Super 14 Preview
The southern season gets back underway in earnest on Friday when the Hurricanes visit the Blues in Albany.
The southern season gets back underway in earnest on Friday when the Hurricanes visit the Blues in Albany.
It'll be the first of seven fixtures this weekend, the first of 94 fixtures in the tournament overall and the first of sixteen weeks of the finest action the south has to offer.
So to give you an idea of what to expect over the next four months, we at Planet Rugby have put our heads together and given you a few pointers, team by team…
“The season just trickled away from the Lions last time, each time they played a couple of matches where the possibility emerged of a run of form being stitched together, along would come a bizarre implosion and crushing defeat.”
“Things look a little more promising for the Highlanders. Much of last year's squad has been retained, including many members of the Southland team that played so well in the Air New Zealand Cup.”
“It's a new start for the Force in many ways.”
“Once again the Waratahs should be contenders for the play-offs.”
“Last year's Super 14 campaign was a disappointing one for the Stormers after showing such encouraging signs in 2008…”
One wonders just when it is going to be the” Sharks' year in Super Rugby?”
“…with a new coach, a handful of exciting new players and some promising pre-season results (against the Crusaders and Waratahs) the middle of the table seems within reach for the Reds.”
“The international-filled Hurricanes will be wanting to give their Head Coach the perfect leaving present that is Super 14 silverware.”
“The Crusaders , the most successful team in Super Rugby history, never show any signs of under-performing …”
“It's sad but true that the Cheetahs will be out to avoid finishing among the bottom three for a third successive year.”
“Will the Bulls team of 2010 retain their Super 14 title or will they fall from grace just as they did two years ago…?”
“Australia's most successful Super Rugby franchisethe Brumbies will start the 2010 tournament with lofty ambitions.”
“Keeping injury-free is of paramount importance for the Blues this coming term…”
“Ian Foster's Chiefs arguably became the neutral's choice in 2009 due to their thrilling brand of entertaining rugby.”