Every avid fan of rugby has seen the constant news outlets posting of new signings, new goals and new motivation for the upcoming 2017 Super Rugby season.
In the following two articles I will delve into the prospects of the 18 teams and offer what I believe to be an informed predicted finishing position as well as a match-day squad that will be intent on challenging for the coveted trophy.
Kings
The Kings return for their second consecutive and third overall season of Super Rugby and this time they’re bringing a vastly different squad with them.
Their rotation of players has been ridiculous to the point where it’s hard to tell that it’s the same team, but that’s not necessarily bad news.
Joining their ranks are the impressive Ross Geldenhuys and Waylon Murray, two players with a stack of experience that can respectively bolster the front row and midfield backs.
This will be entirely needed however, as the Kings will be without two of their standouts from 2016; Edgar Marutlulle who joins the Bulls and Lukhanyo Am who joins the Sharks.
It’s hard to see this motley crew get off the bottom of the ladder, but stranger things have happened.
Predicted finish: 18th
Potential XV
1. Schalk Ferreira
2. Martin Bezuidenhout
3. Schalk van der Merwe
4. Wandile Putuma
5. Irne Herbst
6. Thembelani Bholi
7. Chris Cloete
8. CJ Velleman
9. Ricky Schroeder
10. Lionel Cronje
11. Wandile Mjekevu
12. Waylon Murray
13. Johann Tromp
14. Siyanda Grey
15. Chrysander Botha
16. Mike Willemse
17. Ross Geldenhuys
18. Chris Heiberg
19. Sintu Manjezi
20. Stefan Willemse
21. James Hall
22. Pieter-Steyn de Wet
23. Malcolm Jaer
Cheetahs
Barely edging out the men from Port Elizabeth are the Cheetahs. The South African version of the Force; the Cheetahs have had one good season in the last five years that probably gives the die hard fans a sniff of a chance, but you’d be wise to write off this outfit as a title contender.
The loss of Lood de Jager and Willie Britz will be noted and the injury to captain and recent Springbok Francois Venter will make the start of the season a tough one.
Predicted finish: 17th
Potential XV:
1. Ox Nche
2. Torsten Van Jaarsveld
3. Aranos Coetzee
4. Carl Wegner
5. Francois Uys
6. Uzair Cassiem
7. Oupa Mohoje
8. Boom Prinsloo
9. Shaun Venter
10. Ryno Eksteen
11. Rayno Benjamin
12. Michael van der Spuy
13. Francois Venter
14. Raymond Rhule
15. Clayton Blommetjies
16. Jacques du Toit
17. Tom Botha
18. Charles Marais
19. Armandt Koster
20. Paul Schoeman
21. Tian Meyer
22. Niel Marais
23. Sergeal Petersen
Sunwolves
Arguments can be fought with faith or facts, and if it were any more of the former, I’d have the Sunwolves tipped to place higher this year.
The Sunwolves, much like the Kings, have shown a massive upheaval of personnel, however the team looks much better for it.
A direct comparison between the Sunwolves squad and the Japanese side that just featured in the end of year internationals will highlight a lot of names listed on both sheets, which bodes will for the competition’s sole Asian entrant.
The departure of Tusi Pisi and Akihito Yamada will be felt, but it’s the signing of players like Fumiaka Tanaka and Fenki Fukuoka that should instil their fans with faith. Expect vast improvement from this side.
Predicted finish: 16th
Potential XV:
1. Koki Yamamoto
2. Shota Horie
3. Heiichiro Ito
4. Kyosuke Kajikawa
5. Uwe Helu
6. Shuhei Matsuhashi
7. Ed Quirk
8. Willie Britz
9. Fumiaka Tanaka
10. Yu Tamura
11. Kenki Fukuoka
12. Harumichi Tatekewa
13. Timothy Lafaele
14. Kotaro Matsushima
15. Riaan Viljoen
16. Takeshi Hino
17. Keita Inagaki
18. Masataka Mikami
19. Liaki Moli
20. Malgene Ilaua
21. Keisuke Uchida
22. Hikaru Tamura
23. Derek Carpenter
Force
If you were hoping that a couple of Western Australians could force their way into the finals considerations you’d be misguided, but no one could question your optimism and allegiance.
What’s going on over there? Dave Wessells has stepped in as the new head coach and the players seem to be adapting well. The coach can only do so much though.
The backline will have its hands full adjusting given every bracketed centre of 2016 except for Luke Burton and Bill Meakes has headed overseas, so there will be some expectation to perform for the NRL imports Curtis Rona and Chance Peni.
