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This coming season might be the most unpredictable in recent memory. Each conference has at least two and quite possibly three teams in February who deserve to be at the pointy end in August.
Wait, is it rugby season already? It’s still February, for goodness’ sake, and white leather is still being flung at willow around the country. I know summer’s been a bit of a non-event and all, but come on. I haven’t even caught a wave yet.
Yet it is. In fact, it’s been going several weeks already, and while I can mope around muttering ‘global schmorming’ all I like, I am actually looking forward to the 2012 Super Rugby season.
Realistically, the Reds, Stormers, and Crusaders should all feature at the business end. The Blues and even the Waratahs aren’t necessarily that far behind them. I don’t think too many would be surprised if the title went to one of those five teams.
But I reckon there’s a team in each conference capable of upsetting the apple cart. My tipping is dicey at the best of times, but I can already see three that are going to cause me headaches.
Here are my smokies for the coming season.
Over in South Africa, I reckon it’s just about the Sharks’ time. With the Bulls to fall back a peg or two having lost Matfield, Botha, Steenkamp, Russouw and du Preeze, the Sharks are, well, circling.
The Sharks have one major point of appeal for me, and it’s probably a factor big enough to drag them from smokey to contender. That factor is clear air for Bismarck du Plessis.
No longer cramped for room by the awkwardness that came with deputising for former Springbok captain John Smit, du Plessis is all set to confirm what plenty of us already think – he is the best hooker and one of the best forwards in world rugby.
I don’t think it’s even a close-run thing anymore. I can’t think who would remotely challenge him. During the Rugby World Cup last year, the difference du Plessis made to the ‘Boks when he came on was as obvious as it was immediate.
All of a sudden, midfield tackles had more oomph in them, and second-phase play had an additional hard runner who could also pop a pass in traffic.
It was hard to believe that Smit was keeping du Plessis on the bench. That won’t be a problem anymore, for either the ‘Boks or the Sharks.
The Sharks have had a decent squad for a few years now, and haven’t really been that busy on the recruitment
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