Following on from my article regarding my predictions for the bottom nine of the ladder is this set of bold choices for the other title chasers.
There is plenty to fight through this season. It’s still too early to dismiss most teams, but, from the looks of the squads and a quick trace of recent history, this is the crop that I deem to be the frontrunners for this Super Rugby season.
Brumbies
The Brumbies elicit mixed feelings.
Off the back of losing David Pocock, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane and Stephen Moore, it could be assumed that the Canberrans don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell.
However the development of their forward pack, with the extended addition of Chris Alcock and Lolo Fakaosilea as well as the acquisition of Kyle Godwin in the backline, their team now look formidable on paper.
I’m sure I don’t stand alone when I say that my biggest wish for anything Brumbies related is that Christian Lealiifano gets better after his horror end to 2016 – my thoughts are with him and his family.
Predicted finish: Ninth
Potential XV:
1. Scott Sio
2. Saia Fainga’a
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Rory Arnold
5. Tom Staniforth
6. Scott Fardy
7. Jarrad Butler
8. Lolo Fakaosilea
9. Tomas Cubelli
10. Nick Jooste
11. James Dargaville
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Aidan Toua
16. Robbie Abel
17. Nic Mayhew
18. Ben Alexander
19. Sam Carter
20. Chris Alcock
21. Joe Powell
22. Wharenui Hawera
23. Nigel Ah Wong
Blues
The New Zealand conference already gets touted for their impressive depth among the teams and with good reason – a few recent inclusions to the Blues pack has them fielding one of, if not the most, dangerous backline in the competition this year.
Bringing in players like Sonny Bill Williams and Augustine Pulu strengthens key areas and the continued improvement and use of Akira and Rieko Ioane will undoubtedly pay dividends if they can get firing. I hope they’re a better side than that of yesteryear.
Predicted finish: Eighth
Potential XV:
1. Charlie Faumuina
2. James Parsons
3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Steven Luatua
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Kara Pryor
8. Akira Ioane
9. Augustine Pulu
10. Ihaia West
11. Rieko Ioane
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. George Moala
14. Rene Ranger
15. Melani Nanai
16. Matt Moulds
17. Sam Prattley
18. Pauliasi Manu
19. Jimmy Tupou
20. Blake Gibson
21. Billy Guyton
22. Piers Francis
23. Jordon Trainor
Sharks
The Sharks strike me as the most intriguing to watch out of any team in the South African conferences.
Not only is there a changing of the guard at coach with Robert du Preez stepping up from his role in the Currie Cup, but the backline will be all the more exciting.
With Pat Lambie set to enjoy a full season, Lukhanyo Am and Kobus van Wyk, two excitement machines coming in from rival teams and the French international Clement Poitrenaud hopefully cementing a spot at fullback – it’s sure to be a good watch.
That’s a lot to take in, but it’s a lot to get excited about too. It’s a fairly young team, so expecting a lot now might be a stretch, but they look to be a team on the rise.
Predicted finish: Seventh
Potential XV:
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Franco Marais
3. Coenie Oosthuizen
4. Etienne Oosthuizen
5. Ruan Botha
6. Keegan Daniel
7. Jean-Luc du Preez
8. Dan du Preez
9. Cobus Reinach
10. Pat Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Andre Esterhuizen
13. Lukhanyo Am
14. Kobus van Wyk
15. Clement Poitrenaud
16. Stephan Coetzee
17. Lourens Adriaanse
18. Thomas du Toit
19. Jean Droste
20. Jean Deysel
21. Michael Claassens
22. Garth April
23. S’bura Sithole
Chiefs
The Chiefs will head into 2017 hurting after coming so close last year but positive and confident knowing they can improve on their performance.
Key figures Aaron Cruden, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown and James Lowe will spearhead a relentless backline who will be intent on scoring.
Meanwhile, the forward pack, if able to keep Dominic Bird and Nepo Laulala healthy, will have a solid platform in order to orchestrate and demonstrate the flair that has made them so fun to watch.
All considered, the squad as a whole doesn’t look quite as imposing as others, so a march to the finals would be an impressive effort.
