The 2014 Super Rugby season is just over halfway now and some trends are quite clear now.
The Australian and New Zealand conferences are looking highly competitive at this stage of the season with nothing between all 5 sides in each conference, and all of them right in the mix to win the conference and sneak into the playoffs.
The Anzacs are also looking far superior to the South African conference with 3 of the South African teams propping up the overall table. While Jake White's Sharks are leading the overall table right now, they are yet to tour Australia and New Zealand - and the loss to the Highlanders in Durban will definitely send shockwaves in the Shark tank.
Not really a convincing argument then, for the South Africans picking up a 6th franchise in the next expansion in 2016. The player drain from the South African franchises has definitely hurt and could be a sign of things to come for the Aussie and Kiwi franchises who are set to lose a fair chunk of top Super Rugby players to the rich European clubs now that the recession over there is over.
So, this Super Rugby season is definitely one to savour right now, not just for the tries and great attacking play but also for the unpredictability of results so far.
Here's the Super Rugby XV of the season so far.
1.Ben Daley, Reds
2.Dane Coles, Hurricanes
3.Julian Redelinghuys, Lions
4.Victor Matfield, Bulls
5.Jacques du Plessis, Bulls
6.Matt Hodgson, Western Force
7.Shane Christie, Highlanders
8.Ben Mowen, Brumbies
9.TJ Perenara, Hurricanes
10.Beauden Barrett, Hurricanes
11.Julian Savea, Hurricanes
12.Malakai Fekitoa, Highlanders
13.Alapati Leiua, Hurricanes
14.Nick Cummins, Western Force
15.Israel Folau, Waratahs
Surprise of the season - the Western Force, tipped to be one of the wooden spoon contenders this season with a squad with few internationals and stars, the Force have epitomised all that is good about team sport with some courageous defence and superb tries. Could they finally break their finals duck in their 8th season of inception?
Disappointment of the season - Benji Marshall, ok he didn't get many opportunities and did look alright when he took the field but the most disappointing thing was that he just didn't stick with it. Perhaps the Blues are better off without him now as they looked pretty good against the Waratahs.
Best game of the season - Crusaders v Hurricanes, Christchurch. Absolute barnstormer of a game.
Surely you can't play a loose forward at lock in this team while Matfield who has done well, has only played about half the games this season. Two opensides is a brave move. I think there are too many good Number Sixes who deserve a look in. Fekitoa is predominantly a Number 13 and should only be selected there. Here is my team based on statistics.
ReplyDeleteI also think that SA is lucky to get a sixth team given how poorly the SA sides are touring. Maybe a conference system will help them so they don't have to travel so much.
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2014/04/super-15-rugby-2014-form-xv-team-of.html