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Two SA-teams look good
The high-octane performances the past two weekends have proven that the Bulls and Stormers have the firepower, the depth in numbers, and the balance to fight for supremacy in the Super Rugby 14-final of 2010. One or two observers might ask if the author would provide them with the name of the drug that has caused such delusions of grandeur as well as hallucinations.
This might be the case, but just study the overwhelming evidence.
The Stormers looked in ominous form against the Waratahs and displayed the defensive cohesion and structure that made the New South Wales outfit look like a bunch of school kids or misfit adolescents attempting to convince their coach about their credentials in a trial game.
They were inept and lacked any form of penetration against a well-drilled side.
And whenever the Stormers attacked, their slick handling skills and superb distribution had the Waratahs defence in sixes and sevens.
The Stormers, disguised as Western Province in the semi-finals of 2009, were on the verge of dismantling the Blue Bulls when a certain Sireli Naqelevuki high-tackled the hosts out of the Currie Cup-race in 2009.
Their forwards who surprisingly outplayed the Bulls on that fateful day, will make their presence felt during the Super 14-campaign. And with the acquisition of Bryan Habana and Jaque Fourie, there is so much more bulk, class and firepower in the backline.
The Bulls scored 50 points or more during their first two Super 14-encounters of 2010.
They have the ability to dominate up front, and to run any opposition ragged with five Springbok-backs at their disposal.
The Bulls have a number of game-breakers, and they will take some beating in the competition.
Only a few teams have the ability to outfox the Bulls. The Chiefs, beaten finalists in 2009 when they were pulverised by the Bulls, are one of those sides.
The Chiefs will rely on the play-maker Richard Kahui, a man destined to spark their brilliant back three into glorious action.
The Bulls looked decidedly pedestrian and brittle amongst their own back three during the first two weekends of the competition.
The Chiefs have acquired some bulk by luring the North Harbour prop Ben Afeaki, a 21-year old man-mountain of 135 kilogrammes capable of running the 400 metres in 56 seconds, in the off-season.
There is bulk, ball skills and enormous ability to overwhelm opposition forwards amongst the tight five of the Chiefs.
The Crusaders would be boasted by the return of arguably the finest flyhalf in world rugby the past five seasons, Dan Carter. The forwards would be bolstered by the considerable presence of Chris Jack.
They have won seven titles before and there is little reason to suspect they will fall by the wayside before the semi-finals.
One considerable worry is that the Crusaders lost heavily to the Reds on the second weekend. And the Reds have been perennial underachievers in the Super 14-competition, almost on par with the Lions amongst the South African teams.
The Sharks were denied the Super 14-crown in 2007 when only a last-gasp try by Habana gave the Bulls the edge.
In 2010, the Durban-based franchise has looked a disjointed side lacking the depth and the experience in the second row, as well as the star quality in the midfield. There has also been a rumour in circulation in Durban that the team lacks unity and that in-fighting about the number-2 birth because of the Springbok-presence of John Smit and Bismarck du Plessis, has caused considerable conflict in the squad.
The Sharks have inherited also a draw from hell, with their overseas commitments already starting against the Crusaders on Saturday.
The Hurricanes, the nearly-men of Super 14-rugby, have been blessed always with superior handling skills and remarkable game breaking-abilities in the midfield. Yet, in the tight exchanges they have been found wanting, like in the semi-finals against the Chiefs in 2009.
The Hurricanes have committed themselves to improve their structure and focus on the basics and to showcase their strength and skills in the set pieces.
If they execute these skills, they might do one better than last year, when they were beaten semi-finalists.
Their starting back-line sounds ominously like a who’s who of All Black-rugby. If you give them first-class possession and aggression upfront, few would deny the Hurricanes a place in the finals.
Most South African pundits expect the Bulls to be in the running come the semi-finals.
But if the Stormers are not denied quality names through a series of injuries in the first few weeks, they could feature in the play-offs.
The only shortcoming in the line-up of the Stormers is the lack of a superb tactical kicker remotely in the same class as Morné Steyn, which might contribute to the Stormers missing the boat again.
The Cheetahs and the Lions could at best finish mid-table in 2010, but it will depend on how hungry they are for Super 14-success, even if the quality of their first-choice players are commendable.
The Brumbies have magnificent class up front and in their backline, where the legendary Stirling Mortlock has been their talisman for five years or more, there is a plethora of Wallaby-stars.
But the way in which they capitulated meekly against the Bulls, has suggested they might become cannon fodder for heavyweights including the Crusaders and the Chiefs.
Expect the Chiefs, the Bulls, the Stormers and the Hurricanes to be in the running when the play-offs commence on the 21st May.
The Pretoria-based franchise might celebrate again, for the third time in four years come pumpkin time on 28th May. And that is no Bull.