Predicted finish: Sixth
Potential XV:
1. Mitchell Graham
2. Nathan Harris
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Dominic Bird
6. Liam Messam
7. Sam Cane
8. Michael Leitch
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Aaron Cruden
11. James Lowe
12. Charlie Ngatai
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Tim Nanai-Williams
15. Damian McKenzie
16. Hika Elliot
17. Atu Moli
18. Kane Hames
19. Taleni Seu
20. Tom Sanders
21. Brad Weber
22. Johnny Fa’auli
23. Sam McNicol
Hurricanes
The Hurricanes enter 2017 with a giant target on their back.
They’ve enjoyed a place in the finals for the last two years and even won the 2016 competition over an inspired Lions team, so the new year will have to bring lofty heights if they’re to repeat their efforts.
The loss of players like Victor Vito, Willis Halaholo and James Marshall is a sizeable chink in the armour, but the coming season should see the healthy return of Nehe Milner-Skudder and James Broadhurst as well as a host of star-studded speedsters across both the forwards and backs.
If a team were to push for consecutive championships, this could be the team to do it.
Predicted finish: Fifth
Potential XV:
1. Reggie Goodes
2. Dane Coles
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
4. James Broadhurst
5. Michael Fatialofa
6. Vaea Fifita,
7. Ardie Savea
8. Blade Thomson
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Vince Aso
13. Matt Proctor
14. Ben Lam
15. Nehe Milner-Skudder
16. Leni Apisai
17. Chris Eves
18. Ben May
19. Sam Lousi.
20. Brad Shields
21. Te Toiroa Tahuiorangi
22. Otere Black
23. Jordie Barrett
Lions
The question on the lips of any Johannesburg local: can the Lions go one better in 2017?
They’ve retained the bulk of their season-defining starting side and will be hellbent on proving that 2016 wasn’t just a fluke.
The two problems that come to mind are that now there is absolutely no surprise factor when facing this side and perhaps more devastating is that the few Lions players who earned Springbok selection could do next to nothing to help their nation’s team scrape together many wins.
Personnel like Elton Jantjies and Lionel Mapoe didn’t take their chances as well as they could have and Jaco Kriel and Ruan Combrinck didn’t get the game time they deserved.
This will be another big year for this team and I think they have the nerve to push again.
Predicted finish: Fourth
Potential XV:
1. Dylan Smith
2. Malcolm Marx
3. Julian Redelinghuys
4. Andries Ferreira
5. Franco Mostert
6. Jaco Kriel
7. Warwick Tecklenburg
8. Warren Whitely
9. Faf de Klerk
10. Elton Jantjies
11. Courtnall Skosan
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13. Lionel Mapoe
14. Ruan Combrinck
15. Andries Coetzee
16. Akker van der Merwe
17. Corne Fourie
18. Jacques van Rooyen
19. Marvin Orie
20. Ruan Ackermann
21. Dillon Smit
22. Jaco van der Walt
23. Harold Vorster
Waratahs
A side desperately hoping to improve their fortunes in 2017 will be the Waratahs, who missed out on a finals berth and finished last year with more losses than wins.
Thankfully, forward recruits like Damien Fitzpatrick and Michael Wells will bolster their squad, as will the backline depth be vastly improved by in-form NRC stars Jake Gordon and Irae Simone.
The ‘Tahs, however, will be relying on keeping their established players healthy and hoping that their young guns Jack Dempsey, Jed Holloway and Andrew Kellaway can continue their impressive rise to Super Rugby level and beyond.
Predicted finish: Third
Potential XV:
1. Tom Robertson
2. Tolu Latu
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Dean Mumm
5. Will Skelton
6. Jack Dempsey
7. Michael Hooper
8. Jed Holloway
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Taqele Naiyaravoro
12. David Horwitz
13. Israel Folau
14. Rob Horne
15. Andrew Kellaway
16. Hugh Roach
17. Paddy Ryan
18. Angus Ta’avao
19. Ned Hanigan
20. Brad Wilkin
21. Matt Lucas
22. Bryce Hegarty
23. Reece Robinson
Bulls
The Bulls have the world at their feet and if they can’t make the cogs turn this year, there will be serious questions getting asked.
The forward pack showed promise last year and they unearthed a great lock in RG Snyman, but have since bolstered their stocks with the best player from the Kings and Cheetahs respectively in 2016, Edgar Marutlulle and Lood de Jager.
The backs as well will be in far better condition with the return of superstar flyhalf Handre Pollard, who will be instrumental in the Bulls’ season.
