Israel Folau will dominate Super Rugby while Sharks are team to beat, Aussie captains agree

THE Sharks are the team to beat and Israel Folau will tear up the competition – that’s the verdict from Australia’s Super Rugby captains.

THE Sharks are the team to beat and Israel Folau will tear up the competition – that’s the verdict from the Australian Super Rugby captains.

Skippers from four of the five Australian clubs – and a representative from Western Force, young lock Adam Coleman – were in Sydney on Wednesday for the Australian launch of the Super Rugby season.

We polled all five about the upcoming season, asking who would be the team to beat, the young guns to watch out for and which star was primed for a massive 2014.

South Africa’s Sharks, with former Brumbies coach Jake White now in charge, were a popular pick as a contender for the Super Rugby crown, while Tahs and Wallabies star Folau was tipped to build on his incredible rookie rugby season with a big 2014.

Check out all the responses below.News_Rich_Media: The Waratahs will look to build on a promising 2013 Super Rugby season and after adding Wallabies star Kurtley Beale and Bulls backrower Jacques Potgeiter to their squad, the boys in blue are set for a huge season.

Who will your team play in the Super Rugby final?

Scott Higginbotham (Rebels): I think the Sharks will be quite tough this year. They can definitely get up there. I think they were unlucky a bit last year, it took them a while to get their season started. They’ve got a quality side that’s been together for a long time and with Jake White as coach I think he’ll do well there with them. If not them, maybe the Chiefs again. They’re still going strong and they’ve kept the same side together.

Dave Dennis (Waratahs): The Sharks. They’re always there or thereabouts each year, Jake White’s gone back there, he knows South African rugby very well. I think the Chiefs and Crusaders will be around as well, but for a South African team the Sharks pose a pretty good threat.News_Rich_Media: The ACT Brumbies will be coached by Stephen Larkham in 2014, looking to go one better after making the Super Rugby Final last season.

Ben Mowen (Brumbies): Crusaders. I just think they’ve had a successful culture for a long time now and with guys like Richie (McCaw) looking to play a full season they’ve got the experience factor there. They’ll be closely followed by a couple of the Australian franchises, it’s going to be a tight pool for us this year.

James Horwill (Reds): Hopefully another Australian team, for the viewers. Maybe the Brumbies or the Tahs.

Adam Coleman (Force): You’d think the Chiefs again. They were very strong last year and they’ve got the same squad.

Who’s the best player in Super Rugby that we have never heard of?

Higginbotham: Jack Debreczeni. He’s six foot two, 100 kilos and he’s a 10. I’m pretty sure AFL were trying to get him and league were trying to get him as well. We’ve ended up with him thankfully and I think he’ll be a good standout player.News_Rich_Media: Superstars Will Genia, Quade Cooper and James Horwill will give the Queensland Reds plenty of confidence as they target a second Super Rugby title.

Dennis: Alofa Alofa’s going well. He’s been mentioned in the press the last week or two. I’m expecting big things from him.

Mowen: I think Jarrad Butler, who’s come to us from the Reds, is going to have a breakout year. He’s just been outstanding in the pre-season and he was already a great player when he arrived.

Horwill: Chris Kuridrani, Tevita Kuridrani’s cousin, is a centre for us. I think he can do big things, he’s a similar style of player to Tevita.

Coleman: Brynard Stander. He came across to the Force this year (from the Sharks) and he’s looking pretty good. He’s a No.8, he’s looked really good in the trials.

Which player from your team will be a Wallaby bolter at the World Cup in 2015?

Higginbotham: Hugh Pyle’s been thereabouts, but a bolter – Bryce Hegarty or Nick Stirzaker.

Dennis: Bernard Foley. He’s already had Wallaby experience and in the next 12 months I really feel he’ll prove himself as an international footballer.News_Rich_Media: Australia's big improvers the Melbourne Rebels will be looking to take the next step in 2014 and take their Super Rugby campaign well into finals time.

Mowen: Sam Carter. I think the work that he’s done goes a little bit unappreciated but he’s your traditional second-rower, he gets through a lot of work and he’s lifting his standards week to week. As a young guy with that sort of size he’s going to be a very good player.

Horwill: Jonah Placid, he’s a young guy who went to Toowoomba Grammar and played his first game for us on the weekend. I think he’s got a big future ahead of him.

Coleman: Maybe Hugh McMeniman.

Which player from outside your team will tear up Super Rugby this year?

Higginbotham: James Slipper’s always good on the park.

Dennis: Jerome Kaino, who’s coming back from Japan for the Blues. I think he’s going to have a big impact on that squad.

Mowen: I think Israel (Folau) will do well again. The fact that he had such a good year in his first year of rugby, and the development he got on the spring tour, I’d say he’s going to be very dangerous again. News_Image_File: Ben Mowen (L) and James Horwill will do battle when the Brumbies host the Reds in round two.

Horwill: I expect Israel (Folau) will just build on the confidence that he had from last year. He’s certainly one to watch.

Coleman: I think Israel Folau will have a big season.

Which player would you select to represent your team at the Super Rugby karaoke championships?

Higginbotham: I’d pick myself probably. What would I sing? Maybe Tom Petty – Free Falling.

Dennis: Jacques Potgieter has got a good voice so I’d choose him. He can sing a bit of South African folk stuff.

Mowen: Joe Tomane. He’s an absolutely terrible singer but I think it’d be a good laugh to watch him go.

Horwill: James Hansen – he fancies himself as a bit of a singer.

Coleman: Robbie Abel, my housemate. He goes all right.