This year, Super Rugby will be back to uniform start dates across conferences – in 2018 the South African conference started a week earlier than the Australia and New Zealand conferences. In 2019, it all gets underway on Friday.
The tournament’s 15-team, three-conference format remains the same and there will be a total of 120 matches in the regular season that will be followed by a seven-match, eight-team finals series.
We at Rugby4Cast aim to provide a slightly more stats-based approach to matches and look closely at the histories, rankings and form heading into matches.
Here is our Super Rugby Australian Conference preview.
Here are our Super Rugby rankings heading into the 2019 season. These are based on an Elo rating system.
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crusaders | 114.45 |
| 2 | Hurricanes | 110.90 |
| 3 | Chiefs | 108.31 |
| 4 | Lions | 106.31 |
| 5 | Highlanders | 105.71 |
| 6 | Waratahs | 102.68 |
| 7 | Brumbies | 101.61 |
| 8 | Stormers | 101.37 |
| 9 | Sharks | 101.31 |
| 10 | Jaguares | 99.62 |
| 11 | Bulls | 98.84 |
| 12 | Blues | 98.74 |
| 13 | Reds | 92.53 |
| 14 | Rebels | 92.20 |
| 15 | Sunwolves | 88.34 |
As might be expected, the Kiwi sides come out on top, with the highest Australian clubs ranked sixth and seventh respectively. Can they begin to challenge the New Zealand lockout at the top of the table?
It might be difficult. As can be seen below, the Australian sides have been slipping recently, with both their topped-ranked teams – the Waratahs and Brumbies – losing a little ground over the past three years.
(Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)
What are the rankings?
The below shows how the current Australian Conference sides have changed over time.
The Waratahs and Brumbies have been on top for a while. Can the others begin to challenge their dominance?
This is a 12-month rolling average of our internally calculated rankings. For more information on these and how they are calculated, head to www.rugby4cast.com/rankings.
The Brumbies last won the Super Rugby title in 2004 and will be looking for an improvement of their recent run of nearlies in the knockout stages. The Brumbies may be looking to skipper Christian Lealiifano as their talisman player, following his return to Super Rugby last year after a battle with leukaemia.
The Canberra outfit will also enjoy the arrival of James Slipper from the Queensland Reds.
Here’s a look at the Brumbies’ 2018 results.
| P | W | L | D | F | A | Win % | Avg Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brumbies | 16 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 393 | 422 | 0.44 | 24.56 |
| Opposition | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 422 | 393 | 0.56 | 26.38 |
| Date | Home | Away | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/7/18 | Waratahs | 31 | 40 | Brumbies | Allianz Stadium |
| 7/7/18 | Chiefs | 24 | 19 | Brumbies | FMG Stadium Waikato |
| 30/6/18 | Brumbies | 24 | 12 | Hurricanes | GIO Stadium |
| 3/6/18 | Brumbies | 41 | 31 | Sunwolves | GIO Stadium |
| 26/5/18 | Bulls | 28 | 38 | Brumbies | Loftus Versfeld |
| 19/5/18 | Lions | 42 | 24 | Brumbies | Emirates Airlines Park |
| 12/5/18 | Brumbies | 24 | 27 | Rebels | GIO Stadium |
| 28/4/18 | Brumbies | 8 | 21 | Crusaders | GIO Stadium |
| 22/4/18 | Brumbies | 20 | 25 | Jaguares | GIO Stadium |
| 14/4/18 | Highlanders | 43 | 17 | Brumbies | Forsyth Barr Stadium |
| 7/4/18 | Brumbies | 45 | 21 | Reds | GIO Stadium |
| 31/3/18 | Brumbies | 17 | 24 | Waratahs | GIO Stadium |
| 17/3/18 | Brumbies | 24 | 17 | Sharks | GIO Stadium |
| 9/3/18 | Rebels | 33 | 10 | Brumbies | AAMI Park |
| 2/3/18 | Reds | 18 | 10 | Brumbies | Suncorp Stadium |
| 24/2/18 | Sunwolves | 25 | 32 | Brumbies | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium |
The Brumbies missed out on the playoffs last year. They last made the knockout stages in 2017 but lost in the quarters to the Hurricanes.
Player to watch: James Slipper
Former Wallaby James Slipper will be hoping to make a new start in Super Rugby after twice testing positive for cocaine and subsequently being released by the Reds last year. He will be looking to make a huge impact for the Brumbies, and his experience will be a valuable addition for the Canberrans.
James Slipper (Image: Paul Miller / AAP)
The Reds finished fourth in the Australian Conference last year. However, Queensland have been rebuilding somewhat since Brad Thorn came and will be hoping for improvements this year.