New signing Johnny Kotze will spark the attack in an already solid set of centre and wing options that are young and on the rise.
This is going to be a big year for the men from Pretoria.
Predicted finish: Second
Potential XV:
1. Trevor Nyakane
2. Adriaan Strauss
3. Nqoba Mxoli
4. Lood de Jager
5. RG Snyman
6. Jannes Kirsten
7. Jacques Potgieter
8. Hanro Liebenberg
9. Rudy Paige
10. Handre Pollard
11. Travis Ismaiel
12. Jan Serfontein
13. Jesse Kriel
14. Jamba Ulengo
15. Warrick Gelant
16. Edgar Marutlulle
17. Pierre Schoeman
18. Jacobie Adriaanse
19. Jason Jenkins
20. Roelof Smit
21. Piet van Zyl
22. Tian Schoeman
23. Johnny Kotze
Highlanders
The Highlanders are a team that excites me across the park.
To see a team perform so strongly without the household names of other teams is immeasurably impressive, but now that their whole squad has had exposure to the finals campaign of Super Rugby I think they might have the personnel to push for a second championship in three years.
Covering the losses of Ross Geldenhuys, Brendon Edmonds and Fumiaka Tanaka isn’t a breeze, but they’ve retained the bulk of their squad as well as adding the jet Tevita Li, so they’ve definitely got the cattle to run riot.
Predicted finish: First
Potential XV:
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown
2. Liam Coltman
3. Siua Halanukonuka
4. Tom Franklin
5. Alex Ainley
6. Elliot Dixon
7. Shane Christie
8. Liam Squire
9. Aaron Smith
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Waisake Naholo
12. Matt Faddes
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Tevita Li
15. Ben Smith
16. Ash Dixon
17. Craig Millar
18. Guy Millar
19. Joe Wheeler
20. Dan Pryor
21. Josh Renton
22. Richard Buckman
23. Patrick Osborne
I’m well aware that not all, if any, options will be agreed with.
That’s not a problem, though. If I’ve done nothing more than spark a bit more discussion about the upcoming Super Rugby season and reminding some fans of the teams’ current squad of stars, then I’ll be content.
Good luck to your respective teams, Roarers!
Marto
Guest
LowLanders Lions Reds Crysaders Weelingtun Shorks
P2R2
Roar Rookie
Only reason the Brumbies and Stormers made the finals was due to the conference system - which in itself is a joke...take them out and the NZ teams bar the Blues would have been filling 4 of the finals spots...
Squirrel Grip
Guest
The Brumbies with CLL Toomua Tomane Moore and Pocock out.. .Bottom 6 for me.
Rob Seltzer
Roar Guru
Very interesting thoughts Mitch. Quite different to my thoughts that you can find here http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/01/26/super-rugby-2017-preview-australian-conference/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/01/19/super-rugby-2017-preview-africa-2-conference/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/01/12/super-rugby-2017-preview-african-1-conference/ Apart from th Lions, with the state of South African rugby at the moment I think they will all struggle, especially as a lot of them don't play NZ teams and will come up against them in th finals ala Stormers last season. Can't see past a Kiwi team taking out the competition bu there are a few potential bolters
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Super Rugby time again. At last! Hopefully us Saffers will have a better of it than the international season last year. The Lions have taken some knocks before the season starts. Julian Redelinghuys - a neck injury and op has put him out for the season at least Dylan Smith - out till early March Ruan Combrinck - Out till early April Warwick Tecklenburg - Retired to the family farm Potential XV: 1.
