Each New Zealand team has a big Super 14 question
James Mortimer - (11/02/2010)
This year the New Zealand teams will look to improve on what is the best record of any country in the competition. It has been some time since the kiwi teams have looked so capable and ready, but there are still credible threats coming from their overseas rivals.
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And of course there are Lions, who now have the services of King Carlos.
In Australia, the two times champion Brumbies and two time runners up Waratahs have both been buttressed to the point where they can almost field a full starting XV of Wallabies - each.
But New Zealand teams will look to build on what was a successful year in 2009, with three teams making the top four.
Over history, kiwi sides have won ten of the fourteen titles on offer since the tournaments inception. Three times they have supplied three of the semi-finalists (2009, 2003, 1998), and nine times have had two teams in the final four.
The seven times champions the Crusaders will field a typically strong squad, with their only absence being All Blacks captain Richie McCaw for the first three weeks (essentially his sabbatical).
The only pertinent question would be the now traditional question asked by foes, can they win without McCaw and Dan Carter?
The Crusaders still made the top four last year, without the services of the All Black first five. Their depth is unequalled, with the Canterbury production line world class. While they have lost Stephen Brett, Colin Slade still remains and they have picked up Daniel Bowden in the draft.
Their vintage alone all but confirms their ability as a contender.
But as their opponents may ask or wish for, can the Crusaders keep making semi-finals forever?
Crusaders 2009 fact: Last year was the Crusaders eighth consecutive semi final appearance, and their 11th overall. While the side had the best defensive record of any side last year (and the second best of their history), they had the second worst attacking record of any team in 2009.
The Chiefs, runners up last year, will be under pressure within their own ranks as anything but another top four appearance would be close to a failure. Last year was only the second time they made the top four, one of the worst conversion rates of any side.
A wonderful backline full of star power will do without Mils Muliaina for the first three rounds of competition, and this could make or break their season as the Chiefs are historically slow starters.
The naming of Sione Lauaki as captain could make or break the team early in the season.
The other question is can their pack, solid but lacking the big names of other franchises, give their classy backline the ball they got last year to almost re-write every record they could set.
Can they maintain the sublime heights they reached last year?
Chiefs 2009 fact: Last year was the Chiefs highest ever table finish, their first ever final, their best ever points differential, their best ever defensive season and most wins in a calendar year.
The Hurricanes are due.
As always they field one of the strongest squads in the competition, but they have for many years now, and haven’t been able to have their name etched on that elusive trophy.
Perhaps it is a cunning psychological ploy, but the franchise has already announced Colin Cooper their long serving coach is moving to Taranaki at season’s end. At the very least this could give the Hurricanes mentor a “final statement” unlike he has ever said before to motivate his men.
The other difference could be the signing of Aaron Cruden, the under 20’s World Cup winning captain. The Hurricanes have never really had a genuine world class option at ten despite being laden with All Blacks everywhere else.
But they have consistently fallen at the final hurdle - will they find that missing edge this year to enable them to win that big game at the end of a season?
Hurricanes 2009 fact: Last year was the Canes second best attacking year in their history, and the fifth time in seven years they had reached the top four.
The Blues will also look at their historical pedigree, but of late they have failed the high expectations of a team that has won three championships.
On paper, one cannot help but be excited at the team.
Key All Blacks Keven Mealamu and Ali Williams are both fit and ready for action, and will be part of a pack that could field test players from one to six.
In the backline, one match All Black Alby Mathewson will look to emerge from Piri Weepu’s shadow while Canterbury acquisition Stephen Brett and returning All Black Luke McAlister add depth to a backline that can field any number of stars including four internationals and emerging talent such as Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger and Paul Williams.
But their defence last year lost them matches despite a sparkling attack. Some coaches believe defence is about attitude. Will the Blues have a title winning attitude this year?
Blues 2009 fact: Last year the Blues recorded their second equal worst season ever, and have never conceded as many points in a calendar year. But they did register a competition record 12 bonus points.
