Super XV 2014 General Discussion Thread

Welcome to the Super XV thread for 2014! Hopefully, there’ll be plenty of exhilarating action on the field, and a bit of friendly banter on the thread. Without further ado, let’s press on with the season preview. Useful links are provided below for easy reference during the season.

http://www.superxv.com/fixtures/
http://www.superxv.com/table/

THE NZ CONFERENCE

Setting the scene
Any NZ conference can’t be previewed without first discussing the implications for the national team. The ABs had a successful season in 2013, but nevertheless a few concerns remain. Chief among these is the front row, especially hooker. With Andrew Hore retired, and Kevin Mealamu increasingly prone to calf injuries, there will be 1 if not 2 hooking spots up for grabs. If you’re going to follow the NZ teams this year, keep an eye on the rakes in what is sure to be a fierce battle for that all-elusive black jumper.

Likewise, a backup 13 to Conrad Smith has already been signalled by Hansen as a priority - NZ contributed to its own demise in 3 consecutive world cups (’99, ’03, ’07) by selecting specialist fullbacks at centre. The NZ conference always throws up the next Christian Cullen - last season it was probably Charles Piutau, but it’s one of things that makes the SXV worth watching.

BLUES

Forwards: Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, James Parsons, Charlie Faumuina, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tony Woodcock, Tom Donnelly, Liaki Moli, Culum Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Kane Barrett, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Brendon O'Connor, Peter Saili

Backs: Jamison Gibson-Park, Bryn Hall, Piri Weepu, Baden Kerr, Chris Noakes, Pita Ahki, Ma'a Nonu, Francis Saili, Jackson Willison, Frank Halai, Benji Marshall, George Moala, Charles Piutau, Lolagi Visinia

This is John Kirwan’s second season in charge, and he’ll be hoping his team doesn’t have a case of the blues (sorry, couldn’t help myself). The Auckland-based team started strongly last season but faded from about the half-way mark and finished mid-table. They have lost Rene Ranger to France but picked up the previously outstanding Jerome “Ferris” Kaino, and ex-AB lock Tom Donnelly. They also have returning prodigal sons in the form of Woodcock and Nonu - can Ma’a actually be bothered will be a point of interest. However, the most notable signing is Benji Marshall: not since Carlos Spencer have the Blues had a championship-winning flyhalf, and they have tried a myriad of players over the years, including Leinster’s own Jimmy Gopperth. If, and it’s a massive if, Marshall turns out to be half-decent, the Blues could go OK, otherwise they will be forced to revert to their backup 10s Kerr, Noakes or even Weepu. The Blues have a number of ABs and should win a reasonable number of games, often in dazzling fashion (Halai, Moala, Piutau). With Luatua, the under-rated Braid, and Kaino (rumoured to play 8) on the field they will have a very competitive loose-forward trio. However, the lack of a top-class second row, the uncertainty at flyhalf, and a lack of squad depth mean I don’t see them as title contenders. I predict 3rd or 4th in the NZ conference, and no qualification for the knockout stages.

CHIEFS

Ben Afeaki, Bundee Aki, Gareth Anscombe, Sam Cane, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Cruden, Hikawera Elliot, Ross Filipo, Mike Fitzgerald, Robbie Fruean, Josh Hohneck, Andrew Horrell, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tanerau Latimer, James Lowe, Jamie Mackintosh, Pauliasi Manu, Rhys Marshall, Tom Marshall, Liam Messam, Mils Muliaina, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Augustine Pulu, Brodie Retallick, Robbie Robinson, Mahonri Schwalger, Liam Squire, Matthew Symons, Ben Tameifuna, Kane Thompson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma

Despite the loss of Craig Clarke to Connacht, and a couple of other players to Japan, the Chiefs remain a formidable unit for 2014. Once solid mid-table fare, the Chiefs have now won 2 consecutive titles and should be in the mix once again under the watchful eye of Dave “Schmidt” Rennie. In the forwards, the main weaknesses I identify are in the 2nd row where the gap between Brodie Retallick and the rest is a gulf, and they also lack a top-class 8. However both Afeaki & Tameifuna are decent props, and Sam Cane & Liam Messam need no introduction to Irish readers. It’s in the backs however, where the Chiefs have a lot of class. They might have missed out on SBW for this season, but with Cruden, the returning Muliaina and dead-eye dick goalkicker Anscombe as well as a host of excellent open-field runners (Robinson, Nanai-Williams), and decent midfielders, the Chiefs should do well again. It will be worth seeing how Robbie Freuan does in his new home – the excellent under-age player had his career blighted by rheumatic fever, and never reached the promised heights with the Crusaders, but on his day is very difficult to handle. I predict 1st or 2nd in the NZ conference, and qualification for the semi-finals.

