Well, let the banter begin!

[Nathan]

So who's going to win the Super 12 then? I've already had my 2c worth in my article, but I'll say it again just to get the ball rolling.
Crusaders will probably win, but that's a boring response - a bit like predicting Australia to beat England at cricket. I'd like to see a team win that's never won before; maybe someone like the Highlanders. From an All Blacks perspective we should all be cheering on Canterbury since they've got most of the All Blacks, although I very muc doubt that'll be the case!!!
I also like the Reds chances, I don't think the Blues or Waratahs will go quite as well as people seem to be expecting. After seeing the Canes pre-season form (beat the Blues, lost to the Highlanders and pipped by the Chiefs) I must say I'm somewhat encouraged. If ever we're going to beat those Crusaders it'll be in a flukish shock upset in round 1 before they've got their momentum going.
And the Boers? Well. The Cats might put up some show but really they might not win a game in Australia or New Zealand the whole tournament. Almost happened last year - only 1 game won in the region between all 4 teams.
Wide open race for mine.


BTW, nice new forum system Jules!
-Nathan

[jules]

Hey Nath, glad you like the new board. No doubt we will have a few teething problems but in general it's a massive step forward.

Anyway, the Chch Press published a big Super12 supplement today and this is the rankings that they pick the teams will finish (not strict order but more general placings):

1st - Crusaders
2nd - Brumbies
Top 4 - Blues
Top 4 - Highlanders
Close to top 4 - Cats
5th - Hurricanes
Mid-table - Waratahs
Mid-table - Reds
Mid-table - Chiefs
Mid-table - Sharks
Bottom 4 - Stormers
Last - Bulls

In general I tend to agree, although I am more hopeful than expectant that the Crusaders will do it again. I also expect the Reds and Waratahs to be in the Semi-final hunt too, the Brumbies to possibly falter a bit this season and the Cats to be pretty damn tough, esp. at home.

In any case it will be all on come Friday night, woo hoo!!  

Jules

[Laney]

who will win the super 12? i'll tell you in may.

i'll tell you who it won't be though: it won't be any SA side, it won't be the warratahs and it won't be the chiefs or the hurricanes.

the crusaders might be favourites, but its a tough competition... theres usually little difference between 4th and 10th. lose a couple early and any team can end up in that zone.

i watched the sharks play the stormers last week. i know its only a pre-season game, but if anyone is going to take the wooden spoon from the bulls, the sharks are that team.

[Silverfern]

Greetings all,

Nice board. Heres my 'end-of-the-season' ladder.

Crusaders
Highlanders
Cats
Reds
Hurricanes
Waratah s
Brumbies
Stormers
Chiefs
Blues
Sharks
Bulls

I haven't taken into account that dodgy bonus point rule, and I know it will make a huge difference but until we see them going around it's hard enough to pick winners.

Ive got the Brumbies not winning a game until round four against the stormers at home, the Tahs to win all of their home games except against the Crusaders in round seven. I  gave them one out of two in SA but have given them nothing in NZ as they play only the Highlanders and Hurricanes (neither of which is a gimme).

The Red I gave 6 wins, 5 home games and one of the 3 NZ games (Chiefs or Blues not Canterbury) and one of their SA games (Bulls or Stormers).

As I say, the bonus point system will make quite a difference but for the moment this is it.