Those of us for whom Rugby is a religion know that the real Christmas Day is in fact the 2nd Friday in February.
No, I am not trying to convince you that Jesus was in fact born in February. We all know that he was but a man, a mere mortal who walked the earth (I have read the New New Testament ie The Da Vinci Code) – whereas the start of a Super Rugby Season, well that transcends all human being. It is a point in time where every team starts with a clean slate, and every team has an opportunity, though some greater than others, to vie for the title of the greatest provincial side in the world. It is also the time when pundits across the world start with a likewise clean slate in tipping competitions, fantasy leagues and even with bold predictions of the “next big thing”
And so, like so many rugby tragics across the world, I began crossing days off my calendar when the 2007 Rugby Season officially ended on Saturday 6th October – the day the music died. The less said about that awful day the better, but if it showed us anything it was coffee club coaching doesn’t work and that successful teams have hands on coaches, but enough about that…for now. So like an eager kid who had been good all year (or pretended to…) I have been awaiting the big day – crossing off days, scouring web sites for the scant dribble of rugby news that comes in over Dec / Jan, meticulously honing my Test Rugby side and generally jamming in as much quality time with the missus so I am free to spend as much time watching and attending rugby as possible, as well as the compulsory post-game dissections, which generally take place in dark bars for up to 10 hours after the game. I have even attended trial games, and anyone that knows this punter will know my distaste for the worth of trial games and hence my desperation to see quality rugby (though that might have something to do with the Tahs going undefeated through trials and the Mighty Reds going through winless)…and here it is – rugby at its finest…
But enough nostalgia – to the tips, teams and sensations for 2008…
Rather than an illustrious ramblings that my fellow blogger seems to think necessary I will keep each team to 3 simple points that will define their season…it seems some of us can get to the point much easier than others…that’s the long term effect of Uncle Charlie for all you kids out there…
The Top 4
Sharks
- Strong, almost unchanged team
- Best scrum half in the world
- Michalak on his day can change games – what a signing
Crusaders
- Strong team that seems to have a continual flow of emerging talent, filling the gaps that sporadically appear
- Best coach in the world
- I’m going to hate watching the first and second fly half combination – but only cause they are not Australian
Reds
- Berrick Barnes is the Saviour of Australian rugby…that is gospel
- The tight five (minus Van) with another years experience under their belt
- Their depth is as shallow as Paris Hilton, two major injuries and its curtains…how can you go from Godzilla to the Slob (aka Ben Coutts – tuck your shirt in jerk!!!)
- Digby Ioane to be a try scoring sensation – top try scorer of the S14 (I get 4 points for the Reds)
Blues
- The recruitment of Nick Evans, a real fly half (Carlos Spencer should have been pumping gas all his life) is a massive bonus
- An equally big bonus is the slick heals of Dave Smith
- A solid formidable forward pack which a good mix of age, experience and youth
Mid Table
Bulls
- Good, but not as good as last year
- They will miss Matfield for the first half of the season and I think he will come back a little tired
- They only really won last year because of some huge last minute escapes...
Hurricanes
- Their offloading ability must surely be rewarded with the ELVs
- They have great loose forwards
- They have great loose forwards (that’s not a misprint, there isn’t much more to say)
Force
- I actually though they were coming along well until Henjak-gate
- I still cannot get excited about their forward pack, all they seem to aim to do is create a holding pattern and throw the ball to Gits
- Surely the number of traitors in the team point to an absence of real heart
Waratahs
- Every year I read how the Tahs are going to be a force in the finals and every year they finish out of the medals – stupid Sydney media
- Kurtley Beale is currently one of the most over-hyped players in the game…not mature enough to control a game
- They have the two worst props in the world
Chiefs
- The Tahs of NZ rugby – for so long have promised so much and delivered so little
- The loss of Marty Holah will impact more than most appreciate
- Stephen Donald – would have been the perfect Northern Hemisphere flyhalf, which isn’t a bad thing, but it doesn’t work in the S14
Stormers
- Not a great team, but with Rassie Erasmus coaching will be certain to perform well in the Republic
Cellar Dwellars
Brumbies
- Lost too many players
- Laurie Fisher is a muppet
- Watch Saia Faingaa to produce a massive season
Highlanders
- Lost even more players than the Brumbies and they weren’t as good to start with
Cheetahs
- Lost a lot of good players and were on the way down at the end of last season
Lions
- They were hopeless with Pretorius…without him?
And that’s about it, except to say that its only just begun…
The next 9 months will be an intense, tortuous journey through the thoughts, actions and inevitably twisted journies of two rugby tragics…things will get very very messy indeed, it will go from Super 14 articles of journalistic integrity to pure gonzo drunken ramblings from Under 10 suburban rugby games…be ready for anything – its all about Fear and Loathing on the Rugby Trail ‘08 baby
Buy the ticket - take the ride...
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