HURRICANES

Forwards: Mark Abbott, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Ash Dixon, Ben Franks, Reggie Goodes, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Motu Matu'u, Mark Reddish, Ardie Savea, John Schwalger, Brad Shields, Eric Sione, Blade Thomson, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Victor Vito

Backs: Beauden Barrett, Marty Banks, Tim Bateman, Cory Jane, Alapati Leiua, James Marshall, Hadleigh Parkes, TJ Perenara, Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Chris Smylie, Andre Taylor, Cardiff Vaega

The Hurricanes remain the perennial underachieving entertainers of NZ Super Rugby. When you think of some of the players they have had through the years (Cullen, Lomu, Umaga…), it’s amazing they haven’t been more successful. However, they have always suffered from flaws of one type or another in their pack, and this year strikes me as being no different – they have a decent backrow with Shields, Savea and Vito (who might look at switching back to 7s or heading overseas if he misses out on higher honours again), but their tight 5 (especially outside of the starting XV) is underwhelming. Likewise, their backline is a mix of excellent (Savea, Smith, Barrett, Perenara) and run-of-the-mill. This is a big season for coach Mark Hammett who needs to do better than mid-table. However, I see them fighting it out with the Blues for 3rd and 4th spot.

CRUSADERS

Dominic Bird, Tyler Bleyendaal, Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Mitchell Drummond, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Nepo Laulala, Rey Lee-Lo, Richie McCaw, Johnny McNicholl, Joe Moody, Nemani Nadolo, Tim Perry, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Colin Slade, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Tom Taylor, Matt Todd, Jimmy Tupou, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock

The Crusaders are always there or thereabouts when it comes to Super Rugby but have not brought home the bacon in a while now. The team once again comprises a mixture of ABs and less talented players that the Crusaders have traditionally excelled in turning into top-rate provincial players (who promptly become average again if they shift to another franchise). The issue in recent seasons has been a lack of deadly finishing power out wide, and hence the failed attempt to secure Julian Savea for 2014. The other issue this season will be at flyhalf where Dan Carter will spend the round-robin on sabbatical. Pre-injuries, Colin Slade looked very promising at 10, and Tyler Bleyendaal has his moments, but neither are Carter. It will be interesting to see how McCaw and Todd are used this season, I would be happy to have McCaw at 6 if needed, rather than the hardworking but a bit underwhelming George Whitelock. The Crusaders should be in the mix, and if they can reach the knockout stages will have a good a chance as any team. I expect them to finished 1st or 2nd in the NZ conference and reach the semi-finals at least.

HIGHLANDERS

Forwards: Josh Bekhuis, Shane Christie, Liam Coltman, Matias Diaz, Elliot Dixon, Gareth Evans, Ma'afu Fia, Tom Franklin, Kane Hames, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, TJ Ioane, Chris King, Nasi Manu, Brayden Mitchell, Brad Thorn and Joe Wheeler.

Backs: Kurt Baker, Phil Burleigh, Jason Emery, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Hayden Parker, Buxton Popoalii, Willie Ripia, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Winston Stanley, Fumiaki Tanaka, Shaun Treeby and Frae Wilson.

Once again it’s hard to see the Highlanders going too far this season. In the backs, Ben and Aaron Smith are world class but the remainder vary from decent to average to frank journeymen. And it’s the same in the forwards, where only Liam Coltman might challenge for higher honours. Brad Thorn was a great player, but I’m sorry Leinster lads, he looked past it last season. I think John Hardie is potentially Scottish eligible, and given Scotland’s 6N performances to date, he could well consider doing a “Maitland” and aiming for RWC 2015, as I’d imagine he could just about go straight into their starting XV. The Highlanders will probably be cellar dwellers again, although could well trip up visiting sides along the way. I predict 5th in the NZ conference.