The inclusion of Tatafu Polota-Nau and Isa Naisarani will add some size, but the team looks to be relying more on individual efforts rather than combining well as a team.
Predicted finish: 15th
Potential XV
1. Pek Cowan
2. Heath Tessmann
3. Tetera Faulkner
4. Adam Coleman
5. Ross Haylett-Petty
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Ben McCalman
9. Ryan Louwrens
10. Jono Lance
11. Luke Morahan
12. Billy Meakes
13. Chance Peni
14. Semisi Masirewa
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Ben Daley
18. Francois van Wyk
19. Richie Arnold
20. Isi Naisarani
21. Ian Prior
22. Luke Burton
23. Robbie Coleman
Jaguares
The Jaguares’ debut season finished nowhere near the lofty heights that certain pundits had them pinned for, but having seen their 2016 season, how much has the expectation altered?
The team boasts so many international players it’s hard to believe they’re not an automatic finals contender, but last year did nothing to help their cause.
Perhaps most damning for our South American newcomers is that even when the squad got together for the Pumas they couldn’t gel together for any longer, nor play any better, than they usually would.
They’ve kept the majority of their squad and now that the finer details of the competition have been experienced first hand, the team should be all the more prepared for an even tougher season.
Predicted finish: 14th
Potential XV
1. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
2. Agustin Creevy
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Matias Alemanno
5. Tomas Lavanini
6. Pablo Matera
7. Juan Manuel Lequizamon
8. Facunda Isa
9. Martin Landajo
10. Nicolas Sanchez
11. Manuel Montero
12. Juan Martin Hernandez
13. Matias Orlando
14. Santiago Cordero
15. Joaquin Tuculet
16. Julian Montoya
17. Lucas Noguera Paz
18. Santiago Garcia Botta
19. Guido Petti
20. Javier Ortega Desio
21. Felipe Ezcurra
22. Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias
23. Gabriel Ascarate
Rebels
The Melbourne Rebels are a side that I always instill more faith in at the start of the season than I probably should.
Is 2017 going to be any different? They have a few nice recruits in Amanaki Mafi, Dominic Day and Ben Volavola, but again, I think they’d be better suited to rely on the continued improvement of Lopeti Timani, Reece Hodge, Nic Stirzaker and their solid, but underrated front row.
I want the best for this team, but I can’t see 2017 being their breakout year either.
Predicted finish: 13th
Potential XV
1. Toby Smith
2. James Hanson
3. Laurie Weekes
4. Dominic Day
5. Lopeti Timani
6. Sean McMahon
7. Jordy Reid
8. Amanaki Mafi
9. Nic Stirzaker
10. Jack Debreczeni
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Mitch Inman
13. Sione Tuipulotu
14. Sefanaia Naivalu
15. Reece Hodge
16. Pat Leafa
17. Cruze Ah-Nau
18. Tim Metcher
19. Culum Retallick
20. Colby Fainga’a
21. Ben Meehan
22. Jackson Garden-Bachop
23. Tom English
Stormers
The Stormers have had some financial struggles to shuffle through, but the squad is there to make a push.
Adding in Dan Kriel is a benefit, but the loss of Vincent Koch, Schalk Burger and Nic Groom will be hard to cover.
Their 2016 season was marred by a heavy rotation in the No.10 jersey caused by injury, as well as several backs like Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh and Seabelo Senatla being absent through patches due to injury and sevens duties.
A handful of players have left the team only to join other South African franchises, so whether it was a monetary or environment decision will be telling of how the Stormers might perform.
Predicted finish: 12th
Potential XV
1. Alistair Vermaak
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Frans Malherbe
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit
6. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
7. Siya Kolisi
8. Nizaam Carr
9. Jano Vermaak
10. Robert du Preez
11. Seabelo Senatla
12. Damian de Allende
13. Huw Jones
14. Leolin Zas
15. Cheslin Kolbe
16. Scarra Ntubeni
17. Oli Kebble
18. JP Smith
19. JD Schnickerling
20. Rynhardt Elstadt
21. Louis Schreuder
22. Jean-Luc du Plessis
23. Juan de Jongh
Reds
The Reds’ re-signing of Quade Cooper will be telling of how their season transpires. It’s hard to think of a time where the forward pack has had this much depth and experience, and the signings of Stephen Moore, George Smith and Scott Higginbotham do a lot to strengthen that claim.
That means the platform for the backs will be looking a lot more set in 2017, but do the Reds have the cattle to finish off enough tries to be competitive?
