Super Rugby: 15 teams, 1 trophy

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Super Rugby: Tournament preview

15 teams, 24 weeks, 125 matches, 3 countries…1 champion. Strap yourselves in, Super Rugby 2012 is upon us!

With this edition of the southern hemisphere’s annual rugby extravaganza set to be even longer than last year’s marathon (!) words like ‘gruelling’ and ‘attrition’ have been rolling off coaches’ tongues from Durban to Dunedin.

And rightly so. The winners could play as many as 21 matches before the trophy is finally raised and with dose of Test rugby thrown into the mix in June, squad depth will be more important than ever.

Many of our readers - especially those from New Zealand and South Africa - are already arguing that the conference system gives Australia’s big teams an advantage. That may well have been true in 2011 since three Aussie teams finished in the bottom four positions, leaving the Reds and Waratahs to duke it out with the big guns at the top of the table.

Whether that will continue to be the case this year remains to be seen. What we’ve learnt over the years is that you can be sure of one thing: Predictions are often futile. Expect the unexpected. The Cheetahs beating the Crusaders yet losing to the Rebels in 2011 was an illustration of just how competitive this tournament is. 2012 should be no different. 

Referees have been instructed to tighten up on the breakdown laws and many coaches have predicted the return of counter rucking. Don’t be surprised to see a plethora of penalties in the early stages, although - as always - open, attacking rugby will be the name of the game.

If you love tries… you have to love Super Rugby!

Click on each the team’s name to read their full 2012 team preview.

The title favourites…

Unsurprisingly, last year’s four semi-finalists are the bookies’ favourites to top the standings. Few expected the Reds to go all the way in 2011 but the brand of rugby they played had most neutrals cheering Ewen McKenzie’s team on. Can they do it again? Even with Quade Cooper set to miss the opening rounds? It’ll be a tough ask. Lest we forget that the Bulls finished 10th the year after their first title. Nevertheless, the Reds will have legitimate ambitions to defend the title.

With quality in every position, massive squad depth and a pedigree second to none, the Crusaders cannot be ignored but the Blues will have an eye on the top the New Zealand conference after being pipped by a single point last year. The Aucklanders have seen some very big names arrive since then and we reckon they could go all the way.

Is this finally the year of the Stormers? After setting the pace for much of last season, the Capetonians folded when it counted most. That missing ‘X’ factor could well be their undoing once again.

The play-off contenders…

Many would suggest that the playing personnel at the Waratahs qualifies them for the above category, but given their conservative style of play and the injuries to some of their best attacking players, bonus points could be few and far between. Opening and closing fixtures against the Reds could decide the Aussie conference.

Champions in three of the past five editions, the Bulls have a winning culture and squad depth that will always make them one of the top teams. But with the core of their title-winning squad either departed or retired, a fourth title seems too much to ask in what will be a rebuilding year.

The Sharks’ track record of doing well but never quite being good enough for the grand prize looks set to continue as the lack of a world-class player in a few key positions could leave them short.

The wild cards…

Any dictionary worth it’s salt should have a picture of the Chiefs next to the definition of ‘unpredictability’. They’ve assembled an awesome back-line, but will their pack come to the party?

The Highlanders got of to a flyer last year before injuries took the wind out of their sails. They’ve added some depth to their resources so signs are positive and Adam Thomson’s crew could upset the applecart.

Expect an improvement this year…

Historically Super Rugby’s worst franchise, the Lions haven’t broken into the top ten in the last eleven years, so they haven’t exactly set the bar very high. But the Currie Cup champions are undeniably on an upward curve. They have a settled squad that has bought into the coaching staff’s vision of how the game should be played, which in many ways resembles the Reds’ positive style. Unlike previous years, there will be no easy points on offer in Jo’burg.

After the worst season in the history of the franchise, the arrival of Jake White at the Brumbies has heralded a new era. They couldn’t possibly be worse than last year and White is just the kind of coach they need to patch up those defensive holes.

Stone last in 2011, the Rebels have been bolstered by the addition of the two most exciting players in Australia. James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale should give the best crowd in Super Rugby something to cheer about.

They’ll struggle…

Squad depth has always been the key ingredient for success in this competition and all three of these teams have a major shortage of resources. While it’s nothing new for the boys from Bloemfontein and Perth, the problem is a new one for the Hurricanes. Coach Mark Hammett has a lot riding of a new crop of youngsters who have some very, very big boots to fill.