Rugby world gears up for Super 14

In a week’s time there will be much hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth looking at the Super 14 table. It’s also interesting looking at the tables from previous years only because it removes the emotiveness of evaluation.

The local media have been analysing the prospects of the Super 14 team and players and how they will fare over the next 16 weeks. Many readers think their team will make the semi-finals. The thing is that you have to take a clinical view of the competition and realise these simple facts.

The Super 14-team that wins the competition does two things:

1. They score bonus points by scoring four or more tries a game.
2. The team with the most bonus points wins the competition.

We can study the players’ injuries, weaknesses and strengths and whether they will play in or out of position but come Monday morning after the games of the previous weekend, none of this will be relevant when looking at the table, which will list the following data:

1. Played
2. Won
3. Lost
4. Draw
5. Tries
6. Bonus points

Two weeks into the 16-week competition we will see the teams with a bonus-point deficiency start panicking over whether they’ll make the quarters and semis. Part of this paranoia includes hosting home games, which will fill the treasury and coffers of the franchise and see them through the year. With Canterbury owing the Sharks, Lions, Stormers and SA Rugby, following their collapse, out the window goes a sponsorship of a few hundred thousand rand for this season and royalties on replica team apparel sales for the three teams. Already three of the five South African teams are entering the competition wincing with financial woes.

If the coaches and captains don’t already know it, they have to aim for a four-try fest every weekend from now on or face the prospect of slipping down the table and being regaled by their fans and media.

If you don’t already know, the tournament begins on Friday 13 when the Highlanders entertain the Brumbies at Dunedin in New Zealand followed by the Western Force versus Blues clash in Perth, Australia.

In South Africa the Lions host the Cheetahs on the same day at Coca-Cola Park (Ellis Park) in Johannesburg.

South African squads:

Bulls: Heini Adams, Bakkies Botha, Jacques Burger, Marius Delport, Fourie du Preez, Jaco Engels, Burton Francis, Rayno Gerber, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Wayne Julies, Zane Kirchner, Werner Kruger, Derick Kuün, Bandise Maku, Tiger Mangweni, Victor Matfield, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Dewald Potgieter, Jaco Pretorius, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, Pierre Spies, Gürthro Steenkamp, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Deon Stegmann, Morné Steyn, Pedrie Wannenburg.

Lions: Cobus Grobbelaar, Doppies la Grange, Jano Vermaak, Louis Ludik, Heinke van der Merwe, Jaque Fourie, Franco van der Merwe, Earl Rose, Anton van Zyl, Willie Wepener, Jannie Boshoff, Willem Alberts, JC Janse van Rensburg, Gert Muller, Henno Mentz, Ashwin Willemse, Michael Killian, Jannes Labuschagne, Chris Jonck, Hans van Dyk, Shandre Frolick, Todd Clever, Siegelaar Allister, Lawrence Sephaka, Dusty Noble, Thiliphaut Marole, Ligtoring Landman, Okkie Kruger, Divan Kotze, Barry Goodes.

Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller, Danwel Demas, Corné Uys, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Fabian Juries, Meyer Bosman, Tewis de Bruyn, Frans Viljoen, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brüssow, David de Villiers, Nico Breedt, Kobus Calldo, Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez, Richardt Strauss, Wayne van Heerden, Hendro Scholtz, Sarel Pretorius, Bjorn Basson, Kabamba Floors, Trompie Nontshinga, Piet van Zyl, Riaan Viljoen, Jean Botha, Flip van Der Merwe, Bees Roux, Jonge Nokwe, Bevin Fortuin, Hanno Coetzee.

Sharks: Skipper Badenhorst, Nikolai Blignaut, Jacques Botes, Deon Carstens, Keegan Daniel, Jean Deysel, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Alistair Hargreaves, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Johann Muller, Skholiwe Ndlovu, John Smit, Steven Sykes, Albert van den Berg, Monty Dumond, Adrian Jacobs, Chris Jordaan, Rory Kockott, Waylon Murray, Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Riaan Swanepoel, Stefan Terblanche, Ross Cronje, Justin Downey, Luzuko Vulindlu.

Stormers: Andries Bekker, Wikus Blaauw, Gcobani Bobo, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Tonderai Chavhanga, Bolla Conradie, Jean de Villiers, Dylan des Fountain, Dewaldt Duvenhage, Schalk Ferreira, Adriaan Fondse, Deon Fourie, Peter Grant, Conrad Jantjes, Ricky Januarie, Francois Louw, JD Moller, Brian Mujati, Pieter Myburgh, Sireli Naqelevuki, Morgan Newman, Luke Watson, Percy Montgomery, Kick Koster, JC Kritzinger, Hilton Lobberts, Joe Pietersen, AJ Venter, Duanne Vermeulen.

New Zealand squads:

Blues: John Afoa, Onosai Auva’a, Josh Blackie, Anthony Boric, Justin Collins,Charlie Faumuina, Jimmy Gopperth, Kurtis Haiu, Jamie Helleur, Michael Hobbs, Jerome Kaino, Tasesa Lavea, Chris Lowery, Tevita Mailau, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Taniela Moa, Rene Ranger, Joe Rokocoko, Chris Smylie, Benson Stanley, Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake, Ali Williams, Jay Williams, Paul Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf.

Chiefs: Sosene Anesi, Colin Bourke, Callum Bruce, Mark Burman, Craig Clarke, Michael Delany, Aled de Malmanche, Stephen Donald, Hika Elliot, Richard Kahui, Tanerau Latimer, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Serge Lilo, Toby Lynn, Ben May, Lelia Masaga, James McGougan, Liam Messam, Toby Morland, Mils Muliaina, Kevin O’Neill, Joe Savage, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dwayne Sweeney, Arizona Taumalolo, Jackson Willison, James Wilson.

Hurricanes: Josh Bradnock, Dane Coles, Jason Eaton, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Tamati Ellison, Tim Fairbrother, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Jason Kawau, Dan Kirkpatrick, Faifili Levave, Karl Lowe, Alby Mathewson, Api Naikatini, Ma’a Nonu, Willie Ripia, John Schwalger, Conrad Smith, David Smith, Rodney So’oialo, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Scott Waldrom, Piri Weepu, Victor Vito.

Crusaders: Tim Bateman, Stephen Brett, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Andy Ellis, Ross Filipo, Corey Flynn, Kahn Fotuali’i, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Casey Laulala, Jason Macdonald, