I gave up trying to predict the log a few years ago. just too many variable.
I put money on the Sharks to win the comp before the season opener last week. The prediction is based on various factors. Super Rugby traditionally comes down to whoever tops the log wins (due to significant travel & home ground factors at play). There have been exceptions to the rule, but not many. I see the Sharks topping the log. I think the SA Conference is probably the easiest conference this year, but not by much. I expect a team like the sharks to rack up bonus point tries against the Lions twice and probably the cheetahs too. I think bonus point wins against the likes of the Force and Rebels will be harder to come by. The Sharks have good depth in their squad and with a fit BDP leading on the field and with the Jake White factor off the field, they’ll have the confidence that this is their year.
The Kiwi conference is bit hard to pick at this stage but should be entertaining as always. Seems like a 2 horse race to me. I’m not sold on the Blues or the Canes just yet. The Highlanders look weak this season and I suspect they’ll give away a fair few bonus point tries. Highlanders to finish somewhere at the bottom, perhaps even wooden spoon.
The Aus conference looks refreshingly competitive. I cant see an Aus team winning it because I see the likes of the Reds/Tahs/Brumbies, and maybe even the rebels trading wins and unlike the Kiwi conference which often lend itself to high scoring affairs, the Aus derbies are usually tight, defensive contests. I do like the look of the Tahs year but we will wait and see.
I will note that some people are suggesting that the fact that the Aus conference is very close this year might cause us to have only 1 team in the finals. The truth is that will only happen if the Aus teams fair poorly against the other conferences. Provided the top teams win games against the contenders from other pools, odds would dictate that 2 teams will make it.