Preview: S15 Round One, Part One
The final year of a 15-team Super Rugby competition will get underway when the seven-time champion Crusaders host the Rebels in Christchurch on Friday.
And they are teams at the opposite end of the Super Rugby landscape – the Rebels having propped up the table last year and with a best-ever finish of 12th; the Crusaders having a record seven titles to their credit and finishing second in 2014.
After the trans-Tasman opener to the season, we have the first all-Australian derby – the to-time champion Brumbies hosting the Reds, who can also lay claim to a Super Rugby title.
The opening day of the season completes with two of the most exciting teams and a promise of a try-feast, when the Lions host the Hurricanes in Johannesburg.
We look at all Friday's matches!
Friday, February 13
Crusaders v Rebels
(AMI Stadium, Christchurch – Kick-off: 19.35; 06.35 GMT; 21.35 AEDT)
The Rebels had an impressive pre-season, with two good wins – a solid 28-13 victory over the Reds in Cairns and a 25-24 come-from-behind victory over the Highlanders in Melbourne.
In contrast the Crusaders lost all three warm-up games – 26-29 against a very willing Highlanders, the Hurricanes winning 41-31 and the reds thumping them 35-12 at Ballymore.
However, the Crusaders' mantra now – given their well-documented slow starts to the season – is that it is best they get the losing streak out the way first up and then click into gear in the season proper.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said there is something special about this season.
"With it being our 20th Crusade and a World Cup year, there is a real buzz within the team at the moment," Blackadder said.
"They are fired up for this season and ready to get it started."
History suggests the Crusaders will not have it their own way.
"The Rebels have always been a tough challenge for us, so we know we're going to have a real battle on Friday," the coach said.
"It should be a good spectacle and a great way to kick this season off."
The return of All Black captain Richie McCaw, albeit as a blindside flank, is certain to add spice to the occasion and hand the Crusaders that calming influence they will surely need against a team know for its frenzied approach to the game.
Forwards coach Dave Hewett welcomed the injection of McCaw, after a tepid effort by the pack in the loss to the Reds.
"I was a bit disappointed with the set piece," Hewitt said, adding: "The accuracy of what we did wasn't to the level that we needed to be at."
Previous results:
2014: Crusaders won 25-19, Melbourne
2013: Crusaders won 30-26, Christchurch
2012: Rebels won 28-19, Melbourne
Prediction: The Crusaders boast an 86 percent win rate when playing Australia representatives at home. The three meetings between these sides have all been tight affairs, with each having a single figure final margin. The Crusaders are unbeaten in 23 home games against Australia opposition, winning 22 and drawn one. Their last home defeat by a trans-Tasman rival was in February 2004 (19-43 against Waratahs). The Melbourne-based side has also lost on all eight visits to New Zealand since their inclusion to the competition in 2011. The Rebels have won their opening fixtures of the season in each of the last two years. In contrast, the Crusaders lost their opening games in 2013 and 2014. History makes for interesting reading, but it is the quality of the players that matter most and that is where the Crusaders have a clear edge – which should see them win by about 10 points.
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Robbie Fruean, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Richie McCaw, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Wyatt Crockett, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Ryan Crotty, 23 Nathaniel Apa.
Rebels: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 Colby Fainga'a, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Cruze Ah-Nau, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Scott Fuglistaller, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Sefanaia Naivalu.
Referee: Briant Nick (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Shane McDermott (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
Brumbies v Reds
(GIO Stadium, Canberra – Kick-off: 19.40; 08.40 GMT)
Australian derbies are notoriously tedious affairs – not because of a lack of effort or skill, but because teams are so determined to upstage each other that it inevitable turn into an arm wrestle.
Add to that the Brumbies' propensity to kick the leather off the ball – a legacy of Jake White's two years in Canberra – and you would expect another snorefest.
However, there are a couple of individuals that will make this match worth watching.
Firstly there is Karmichael Hunt, who will start at flyhalf for the Reds.
The code-hopper is a skilful player, but even Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham felt he may need time to adjust to the intricacies of Rugby Union.
Of course the return of Wallaby stalwart David Pocock, who is also the Brumbies' stand-in captain, will ensure the breakdown is entertaining.
Having had last weekend off – following two trial matches against the Western Force and Highlanders over the previous two weekends – the Brumbies will be fresh.
In contrast the Reds will enter the first round full of confidence having beaten the Crusaders in Cairns last Friday – after the Reds produced an explosive first half in which they scored four converted tries.
While conditions promise to be testing in Canberra, Reds coach Richard Graham said his side always looked forward to the traditional derby.
"We have begun the last four or five seasons down in Canberra,"Graham said.
"It has become a traditional fixture and all are comparable in nature – forward orientated, physical, strong field position games with close results.
"We have prepared for a similar contest and looking at the expected weather conditions may not be disappointed.
"We are very much looking forward to the start of Super Rugby. I've thrown a lot of change and challenges at the collective squad and the response has been fantastic.
"They have all contributed to a strong pre-season, the trials provided us with a clear reference of where we are at and now we move into the competition phase."
