The 2017 Super Rugby season will be remembered in Australia for the demise of the Force, overall poor performances, low crowd attendances, as well as a record run of losses to our neighbours across the ditch.
While I didn’t want to see the Force culled, I am optimistic that their loss will not be in vain. This year we will see better performances and an increase in attendances.
The new conference structure is a much simpler format too – hopefully another contributing factor in seeing some interest return to the competition.
Here I run the rule over the Waratahs and Brumbies, with an assessment of the Reds and Rebels tomorrow.
Waratahs
Coming off a disappointing 2017, where they finished 16th in the overall standings, the Tahs have had some serious questions raised about the state of their dressing room.
Daryl Gibson has always seemed like his own man and he will throw everything at this season. However, the coach will be heavily reliant on his big stars to deliver, and he does not have the cattle to make a significant change to their overall standings from last year.
Squad
1. Tom Robertson
2. Tolu Latu
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Rob Simmons
5. Ned Hanigan
6. Jack Dempsey
7. Michael Hooper
8. Jed Holloway
9. Jake Gordon
10. Bernard Foley
11. Andrew Kellaway
12. Kurtley Beale
13. Curtis Rona
14. Taqele Naiyaravoro
15. Israel Folau
16. Damien Fitzpatrick
17. Paddy Ryan
18. Shambeckler Vui
19. Tom Staniforth
20. Michael Wells
21. Nick Phipps
22. Irae Simone
23. Cameron Clarke
R. Hugh Roach
R. JP Sauni
R. Matt Sandell
R. Harry Johnson-Holmes
R. Cody Walker
R. Leon Power
R. Nick Palmer
R. Lachlan Swinton
R. Will Miller
R. Brad Wilkin
R. Bryce Hegarty
R. Mack Mason
R. Alex Newsome
R. Lalakai Foketi
Coach: Daryl Gibson
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson (AAP Image/ David Rowland)
Out
Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Matt Lucas, Andrew Deegan, David Horwitz, Rob Horne, Reece Robinson, Harry Jones
In
Harry Johnson-Holmes, Shambeckler Vui, Cody Walker, Nick Palmer, Tom Staniforth, Leon Power, Rob Simmons, Lachlan Swinton, Will Miller, Kurtley Beale, Alex Newsome, Lalakai Foketi
Biggest gain
The Waratahs’ recruitment for 2018 has not seen the usual big names flocking to the sky blue. However, one key signing is the return of Kurtley Beale. He will add some much need flair to the backline and complete the Foley-Beale-Folau attacking trifecta.
Biggest loss
While the verdict is still out on Will Skelton, his size, strength and aggression will be missed in this forward pack. Looking at this squad there is a distinct lack of imposing players, which the Waratahs are usually renowned for.
Key player
Izz there anyone else? The Wallabies’ northern tour showed how much of an asset Israel Folau is as an attacking weapon. His fitness and form will be the key to the Waratahs’ season.
Up and comer
Shambeckler Vui made significant improvements during his limited opportunities with the Force. At 20 years of age he is a young prop with a great deal of strength and an impressive turn of pace. He was a class above during this year’s under-20s championship and if you haven’t seen his 50-metre try against the Italians, do yourself a favour.
Unknown entity
Lalakai Foketi was a player that I expected big things from after seeing him play in the U20s Championship in 2013. After spending some time in the Rebels system, he has since been playing in the ITM cup in New Zealand.
I am not sure how he has progressed in the last couple of years, but he could potentially make a name for himself if given an opportunity. Great speed, footwork and strength, and still with youth on his side at the age of 23, he has been given a second chance to crack the Super ranks.
Predicted finish
Conference: fourth
Overall: 12th
Brumbies
Is this the year of the Horse? As a Brumbies fan, I find myself neighing this quite often in January. However, I am far more optimistic than years gone, mainly because of squad depth and the potential in the starting 15.
Retention of key players has been well managed, while recruitment has been well balanced to plug any holes left by departures.
No Australian team will be strong enough to take out the title, but the Brumbies have the right mix of stars, up-and-comers and squad stability to give it a real shot.
Squad
1. Scott Sio
2. Folau Fainga’a
3. Allan Ala’alatoa
4. Tom Carter
5. Rory Arnold
6. Isi Naisarani
7. David Pocock
8. Rob Valetini
9. Joe Powell
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Henry Speight
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Chance Peni
15. Tom Banks
16. Robbie Abel
17. Ben Alexander
18. Les Makin
19. Richie Arnold
20. Tom Cusack
21. Matt Lucas
22. Wharenui Hawera
23. James Verity-Amm
R. Nic Mayhew
R. Mees Erasmus
R. Joshua Mann-Rea
R. Darcy Swain
R. Ben Hyne
R. Blake Enever
R. Lolo Fakaosilea
R. Lachlan McCaffrey
R. Ryan Lonergan
R. Jordan Jackson-Hope
R. Tom Muirhead
R. Mack Hansen
R. James Dargaville
R. Lausii Taliauli
Coach: Dan McKellar
Tevita Kuridrani (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Out
Saia Fainga’a, Scott Fardy, Tom Staniforth, Jordan Smiler, Jarrad Butler, Chris Alcock, Tomas Cubelli, De Wet Roos, Nick Jooste, Anthony Fainga’a, Nigel Ah Wong, Aiden Toua
In
Mees Erasmus, Folau Fainga’a, Richie Arnold, Darcy Swain, David Pocock, Lachlan McCaffrey, Isi Naisarani, Rob Valetini, Matt Lucas, Chance Peni, James Verity-Amm, Mack Hansen
Biggest gain
He returns! David Pocock is back and hopefully better than ever. His presence in any team, on or off the field, is immense. His leadership will be critical in what is shaping up to be a relatively young, but incredibly exciting back row.
