Is Super Rugby still logical and financially viable with South African teams split across two international competitions? Can Australian teams become competitive with New Zealand, making the trans-Tasman battles interesting again? Can the Jaguars and Sunwolves finally make an impact on the competition?
These are some of the big questions ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season.
But today, we’re focusing on big questions for the Reds and Rebels, having dealt with the Waratahs and Brumbies yesterday.
Reds
The only thing I have watched with more anticipation than the scramble for Force signatures is the pre-season trainwreck that has been the Reds.
Initially, things looked promising, with Brad Thorn appointed as coach, Rob Simmons shown the door, Stephen Moore retiring early, and Queensland Country performing well in the NRC.
Since then, there has been nothing but controversy and concern.
George Smith has been injured, putting his season in doubt, Quade Cooper and Nick Frisby got the boot, and Karmichael Hunt was charged with drugs possession.
Squad
1. James Slipper
2. Alex Mafi
3. Taniela Tupou
4. Lukhan Tui
5. Izack Rodda
6. Caleb Timu
7. George Smith
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. James Tuttle
10. Jono Lance
11. Filipo Daugunu
12. Samu Kerevi
13. Eto Nabuli
14. Izaia Perese
15. Duncan Paia’aua
16. Andrew Ready
17. JP Smith
18. Sef Fa’agase
19. Harry Hockings
20. Liam Wright
21. Moses Sorovi
22. Hamish Stewart
23. Chris Feauai-Sautia
R. Markus Vanzati
R. Harry Hoopert
R. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
R. Kane Douglas
R. Angus Blyth
R. Michael Gunn
R. Angus Scott-Young
R. Adam Korczyk
R. Reece Hewat
R. Tate McDermott
R. Lachlan Maranta
Coach: Brad Thorn
Brad Thorn (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Out
Stephen Moore, Sam Talakai, Rob Simmons, Leroy Houston, Hendrik Tui, Nick Frisby, Quade Cooper, Jack McIntyre, Campbell Magnay, Henry Taefu, Jayden Ngamanu
In
Harry Hoopert, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Blyth, Harry Hockings, Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Tate McDermott, Filipo Daugunu
Biggest gain
Jono Lance’s hard-edged skills and leadership makes him the Reds’ biggest gain in their current state. He has the skills, strong head and maturity to make a big impact with this team.
Biggest loss
The loss of Cooper’s skills, leadership and entertainment value may come back to haunt Thorn during a long Super campaign.
Key player
The franchise’s hard-nosed, no-nonsense brand of rugby should suit James Slipper. Provided he comes back okay from a long injury layoff, he will play a big part in how well the Reds perform.
Up and comer
Look out for this young bit of tall timber poking out from atop the other trees. During the NRC, Harry Hockings’ aggression, skill set and mobility were nice to see in a young lock.
Unknown entity
Filipo Daugunu is a perfect example of what the NRC offers. His speed, power and ability to find the try line make him a very dangerous winger. He will push for a spot in the starting 15 very early in the season.
Predicted finish
Conference: third
Overall: ninth
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Rebels
The Rebels have probably had the greatest recruitment drive since the Brumbies were labelled the Real Madrid of rugby back in 2010. The biggest question is whether Dave Wessels can bring this squad together in time to make an impact on the competition.
From all accounts, the team is gelling well but will that translate into success for a club that has consistently been cellar dwellers?
