Welcome to a new weekly segment from your home for all Rugby. With a new Super Rugby season to begin and with well rested and refreshed players, the best teams in the Southern Hemisphere are readying themselves for the start of a new campaign. The prize on offer–see below. And the outlook for the season start on Thursday is looking great, as Super Rugby Round One will bring fans to their feet once again after a long, long off season.
Super Rugby Round One ‘Forecast’
While forecasting results is as difficult as the reading the weather charts, Last Word On Rugby would like to help fans be prepared for any result. Listing all the sides, fixtures and relevant news that will mean you are well prepared–just like the 18 teams will now be.
Grab your favourite teams shirt, put on your face paint and be ready to shout out loudly….”let’s get ready to Rumble!”
Over the last three weeks, all our team of writers have created team-by-team features, that present the make-up of all 18 teams. Spread through the forecast, are links to those Super Rugby teams.
Round One Fixtures
Across all conferences, teams run out for the opening round in a full schedule of nine matches in week one. Importantly, home advantage could count as a big factor to begin with. So for the Rebels, Highlanders, Reds, Sunwolves, Crusaders, Waratahs, Cheetahs, Kings and Stormers a good first-up match will impress fans and commentators.
The teams have been named for the opening match; the first ever Thursday night match: the Melbourne Rebels v Blues. And the Blues sure look to have a star-studded group; even while missing some players. Jimmy Tupou will captain the side, who must start 2017 like the really believe.
Thursday February 23 – Rebels v Blues, Melbourne
Friday Feb 24 – Highlanders v Chiefs, Dunedin | Reds v Sharks, Brisbane
Saturday Feb 25 – Sunwolves v Hurricanes, Tokyo | Crusaders v Brumbies, Christchurch | Waratahs v Western Force, Sydney | Cheetahs v Lions, Bloemfontein | Southern Kings v Jaguares, Port Elizabeth | Stormers v Bulls, Cape Town.
Some will say that the Sunwolves are giving up quality to the Hurricanes, but that is not entirely true. In this first hit-out, highly motivated ‘Wolves players will want to Rise as One. The same can be said of the Southern Kings, who after many financial issues, will concentrate on the ball, rather than the backroom issues.
That is the key to success. Put all else aside, put your team mates first and the game plan out on the park. The Cheetahs will have to be at their best, to halt the conference winning Lions. And in Australia, the Reds will want to bring a smile to fans faces as they returning to winning ways, under head coach Nick Styles.
Forecasted ‘Match of the Round’
Highlanders v Chiefs: this has all the qualities of a playoff match. Being on hand late in 2016 to witness this same fixture, this reporter can honestly say ‘the roof was nearly blown off Forsyth-Barr Stadium‘. The local derby is of the highest quality, many will say that at one of the finest stadiums, each team has the chance to get off on the right foot.
#AnotherAngle: Is this the greatest try celebration of the 2016 #SuperRugby season? #HIGvCHI pic.twitter.com/dXQwaqRX25
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) July 18, 2016
For the Chiefs, it has been said that the ‘Landers are a bogey team. Dave Rennie won’t believe that, and nor will his men. Records are meant to be broken, and with Aaron Cruden and Anton Lienert-Brown running the lines, and Liam Messam organizing his troops–they will be highly motivated.
For the hosts, some only need to mention four words….Aaron and Ben Smith. But this Highlanders side are more than that. Elliot Dixon can match Messam (and has speed to burn). Lima Sopoaga and Matt Faddes are each world-class, so it is a match where the ‘big stars’ cancel each other out.
What to expect?
Expect a hero like James Lentjies or a Tim Nanai-Williams [for the Chiefs] to be the difference-maker. Players will want to put into practice their months of preparations, and in a real game scenario, smart decisions must be made–that includes discipline. The result could hinge on a referees interpretation, but an individual moment might just sway this result.
LWOR Forecast: a heavy wind will blow through Dunedin, as the Chiefs avenge last seasons losses. Expect a huge contest, possibly with less than three tries scored in total.
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Who to Watch in Round One: Jordie Barrett
Because he has the pedigree and is inspired by his three older brothers. A common trait in New Zealand rugby, where the younger brother wants to emulate his older sibling. Think the Savea brothers, Whetton’s, Going or Clark men.
Read more about Jordie Barrett here.
Others will also put their hands up, so watch for a feature each week on a ‘player to watch’ as the 2017 Super Rugby shows new talent from the Southern Hemisphere.
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Introducing Your LWOR Forecast Team
Department head – Ryan Jordan
Our senior manager, Ryan offers full coverage of the two African conferences. Located in South Africa, Ryan will offer his in-depth weekly wrap of all the results from the continent, so expect plenty of reports from the local derby matches.
Toyota Cheetahs Super Rugby Prospects – https://t.co/N9aSrmz48G pic.twitter.com/XbG9mdZKOz
— LWOS Sport South (@LWOSSouth) February 20, 2017
Mike Pulman – based in Hamilton, Mike is developing a reputation for insightful reporting and with his access from New Zealand Rugby, he will bring regular interviews with Chiefs players and match analysis across all conferences.
Chris Duffy – a senior staff member with Last Word On Sports, Chris offers a unique view out of Melbourne. The ex-pat Englishman doubles as a coach, so has a hands on appreciation of the game. His accreditation with the Rebels will see Chris cover most visiting teams, so look for great match analysis and match ‘forecasts’.
Scott Hornell – building a strong background in reporting, the senior editor for the Rugby department, Scott has covered Super Rugby for the last two years and hopes to ensure that LWOR conveys the quality competition, the outcome and riveting week-to-week Super Rugby season.
The ‘Forecast’ will also utilize the resources of SANZAAR and statistics provided by OPTA Sports.
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This Week In Rugby History
1996
The citing of players for incidents of foul play was formally accepted by SANZAR for subsequent introduction in Super 12 matches
1974
Ireland hooker Ken Kennedy was pictured in a number of tabloids, not necessarily for his good looks but because it emerged he was dating Shelley Latham who he was pictured with. Latham was Miss South Africa who he had met at the Miss World contest the previous year. Although the pair later got engaged they did not marry
2008
The Crusaders exacted revenge for their Super 14 semi-final defeat the previous season with a 54-19 thumping of the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria
1913
A first-half hat-trick of tries by wing William Stewart launched Scotland on their way to a 29-14 Five Nations win in a fast, open game against Ireland at Inverleith in Edinburgh. [Editors note: this result was worthy of a bonus point!]
2001
David Walder’s try in the last move of the match gave Newcastle a 30-27 win in the Tetley’s Bitter Cup final in front of 71,000 at Twickenham
1951
France won at Twickenham for the first time, Jean Prat scoring eight points in an 11-3 victory
1954
New Zealand lost on French soil for the first time, succumbing 11-8 to a South-West Selection at Bordeaux, in front of 15,000 spectators.
The ‘Week in Rugby History’ is sourced from the ESPN UK ‘on this day’ webpage.
#rugbyunited fans, check out @espnscrum rugby history link C:Usersscott.hornellDesktopRugby Union On This Day calendar ESPN Scrum.html
— #RugbyNewZealand (@RugbyNZ_) February 21, 2017
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So, after an extended off-season, the fans (and your Forecast team) can finally begin to get excited about the rugby season. 17 rounds, eight countries, 25 different stadiums–this will be another huge Super Rugby season.
Look out for all the results, standings and analysis, every week here with your Super Rugby Forecast.
“Main photo credit”
