SUPER RUGBY TEAM PROSPECTS
BRUMBIES
They’ve lost David Pocock, Rory Arnold and Christian Lealiifano but still have a pack to envy, with new skipper Allan Alaalatoa forming part of Australia’s premier front row mix. Pace merchant Tom Banks will have plenty to prove at fullback after missing World Cup selection and is one of several strike weapons in Dan McKellar’s arsenal.
MELBOURNE REBELS
Late fadeouts have been a source of angst for Dave Wessels’ team over the past two seasons. New direction is needed to replace Japan-domiciled halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper but depth is still there in the outside backs even with the release of Jack Maddocks to the Waratahs.
NSW WARATAHS
Rob Penney is the only new coach among the Australian sides and inherits a roster missing a host of established stars. He’ll oversee a rebuilding job after a muddled final season under Daryl Gibson, underpinned by the experience up front of new skipper Rob Simmons and out wide with Kurtley Beale.
QUEENSLAND REDS
Having failed to finish better than 13th since 2013, patience is starting to crack in Brisbane where Brad Thorn’s young side are beginning to mature. Attacking focal point Samu Kerevi is gone but their backline strike is bolstered by two vastly different weapons in James O’Connor and fit-again Jordan Petaia.
NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE
The Crusaders can’t bank on a fourth straight title after losing a swag of their star forwards overseas. Warren Gatland takes charge of a strong-looking Chiefs roster while Jason Holland is a new head coach at a Hurricanes side missing Beauden Barrett. The Highlanders are weakened considerably by player loss and the Blues must shake off their entrenched status as under-performers.
SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE
They may be World Cup winners but hopes aren’t high that any of the four South African teams will feature at the business end, such is the glaring absence of their Europe and Japan-based star players. It may well open the door again for 2019 revelations, the Jaguares, after the vastly-improved Argentine side made it all the way to the grand final.
