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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Super Rugby 2012 Preview - Part One 4 views
20 February 2012 by The Swede Eaters
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Connected with:
Wiki Player
Dan Carter
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Super Rugby starts this weekend. Scotty Donaldson takes a look at the competition in the Super 15 2012.
The Super Rugby 2012 competition gets underway this weekend with plenty of local derby matches including the Blues vs Crusaders in the first game. This season will surely be a battle of attrition when you consider the competition has 21 rounds of matches and an additional break for international test matches in June. The depth of all squads will be tested with the stars likely to sit out the opening months, while injuries, international commitments and the long season may well rob the competition of the opportunity to see the best teams playing at the top of their game.
All this means that teams won't be able to be at the top of their game throughout the competition and so will be required to get the best out of their next tier of players. This is probably why the Crusaders are favourites according to the New Zealand TAB. While they probably have a weaker squad than last season, it is hoped that having more games in their beloved Christchurch this season and their uncanny ability to turn average players into international players must be leaving fans optimistic heading into the 2012 season.
Out of the New Zealand teams there will be plenty of bargain priced
players for the Hurricanes given that they lost most of their top
players last season. The Highlanders have plenty of early season
injuries, while the Crusaders could be missing some of their major stars
for the first month or so. The Blues look to have the strongest New
Zealand squad while the Chiefs have acquired some brilliant backs for
this season.
The Crusaders are rightly the favourites in New Zealand, while the Blues, Reds, Waratahs and Stormers are rated closely behind.
Implications for managers
Managers of <a href="http://www.testrugby.com">www.testrugby.com</a> teams will have their work cut out this season. Each team plays 16 matches over 18 weeks of the competition (plus finals) and this means judging when which players will be rested when and when each actual team will have a bye. There is no point wasting a trade buying someone for only one game before their team has a bye. With the hectic travel schedule most players will be rested. You get 80 trades for the season with the first top up in Round Six.
Stay tuned for more Super Rugby tips and enter the Super Rugby Tips conference on Superbru.
www.superrugbytips.com
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Tags:
Super Rugby, Crusaders,
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