Cooper and Samu Kerevi have the skill, Izaia Perese and Karmichael Hunt have the promise, but there’s a lot of young players in the squad that are still in the early phases of their rugby development. I think there could be one more year of building for this side.
Predicted finish: 11th
Potential XV
1. James Slipper
2. Stephen Moore
3. Sam Talakai
4. Kane Douglas
5. Rob Simmons
6. Hendrik Tui
7. George Smith
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. Nick Frisby
10. Quade Cooper
11. Eto Nabuli
12. Duncan Paia’aua
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Izaia Perese
15. Karmichael Hunt
16. Andrew Ready
17. Sef Fa’agase
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Lukhan Tui
20. Michael Gunn
21. James Tuttle
22. Campbell Magnay
23. Chris Feauai-Sautia
Crusaders
This might be seen as blasphemous depending on what side of the ditch you reside on, but the Crusaders squad isn’t striking the fear into me that it ordinarily would.
While they can field quite a dangerous starting team, the depth doesn’t extend as far as that of their compatriots’.
They have the least experienced halves combo in the New Zealand conference and after losing two standouts in Johnny McNicholl and Nemani Nadolo on the wing, the pressure will be on new recruit Digby Ioane to lift to his 2011 form.
The area that excites me the most is the centres, where Ryan Crotty, Seta Tamanivalu and David Havili have a huge opportunity to set the competition alight. New coach Scott Robertson will be praying for as few injuries as possible.
Predicted finish: 10th
Potential XV
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Scott Barrett
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Jordan Taufua
7. Matt Todd
8. Kieran Read
9. Mitchell Drummond
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. Digby Ioane
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Seta Tamanivalu
14. Jone Macilai-Tori
15. Israel Dagg
16. Ben Funnell
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Michael Alaalatoa
19. Luke Romano
20. Peter Samu
21. Bryn Hall
22. Marty McKenzie
23. David Havili
Nardus
Guest
Far too early to be ridiculously predicting the Crusaders finishing at a 'desperate' 10th! This guy is but a charlatan soothsayer. I think Razor has a lot of goodies to offer these guys, with his gritty determination (hell of a sense of humour), and a huge sense of positiveness, and the bench isn't at all that bad in reality, with plenty of potential there. Go the Crusaders! Definitely in the top 5.
Terry
Guest
When have they last won a super rugby final.?? They have been mediocre for 8 years at least and will continue to be so
Terry
Guest
You have the Horratahs to high.. Bottom 4 for mine
Bman
Guest
now your catching on What! Up in the land of the Mango, We always pick out team to win even when we were coached by the likes of Eddie Jones and Richard Graham.
Harry
Guest
I'm hopeful off rather than expecting a better finish Dave! Agree the backs look a little callow but IF 1) Quade can stay fit and focused 2) Hunt can stay fit and regain the form he was finally showing in mid last year and 3) someone has given a boot up the backside and trained Chris Feauai-Sautia and Eto Nabuli hard to get them 100% focused then it could be exciting times. Campbell Magnay and Izaia Perese are both excellent prospects with real attacking prowess and pace. Biggest risk is Quade's fitness .. he looks raring to go for the first time in years, lets keep our fingers crossed for an injury free run for him.
Klee Gluckman
Guest
Blues ahead of the Crusaders. No chance. The Blues area a basket case.
robel
Roar Pro
I'm with Piru, Force to quietly do the required work on the field.
Taylorman
Guest
Have to agree re the Crusaders who if anything are well overdue a good one being so close to finals playoffs last couple of years. Their environment alone should see them more consistent than a tenth finish. Must say though that all the NZ squads look strong on paper and looking through these lists it feels like there's about 60 or so ABs or potential ABs out there, each squad having at least 10 AB quality players, certainly if potential is included.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
I have to admit that to write this article so early requires a lot of imagination but I cannot see the Crusaders so low in the table. For what it is worth ,and being closer to the Jaguares than most of you, a bit of things have change from last year. Despite the coaching staff is the same ( many have asked for change and the hiring of a coach with experience in SR and many have put an eye in the lack of help from Greg Peters, who has departure after one year of " work") the main difference is that the number of players hired from UAR has double and they will be mixing things up wirth Argentina XV wich is Pumas B that plays in the Americas cup. This will bring up competition among the players to be in the starting team week in and out incrsing depth.The experience gained from the first year plus the fact that in paper the teams from Australia are a bit weaker than the ones fron NZ, add to that the turmoil that SA rugby is undergoing , and the fact that this year the air milage will be lower than last season, are reasons to beleive that the team should be in the top 10.
