Super Rugby 2017 preview – Australian conference

Hendrik tui will be 8 Karl, an even better player Leroy..

No, caslick is a great rugby player.

Above are the players that I think can do a job for the Tahs this year and I'm happy enough with that they'll be able to compete at the level and compete well. (With the caveats on limitations of Phipps and Skelton amongst that group). Robinson is likely to get first crack ahead of Clark but I've been more impressed with what I have seen from Cam in the 7s so am hopeful he'll do well. Sadly Mumm is sure to be there. Agree that Ta'avao does not impress - am looking to see if Sandell shows some promise. Have said it on other threads as well - our breakdown presence with Mumm, Skelton, Hooper and Holloway in the back five is quite light on. Is a big area of concern and looks hard to fix with that playing group. What the Tahs wouldn't give for a Vickerman type lock now! Fingers crossed for Holloway - like fellow Southern Rebel Horne he has had a tough trot on the injury front.

Jono Lance was injured most of last year. Feel that he has a big part to play in any Force success this year.

Markus, the thing that hurts the Kerevi-Kuridrani centre pairing is that neither of them can kick. Throw in Naivalu on a wing, no boot there, Folau at 15, pretty average boot and that leaves Haylett-Petty and Foley/Cooper as the only kicking players in the team and tactical kicking is definitely an area that has let us down of late, particulary if Foley is playing fly due to his range. If you had one of the kicking capable wingers, a Morahan, Shipperly, etc instead of Naivalu it wouldn't be as much of an issue, but I think Sefa did enough to hold the #11 guernsey coming into the 2017 season. It's a nice thing to have some competition for spots though and that will make the SR season much more interesting to watch. Cooper and Foley battling for the 10, and I'm hoping Lance has a belter (and injury free) season to challenge too. Hodge, Godwin, Kerevi, Kuridrani, Folau and Beale (and Horne I guess) competing for centre spots plus potentially some of the other/younger guys to raise their hand; Magnay, Perese, Simone, English, Meakes, Peni, Paia'aua, Horwitz, etc. Not to mention Naivalu, Speight, Koroibete, Naiyaravoro, Nabuli, Robinson, Morahan, etc competing for a wing spot (assuming DHP is there at 14 or 15, possibly doing his interchanging thing with Folau). Just need Stirzaker, Frisby and the others to push hard to unsettle Phipps...

He did well, I would agree better than Hodge did. But then Hodge is another that only got his opportunity through multiple injuries to other centres and outside backs. If Beale does not come back into the equation, I see Kerevi and Kuridrani as the Wallabies best available centre combination, and both Hodge and Godwin would need to really improve to unseat either.

2016 uninjured Tomane > any other outside back in Australia.

Godwin did fantastically well in his one shot against France. He was more fluid in attack that Hodge had been in any game - what have you been watching? Hodge runs fast and defends really well, but is far less fluid at blending with the attacking line - for that reason he's, imo, probably a bette 13 than 12. I really hope Cheika looks at Kerevi and sees he has an opportunity to do what Henry did with Nonu and make him the world's best 12 - or 13. If he's put at 12 we keep Kerevi; if he's put at 13 then I predict Godwin will eventually get the nod over Hodge at 12.

Jez, do you think Clark comes into the XV ahead of Robinson? I think the XV you listed will be pretty much on the money aside from that, and guaranteed Mumm is in that #4 vacant spot to run the lineout. The potential issue with the Tahs is the depth in some areas, something that all the Australian SR squads suffer from. The starting front row looks very impressive, Robertson-Latu-Kepu, however after that it gets a little dicier with Ryan (albeit much improved on the loose side), Roach and Ta'avao who I don't rate as a scrummager. Might be an issue where the scrum deteriorates in the back quarter of the match when the reserves all come on, although perhaps that will be matched by other teams reserves and it won't be too bad. The locks combination is probably only better than that of the Rebels who are perilously thin in that area; Mumm and Skelton don't need anything said about them although Hanigan shows a lot of promise and I think every clubs supporters want to see him excel. Starting loose forwards are exceptional (as are most trios down under) although it does err on the side of being a lighter/looser trio than the others and I'm a little less convinced about the depth after Dempsey-Hooper-Holloway. I guess they'll be relying on Kepu, Latu, Skelton and possibly Robertson to do the work in tight. Dempsey does a bit but I think it's fair to say Hooper, Holloway and Mumm are definitely not known for their heavy lifting, so to say. Do you think that'll be an issue for them? Looking forward to see how they fare and really hoping for breakout seasons for Holloway and Dempsey, particularly Holloway, as I think most are.

