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Let’s have a look at the five Australian teams heading into the new look Super Rugby competition: 2011 rosters, team breakdowns and my predicted 22 for each team.
I think the Australian conference battles in 2011 will produce some of the best rugby. The sporting rivalry in Australia has produced some of the greatest and most memorable battles.
Lets take a look at the Australian teams …
Brumbies
1. B Alexander
2. S Moore
3. S Ma’Afu
4. M Chisholm
5. P Kimlin
6. R Elsom
7. J Salvi
8. S Hoiles
9. J Valentine
10. M Toouma
11. F Fainifo
12. M Giteau
13. A Smith
14. P McCabe
15. A Ashley Cooper
16. H Edmonds
17. J Yanuyanutawa
18. M Chapman
19. C Fiangaa
20. P Phibbs
21. T Smith
22. C Lealiifano
Other Squad
23. R Palmer
24. B Hand
25. M Hooper
26. E Stubbs
27. R Coleman
28. A Taumopeau
29. S Wara
30. C Crawford
In
Palmer, Salvi, Stubbs, Coleman, Wara, Crawford
Out
G Smith, Harrison, Mortlock, Huxley, Vanderglas, Mafi, Stannard, Karauria-Henry
Season chances
Maybe without the favourites tag the Brumbies might play more expansive rugby. Their losses outweigh their gains on paper, but they still look like title contenders. Predicted Finish – 3rd
Key Player
I think there are two key players to the Brumbies season. How Salvi shapes up in filling Smith’s role will go a long way to determining their season. Matt Toouma needs to show his class and maturity to open up the like of Ashley Cooper and Giteau.
Up and Comer
Ed Stubbs has showed himself as an emerging outside centre in the local ACT rugby competition. Stubbs made his debut off the bench late last season and will be looking to break into the 13 position left vacant by the departure of Stirling Mortlock.
Waratahs
1. B Robinson
2. T Poluta Nau
3. S Kepu
4. K Douglas
5. D Vickerman
6. D Mumm
7. P Waugh
8. W Palu
9. L Burgess
10. B Barnes
11. D Mitchell
12. R Cross
13. R Horne
14. L Turner
15. K Beale
16. S Fitzpatrick
17. A Baxter
18. C Jowitt
19. P McCutheon
20. L Holmes
21. D Halangahu
22. B Karauria-Henry
Other Squad
23. J Tilse
24. J Ryan
25. L Caldwell
26. D Dennis
27. B Mowen
28. C Alcock
29. L McCaffrey
30. B McKibbon
31. T Carter
32. R Sidey
In
Vickerman, Cross, Karauria-Henry, Ryan
Out
Frier, Roodt, Anesi,
Season chances
The Waratahs have managed to keep personnel changes to a minimum. With their strong pack and ever growing team depth, this could finally be the year for the Tah’s. Predicted Finish – 2n
Key Player
Palu is a strong ball running eight. Something the Tah’s lacked heavily without him last year. A hard running eight is the only area the Tah’s have failed to show depth and therefore Palu’s fitness will decide if they go all the way.
Up and Comer
Pat McCutheon is on the rise. From making his Super 14 debut in ’10 to being part of the extended Wallabies squad, his class has been noted. He needs to continue to improve if he wants to hold his starting spot.
Force
1. M Dunning
2. N Charles
3. B Fairbrother
4. N Sharpe
5. B McCalman
6. M Hodgson
7. D Pocock
8. R Brown
9. B Sheenan
10. W Ripia
11. L Cummings
12. S Staniforth
13. M Inman
14. C Sheppherd
15. J O’Conner
16. B Whitaker
17. P Cowan
18. Hockings
19. J Jenkins
20. J Turner
21. G Fairbanks
22. D Haylett Petty
Other Squad
23. R Longbottom
24. Alo-Emile
25. S Wykes
26. P Battye
27. P Postal
28. M Swanepool
29. J Stannard
30. S Harris
31. S Hunt
32. J Rapana
33. M Bartholomeuz
34. Dellit
In
Charles, Ripia, Fairbanks, Stannard, Postal, Alo-Emile, Battye, Dellit
Out
Henderson, Jones, Cross, Pretorius, Hill, Stanford, Tyrell, Manu
Season chances
You would hope the Force could send their departing coach out with a bang, by pushing for a semi final berth. However, I can’t see the Force having a revival this year. They lack the depth to give this competition a good shake and just don’t seem to have that winning mentality. Predicted Finish – 11th
Key Player
Their key player and true leader out on the pitch is David Pocock. He has taken the reigns as Australia’s choice flanker and if he can get the Force backrow firing they will take several big scalps next year.
Up and Comer
Due to a serious knee injury he probably won’t get his chance this year, but young Justin Turner is a rising halfback with tremendous skill. Plays well above his 87kg frame and is a natural backline leader.