They’ve lost Quade Cooper, James Slipper, Karmichael Hunt and George Smith – some serious firepower. However, they have picked up Dave Alred as the new kicking coach who mentored England World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson.
| P | W | L | D | F | A | Win % | Avg Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reds | 16 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 389 | 501 | 0.38 | 24.31 |
| Opposition | 16 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 501 | 389 | 0.63 | 31.31 |
| Date | Home | Away | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/7/18 | Reds | 48 | 27 | Sunwolves | Suncorp Stadium |
| 6/7/18 | Reds | 37 | 23 | Rebels | Suncorp Stadium |
| 29/6/18 | Blues | 39 | 16 | Reds | Eden Park |
| 2/6/18 | Reds | 41 | 52 | Waratahs | Suncorp Stadium |
| 26/5/18 | Reds | 15 | 18 | Highlanders | Suncorp Stadium |
| 18/5/18 | Hurricanes | 38 | 34 | Reds | Westpac Stadium |
| 12/5/18 | Sunwolves | 63 | 28 | Reds | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium |
| 28/4/18 | Reds | 27 | 22 | Lions | Suncorp Stadium |
| 21/4/18 | Reds | 12 | 36 | Chiefs | Suncorp Stadium |
| 14/4/18 | Waratahs | 37 | 16 | Reds | Sydney Cricket Ground |
| 7/4/18 | Brumbies | 45 | 21 | Reds | GIO Stadium |
| 24/3/18 | Stormers | 25 | 19 | Reds | DHL Newlands |
| 17/3/18 | Jaguares | 7 | 18 | Reds | Estadio Jose Amalfitani |
| 10/3/18 | Reds | 20 | 14 | Bulls | Suncorp Stadium |
| 2/3/18 | Reds | 18 | 10 | Brumbies | Suncorp Stadium |
| 23/2/18 | Rebels | 45 | 19 | Reds | AAMI Park |
Player to watch: Scott Higginbottom
The former Australian international currently holds the record for highest try-scoring forward in Super Rugby history and he isn’t slowing down anytime soon, having scored five tries in 16 games last season. Higginbottom is also fantastic in the lineout.
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
The Rebels survived the axe in 2017 after the ARU culled the Force from the competition instead. They went on to prove their worth and finish second in the Australian Conference in 2018, winning seven out of their 16 games.
Melbourne have picked up Quade Cooper from the Reds and will also be hoping for Reece Hodge to make a return sometime early in the season after breaking his ankle before last year’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Japan.
| P | W | L | D | F | A | Win % | Avg Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebels | 16 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 440 | 461 | 0.44 | 27.50 |
| Opposition | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 461 | 440 | 0.56 | 28.81 |
| Date | Home | Away | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/7/18 | Highlanders | 43 | 37 | Rebels | Forsyth Barr Stadium |
| 6/7/18 | Reds | 37 | 23 | Rebels | Suncorp Stadium |
| 29/6/18 | Rebels | 26 | 31 | Waratahs | AAMI Park |
| 2/6/18 | Blues | 10 | 20 | Rebels | Eden Park |
| 25/5/18 | Rebels | 40 | 13 | Sunwolves | AAMI Park |
| 12/5/18 | Brumbies | 24 | 27 | Rebels | GIO Stadium |
| 4/5/18 | Rebels | 10 | 55 | Crusaders | AAMI Park |
| 27/4/18 | Stormers | 34 | 18 | Rebels | DHL Newlands |
| 21/4/18 | Bulls | 28 | 10 | Rebels | Loftus Versfeld |
| 14/4/18 | Rebels | 22 | 25 | Jaguares | AAMI Park |
| 30/3/18 | Rebels | 19 | 50 | Hurricanes | AAMI Park |
| 23/3/18 | Rebels | 46 | 14 | Sharks | AAMI Park |
| 18/3/18 | Waratahs | 51 | 27 | Rebels | Allianz Stadium |
| 9/3/18 | Rebels | 33 | 10 | Brumbies | AAMI Park |
| 3/3/18 | Sunwolves | 17 | 37 | Rebels | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium |
| 23/2/18 | Rebels | 45 | 19 | Reds | AAMI Park |
Player to watch: Reece Hodge
This was a difficult one. It could easily be Quade Cooper, however centre Hodge will be a critical link in a backline led by Will Genia and Cooper. Also, Hodge’s versatility is a useful trait – he can play flyhalf, centre, wing or fullback.
(AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
Well well well, The Waratahs have been busy in the off-season. This year they have recruited new stars in the likes of Karmichael Hunt, Adam Ashley-Cooper and John Folau, all big names who will join Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau. Quite a backline.
Our gut says these guys will top the Australian Conference yet again, but that they will face stiffer competition from the other teams.