Tabs nowhere worthy of the confidence some are showing them. Mumm is terrible, Skelton and Phipps can perform at Super level but serious issues with both. Players I am happy enough, plus those I am hopeful for with are below: 1. Ryan/Robertson 2. Latu 3. Kepu 4. 5. Skelton 6. Dempsey 7. Hooper 8. Holloway 9. Phipps? 10. Foley 11. Naiyaravoro 12. Horne 13. Folau 14. Clarke 15. Kellaway Hoping Hanigan, Simone and Gordon really step up.

I think the tipping of the Waratahs is more of a reflection of the other four Australian sides than anything else. The Force have constantly struggled and are unlikely to see the level of improvement required to suddenly top the conference. The Rebels have a few handy signings but still weak in the halves and locks. They have been touted as challengers for top spot for the last 2 seasons and failed to deliver which I think has made some tippers a bit wary. The Brumbies, the only other consistent challenger for the top spot, have just lost their 5 best players and will be heavily dependent on their structures to stay in the top half of the table. That leaves the Reds, who have probably done the best in recruitment since last season, but have a lot of work to turn around last year's form. While the Waratahs squad has some weaknesses, particularly in the tight five as you mention, they have remained the most stable since last year and are a strong chance to take the top conference spot as a result.

I'm still struggling to see the unwaivering certainty that the Waratahs apparently are. Their front five must have some serious questions. Kepu is still strong THP, but seriously all the other wunderkinds that we hear about from Fox Sports just aren't - or are not better than all the rest of the franchises. Second row is where you must be worried. Mumm, Skelton, etc do not light the world up. Scarily their website lists Holloway - perhaps the find of the year at No8 last year - as a lock! Granted that Hooper, Holloway, Kellaway, Folau, Reece Robinson, Dempsey and Naiyvaro are all quality and should be respected...however, look at the Rebels, Brumbies and Reds and you could say the same thing. Phipps is simply too erratic but they seem to have little option in this position.

I think in a player like Kerevi and possibly in Hodge, the Wallabies finally have players who can actually defend strongly at 12 without completely giving up any attacking threat. I really hope they persist with that approach and give up on playing a turnstyle not-quite-a-flyhalf as an inside centre.

Speight has had a number of injuries in the last two years, and been part of a Brumbies backline struggling to ignite anything in attack. He has struggled to regain his devastating 2013 and 2014 Super Rugby form as a result. The Brumbies will really need him at his best to be at all threatening in the backline.

Godwin got his shot with the Wallabies by being the only inside centre left standing (Giteau, Beale, Toomua, Lealiifano, Kerevi all injured). He will need to show some fantastic form this season to get another look-in this year. What indication is there that Hodge would be better at 13 than 12? And that he would be better at 13 than either Kerevi or Kuridrani?

His distribution skills are fairly limited and I wouldn't say his attacking prowess is world class but the guy is a huge unit who works hard, runs straight, isn't afraid of contact and is a great defender. If the Wallabies were still in the trend of picking more of a defensive 12 like they used to with Fainga'a, McCabe and Horne then I think Inman would be in discussions. He's been in Wallabies squads but more as injury cover than a potential member of the 23. I remember Rod Kafer advocating his selection at 12 in the build up to the last world cup but that's been the extent of the calls for his national selection as far as I'm aware.

It's going to be a tough start to the year for Melbourne with their incredibly hard start to the season compiled with several recent injuries. McMahon will miss potentially a month or more after requiring ankle surgery, Koroibete may be right for 10s but it could push out to a few rounds in, Alex Toolis had back/neck surgery a week or so ago, Jeffries just had some clean up surgery last week and Dominic Day will miss a few weeks after injuring his shoulder in the Top League. Putting 2 and 2 together, Timani will have to start the season in the second row as Cummins and Retallick are the only two genuine locks left on the list who will be 100% fit. At least with McMahon out to start they've got Reid and Fainga'a to cover the #7 and if Timani is at lock Mafi will play 8.

Speight ...damn auto correct

Speight.

I'm a Saffa but I am surprised Henry Sleight doesn't even get a mention for the Ponies. A damn fine player. Has he been injured?