
Speaking of, that largely youthful lineup includes players such as Hosea Gear, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Colin Slade, all highly regarded players with All Black experience. They also have plenty of strong role player such as Jamie Mackintosh, Jarrad Hoeta, Nasi Manu and captain Andrew Hore rounding out a strong team.
Perhaps in a few years, after the team have been around each other for a bit longer (and control their injury troubles) they can be the strong team Otago and the new Forsyth Barr Stadium deserves.
Prediction: 11th (4th in conference)
Blues
The Blues are the opposite of the past two teams. Over the years, they have been very successful, winning three championships, making one other and two other semi-finals.
However, it will probably be a few years before the Blues are again competitive. While they do have some good pieces, many of them are around or over 30, such as Kevin Mealamu, Ali Williams and Piri Weepu, and will soon not be the productive test players they once were.
This year, the Blues will truly need to wring the cloth, and get the most out of every player they have. While they did make some positive additions such as serviceable backs Chris Noakes and Jackson Willison, who could both one day play test rugby, these additions were overshadowed by their significant amount of firepower that left Auckland this offseason.
Gareth Anscombe, Daniel Braid, Michael Hobbs, Jerome Kaino, Alby Mathewson, Lachie Munro, Hadleigh Parkes, Benson Stanley, Isaia Toeava, Tony Woodcock, Ma’a Nonu and Rudi Wulf are just a few of the names lost to the Blues this offseason.
Unfortunately for the Blues, they will have a short-handed team for most of the year, and they will need plenty of their ITM elevated players to step up and become Super Rugby players this season.
Prediction: 12th (5th in conference)
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.