Super 15 Rugby 2012 Preview – New Zealand Conference

With the Super 15 Rugby 2012 season getting underway next week, we continue our preview with the New Zealand Conference. This conference has produced a winner 3 out of the last 7 Super Rugby seasons, however no winners have come from here for the last 3 seasons.

The Crusaders generally dominate this conference. This is backed up by the fact that the Crusaders have taken part in the final 10 out of the 16 seasons the Super Rugby format has been around. They have 7 titles to their name and they will once again be up there in the 2012 Super 15 Rugby season.

Below, we preview each of the 5 teams from the New Zealand Conference in the Super 15 Rugby competition. Check out our predictions, odds for each team and the make-up of each of the teams playing squads for the 2012 season.

Blues – Super 15 Rugby 2012 Preview

Last season the Blues made it to the Semi Finals of the Super Rugby competition for the first time since 2007. They will obviously want to go one better this year, whether they can continue to improve is the biggest question mark. The Blues are one of the most successful sides in Super Rugby history, winning the competition 3 times and making the finals on numerous occasions.

This season, the Blues have not really set the world on fire with their recruitment, instead focussing on the playing group that got them to the finals last year. Notable losses for 2012 include Winston Stanley and James King who have moved to the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels respectively.

I think the Blues will have another good season but I can’t see them making it one step further this yea., They will easily make the top 6 but a spot in the grand final is probaly still beyond them.

Prediction: 4th

Odds:
Winners – $5.50
Make Top 6 – $1.33

Blues Squad:

Alby Mathewson. Ali Williams. Angus Ta’avao. Anthony Boric. Benson Stanley. Brad Mika. Charlie Faumuina. Chris Lowrey. Daniel Braid. David Raikuna. Filo Paulo. Gareth Anscombe. George Moala. Isaia Toeava. Jerome Kaino. Keven Mealamu. Lachie Munro. Liaki Moli. Luke Braid. Ma’a Nonu. Michael Hobbs,. Pauliasi Manu. Peter Saili. Piri Weepu. Rene Ranger. Sherwin Stowers. Tevita Mailau. Tom McCartney. Tony Woodcock.

Chiefs – Super 15 Rugby 2012 Preview

Last season the Chiefs weren’t able to back up their first foray into the Super Rugby finals in 2010, finishing a disappointing 10th. The Chiefs have never won the Super Rugby title and will feel that 2010 was their best chance, thrashed in the finals by the Bulls from Pretoria. That seemed to have an effect on them as their 2011 season never hit those same heights.

This season, the Chiefs have secured high profile the signing of Sonny Bill Williams from the Crusaders. This should provide a massive boost to their side, and their profile at the same time. The most notable our for the Chiefs is that of Tana Umaga, who chose to retire at the end of the 2011 season.

I think the Chiefs might battle back into contention for the top 6 this year, Sonny Bill Williams will provide the firepower they were lacking last year. It will be touch and go as to whether they finish in that top 6, but I think they will just get there.

Prediction: 6th

Odds:
Winners – $14.00
Make Top 6 – $2.00

Chiefs Squad:

Aaron Cruden. Alex Bradley. Andrew Horrell. Aseli Tikoirototuma. Ben Afeaki. Ben Tameifuna. Brendon Leonard. Brodie Retallick. Craig Clarke. Declan O’Donnell. Fritz Lee. Hika Elliot. Jackson Willison. Kane Thompson. Lelia Masaga. Liam Messam. Mahonri Schwalger. Maritino Nemani. Mike Fitzgerald. Richard Kahui. Robbie Robinson. Romana Graham. Sam Cane. Scott Waldrom. Shane Cleaver. Sona Taumalolo. Sonny Bill Williams. Tanerau Latimer. Tawera Kerr-Barlow. Tim Nanai-Williams. Toby Smith.

Crusaders – Super 15 Rugby 2012 Preview

The Crusaders went close again last year with only the Queensland Reds in their way to an 8th Super Rugby title. It wasn’t to be for the team that were fighting for the title on behalf of everyone in Christchurch following last years devastating earthquakes. This season they will be looking to go one better and who would bet against the most successful side in the history of the Super Rugby competition.