Recent results:
2014: Brumbies won 23-20, Brisbane
2014: Reds won 27-17, Canberra
2013: Brumbies and Reds drew 19-19, Brisbane
2013: Brumbies won 24-6, Canberra
2012: Reds won 13-12, Canberra
2012: Reds won 20-13, Brisbane
Prediction: The Reds have won just one of their last four games against the Brumbies, losing two and drawing the other. At home the Canberra side has won its last eight games. However, their last defeat at home was against the Reds. The ACT-based franchise has won 11 of their last 13 at home against fellow Australian teams – the two exceptions having both been defeats to the Reds. The Reds have lost just three of their last 10 away home nation derbies, winning six an drawn one. These sides have met on the opening weekend of the season on four occasions, with the Brumbies triumphant in each of these games. The Reds have had an impressive pre-season, but if you look at their teamsheet you are not really inspired – some great individuals, but also a few weak links and a lack of depth. The Brumbies have one of Australia's most inspirations players, David Pocock, in their line-up and should win – by less than 10 points.
Teams:
Brumbies: 15 Robbie Coleman, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 David Pocock (captain), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Ita Vaea, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Lausii Taliauli.
Reds: 15 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Karmichael Hunt, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Curtis Browning, 5 Marco Kotze, 4 James Horwill, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Sef Faagase, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Duncan Paia'aua, 23 Campbell Magnay.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)
TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)
Lions v Hurricanes
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 19.10; 17.10 GMT; 06.10 Saturday, February 14 NZ time)
The Hurricanes, with a preference to get their South African tour out the way first up, will meet a far more settled Lions team than the one that made its return to Super Rugby last year.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann have been able to name a settled starting XV for his side's opening Super Rugby match in Johannesburg on Friday.
The Ellis Park clash is the first of two games in South Africa for the Hurricanes – who also meet the Bulls in Pretoria next week.
They will be without two key All Blacks – lock Jeremy Thrush (calf injury) and centre Ma'a Nonu (paternity leave).
However, it is more the quality of the Lions team than the absence of some of their own stars that pose the biggest threat.
The Lions' starting XV closely mirror the team which featured in last year's Currie Cup Final – with only two changes.
"It is nice to have that core and that balance going into a second Super Rugby campaign," told a media briefing.
"There was stiff competition in quite a few of the positions and it was tough to select the 23."
Ackermann's resources at loose forward, hooker and flyhalf is more than just satisfactory and even with a couple of injuries in the front row his team's set pieces should again be a powerful weapon.
Last year the Lions' strengths were centred around those set pieces.
Statistically their 91 percent scrum success was the best in Super Rugby, and the 206 line-outs they won was the third best of the competition.
Their No.8 and captain Warren Whitely earned a Springbok call-up.
Marnitz Boshoff, another Bok vintage from 2014, kicked goals at 87 percent, including several whoppers from 50 metres plus – while he also slotted eight drop-goals.
His match-up with Beauden Barrett in this season opener could be a telling factor.
Barrett starts this season with 594 career Super Rugby points, closing in on becoming the 17th player to pass 600 career points.
If Boshoff has an off day, as he did in the Currie Cup Final the Lions can call on another Bok flyhalf – 2012 vintage Elton Jantjies, who will be playing off the bench. Jantjies is back from his stint with Japanese club Shining Arcs, after missing the Currie Cup season.
Lions captain Warren Whiteley said they could build on the momentum gained in last year's Currie Cup, and the entire squad had grown in experience.
"We've been together long enough now, we've all been through a Super Rugby campaign," Whiteley said.
"Our biggest challenge will be mentally this year and to just keep our feet on the ground.
"We know the threat the Hurricanes pose, they are a fantastic side with dangerous players all over the park."
Recent results:
2012: Hurricanes won 30-28, Johannesburg
2011: Hurricanes won 38-27, Wellington
2010: Hurricanes won 33-18, Wellington
2009: Hurricanes won 38-32, Johannesburg
2008: Hurricanes won 38-12, Wellington
2007: Lions won 30-7, Johannesburg
Prediction: The Hurricanes have won five straight against the Lions and their all-time record against them away from home reads positively – won four, lost three. The Lions ended 2014 with three straight victories, a feat they hadn't managed since winning four in a row in the early part of the 2007 season. The Lions have lost seven of their last eight home games against New Zealand opposition. The Canes have lost five of their last seven games in South Africa, as well as nine of their last 12. The Lions have won their last two opening weekend fixtures (2012 and 2014) in Super Rugby, but lost the two previous to that (2010 and 2011), won the two prior to that (2008 & 2009) and lost the two before that (2004 & 2007). The Hurricanes lost their opening fixture of the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons. The Lions had the best discipline in the league last season, conceding just 9.6 penalties per game. The South African side also boasted the best scrummaging unit in Super Rugby, winning 91 percent of scrums on their own feed. If the Lions can remain as disciplined as last year, especially on defence, and their set pieces function at optimal level, they should sneak a win – by less than 10 points.
Teams:
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Warwick Tecklenburg, 21 Francois de Klerk, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Nicolaas Hanekom
Hurricanes: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Rey Le-Lo, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Mark Abbott, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dan Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Reggie Goodes, 18 Chris Eves, 19 Callum Gibbins, 20 Victor Vito, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 James Marshall, 23 Matt Proctor.
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), Lesego Legoete (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