Squad
1. Tetera Faulkner
2. Jordan Uelese
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Geoff Parling (international signing)
5. Adam Coleman
6. Lopeti Timani
7. Richard Hardwick
8. Amanaki Mafi (international signing)
9. Will Genia
10. Jack Debreczeni
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Bill Meakes
13. Reece Hodge
14. Sefanaia Naivalu
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
16. Anaru Rangi
17. Ben Daley
18. Laurie Weeks
19. Matt Philip
20. Ross Haylett-Petty
21. Michael Ruru
22. David Horwitz
23. Jack Maddocks
R. Fereti Sa’aga
R. Sam Talakai
R. Tom Moloney
R. Alex Toolis
R. Sam Jeffries
R. Trevor Hosea
R. Esei Ha’angana
R. Colby Fainga’a
R. Jordy Reid
R. Rob Leota
R. Nic Stirzaker
R. Harrison Goddard
R. Tayler Adams
R. Jack McGregor
R. Sione Tuipulotu
R. Hunter Paisami
R. Semisi Tupou
R. Tom English
R. Dom Shipperley
R. Henry Hutchinson
R. Pama Fou
Coach: Dave Wessels
Dave Wessels (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
Out
Toby Smith, Cruze Ah-Nau, Tyrel Lomax, Tim Metcher, James Hanson, Pat Leafa, Siliva Siliva, Dominic Day, Steve Cummings, Culum Retallick, Jake Schatz, Sean McMahon, Will Miller, Ben Meehan, Jack Debreczeni, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ben Volavola, Mitch Inman, Jonah Placid
In
Tetera Faulkner, Ben Daley, Jermaine Ainsley, Sam Talakai, Geoff Parling, Adam Coleman, Matt Philip, Ross Haylett-Petty, Will Genia, Michael Ruru, David Horwitz, Bill Meakes, Dane Haylett-Petty, Henry Hutchinson
Biggest gain
Wessels is by far their biggest gain for 2018, for both his coaching skills and ability to bring a team together, as well as the fact the club may not have achieved the last few Force refugee signatures without him.
Player wise, Adam Coleman is the biggest win – he’s an absolute man mountain, with the strength, aggression and skills to back it up.
Biggest loss
Sean McMahon is an absolute weapon, whose ability to deliver a big play – either by running over the top of a defender or cutting someone in half – makes him the type of player you want running out beside you.
Key player
Will Genia needs to help bring this team together and will use every ounce of his experience to help them gel both on and off the field. A great signing for a team beaming with young talent.
Up and comer
It’s funny calling a Wallaby an up and comer, but Uelese has nearly as many Wallabies caps (two) as he does Rebels caps (three). His strength and skills are well beyond his years and he showed his talents at the Under 20s tournament. He has to step up and become a mainstain in the Rebels’ 15, which won’t be easy with the breadth of quality hookers in this squad.
Unknown entity
Anyone who watched the sevens circuit over the last two years will know Henry Hutchinson is an explosive player with speed and hunger for meat.
How he will transition to professional 15s is the big question and in a squad with such depth, he may not see the game time required to really find that out this year.
Predicted finish
Conference: second
Overall: seventh
Tony
Guest
" Biggest loss The loss of Cooper’s skills, leadership and entertainment value may come back to haunt Thorn during a long Super campaign. " Massive error from the Rookie Kiwi coach.
Fionn
Guest
Funbus, not a good enough player to be valued in Australia apparently... At least not by a lot of Aussie fans.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Horwitz is listed as a flyhalf on their website as well.
Realist
Guest
Piru & ExFF Yes, the Force were perennial cellar-dwellers, but it’s important to note that their surprising finish as second in the Australian conference (yes “2nd” - if 1st, they would have played in a final) had more to do with the other Aus sides declining rather than the Farce improving. They still got their guts kicked in by the kiwi and African sides. 12 seasons and not a single finals appearance. It angers me they were allowed to suck on Australian Rugby’s resources for so long ?
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Assuming the prediction for the Reds is right will that mean the end of Brad Thorn ??
Ex force fan
Guest
He took a team that were the favourites for the wooden spoon and build them up through a horror season. The Force was clearly building towards 2018 but would never get the opportunity to show what is in thrm. You need to look at the Force at the start of the season and the team by the end of the season to judge the coach. He has been excellent and never ever accepted a good loss. Quality is not only in the results, it is in the process to get to the results with the little he had to work with. Other coaches like Heynecke Meyer, Johan Ackerman and even Jake White had much worst first season with a team with much better players in their group. He is a good coach, probably the best in Australia at the moment.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Worcester, in the English prem, signed him on a short-term contract until Christmas and he was excellent for them until he got injured I think. Looked a very good player to me watching on the TV.