Chris
Guest
Well winning rugby maybe. The Foley style would be hard to describe as good rugby.
What!
Guest
I know, with the whole team being che@ted out of Wallaby spots by the evil conspiracy they should finish at the top. If they dont its because they were che@ted out of it by a conspiracy. Even if they do, its all a conspiracy against QLD...just ask all of them and theyll tell ya...over and over and...
Bman
Guest
Reds finishing 3rd on the ladder... your kidding yourself if you dont pick them at 1.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Harry ur right about the pack, it's the backs that lack experience. But I expect a better finish than this prediction.
ABasquefan
Roar Rookie
and they could also finish first in the conference (which very surely would mean first in the table),... if they are lucky with injuries they have the best forward pack of the competition with 9 AB,... Moody, Franks, Crockett and Taylor in the first row, Whitelock, Romano and Barret (who can also play 6) in the second row (a hell of a second row), and Read and Todd in the loose but they also have the best depth in the forwards with Taufua, the inform blinside last year and very unlucky not to be called to the AB (probably because of his height but I would choose him over Dixon, e.g.), with Alaalatoa (132 Kg. and proven to be up to the task) as the second tighthead, Funell another experienced hooker plus Makalio this last year's NPC's sensation, very strong ball carrier with his 122 kg,... and covering the backrow Pete Samu who last SR season grabbed all the opportunities he had to show his capabilities and strenght (he can play in any backrow positionj) plus Mitchell Dunshea, a NZ U20 and very Scott Barret-like player who's been injured but has lot of potential. and yeah, they have lack of depth in the backline,... but as I said with a bit of luck there,... their first choice backline is as good as any other with 3 AB and one ex-wallaby 9. Drummond/Enari 10. R. Mo'unga 12. R. Crotty 13. J. Goodhue 11. D. Ioane 14. S. Tamanivalu 15. I. Dagg I would like to see Enari given an opportunity untill Drummond recovers from his ankle injury,.... he was exceptional with 19 yo in his debut NPC season,... he already has one of the best and fastests passing and if he continue his progress,... who knows,.... Drummond also has one of the best passing If Mo'unga get injured the saders will have a problem,... but the canes with Barret, Chiefs with Cruden or landers with Sopoaga are in the same boat Crotty and Goodhue will form one of the bests midfields,... and the signing of Tim Bateman to cover both 10 and 12 has been a good option IMO,... I would like to see here Tasman's Alex Nankivell a very promising 19 yo center who can play both 12 and 13,... already far better than Havili or Wainui (both average players),... last season with Goodhue and Fruean injured for the whole season and Crotty gatting injured for the important games all the Saders' problems came from the midfield formed by Havili and Fonotia when played against the NZ sides,... Fonotia is gone and Havili is still too young and he may improve Tamanivalu, Ioane and J. Macilai are very capable wings while Dagg is the second best FB in the world and Geoge Bridge has the potential to be his succesor,... played on the wing this last NPC season but he's a FB and could be a very good one
allblackfan
Guest
The interesting thing about the NZ sides this year is, of course, the BI Lions. The supposedly-full strength NZ Super sides will be taking on the UK visitors and that could make or break their Super season hopes this year, I feel.
What!
Guest
1 Chiefs 2 Lions 3 Reds 4 Canes 5 Blues 6 Saders 7 Sharks 8 Highlanders 9 Brumbies 10 Bulls 11 Tahs 12 Stormers 13 Jaguares 14 Rebels 15 Force 16 Cheetahs 17 Kings 18 Sunwolves
davSA
Guest
I counted at least 9 current Springboks in the Stormers squad . It is an indictment on SA Rugby that they are seen as (and I believe correctly) bottom half of the table campaigners. Any team in the world would give their eye teeth for an Etsebeth / PSDT lock forward combo. Yet such is the state of coaching in the province this team will underperform. The coach Robbie Fleck who seems now to have been around for ever just doesn't inspire. He was Alistair Coetzee's assistant coach. That says it all . Interestingly prior to Eddie Jones getting the England job he was to be the contracted Stormers coach for this season. Province rugby was a huge loser here.
piru
Guest
I will be back on this thread at the end of the season calling you all out, you nonbelievers, you
huso86
Guest
Empty stadiums. Mind numbing schedules and conferences. Too many games. Best players from South Africa leaving for Europe and Japan. This is reality.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Jeez, what do you predict when you are drunk??