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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Who Are You Picking To Win the Super Rugby 15? 7 views
16 February 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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The first round of Super Rugby starts on Friday night. Who are you picking to win this weekend and this season? Who will the new format favour?
The Highlanders and Hurricanes get the new rugby season underway in Wellington as Super Rugby begins in 2011. My knowledge of New Zealand rugby will hopefully help provide you some insight into teams and players to watch out for. The Crusaders are the most fancied New Zealand team, with some young talent coming through to hopefully provide enough depth to be able to rest their superstars. The Hurricanes, Blues and Chiefs all have established stars in the backs, but plenty will rely on their untried first five eighths and tight fives which for the Chiefs and Hurricanes especially, have been patchy in recent years. The Highlanders have a new coach and plenty of young former Hurricanes players. Like their Scottish counterparts the Highlanders a competitive in the forwards but often lack X Factor outwide and have the smallest pool of talent to call upon. They will miss Colin Slade and Tom Donnelly.
The Crusaders are the favourites with the Bulls a close second. The best Australian team is the Waratahs.
Here are my picks for Round One of the Super 15 Competition
Super 15
Teams: Hurricanes vs Highlanders
Time: 18/02/2011 19:35
Venue: Wellington
Pick: Home team by 13 & above
This match will be a grudge match given that several Hurricanes based fringe players are now in the Highlanders. Expect the Hurricanes to have too much firepower outwide assuming some of their quartet of All Black outside backs are playing. The Highlanders will take them on up front. The Southern Men will miss the class of Tom Donnelly and Colin Slade.
Teams: Rebels vs Waratahs
Time: 18/02/2011 21:40
Venue: Melbourne
Pick: Away team by 13 & above
The new boys will take a while to find their combinations and feet at this level despite having plenty of experienced players from throughout the world. The Waratahs are the best rated Australian team and should win easily if they are to be a threat.
Teams: Blues vs Crusaders
Time: 19/02/2011 19:35
Venue: Auckland
Pick: Away team by 12 & under
This match is the match of Round 1 with two of the top New Zealand sides tackling each other. Plenty will depend on who is named for both teams. I wonder how badly the loss of Luke McAlister will affect the Blues, given the Crusaders could be without several of their top All Blacks? I am going for the Crusaders because they know how to win the close ones.
Teams: Brumbies vs Chiefs
Time: 19/02/2011 21:40
Venue: Canberra
Pick: Home team by 12 & under
The first inter-conference match is a tough one to pick. The Chiefs have a strong backline and loose forwards and could well defeat the stoic Brumbies. I have gone for the home team to keep their impressive home record intact.
Teams: Sharks vs Cheetahs
Time: 20/02/2011 04:05
Venue: Durban
Pick: Home team by 13 & above
The Sharks are one of the highly fancied South African teams. The Cheetahs will only be nuisance value and don't have the depth across the field to cope with the Sharks.
Teams: Lions vs Bulls
Time: 20/02/2011 06:10
Venue: Johannesburg
Pick: Away team by 13 & above
The 2010 champions should be too good for the battling Lions. The Lions are ranked the lowest and if they could win their first game, it will be an impressive effort.
Teams: Reds vs Western Force
Time: 20/02/2011 19:40
Venue: Brisbane
Pick: Home team by 13 & above
If the 2010 Reds show up with their fast game, then they will win easily against the Force who have lost plenty of talent in the off season.
Who do you think will win the 2011 Super Rugby competition? Who will benefit from the conference system?
Predictions : My top six are
Crusaders
Bulls
Waratahs (courtesy of the easiest conference)
Stormers
Chiefs
Brumbies
This is a difficult competition to pick and I wonder if the New Zealand teams are disadvantaged by the conference system having only one relative easy beat in their conference?
Who will win?
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