Preview - S14 Round One, Part One

The 2007 Super 14 tournament will get underway, at Eden Park in Auckland, on Friday with the All Black conditioning programme well and truly cast in the spotlight.

In the very first match of the tournament, when the Blues host the defending champion Crusaders, the absence of the top 22 All Blacks for the first half of the event will come to the fore. In this game alone 11 All Blacks will be missing.

The entire Super 14 world's eyes will be focused on the tournament opener to see how the decision of Graham Henry to withdraw 22 of his World Cup front-runners and put them on a conditioning programme will effect the tournament.

Even the event sponsors have gone public as saying they will observe carefully the developments and the tournament, before considering their options - with possible litigation against the New Zealand Rugby Union already having been mentioned as one possible step if there's a significant reduction in value.

That is why the opening match will be the game that will set the benchmark, because the Blues will be without Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock and Joe Rokocoko, while the Crusaders will make do without the services of Greg Somerville (out injured anyway), Richard McCaw, Reuben Thorne, Daniel Carter, Aaron Mauger, Leon MacDonald and Chris Jack.

That's a sizable chunk of class players from any game.

But Friday also has two other games that will ensure some entertainment, if the opener fails to live up to expectations.

Australia's youngest franchise, the Western Force will host the Highlanders (last year New Zealand's worst team), with the Australians hoping to improve on their 14th place finish in their debut year (2006).

The Lions, who (in the form of the Cats) finished just one place above the Force, host Australia's top outfit, the Waratahs.

We take a look at Friday's games and will preview Saturday's games in Part Two!

Friday, 2 February:

Blues v Crusaders

Eden Park, Auckland, Kick-off 19.35 (06.35 GMT)

It is difficult to look past the absence of the All Blacks when you assess the merits of the two teams in this match. But there will still be some great talent on display.

For one, Blues wing Doug Howlett and his Crusaders rival Caleb Ralph will continue a long-standing try-scoring rivalry. Both have scored 53 tries in the competition and are third-equal on the all-time try-scoring list - behind former Brumbies player Joe Roff (57) and the Hurricanes' Christian Cullen (56).

But there's more to this game than just the All Black issue and some try-scoring race.

Many will be questioning the wisdom of Blues coach David Nucifora, who appointed bad boy Troy Flavell as his captain for the season. It may have the desired effect and inspire Flavell to reproduce the form that once made him an All Black certainty.

But discipline, or the lack of it, could also be his downfall. Only time will tell.

The one big positive that the Blues will take into this game is that they know how to beat the Crusaders. The Blues are indeed the only side in Super rugby with a positive win-loss ratio against the Crusaders.

For the Crusaders the game presents the first opportunity to test their dept and blood their future stars. They see the absence of their top players as an opportunity, not a setback.

"Perhaps the most pleasing aspect to the makeup of the current Crusaders squad - and among the representation of the younger players within the playing roster especially - is the number of newcomers who have forced their way in from within the Crusaders franchise region," Crusaders chairman Bob Stewart said in a message on his team's website.

"It has not escaped any of the players that one man's absence is another's opportunity.

"Our history is littered with examples of players who have stepped into the [Crusaders] jersey from relatively modest backgrounds and really made a name for themselves, while doing their team-mates, and the Crusaders jersey, proud.

"There will be further examples of that after this year, of that I am sure," he added.

Indeed there could be a few new stars putting their hands up on Friday.

Prediction: The Crusaders look to still have too much class for a Blues side that has potential, but also some gaping holes. The Crusaders by 10 to 15 points.

Teams:

Blues: 15 George Pisi, 14 Doug Howlett,13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Anthony Tuitavake, 10 Isakeli Nacewa, 9 David Gibson, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Angus MacDonald, 5 Troy Flavell (c), 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 John Afoa, 2 Derren Whitcombe, 1 Saimone Taumoepeau

Replacements: 16 Chris Heard, 17 Nick White, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Justin Collins, 20 Steve Devine, 21 Luke McAlister, 22 Rudi Wulf

Crusaders: 15 Brent Ward, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Caleb Ralph, 12 Casey Laulala, 11 Scott Hamilton, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Andrew Ellis, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Johnny Leo'o, 6 Kieran Read, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Ross Filipo, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Corey Flynn (captain), 1 Ben Franks

Replacements: 16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Jake Paringatai, 19 Peter Nixon, 20 Kevin Senio, 21 Tusi Pisi, 22 Rua Tipoki

Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

Touch judges: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Gary Wise (New Zealand)

Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Western Force v Highlanders

Subiaco Oval, Perth, 19.05 (10.05 GMT)

The Western Force will no longer be able to hide behind the fact that they are "newcomers" and still finding their feet. They are now fully-fledged participants in the competition and will be judged on their merits.