The Crusaders lost Sonny Bill Williams to the Chiefs this season, most probably because they wanted him to stay for more than one season. Sonny Bill obviously had his head turned by a possible return to the NRL in 2013 and only a 1 year deal was going to secure him for 2012. In 2012 the most notable signing for the Crusaders is All Black Tom Donnelly from the Highlanders.

The Crusaders will be hard to beat again in 2012. Any side with Richie McCaw and Dan Carter is going to be right up there and I think they will secure their 8th title this year.

Prediction: 1st

Odds:
Winners – $4.50
Make Top 6 – $1.25

Crusaders Squad:

Adam Whitelock. Andrew Ellis. Ben Franks. Ben Funnell. Corey Flynn. Dan Carter. George Whitelock. Israel Dagg. Joe Wheeler. Kieran Read. Luke Romano. Luke Whitelock. Matt Todd. Nick Barrett. Owen Franks. Patrick Osborne. Quentin MacDonald. Richie McCaw. Robbie Fruean. Ross Kennedy. Ryan Crotty. Sam Whitelock. Sean Maitland. Tom Donnelly. Tom Marshall. Tom Taylor. Tyler Bleyendaal. Willi Heinz. Wyatt Crockett. Zac Guildford.

Highlanders – Super 15 Rugby 2012 Preview

The Highlanders finished  8th in the 2012 Super 15 Rugby season, their best position since they finished 8th in 2005. They have not made the finals since 2002 and are yet to win a Super Rugby title, their closest a 2nd place finish to the Crusaders in 1999.

This season, the Highlanders have recruited some experience in. They snatched both Hosea Gear and Andrew Hore from the Hurricanes to bolster their wing and hooking stocks respectively. However, they also lost Tim Donnelly to the Crusaders this season and Robbie Robinson to the Chiefs.

I can’t really see the Highlanders producing a year like they did last season again in 2012. I think they will be lucky to get anywhere near the top 6 with the sides around them strengthening in more areas. I see a bottom 5 finish here for the Highlanders, going back to their form of 2008-2010.

Prediction: 11th

Odds:
Winners – $23.00
Make Top 6 – $2.75

Highlanders Squad:

Aaron Smith. Adam Thomson. Andrew Hore. Ben Smith. Bronson Murray. Chris King. Chris Noakes. Colin Slade. Culum Retallick. Doug Tietjens. Elliot Dixon. Hosea Gear. James Haskell. Jamie Mackintosh. Jarrad Hoeata. Jason Rutledge. Jimmy Cowan. John Hardie. Josh Bekhuis. Kade Poki. Kendrick Lynn. Kurt Baker. Lima Sopoaga. Ma’afu Fia. Nasi Manu. Nick Crosswell. Shaun Treeby. Siale Piutau. Tamati Ellison. Telusa Veainu.

Hurricanes – Super 15 Rugby 2012 Preview

The 2011 season was one for the Hurricanes to forget, finishing 9th overall and 4th in the New Zealand conference. Considering the Hurricanes had not finished any worse than 5th going back to 2002, 2010 and 2011 will no doubt like to be forgotten about.

In the off season, the Hurricanes lost experience in the form of hooker Andrew Hore and winger Hosea Gear to the Highlanders. Their most notable gain being Ben May from the Chiefs, Chris Smylie from the Blues and David Hall from the Crusaders. They have started somewhat of a downward spiral and it’s hard to see them getting out of it this season.

To be honest, I can’t see the Hurricanes finishing above any of the other sides from the New Zealand conference, they will have a fight on their hands to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon in my opinion.

Prediction: 12th

Odds:
Winners – $26.00
Make Top 6 - $3.50

Hurricanes Squad:

Alapati Leiua. Andre Taylor. Beauden Barrett. Ben May. Brad Shields. Charlie Ngatai. Chris Eaton. Chris Smylie. Conrad Smith. Cory Jane. Dane Coles. Daniel Kirkpatrick. David Hall. Faifili Levave. Jack Lam. James Broadhurst. Jason Eaton. Jayden Hayward. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen. Jeremy Thrush. Julian Savea. Karl Lowe. Mark Reddish. Michael Bent. Motu Matu’u. Reggie Goodes. Richard Buckman. Tim Bateman. TJ Perenara. Tristan Moran. Tusi Pisi. Victor Vito.