Reds
1. Daley
2. Fiangaa
3. Slipper
4. Simmons
5. Horwill
6. Higgimbotham
7. Tomiki
8. Houston
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Fiangaa
13. Chambers
14. Davies
15. Hynes
16. Hanson
17. Holmes
18. Samo
19. Shaw
20. Lucas
21. Tapuai
22. Morahan
Other Squad
23. Anae
24. Shepherdson
25. Van Humpries
26. Schatz
27. Wallace Harrison
28. Quirk
29. Gill
30. Tapuai
31. Shipperly
32. Situai
In
Anae, Shepherdson, Samo, Wallace Harrison, Gill, Shipperly, Situai
Out
Weeks, Edwards, Kennedy, Byrne, Taylor, Braid, Luafutu, Kingi, Fetoai, Va’alu
Season chances
The fairytale story of 2010, the Reds look set to prove last year was not a fluke. They have made many personnel changes (mainly to their fringe players) and have created a sturdy depth in their ranks. Predicted Finish – 6th
Key Player
More a key combination rather than a key player, the Genia/Cooper show will provide the Red army with faith leading into 2011. This combination is getting it’s chance on the greater stage with the Wallabies and this can only leading to a better connection out on the field. Both players must see the whole season out if the Reds are a chance for the finals.
Up and Comer
Still a season or two away, but young 17 year old Liam Gill is a great young talent on the rise. His commitment at the breakdown and strong running style will put David Pocock on notice for the future.
Rebels
1. Sommerville
2. Frier
3. Blake
4. O’Neil
5. Campbell
6. Lipman
7. Saffy
8. Delve
9. Kingi
10. Cipriani
11. Rooney
12. Mortlock
13. Vuna
14. Gerrard
15. Huxley
16. Robinson
17. Weeks
18. Byrne
19. Chamberlain
20. Cordingly
21. Hilgendorf
22. Du Plessis
Other members
23. Tessman
24. Henderson
25. MacDonald
26. Jones
27. Pyle
28. Davidson
29. Phipps
28. Mitchell
29. Betham
Season chances
With names that have inspired Wallaby fans and players alike for many years the Rebels hold some hope of coming into this competition with a bang. The return of the messiah – Rod McQueen will provide the spirit and dedication alone, but I just can’t see this being enough to see them through. A long season relying on some tired legs will be the death of the Rebels and certainly will take the gloss off McQueen’s shine, however if there was any many who could take this Dad’s army into the finals it would be McQueen. Predicted Finish – 13th
Key Player
The Rebels first signing will turn out to be their most crucial in 2011. How he adapts to southern hemisphere rugby and clicks with the team will determine their success. Cipriani is an exceptional raw talent and with some strong guidance, he just may turn out to be their best buy.
Up and Comer
Tom Chamberlain a young Auckland flanker pushed aside by Daniel Braid’s return will show his worth this year. Mixed in with the Super 15’s most interesting back row he is predicted to be a secret weapon in McQueen’s arsenal.
Wallabies
1. Robinson
2. Poluta Nau
3. Alexander
4. Horwill
5. Vickerman
6. Elsom
7. PoCock
8. Palu
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Giteau
13. Chambers
14. Davies
15. Ashley Cooper
16. Moore
17. Blake
18. Kimlin
19. Hodgson
20. Kingi
21. Toouma
22. Mitchell
Other members
23. Fiangaa
24. Slipper
25. Kepu
26. Simmons
27. Higgimbotham
28. Salvi
29. Burgess
28. Beale
29. Horne
30. O’Conner
31. Gerrard
32. Rooney
33. Sheppherd
World Cup chances
The Wallabies have spent the past two years talking of building depth for the World cup. The truth however is that, if they cannot hold onto their strongest 22, then the Wallabies hold little hope of bringing Bill home. Predicted Finish – 3rd
Key Player
Based on form and depth Will Genia will be the key to the Wallabies success. Still a junior in terms of test caps, this young halfback shows he is a true leader on the field. The entire Wallabies backline looks better when this man is getting the first pass away.
Up and Comer
Will Chambers in his first year of rugby showed his skills and speed. He is developing his game as an outside centre and would have got his test birth in 2010, if it wasn’t for a shoulder injury. Only recently 24, this young hard running centre has the chance to cement the 13 jersey for years to come.
Australian Barbarians
1. Slipper
2. Fitzpatrick
3. Ma’afu
4. Douglas
5. Chapman
6. McCalman
7. Saffy
8. Houston
9. Turner
10. Barnes
11. Rooney
12. Fiangaa
13. Vuna
14. McCabe
15. Gerrard
16. Charles
17. Yanuyanutawa
18. Mumm
19. Fiangaa
20. Holmes
21. Halangahu
22. Turner
23. Frier
24. Weeks
25. Jones
26. Dennis
27. Gill
28. Lucas
29. Huxley
30. Du Plessis
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.