Biggest loss
While Scott Fardy was a pillar of the Brumbies’ success in recent years, Cubelli’s spark is the biggest loss. He had the ability to light up the attack and create opportunities out of nothing. This is something I have yet to see in Powell and hope he can add it to his game.
Key player
Unfortunately the key player for the Brumbies will be exactly that man: Joe Powell. He must continue to build on his 2016 form and start to offer greater variety to go with his great service. This is a defining year for Powell and will determine if he is a Wallaby, or just a squad member while the national side was rebuilding depth.
Up and comer
I recall Brett McCay said to watch out for this kid during the NRC – and boy he didn’t disappoint! Big Rob Valetini was a weapon in his first NRC season.
He has all the characteristics of a great number 8 – expect him to even be in the Wallabies’ frame by the end of this season.
Unknown entity
Mack Hansen has already been given the tag of ‘young Stephen Larkham’, which unfortunately did not help Nick Jooste’s career, however Hansen looks ready to develop into a Super Rugby-quality player.
Don’t expect him to get much time in the 23 this season, but if it’s thrust upon him, he will grab the opportunity with both hands.
Predicted finish
Conference: first
Overall: third
double agent
Guest
What?
double agent
Guest
Maybe this year could be the year Godwin actually does something.
double agent
Guest
Agree. Oh and btw. I wish my name was Steiner. Cool.
double agent
Guest
Simmons better than Mumm or Skelton. He's a good signing for the Tahs.
double agent
Guest
He was terrible against the Lions. To be fair he was behind a beaten pack. That's never easy for a 9 or 10. Just ask any Aussie.
double agent
Guest
McCaffrey?? Please...
neil
Guest
Yes, Mantis, I unfortunately agree. I think they are probably better than the Reds, there isn’t much in it, but they are nowhere near as strong as the Rebels or the Brumbies. Our biggest problem will be in the forwards, where we are totally lacking in the lock department (Simmons is a powder puff and Staniforth. is really an uknown quantity) and this is tempered by the fact Dempsey will probably be missing for at least the beginning of the season. Holloway, for whom I had great hopes was injured most of last year, but many of his games in the NRC showed a distinct lack of energy. He could be a game-breaker as 8, but at this stage I’m uncertain. Mccalman, who knows? Again it will all come back to Kepu and Hooper and they are not enougth. Latu, who also had great promise, doesn’t seem to have the commitment.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Nope. Tahs will run third or fourth behind Brumbies, Rebs and possibly QLD
Jock Cornet
Guest
Tahs will top Oz conf but come about 7th. Reds and rebels will get annihilated and fight for the spoon
jeznez
Roar Guru
If we'd recruited one of the Force locks I'd be singing the same song. Until we find another quality lock (or two) he is actually our first picked in that position.
Neil
Guest
Except, Jeznez, hopefully Simmons will give it away sooner and open a flower shop or the like.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Am hopeful he comes back to Oz in 2019 - the chance to put himself in the selection frame for the RWC might be the carrot needed. In a Tahs pack containing Simmons, Hanigan and Holloway his lineout jumping is less of an issue and if he has improved other areas of his game he could balance some of their shortcomings
Neil
Guest
Yet, amazingly, Buffboy, the Saracens rate him. He is playing behind Maro Itoje, who most people rank as Retallicks equal. Seems to get a lot of game time in the top UK team. Quality of coaching maybe.
bluffboy
Guest
Humpty Dumpty is still better than Skelton
jeznez
Roar Guru
He's still listed on their website. Based on the Wikipedia showing all squads for 2018 it shows him transferred out to the Canberra NRC side. I read that to mean he is still in the EPS. He's very young so I have no issue with him being on the fringes. I really only listed the three blokes above that I did to show where our next LH might come from behind Sio, Slipper and AAA (if the TH depth continues to grow)(and excluding Robertson from discussion)
Markus
Guest
Jez I thought Sione did pretty well in the NRC, but from announcements to date I cannot identify if he is in the Brumbies squad for this year. They have picked up Mees Erasmus from the Force squad. I don't know anything about him, but at 120kg he could be a solid option. Hopefully he can become as strong as another popular red-haired South African prop.
Mantis
Roar Guru
I've been a lifelong Brumbies fan, but if Tom Carter comes out of retirement to play in the row for us I'll be done
Neil
Guest
Exactly, Steiner. Gibson had the opportunity to bring in some quality locks. Don't know much about Staniforth (only saw him play a few bench games last year) but Simmons is just a powder-puff.
Brett McKay
Expert
Nice write up, Selector, reckon that's a pretty good take on both sides... (I'll even let the spelling slide! ;-) )
jeznez
Roar Guru
Sione I think will be the interesting one - is an absolute monster for a very young man. https://www.brumbies.com.au/portfolio_page/faalelei-sione/ Turns 22 next month, 183cm, 125kg and doesn't look fat. One of the best looking necks I've seen in a long time.