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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Super Rugby Round 1 2014 Preview Guide 17 views
13 February 2014 by The Swede Eaters
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Super Rugby 2014 starts with two games this weekend. Who are you picking to win and which players should you select for your team?
There are only two matches in Super Rugby 2014 Round 1 with the Cheetahs and Sharks favourites to win at home. It is a shame that the pinnacle of franchise rugby in the Southern Hemisphere starts with only two matches in one of the conferences, surely scheduling needs to be fixed to avoid such a messy start and the June International test window overshadowing such a great rugby competition.
Cheetahs vs Lions
First up, the Cheetahs host the new promoted Lions. The Cheetahs surpassed expectations by making the finals last season and are hot favourites against the Lions combination who will struggle in 2014. It is difficult to get a gauge on the victory margin for the Cheetahs in this match because it is different from pre-season and the Cheetahs have traditionally scored plenty of points in Super Rugby matches, but also conceded plenty too! I enjoy watching the Cheetahs play their fast paced game and am hoping that Johan Goosen has an injury free season. The Cheetahs will be too strong across the paddock for the Lions, but I am not expecting it to be as one sided as some of the pre-season matches, although the Lions will put on a brave face in the early rounds, before any potential wheels start falling off the apple-cart.
My pick - Cheetahs by 21 points.
Sharks vs Bulls
With Jake White now at the helm of the Sharks fresh from taking the Brumbies to the Super Rugby final in 2013, then it is looking like he could be the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle for the Durban based franchise. The Sharks look like the strongest South African franchise on paper and assuming they get some luck with injuries, there is nothing to stop them winning Super Rugby 2014. First they must get past a young Bulls team without Morne Steyn. The South African teams hate losing to each other and there will be plenty of bloodshed when the Sharks host the Bulls at King's Park.
The Sharks offer some good fantasy rugby options and they should be too strong for the young Bulls. It will be sink or swim for the Bulls against the Sharks. Can their young players handle the powerful Sharks? I think that the Sharks will bring the best out of the Bulls, but will still win at home.
My pick - Sharks by 14 points.
Players to watch - With only four teams playing then anyone playing fantasy rugby games need to pick as many Cheetahs and Sharks as the rules allow for. The Cheetahs are likely to score a handsome win and so the usual stars from last year like Johan Goosen, Willie Le Roux, Raymond Rhule, Adriaan Strauss and Lappies Labuschagne are obvious selections for Round 1.
The Sharks will feature go to players in Pat Lambie, Bismarck Du Plessis and Willem Alberts depending on injuries and availability.
Also watch for some bargain priced "Baby Bulls" like Louis Fouche, Jono Ross, Paul Willemse or the bargain priced starting hooker Callie Visagie and I am going out on a limb here and picking the Cheetahs starting loose forward with a great name Boom Prinsloo and big lock Lood De Jager. Both are at bargain prices.
The Lions have a sprinkling of good players like Derick Minnie, Lionel Mapoe and Franco Van Der Merwe who could get through plenty of work.
Any fantasy rugby competition worth playing will have some kind of price freeze because of this split round. Make sure you read the rules because otherwise you could be stuck with under-performing South African players when you really want to buy some All Blacks and Wallabies stars!
Super Rugby 2014 Round 1 team lists have been named. For updated team lists go to
http://www.superrugbytips.com/p/super-rugby-2013.html
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2014/02/super-rugby-2014-round-1-preview.html
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