The Bulls would have to be the bookies favourites going into the 2010 Super 14. After winning the 2009 competition, as well as South Africa’s domestic competition, the Absa Currie Cup, the Bulls look to be riding the crest of their success into this year.

They have within their ranks, possibly, the greatest player depth out of any of the other union contending for the title. Not only that, but they also have, at their disposal, thousands of rugby crazy fans, whose blood runs blue, to pack out their fortress of altitude, Loftus, week in and week out.

The Bulls may have lost the services of Bryan Habana to the Stormers, but rising star, Gerhard van den Heever is no slouch on the park. He is just one of numerous “young guns” within the Bulls ranks, that coupled with the mentoring of experienced players like Fourie du Preez and captain, Victor Matfield , is a recipe for success

Players to watch: Read More >>

The Chiefs managed to surprise everyone last year when they made it to the Super 14 finals, only to get thumped by a rampaging Bulls team, after finishing in a crummy 7th place in 2008. The Chiefs, not short of talent or experience have been Super 14 underachievers for years, but after finishing in 2nd place overall, one might think that they have turned a corner, and things might be looking up for them.

The biggest question regarding the Chiefs is whether or not they can deliver the same kind of performances, and build on the success of last year. I personally think they can. Their tight five madea tremendous improvement from previous years, with hooker, Aled de Malmanche being one of the standouts in last years competition. Their loose forwards, in Sione Lauaki, Liam Messam and Tanerau Latimer are all brilliant players and fringe All Blacks.

They aren’t short in the backlineeither, with some of the quickest anddeadliest attackers in the competition, with the likes of Mills Muliaina, Lelia Masaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Stephan Donald, Mike Delany and Brendon Leonard all being All Blacks. Expect more good things from the Chiefs this year.

Players to watch: Read More >>

Going into the competition, the Hurricanes where heavy favourites to win the 2009 Super 14. They have placed consistently well in the log since 2005, bar 2007, where they finished 8th overall, but have in recent years picked up the label of “always the bridesmaid, never the bride”, due to their habit of getting close, but losing the big games.

They have featured in the semifinals 6 times, and only progressed to the final once, where they lost out to the Crusaders in 2006, in a game that was heavily effected by blankets of fog, to the extent that it could hardly be seen on television.

The Hurricanes enjoy the services of a whole host of All Blacks, including the likes of, midfield pair, Ma’a Nonu ndConrad Smith, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Rodney So’oialo, Piri Weepu, and speedster, Hosea Gear and Cory Jane, to name a few. Adding to these big names will be exciting All Black u20 star, Aaron Cruden, who will be looking to make things count this year, and use his chances to stake a claim on the #10 jumper.

Players to watch: Read More >>

Answer from Tuesday trivia #36: Tim Horan, who as you all know by now, was part of the International Legends team at this year’s highly successful Cape Town Tens tournament.

Congrats to our competition winners, and thanks for the continued support!

Q: In which year, and against who, did Andre Joubert make his test debut?

The following VC wrap from Howie Kahn: FNB Maties remained in first place on the Varsity Cup log after yet another exciting Monday night packed full of action. With UJ, Shimlas and UCT all making their presence felt at the top of the standings at the completion of Round Two.

The back-to-back champions smashed the TUT Vikings by 62-0 in Stellenbosch, in the last game of round 2, on Monday, but all the action beforehand produced the real news in this round of the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International.

In Cape Town, UCT showed they will once again be strong semifinal contenders in the Varsity Cup when they did well to out-scrap last year’s losing finalists, NWU-Pukke, at the Green Mile. The Ikeys recorded an 18-11 win, scoring two tries to one after trailing the visitors, who had the wind at their backs, 5-6 at half-time. UCT’s tries were scored by centre, Marcel Brache and hooker, Dayne Jans. With the former also slotting a superb long-range penalty in the second half to keep his side’s noses in front at a very crucial stage of the match. Pukke skipper, Dirco Rautenbach rumbled over for his team’s customary rolling maul score, but the Men from Potchefstroom were unable to deal with the tough-tackling Ikeys who played the conditions at their home ground a lot better.

Shimlas, who drew 30-30 with UCT last Monday, picked up their first win of the 2010 season when they smashed the NMMU Madibas 54-5 in Bloemfontein. In the process, No.8 Boom Prinsloo, became the second man this season to score four tries in one match, joining Maties inside centre Dabeon Draghoender, who, ironically, did the same last week against the same NMMU team. Prinsloo also set up a number of his team’s other tries and was named as the official Varsity Cup Man of the Match, following in the footsteps of teammate PW van Niekerk who wore the cancer awareness pink shorts against NMMU. Read More >>

The Crusaders have dominated Super Rugby over the years, but only managed to sneak into the knockout stages above the Waratahs on points difference. Always a massive threat, be it at homeor away, the Crusaders remain one of the biggest games on any teams roster. That being said, I do however think tat it is safe to say that the whole stigma surrounding them as “invincible” has eroded away.

The Crusaders will, this season, want to try and reclaim their place at the top of the Super Rugby food chain, and let the rugby supporting fraternity know that they are still the kings of the Southern Hemisphere competition. Whether they will manage to do this remains to be seen, as the Super 14 becomes more and more evenly contested each year. With the top eight or ten teams all having a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stages, and what happens in the semis is anyone’s guess.

The Crusaders will still, and probably always, be one of the favourites going into the competition. With All Black supestars like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter running the show, it creates a solid foundation for success. That, coupled with the rest of the depth within the Crusaders camp, which is by far the deepest of any Super 14 union, is a recipe for success.