Winston
Guest
I'm with you. I know that Thorn has been absolutley smashing them in preseason. As usual they will be tough to beat at home
Fionn
Guest
Rebellion, Wayne Smith wrote an article indicating Jack Maddocks may play at 10.
Rebellion
Guest
Does anyone else agree that there has to be a better prospect at flyhalf than Jack Debreczeni? I haven’t watched loads of him but his distribution looks slow to me (bit like Mike Harris was in the same position) Who is his understudy ?
Woodsie
Guest
That makes sense Dave. I hope it’s the former. Rebels 10 stocks have been crap in the past. I would be pretty excited if the flyhalf talent was that strong and deep that a talent like Lance wasn’t first choice. Might as well follow the team Piru and become a Rebels fan!!
Selector
Guest
Wow very interesting to hear TWAS. I hear Jefferies shows a lot of potential, but his training in the first squad may be to due easing Coleman back in (as you said) and Parling having just arrived. Personally I am a big Philips fan and hope he gets ample time.
Selector
Guest
I remember thinking how well I thought Nabuli was playing at 13. But looking back Naiyaravoro was wearing the 13 jersey. Maybe they switched it up a bit, or maybe I am just going mad. The one thing Thorn has now with his recent signings is a lot of versatility in his backs. I can't wait to see what combinations he tests out in the Trial matches.
piru
Roar Rookie
As a Force fan... never mind. It's good a seemingly equitable solution was reached - I suppose if you knew he wanted to be somewhere else, would you insist on him staying?
Dave_S
Guest
And as a Reds fan I’m very happy to see him picked up. Haven’t got inside info, but it has been reported he’s been training with the Reds for some time. My best guess is that he was told by the Rebs that he won’t be the starting 10 or 15 for them and was told by the Reds that he would be starting 10 or 15 for them. Seems the Rebs have decent depth there and the Reds have poor depth. Add to that the “returning home” factor and it might be as simple as it being suitable for all 3 parties. Perhaps it’s mostly surprising in that a sensible decision was, and was able to be, made.
Markus
Guest
No question that Faingaa would be starting 7 on form. So long as he can avoid injuries this year, that is actually a good captaincy pick. He was Aus U20s captain over Hooper, and looks to have the same strong work ethic and attitude as his brothers.
Redsfan1
Guest
Er.. The Brumbies were top of the Conference not the Force. Some of Wessels results: Tahs 19 Force 13 Brumbies 25 Force 17 Crusaders 45 Force 17 Sharks 37 Force 12 Force 6 Highlanders 55 Force 12 Hurricanes 34 I hardly think this is a coaching record to boast about. Yes it's in the context of a miserable Aussie season but that doesn't make it good.
Cuw
Guest
NZ sides play % rugger - except perhaps Highlanders who played a little helter-skelter. 100m trys happen only when the other team is either walking or lost defensive shape. it is better to say they attack relentlessly , with higher accuracy - so that after a while the gaps open up. but for sure i noticed that the attacking mindset of Crusaders was tempered as the season went on and they became quite conservative at the end of season. also meant Mounga stopped running and resorting to a more tactical game. got to wait n see how DMAC runs the game - or if he chooses to run a round as he did from 15. Mounga Sopoaga and Barrett we have seen their game . that leaves the BLUES :D
Reds exile
Guest
Selector thanks for the article. Quite excited to see the young reds this year, in particular Liam Wright - he was noted in your reserves. Thought he had a great u20s tournamount (awarded Aus best player for memory) and a good NRC, but is perhaps going under the radar to a degree. Personally I still haven’t gotten over Liam Gill leaving, but hopefully LW keeps developing into a world class openside. Granted he’ll play behind George this season, but I think Coach Thorn will look to blood the key youngsters this season such as Wright & Stewart.
Woodsie
Guest
Great article thanks Selector. Does anyone have an inside on Jono Lance? Why did the Rebels agree to release him? Was he possibly not the first choice 10 and moving to where he will be? He must’ve got on with Wessels otherwise he wouldn’t have signed in the first place? Or did reds have a few extra shekels to throw at him? As a Rebels fan I’m a little gutted to see him go.