Super Rugby Preview: Part 2
Rugby15 previews all 15 teams participating in the 2011 Super Rugby tournament, starting from the bottom of the final 2010 Super 14 log standings.
Part 1: https://www.rugby15.co.za/2011/01/super-rugby-preview-part-1/
Cheetahs
Everybody’s second choice team in South Africa. The Cheetahs are now entering their sixth season of Super Rugby after they were previously combined with the Lions and known as the Cats. In five seasons of Super 14 rugby the Cheetahs have never managed to crack through to the top half of the log with two 10th placed finishes their best effort to date. Every year the Bloemfontein based team shows much promise in the local Currie Cup competition only to fail miserably in the more intense Super Rugby tournament. Probably the most embarrassing statistic of all is the fact that the Cheetahs, in five seasons and 65 matches, have never recorded a win outside of South Africa, making them the worst travellers in Super Rugby history.
Best Log Finish: 10th (2006,2010)
2010 Log Finish: 10th
Home Ground: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein, South Africa (Capacity: 40’000)
Coaches: Naka Drotské(Head), Hawies Fourie(Assistant)
Captain: Juan Smith
Key players: Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Ashley Johnson, Sarel Pretorius, Philip Burger
Sharks
In 2010 the Sharks hit a bit of a speed bump early in the tournament and eventually bounced back well to finish in the Top 10. With a new found confidence the Sharks comprehensively won the 2010 Currie Cup and have now been put down as one of the favourites to win the expanded 2011 Super Rugby tournament. The Sharks have been regular play-off contenders and although they have never won the competition, they have been finalists three times(1996, 2001, 2007). And who can forget the 2007 final when the Bulls snatched victory away from them in the dying seconds.
Best Log Finish: 1st (2007 – Finalist)
2010 Log Finish: 9th
Home Ground: King’s Park, Durban, South Africa (Capacity: 55’000)
Coaches: John Plumtree(Head), Grant Bashford(Assistant)
Captain: John Smit
Key players: Bismarck du Plessis, Willem Alberts, Meyer Bosman, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie,
Hurricanes
The Hurricanes were one of three teams ending the 2010 season on the same amount of log points with only points being the difference between them, the Blues and the Brumbies. In the past eight seasons of Super Rugby the Hurricanes have made the play-offs five times but are yet to lift the prized trophy. The Hurricanes pride themselves on playing physical but yet entertaining running rugby and with the 2011 season focusing more on local derbies it will play right into their hands.
Best Log Finish: 2nd (2006)
2010 Log Finish: 8th
Home Ground: Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand (Capacity: 34’500)
Coaches: Mark Hammett(Head)
Captain: Andrew Hore
Key players: Jason Eaton, Rodney So’oialo, Victor Vito, Ma’a Nonu, Corey Jane
Blues
Another one of New Zealand’s star studded teams and also three times Super Rugby Champions. The Blues won the competition on three earlier occasions(1996, 1997, 2003) but since their last victory in 2003 have struggled to make an appearance in a final again with mixed results in the past five years and only one appearance in the play-offs in 2007 where they lost to the Sharks in Durban. They will be building most of their attack on their dangerous wingers.
Best Log Finish: 1st, Finalist (1996, 1997, 2003)
2010 Log Finish: 7th
Home Ground: Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand (Capacity: 50’000)
Coaches: Pat Lamb(Head), Bryce Woodward, Liam Barry(Assistants)
Captain: Keven Mealamu
Key players: Daniel Braid, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams, Isaia Toeava, Rene Ranger
Brumbies
The Brumbies had mixed results over the last six seasons after they enjoyed an extremely successful period between 2000 and 2004 where they managed to make they play-offs five consecutive years in a row including lifting the trophy two times(2001, 2004). With the addition of the Rebels to the competition and losing a number of key players to other franchises 2011 might just prove a rather difficult year for the team from Canberra if they fail to build momentum early in the season.
Best Log Finish: 1st, Champions (2000, 2001, 2004)
2010 Log Finish: 6th
Home Ground: Canberra Stadium, Canberra, Australia (Capacity: 25’000)
Coaches: Andy Friend(Head), Tony Rea, Stephan Larkham, Justin Harrison(Assistants)
Captain: Stephen Hoiles
Key players: Ben Alexander, Rocky Elsom, Stephen Moore, Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper
Coming soon: Super Rugby Preview: Part 3: Reds, Crusaders, Waratahs, Stormers, Bulls
[james@rugby15.co.za]
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