Players to watch: Read More >>

George Smith, who in my opinion, revolutionised the role of a fetcher flank has just announced his retirement from international rugby. This from the Wallabies camp:

Qantas Wallabies flanker George Smith, one of only four Australians to have reached the milestone of 100 Tests,has announced his retirement from international Rugby and will be released from his ARU and Brumbies contract at the end of the 2010 Super 14 season.
 
The 110-Test veteran recently approached ARU and Brumbies officials to discuss his future and felt after 10 seasons in the Australian jumper he wanted to explore other options.
 
Talks led to the 29-year-old, who made his Test debut with a man of the match performance against France in Paris in 2000, requesting an early release from an ARU contract that was to expire after the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

“George has made an enormous contribution to Australian Rugby for more than a decade,” said ARU Managing Director and CEO John O’Neill.
 
“His list of achievements in the game, both with the Brumbies in Super Rugby and with the Wallabies at the highest levels of the game, stands him alongside the all time greats. Obviously we wanted George to stay and continue through to his third Rugby World Cup.
 
We had lengthy discussions. However, when he made it clear that his passion for international Rugby was not the driving force it once was, we agreed there were suitable grounds for an early release given his long and continuous service to the game in this country.
 
We could have insisted he see out his contract and blocked any opportunities to play the game overseas before the next Rugby World Cup. His wholehearted commitment over 10 years, however, deserves special consideration.
 
We wish George all the best for the future as he enters his final season of Super Rugby with the Brumbies.”

Smith said it was a difficult decision to leave Australian Rugby at the end of May having started with the Brumbies in 1999 and the Wallabies a season later.

“I have been involved with the Qantas Wallabies and Rugby at the highest level internationally for over 10 years,” he said.
 
“Throughout these 10 years I have always held a deep respect and honour for the Wallabies jersey and for what it means to be a Wallaby. I have considered it a privilege to wear the gold jersey in representation of my family, my friends, my fellow players, past Wallabies and of course my country.
 
Being a part of the Australian Rugby family has also allowed me to form and develop lifelong friendships. From coaching staff and mentors who have helped nurture my ability as a player to my fellow players who have not only treated me as an equal from my debut in France 2000, but also helped me to become a better Rugby player and I believe, a better person Read More >>

The Waratahs, after being the most successful Australian franchise in recent seasons, came under fire last season. Heavely criticised for their “boring” brand of rugby in 2009, they will be looking to turn things around and in back the loyalty of their fans for the 2010 season.

Having lost out on a spot in the semi finals to the Crusaders on points difference in 2009, the Waratahs will be hoping that some of their new backline signings will bring back the flair that their fans are so eagerly waiting for. That, grouped with their strong forward pack, in players like Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Phil Waugh, Dean Mumm and Wyclif Palu just to name a few, lays the foundation for the Waratahs chance at success. From there on, it is up to the players to take the chance and make something of it.

Players to watch: Read More >>

The Stormers squad to face Boland, at the newly completed Cape Town Stadium, for their final Super 14 warm up match, is as follows:

• JD Moller
• Deon Fourie
• JC Kritzinger
• Rynhardt Elstadt
• Anton Van Zyl
• Schalk Burger (C)
• Yaya Hartzenberg
• Pieter Louw
• Ricky Januarie
• Willem De Waal
• Dylan Des Fountain
• Paul Bosch
• Frikkie Welsh
• Sireli Naqelevuki
• Fabian Juries

Reserves:

• Callie Visagie
• Eusebio Guinazu
• Martin Muller
• Pieter Myburgh
• Conraad Britz
• Bolla Conradie
• Lionel Cronje
• Tim Whitehead
• Duane Vermeulen
• Bryan Habana
• Juan De Jongh
• Gio Aplon

This from Cape Town Tens: Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, still one of the most recognisable names in world rugby, will complete the International Legends line-up at the 2010 Castle Cape Town Tens.

Umaga will join tournament hosts Bob Skinstad and Robbie Fleck and eight other former internationals in a star-studded International Legends team this weekend and he could not be more excited at the prospect of teaming up with his old foes.

“Zak (Feaunati) got hold of me to find out if I would be keen to play and I obviously know Bob and Rob well from our playing days, so it was great to hear from them and be able to take up the opportunity of coming out for the 2010 Cape Town Tens. Bob and Rob tried to get me out to the Tens last year, but I was unable to make it due to my playing and coaching commitments in France.”

“However, with this season’s French Top 14 on a break, due to Six Nations action, and of course, once I checked things through with my boss (my wife!), I was able to commit to this year’s tournament and I cannot wait to get out and be involved in this great tournament.”

Umaga is, at present, the assistant coach at French club Toulon; having last season filled the role of player/manager as he helped guide his side to safety after flirting dangerously with the dreaded relegation zone.

Toulon are currently in sixth place on the Top 14 standings, and pushing hard for a Heineken Cup place next season, and a more relaxed Umaga is looking forward to a weekend away in Cape Town, his favourite South African city.

“Zak has told me plenty about the overall organisation and everybody that is involved, so it really was an easy invite to accept,” he revealed.

“I’ve not played Tens before, but I think that’s also why I’m so excited – it seems like a great format of the game and I can’t wait to experience it for myself.”

Umaga, who played 74 Tests for New Zealand between 1997 and 2005, retired from Test rugby after leading his side on a successful Grand Slam tour of Europe, having also ‘Black-Washed’ the B&I Lions earlier in the 2005 season. In all, he skippered the All Blacks to an incredible 18 wins from 21 matches.

The full International Legends squad: Read More >>