Ali's Choice
Jimmy Flynn (14)
Whilst I believe Super Rugby has always been a wonderful competition, it could be argued that in years gone by there has always been one or two standout teams, with the rest of the competing teams simply making up the numbers. But this season is shaping up as being the most even and most competitive season in the history of Super Rugby.
In the early years of the tournament the Auckland Blues were clearly the best team in the Super 12. Winning the first two tournaments and qualifying for the first three finals. In the late 1990s the Crusaders dominated, winning three titles in a row. 2001 to 2004 was largely defined by trans-Tasman powerhouse teams, the Crusaders and the Brumbies, with the erratic but highly talented Blues winning a title in 2003. And then Crusaders enjoyed another mini-dynasty in the middle of the last decade, winning back to back titles in '05 and '06 before the Pretoria based Bulls began a dynasty of their own in 2007. The fact that only four teams have ever won a title, and each of these has won multiple tournaments, further illustrates how Super Rugby has tended to be dominated by a few teams that were head and shoulders above their competitors.
But 2011 is different. There is no absolute standout team, and there are seven teams which could still conceivably win the title this year, even at this late stage (Reds, Blues, Stormers, Crusaders, Sharks, Waratahs and even Highlanders). And despite their current their mid table position and poor form, it would be a brave pundit who writes off the Bulls if they can somehow manages a finals spot. Whereas in years past, by this stage of the season one or two teams would have emerged to be clear title favourites, that has not happened this season.
Queensland's Reds are arguably the form team in competition and the team many think most likely to win the tournament. But even the most passionate Reds supporters would concede that their team will have to play to their absolute best simply to make the final, let alone win the title. And as shown by their humiliating loss to the Waratahs in week 2, and loss to the underperforming Hurricanes four weeks ago show, they are a team which can lose to anyone if they are not at the top of their game.
The same can be said for all the other teams in the six. The Stormers, Blues and Crusaders, Sharks and Waratahs have all looked excellent at times, and then mediocre at others. All these teams have lost games they were expected to win, against lesser rated teams. None of the top teams in the tournament have stamped their authority on the competition, and in this way I believe 2011 is a unique Super Rugby tournament.
The next two weekends of rugby should be interesting. If the Reds can beat the Crusaders next weekend, in front of what is shaping as a record Australian crowd, they will have beaten every other team currently in the top 4, and will rightly gain the mantle of being the tournament’s clear favourites. But even if that does happen, once the finals begin I believe some of the more experienced teams will be confident playing the Reds in a semi final or even final. The Reds pack has been in breathtaking form this season, but the more established packs will view them as a potential weakness, particularly at scrum time. And there are still question marks over Quade Cooper’s temperament under finals pressure and defense.
Lastly, the evenness and competitiveness of the tournament is not just evident at the top of the competition ladder, but also at the bottom. Historical strugglers like the Highlanders and Cheetahs have had excellent seasons, and shown that on their day they can beat any team in the tournament. The Rebels have won more games than many predicted pre-season and the much maligned Lions have just beaten the Wallaby laden Brumbies in fortress Canberra. The fact that the bottom placed New Zealand team, the Hurricanes, boast twelve past or present All Blacks in their squad, and were able to beat the table topping Reds just recently again reflects how even this year’s competition is.
I think we are currently witnessing the most competitive competition ever in the history of Super Rugby. And long may this continue. It has certainly contributed immensely to my enjoyment of watching Super Rugby this season, and bodes well for the future of this tournament.
In the early years of the tournament the Auckland Blues were clearly the best team in the Super 12. Winning the first two tournaments and qualifying for the first three finals. In the late 1990s the Crusaders dominated, winning three titles in a row. 2001 to 2004 was largely defined by trans-Tasman powerhouse teams, the Crusaders and the Brumbies, with the erratic but highly talented Blues winning a title in 2003. And then Crusaders enjoyed another mini-dynasty in the middle of the last decade, winning back to back titles in '05 and '06 before the Pretoria based Bulls began a dynasty of their own in 2007. The fact that only four teams have ever won a title, and each of these has won multiple tournaments, further illustrates how Super Rugby has tended to be dominated by a few teams that were head and shoulders above their competitors.
But 2011 is different. There is no absolute standout team, and there are seven teams which could still conceivably win the title this year, even at this late stage (Reds, Blues, Stormers, Crusaders, Sharks, Waratahs and even Highlanders). And despite their current their mid table position and poor form, it would be a brave pundit who writes off the Bulls if they can somehow manages a finals spot. Whereas in years past, by this stage of the season one or two teams would have emerged to be clear title favourites, that has not happened this season.
Queensland's Reds are arguably the form team in competition and the team many think most likely to win the tournament. But even the most passionate Reds supporters would concede that their team will have to play to their absolute best simply to make the final, let alone win the title. And as shown by their humiliating loss to the Waratahs in week 2, and loss to the underperforming Hurricanes four weeks ago show, they are a team which can lose to anyone if they are not at the top of their game.
The same can be said for all the other teams in the six. The Stormers, Blues and Crusaders, Sharks and Waratahs have all looked excellent at times, and then mediocre at others. All these teams have lost games they were expected to win, against lesser rated teams. None of the top teams in the tournament have stamped their authority on the competition, and in this way I believe 2011 is a unique Super Rugby tournament.
The next two weekends of rugby should be interesting. If the Reds can beat the Crusaders next weekend, in front of what is shaping as a record Australian crowd, they will have beaten every other team currently in the top 4, and will rightly gain the mantle of being the tournament’s clear favourites. But even if that does happen, once the finals begin I believe some of the more experienced teams will be confident playing the Reds in a semi final or even final. The Reds pack has been in breathtaking form this season, but the more established packs will view them as a potential weakness, particularly at scrum time. And there are still question marks over Quade Cooper’s temperament under finals pressure and defense.
Lastly, the evenness and competitiveness of the tournament is not just evident at the top of the competition ladder, but also at the bottom. Historical strugglers like the Highlanders and Cheetahs have had excellent seasons, and shown that on their day they can beat any team in the tournament. The Rebels have won more games than many predicted pre-season and the much maligned Lions have just beaten the Wallaby laden Brumbies in fortress Canberra. The fact that the bottom placed New Zealand team, the Hurricanes, boast twelve past or present All Blacks in their squad, and were able to beat the table topping Reds just recently again reflects how even this year’s competition is.
I think we are currently witnessing the most competitive competition ever in the history of Super Rugby. And long may this continue. It has certainly contributed immensely to my enjoyment of watching Super Rugby this season, and bodes well for the future of this tournament.