Then we come to the Highlanders, for so long the least decorated of all the New Zealand sides, but it wasn’t always like this for the proud Southern based franchise.
In the years of the Super 12, they were a formidable team, making four semi finals (and a final) between 1998 and 2002.
Since then, they have not had some of the star power and overall strength that other teams have wielded. But this year, there is something very capable about their assembled squad.
They have five All Blacks. That is less than any other New Zealand team, but more than the Highlanders have had for some time. Add to this a healthy mix of players from two of last year’s Air New Zealand Cup semi-finalists (Hawke’s Bay and Southland) and one gets the feeling that the Highlanders could surprise this year.
But can they find that sharpness that enables them to strike a killer blow to win a match. The lack of a knockout punch has plagued their fortunes in recent years.
Highlanders 2009 fact: Despite losing nine games, only two of those were by more than eight points, and beat the champions of the last two seasons, the Bulls and the Crusaders.
The opening round of the 2010 Super 14 for New Zealand teams
Friday February 12th, Blues v Hurricanes @ Auckland
Saturday 13 February, Crusaders v Highlanders @ Christchurch
Saturday 13 February, Sharks v Chiefs @ Durban
2010 New Zealand squads
BLUES
Tony Woodcock, John Afoa, Charlie Faumuina, Tevita Mailau, , Keven Mealamu, Tom McCartney, Anthony Boric, Ali Williams, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Peter Saili**, Serge Lilo (D)*, Tom Chamberlain**, Chris Lowrey, Viliame Maafu** +, Alby Mathewson*, Chris Smylie, Stephen Brett (D)*, Daniel Kirkpatrick (D)*, Luke McAlister***, Benson Stanley, Isaia Toeava, George Pisi***, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger, Paul Williams.
CHIEFS
Nathan White***, Ben Afeaki**, James McGougan, Sona Taumalolo, Aled de Malmanche, Hika Elliot, Kevin O'Neill, Craig Clarke, Callum Retallick**, Romana Graham**, Jarrad Hoeata (D)**, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Luke Braid**, Sione Lauaki, Colin Bourke, Brendon Leonard, Junior Poluleuligaga** +, Stephen Donald, Mike Delany, Callum Bruce, Jackson Willison, Richard Kahui, Lelia Masaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dwayne Sweeney, Tim Nanai-Williams**, Mils Muliaina.
HURRICANES
John Schwalger, Jacob Ellison, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Perenise*, Andrew Hore, Dane Coles, Jeremy Thrush, Bryn Evans, James Broadhurst (D)**, Jason Eaton, Michael Paterson*, Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Scott Waldrom, Rodney So'oialo, Nick Crosswell**, Piri Weepu, Tyson Keats (D)**, Aaron Cruden**, Willie Ripia, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Jason Kawau (D), Tamati Ellison, David Smith, Hosea Gear, Andre Taylor**, Cory Jane.
CRUSADERS
Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Peter Borlase**, Corey Flynn, Ti'i Paulo***, Brad Thorn, Isaac Ross, Chris Jack***, Sam Whitelock**, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, George Whitelock, Jonathan Poff, Thomas Waldrom, Andy Ellis, Kahn Fotuali'i, Daniel Carter***, Daniel Bowden (D)*, Ryan Crotty, Tim Bateman, Robert Fruean**, Adam Whitelock, Sean Maitland, Kade Poki, Zac Guildford*, Colin Slade, Jared Payne.
HIGHLANDERS
Jamie Mackintosh, Clint Newland, Chris King, Bronson Murray (D)*, Jason Macdonald, Jason Rutledge, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Joe Tuineau**, Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai, John Hardie**, Tim Boys, Nasi Manu*, Stephen Setephano, Jimmy Cowan, Sean Romans, Matt Berquist (D), Michael Hobbs*, Jayden Hayward, Jason Shoemark (D), Kendrick Lynn, James Paterson**, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Ben Smith, Robbie Robinson**, Israel Dagg.
* New player to a Franchise
** - New player to a Super Rugby squad
*** - Returning player
+ - Pacific Island Player
D - Draft