Dylan SmithJacques van Rooyen 2. Malcolm Marx 3.Julian RedelinghuysRuan Dreyer 4. Andries Ferreira 5. Franco Mostert 6. Jaco Kriel 7.Warwick TecklenburgRuan Ackerman 8. Warren Whitely 9. Faf de Klerk 10. Elton Jantjies 11. Courtnall Skosan 12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg 13. Lionel Mapoe 14.Ruan CombrinckKoch Marx 15. Andries Coetzee 16. Akker van der Merwe 17. Corne Fourie/Sti Sithole 18.Jacques van RooyenPieter Scholtz 19. Marvin Orie 20.Ruan AckermannCyle Brink/Kwagga Smith 21.Dillon SmitRoss Cronje 22. Jaco van der Walt 23. Harold Vorster/Howard Mnisi Some of the new youngsters will have to step up again this year (squad to be announced early Feb). Last year we had Dylan Smith and Rohan Janse van Rensburg as the biggest movers with Ruan Ackerman, Cyle Brinck and Lourens Erasmus wading in from the bench. Otherwise: - I expect the Jaguares to make a big move, in part due to a much easier travel schedule where they will have stretches of three and five games at home. The fight between the Lions, Sharks and Jaguares to top Africa 2 and for the wild card spot is going to be tough. - with the Sharks, Bulls and Stormers all trying to move on to the modern game their fortunes will depend on how successful they are with the transition. The Cheetahs will have to bring their Currie Cup defensive qualities into Super Rugby to have any say about the top end of the table. - The Lions hopefully worked on playing a more balanced game and on how to counter the rush defence during the off season. I'm not too concerned that their Boks struggled to adjust to Allister Coetzee's confused and confusing "game plan" last year, the players will be up for the new season after blowing out the con webs in JapanTerry
Guest
Chekas Wallabies 2017 XV: 1. Tom Robertson 2. Tolu Latu 3. Sekope Kepu 4. Dean Mumm 5. Will Skelton 6. Jack Dempsey 7. Michael Hooper ( C) 8. Jed Holloway 9. Nick Phipps 10. Bernard Foley 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro 12. Kurtley Beale 13. Israel Folau 14. Rob Horne ( VC) 15. Andrew Kellaway
Terry
Guest
Horratahs to top the aussie conference?? I hope not...
SamBox
Guest
Blues don't have a good enough First-Five to be title contenders Hurricanes Forward pack could be their downfall if and when injuries strike Chiefs at full-strength are the best team in the competition Crusaders are dangerous, they will go about their work quietly and cause serious problems. Highlanders first 5 weeks will define their season. They play 4 other NZ team and the Brumbies away. if they go 3/5 there, then they will finish top 2
cuw
Guest
@ jeznez basically anything is possible given the warped system these conferences are. if there was a table simply based on points it will be different from the individual conference points and the structure that ensures teams with fewer points getting to the top , simply by winning a conference. one must not also forget the rubbish teams that makes it possible for some very good teams to amass bonus points and points difference too. the most difficult to call is the new zealand conference becoz of the closeness of the 5 teams. but if we look at the other 3 then it is easy to say that Waratahs and Brumbies , Stormers and Bulls, Lions and Sharks will be the ones to take note of. it is hard to see other teams becoming 1or 2 of their respective pools. this is the tragedy of super rugger, which is no longer super .... :( Australian Conference Pos Team Pts 1 Brumbies 43 2 Waratahs 40 3 Rebels 31 4 Reds 17 5 Force 13 New Zealand Conference Pos Team Pts 1 Hurricanes 53 2 Highlanders 52 3 Chiefs 51 4 Crusaders 50 5 Blues 39 Africa 1 Conference Pos Team Pts 1 Stormers 51 2 Bulls 42 3 Cheetahs 21 4 Japan Sunwolves 9 Africa 2 Conference Pos Team Pts 1 Lions 52 2 Sharks 43 3 Argentina Jaguares 22 4 Kings 9
P2R2
Roar Rookie
OH go saddle a donkey-----Tahs and Bulls ahead of the Canes, Crusaders and Chiefs....I think the Lions deserve their ranking but they now have to back up last year...can they do it! I would place 4 NZ teams with the Blues being the 5th in the last 10....
Pinetree
Guest
Peter Hughes - The Brumbies will still be a strong team and the Rebels have been on the rise. I don't recall the Rebels beating any teams ranked above them on the concluded table in 2916. I guess with the Tahs and Brumbies, it will depend on how much Gibson and Larkam have learned from last year, and the players missing/added into their squads. The Lions and Sharks are in a different conference than the Stormers/Bulls, But I think there is a fair case for the Stormers winning that confernce. I wrote a post above putting forth my prediction for the top 4 a few days ago. I had the Lions 1st because they face no NZ teams. The Hurricanes 2nd because of carried over form from last year. The Tahs 3rd, although a fair case can be made for the Brumbies I think. I had the Stormers/Bulls in at 4th, as I could not decide who would be better. I think they will both struggle, and wrote above that they will probably have less points than 1-4 teams below them, but secure 4th through the conference system. They struggled without facing NZ sides last year, so cannot see those teams excelling when they have NZ this year.
dcnz
Guest
The Waratahs to get third place!!! Good luck with that, sorry just don't see that happening.