The novelty has worn off and people expect results.

Not surprising then that coach John Mitchell has put out his best available team. He wants to ensure they start their campaign on a winning note.

And they will have an ideal opportunity against a team that may come into the tournament somewhat undercooked.

The Force had an internal trial and two pre-season outings - pushing the Crusaders to the limit for 60 minutes, before conceding two late tries, and smashing a young touring Samoan team. The Highlanders had one pre-season outing, losing to the Reds.

The Highlanders, who are at the start of a gruelling month on the road, have had no trouble in winning on Australian soil in the past. In fact they appear to love travelling.

But in the blistering hot temperatures they are expected to encounter the New Zealand tourists may find the going a bit tougher than usual.

The Highlanders are also without two of their All Black stalwarts (Anton Oliver and Carl Hayman - both on the infamous All Black conditioning programme) and they have lost star fly-half Nick Evans to injury.

They are indeed paper thin and their "home grown talent" programme will be put to the test.

Prediction: The Western Force have a very solid look about them this year and they certainly look too good for the visitors. The Western Force by 15 points or more.

Teams:

Western Force: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 James Hilgendorf, 9 Matt Henjak, 8 Scott Fava, 7 Richard Brown, 6 David Pusey, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Rudi Vedelago, 3 Troy Takiari, 2 Brendan Cannon, 1 Gareth Hardy.

Replacements: 16 Tai McIsaac, 17 Angus Scott, 18 Luke Doherty, 19 David Pocock, 20 Chris O'Young, 21 Junior Pelesasa, 22 Haig Sare.

Highlanders: 15 Craig Clare, 14 Lucky Mulipola, 13 Matthew Saunders, 12 Jason Kawau, 11 Viliame Waqaseduadua, 10 Callum Bruce, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Craig Newby, 7 Josh Blackie (c), 6 Hoani MacDonald, 5 James Ryan, 4 Kane Thompson, 3 Clarke Dermody, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Chris King

Replacements: 16 David Hall, 17 Jamie Mackintosh, 18 Ezra Taylor, 19 Alando Soakai, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Charlie Hore, 22 Greg Zampach

Referee: JC Fortuin (South Africa)

Touch judges: Pro Legoete (South Africa), James Scholtens (Australia)

Television match official: Bradley Wahl (Australia)

Lions v Waratahs

Ellispark, Johannesburg, 19.10 (17.10 GMT)

The Waratahs arrive as one of the tournament favourites and few will question their credentials. It is the home team, the Lions, who have something to prove.

As the Cats they finished second from last in the inaugural Super 14 last year. A lot of those old hands have moved on or retired. There was also the name change, which makes this basically a new team in Super rugby.

Their critics question their ability to take last year's sensational eight-match Currie Cup winning streak onto the Super rugby stage.

There's no doubt they have some very exciting young talent, but are these youngsters ready to take on the Waratah "veterans" in one of the toughest competitions in the world?

It is a question that will only be answered at Ellis Park on Friday.

With players like Springbok André Pretorius - now also the Lions' captain after the departure of Wikus van Heerden to the Bulls - the Lions' backline no doubt will provide some moments of brilliance.

The question is whether they will see enough quality ball to make those moments telling in the overall game setup?

Lions forward coach Leon Boshoff is convinced his charges, inexperienced at this level as they are, do have what it takes to be a force in the competition.

"The forwards' job is to provide the backline with quality possession," Boshoff said. "I'm convinced they will stand their ground in the set pieces."

The Waratahs will go into the game in a confident frame of mind, having recorded back-to-back victories over the Brumbies and the Crusaders in the pre-season.

Even without players like Wendell Sailor (suspended for cocaine abuse), Mat Rogers (returned to league) and Dan Vickerman (out injured) the Waratahs remain a solid unit with depth across the park.

Prediction: The Lions will be excited and may even threaten the Waratahs. But the visitors seem to have the edge. The Waratahs by about 10 points.

Teams:

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Jannie Boshoff, 10 André Pretorius (captain), 9 Enrico Januarie, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Ernst Joubert, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Anton van Zyl, 4 Cobus Grobler, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.

Replacements: 16 Ashton Constant, 17 Lawrence Sephaka, 18 Gordon Gilfillan, 19 Franco van der Merwe, 20 Jano Vermaak 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Jaco van Schalkwyk.

Waratahs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Peter Hewat, 13 Morgan Turinui (vice-captain), 12 Ben Jacobs, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Ben Hand, 4 Will Caldwell, 3 Alastair Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson

Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Aaron Broughton-Rouse, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Kurtley Beale, 22 Sam Harris

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)

Touch judges: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

* Saturday's previews will follow in Part Two

By Jan de Koning