Super Rugby 2016 ultimate guide: NSW Waratahs teams, draw, predictions and the opposition
THE 21st Super Rugby competition kicks off this week and the 2016 version features the biggest changes in the competition’s history. This is our ultimate guide to season 2016 and the Waratahs.
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THE 21st Super Rugby competition kicks off next weekend and the 2016 version features the biggest changes in the competition’s history.
It has been extended from 15 to 18 teams, now incorporating Argentina’s Jaguares, Japan’s Sunwolves and South Africa’s Southern Kings. Also, we now have four conferences instead of three.
The South Africans have been split into two, with the Jaguares in one and Sunwolves in the other.
The finals will be an eight-team format, with the winners of each conference guaranteed a top four spot.
The bottom four of the top eight will be made up by three of the remaining best-performing Australasian sides, and the next best teams from either African conference.
To help you wrap your head around all of it, we give you our ultimate guide to the 2016 Super Rugby competition.
WARATAHS - A SNAPSHOT
Coach: Daryl Gibson
Captain: Michael Hooper
Major ins: Angus Ta’avao, Matt Lucas, Bryce Hegarty, Zac Guilford, Reece Robinson.
Major outs: Sekope Kepu, Mitch Chapman, Tala Gray, Pat McCutcheon, Jacques Potgieter, Stephen Hoiles, Brendan McKibbin, Jono Lance, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Betham, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Ben Volavola.
Key forward: Wycliff Palu.
Key back: Kurtley Beale.
X-factor: Zac Guilford. The former All Black has had serious problems with off-field issues but Guilford can seriously play, too. The speedy winger is in a good mindset under Gibson. Watch him fly.
Prediction: Semi-finals. They’re dealing with transition but are still equipped with a horde of Wallabies. Expectations remain high.
WARATAHS - THE PLAYERS
WARATAHS - THE DRAW
WARATAHS OPPOSITION - AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE
ACT BRUMBIES
Coach: Stephen Larkham
Captain: Stephen Moore/Christian Lealiifano
Major ins: Tomas Cubelli, Andrew Smith, Albert Anae, Aidan Toua
Major outs: Nic White, Jesse Mogg, Sean Doyle, JP Smith
Key forward: David Pocock.
Key back: Christian Lealiifano.
X-factor: Tomas Cubelli. The Argentinian Test halfback is one of only a handful of new players at the Brumbies and Cubelli will add plenty to the Brumbies. The speedy No. 9 loves to run from the ruck.
Prediction: Premiership or bust. Their premiership window will likely swing shut after this season, when Stephen Moore, Matt Toomua and probably David Pocock move on. Ruthlessness is key.
MELBOURNE REBELS
Coach: Tony McGahan
Captain: Nic Stirzaker
Major ins: Adam Thomson, James Hanson, Jamie Hagan
Major outs: Scott Higginbotham, Bryce Hegarty, Luke Burgess
Key forward: Sean McMahon.
Key back: Mike Harris.
X-factor: Nic Stirzaker. The young scrum half will push for Wallaby honours. A star of the future.
Prediction: Making the finals for the first time would be success. New owners on board, limited turnover of players, now they need to climb the ladder to gain a foothold in the cutthroat Melbourne market.
QUEENSLAND REDS
Coach: Richard Graham
Captain: Rob Simmons until the return of the injured James Slipper.
Major ins: Ayumu Goromaru, Eto Nabuli, Cadeyrn Neville, Henry Taefu, Kane Douglas.
Major outs: Quade Cooper, Will Genia, James Horwill, Adam Thomson, James O’Connor, Lachie Turner, Ben Tapuai, James Hanson.
Key forward: Hendrik Tui.
Key back: Samu Kerevi.
X-factor: Japanese cult hero Goromaru kicks goals at above 80 per cent, has excellent game sense, slick hands, composure.
Prediction: Expectations have to be muted. The Reds finished 13th last season, winning just four games. Winning six games for 11th would be a good result with far fewer stars although Reds fans will find that hard to swallow. Graham is under the pump from round one.
WESTERN FORCE
Coach: Michael Foley
Captain: Matt Hodgson
Major ins: Peter Grant, Ben Tapuai, Jono Lance.
Major outs: Sam Wykes, Sias Ebersohn, Nick Cummins, Zack Holmes, Wilhelm Steenkamp.
Key forward: Ben McCalman.
Key back: Peter Grant.
X-factor: Kyle Godwin. Injuries and the Force’s lack of success have worked against him previously. He’s the man who can spark their attack.
Prediction: The Force are not going to make the finals and they should be happy if they can stay off the bottom of the ladder. With the Sunwolves and Kings entering the fray their task has become easier. Realistically, they can consider 2016 a success if they’re not one of the bottom-four teams in the competition.
THE REST OF THE COMPETITION
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
JAMIE PANDARAM: Stephen Larkham’s Brumbies have been close enough in the past two years and have kept enough of their best players to be the big players in Australia, and should win the conference. Winning the premiership will still be difficult given the potency of the Highlanders and Hurricanes, and format advantage of the Stormers. The Waratahs should also make the finals but I don’t see them making the decider due to a lack of depth in the forwards and midfield. Melbourne will be mid-table, while Queensland and the Force will struggle.
IAIN PAYTEN: It is the Chinese year of the Monkey but as far as Super Rugby goes, this is the Australian year of the Brumby. They have a settled roster brimming with Wallabies and can use the uncertainty of a new Super Rugby schedule to clinically get the job done in 2016. It may prove tough given the soft African conference draws, but winning the Super Rugby minor premiership will be critical. Bonus points aplenty will be needed. Elsewhere, NSW will struggle with depth but still push into the finals again, and Rebels will finally squeak into their first playoffs.
BETTING - TAB ODDS
Originally published as Super Rugby 2016 ultimate guide: NSW Waratahs teams, draw, predictions and the opposition
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