4. The good news from Super Rugby
What has been the good news story of 2013 for the Aussie conference? Undoubtedly the form of the Force and Rebels. I recall just a few short years ago both sides were on the wrong ends of regular shellackings, and there were persistent questions about whether we had the depth to support five sides. The Reds title in 2011 was seen as tarnished by some, who thought they were gifted top spot thanks to easy BP wins over their weaker conference rivals.
While they aren’t title contenders, the Force and Rebels have shown enough in 2013 to silence those doubters. Both have challenged top teams away from home, and knocked off fancied sides at home. The Rebels have bounced back admirably from their troubles in the Republic, where it looked like everything had turned to shit both on and off the field. The Force have stuck with it all season, and have managed to turn a few of their usual heartbreaking losses into gutsy wins.
I don’t think either side will challenge for the title soon (although you would say the Rebels are the more likely of the two to do so), but they have made positive steps nonetheless. Obviously local player depth is still not quite there yet, but both sides have made a number of shrewd foreign signings – Alby Mathewson and Jason Woodward being prime examples.