Peter Hughes
Guest
ok Pinetree - fair call. I'd put Brumbies and Rebels ahead of Tahs in Aust conf. In SA Lions, Stormers and Sharks will finish ahead of Bulls imo :) In NZ 5 teams will finish ahead of Tahs & Bulls imo
Pinetree
Guest
Peter Hughes - One has to assume with your prediction that you do not think that the Tahs or Bulls will top their conference? Fair enough but who do you reckon will top those conferences? The Brumbies have lost some big names such as Pocock, Moore, Tomane and Toomua and the Reds still have not convinced they could get anywhere close with their coaching setup from last year. Tahs would be a fair prediction would it not of topping the Aus Conference and getting a top 4 spot via winning your conference. The Bulls have only one main competitor to not make the top 4, and that is the Stormers, so your prediction for that conference must be the Stormers? Or perhaps you think that the success of the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup, where the other big teams had about half of their players missing, will give the Cheetahs the top of the Conference? Just asking, because I think that Mitch has made reasonably predictions based on how the conference works and I would like to see if you have actually put much thought into your prediction?
Peter Hughes
Guest
Ok Mitch good luck with your predictions but can't agree. I'd have Tahs 8th & Bulls 10th :)
Pinetree
Guest
Surely the Bulls will finish 4th at best. That is if they win their conference to grab that 4th place off the Stormers. I just can't see the Bulls or Stormers doing that great when they have to face the NZ conference this year. The Sharks and the Lions are better teams, and do not face the NZ conference. The lions in particular have a good chance to top the table, The Bulls and Stormers didn't really excel, despite not facing NZ teams last year. The Crusaders ending 10th seems unlikely with the forward pack that they have with AB experience.. I believe that Robertson is a better coach than Blackadder as well. Crusaders could do with more firepower out in the backs, but 10th. WOW! Tahs could well top the Aus conference, and end 3rd. Probably a reasonable prediction with the loss of talent in the Brumbies and the Reds who IMO are still weak in the coaching department. I predict the Lions 1st with the team not facing any NZ sides. Hurricanes 2nd, showing continued form from last year. Tahs 3rd and either the Bulls or Stormers 4th, with both those teams getting hammered by the NZ sides, and maybe the Lions and Sharks as well like last year. Either the Bulls or Stormers will have lower points than the next 1-4 teams below them, but to make it by topping their conference.
Suzy Poison
Guest
It's hard not to confuse your Du Preez's with your Du Plessis in South Africa. Especially since there dad's were all Boks too. Former Bok number 9 Robert Du Preez (coach of sharks) has three sons playing in Super Rugby. Dan and Jean-Luc (21yr old twins and both loose forwards for the Sharks) And then Robert (Jr) 23yrs old and flyhalf for the Stormers. Robert Junior actually has to compete to with another former Bok's son for the 10 jumper at the Stomers. Famous former Bok winger and coach Carel Du Plessis's son Jean-Luc du Plessis plays 10 . (he is 22yrs old) His Cousin Daniel Du Plessis is 21yrs and plays winger for Western Province is the son of Michael Du Plessis (Carel's Brother) who was a Bok centre
DavSA
Guest
Actually 3 brothers , Dan , Jean-Luc and Robert . Their father is also Robert Du Preez , ex Sharks player and their current coach. They are part of a rich history of families in representative rugby in SA . Names such as Felix Du Plessis and son Morne both who captained SA. Then there is the current Du Plessis Brothers Bismarck and Jannie playing in France and of course the most famous of all Carel , Willie , Michael and Jaques Du Plessis , 3 of whom represented the Boks . I'm not certain if Jaques ever got a Bok cap. .Currently Ruan Ackermann plays for the Lions . His Dad is of course Johan the coach who also played Springboks.. There are many more.
Old_Laurentian
Roar Rookie
Well said, Jacko. That just reminds me what a compromised competition we have now - how much better if we could see the REAL table and the REAL result.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Nice picture Harry, the new tackle laws will not help SA players. They will play with 14 o 13 men many minutes .