The Waratahs finished top of this group last year, and running third on the overall ladder at the end of the regular season.
| P | W | L | D | F | A | Win % | Avg Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waratahs | 18 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 613 | 512 | 0.56 | 34.06 |
| Opposition | 18 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 512 | 613 | 0.39 | 28.44 |
| Date | Home | Away | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28/7/18 | Lions | 44 | 26 | Waratahs | Emirates Airlines Park |
| 21/7/18 | Waratahs | 30 | 23 | Highlanders | Allianz Stadium |
| 14/7/18 | Waratahs | 31 | 40 | Brumbies | Allianz Stadium |
| 7/7/18 | Waratahs | 77 | 25 | Sunwolves | Allianz Stadium |
| 29/6/18 | Rebels | 26 | 31 | Waratahs | AAMI Park |
| 2/6/18 | Reds | 41 | 52 | Waratahs | Suncorp Stadium |
| 26/5/18 | Chiefs | 39 | 27 | Waratahs | FMG Stadium Waikato |
| 19/5/18 | Waratahs | 41 | 12 | Highlanders | Allianz Stadium |
| 12/5/18 | Crusaders | 31 | 29 | Waratahs | AMI Stadium |
| 5/5/18 | Waratahs | 21 | 24 | Blues | Brookvale Oval |
| 20/4/18 | Waratahs | 0 | 29 | Lions | Allianz Stadium |
| 14/4/18 | Waratahs | 37 | 16 | Reds | Sydney Cricket Ground |
| 7/4/18 | Sunwolves | 29 | 50 | Waratahs | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium |
| 31/3/18 | Brumbies | 17 | 24 | Waratahs | GIO Stadium |
| 18/3/18 | Waratahs | 51 | 27 | Rebels | Allianz Stadium |
| 10/3/18 | Jaguares | 38 | 28 | Waratahs | Estadio Jose Amalfitani |
| 3/3/18 | Sharks | 24 | 24 | Waratahs | Kings Park Stadium |
| 24/2/18 | Waratahs | 34 | 27 | Stormers | Allianz Stadium |
Player to watch: John Folau
There’s reason to be really excited about this kid. As the brother of Israel Folau, it’s almost guaranteed he will take his first Super Rugby season by storm. He was signed by the Waratahs from the Sydney Rays after some great performances in the National Rugby Championship.
(Photo: Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Sunwolves have a new coach, New Zealander Tony Brown, with Jamie Joseph becoming director of rugby.
The youngest franchise in this conference will have around 60 players at their disposal this year with the main focus on the World Cup. Joseph will concentrate on the wider training group to ensure the best Japanese players are in peak condition by September.
The Sunwolves have had a bad run since joining the competition and only picked up three wins last season. However, they have been slowly improving with those three victories coming over the Bulls, Stormers and Reds.
| P | W | L | D | F | A | Win % | Avg Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunwolves | 16 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 404 | 664 | 0.19 | 25.25 |
| Opposition | 16 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 664 | 404 | 0.81 | 41.50 |
| Date | Home | Away | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/7/18 | Reds | 48 | 27 | Sunwolves | Suncorp Stadium |
| 7/7/18 | Waratahs | 77 | 25 | Sunwolves | Allianz Stadium |
| 30/6/18 | Sunwolves | 42 | 37 | Bulls | Singapore National Stadium |
| 3/6/18 | Brumbies | 41 | 31 | Sunwolves | GIO Stadium |
| 25/5/18 | Rebels | 40 | 13 | Sunwolves | AAMI Park |
| 19/5/18 | Sunwolves | 26 | 23 | Stormers | Mong Kok Stadium |
| 12/5/18 | Sunwolves | 63 | 28 | Reds | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium |
| 27/4/18 | Hurricanes | 43 | 15 | Sunwolves | Westpac Stadium |
| 21/4/18 | Crusaders | 33 | 11 | Sunwolves | AMI Stadium |
| 14/4/18 | Sunwolves | 10 | 24 | Blues | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium |
| 7/4/18 | Sunwolves | 29 | 50 | Waratahs | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium |
| 24/3/18 | Sunwolves | 10 | 61 | Chiefs | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium |
| 17/3/18 | Lions | 40 | 38 | Sunwolves | Emirates Airlines Park |
| 10/3/18 | Sharks | 50 | 22 | Sunwolves | Kings Park Stadium |
| 3/3/18 | Sunwolves | 17 | 37 | Rebels | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium |
| 24/2/18 | Sunwolves | 25 | 32 | Brumbies | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium |
Player to watch: Rene Ranger
This six-cap All Black will be looking to make the most of his new Super Rugby contract with the Japanese side after leaving the Auckland Blues in 2017. Ranger, standing at 6 foot tall and weighing in at 101 kilograms, can play either centre or wing.
He has a very physical rugby style which will make him feared in attack and defence and, paired up with his fellow New Zealand-born teammate, local legend Michael Leitch, the duo could well become a deadly combo.
After missing out on the title the last two years the Tahs players seem laser focused to win this year.
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