The Last Super 14
The Super 14 is back and in the February/March issue of NZ Rugby World we give a whopping 35 page guide to everything you could possibly need to know. Here we give a quick overview on the most explosive clashes you can expect to see.
Tuesday, 02 February 2010
SO THIS is it – the last Super 14. The last time the competition will be in a true round-robin format. Regardless of what happens, we will have clear memories of 2010; it will be the year that brought Super Rugby phase one to a close.
It should be memorable for more than just chronology, however. The competition is set up for there to be some titanic clashes.
Let’s start with the Crusaders. They look dangerously good. They have Dan Carter back. They will have Richie McCaw return to action a few weeks later while he rests his battered body. They have All Blacks everywhere and a fast-learning coach in Todd Blackadder.
If they don’t win another title, well frankly, that would be a surprise. Not only do they have the players, the coach, there history, the pedigree and everything else they could possible need – they also have a little extra desire. Last year wasn’t great for them. They scrapped their way to the play-offs without ever really convincing and that hurt them.
To win the title, they will have to prove they are a better side than the reigning champion Bulls. They are, and they should prove that. And they should prove it because they are the Crusaders and that is what they do.
The Chiefs will fancy they can compete and they can. But only up to a point. They are still new to this play-off, pressure football lark. They can play can these Chiefs. They have quality throughout their side and a bit of experience, too.
But they don’t quite have the same class as the Crusaders. Okay, what that really means is they don’t have Carter and McCaw and those two make all the difference. The Chiefs should still go well, though. They have all they need to make the last four and from there, with a bit of luck, who knows?
The Hurricanes, of course, know it is time for them to win a title. Jeez, how long can they keep going close without actually getting the cigar?
It’s almost entirely mental with the ’Canes. They have all the players and all the experience. They just have to find a way to keep it all together, all campaign. They can’t go through their usual hot and cold patches. Somehow they need to find belief and certainty that they can win against everyone – every week.
They haven’t managed to do so in 14 years so far, so why should we believe 2010 is going to be the year they breakthrough?
The same could be said of the Blues. We all know about the Blues and their sorry story. We all know what they lack, where they have gone wrong and what they need to do.
Knowing and doing are not the same thing, though. Coach Pat Lam knows that and he knew the importance of bringing in some new players in key positions. He did what he could do and ended up with Alby Mathewson and Stephen Brett. These two are potentially All Black class or could just as easily bomb. It’s been too hard in the past to hold faith in the Blues and despite the fact they are a stronger side, it’s still kind of hard to have faith in them now. So we won’t. We will predict more of the same from them but gladly be proven wrong.
Most people will hold a similar lack of faith in the Highlanders. But that could be a little short-sighted. They might well be the surprise of the competition.
In the last couple of years they have played clever rugby. They are well coached, play to some neat patterns and have confidence in their structures and systems. All they have lacked is some finishing power and a bit of grunt in the forwards.
They have a bit more of that now. Tom Donnelly will be full of confidence after his season with the All Blacks and his locking partner Josh Bekhuis is a good player. Robbie Robinson is an intriguing prospect and James Paterson, Ben Smith and Israel Dagg gives them a lot of the finishing power they have been lacking.
They are probably not a play-off team but don’t be surprised if they get close.
Competition to the Kiwi teams will come from the usual places. The Bulls will be just as tough as they were last year and surely the Stormers can finally get their act together. The Sharks faded badly last year after looking potential champions in the earlier rounds and they won’t be happy for that to be repeated. And in Australia – well, it might be the Brumbies who come good. They have Rocky Elsom and Mat Giteau and that is possibly enough to transform them into contenders.
Roll of Honour - Super Rugby Champions
2009 Bulls
2008 Crusaders
2007 Bulls
2006 Crusaders
2005 Crusaders
2004 Brumbies
2003 Blues
2002 Crusaders
2001 Brumbies
2000 Crusaders
1999 Crusaders
1998 Crusaders
1997 Blues
1996 Blues
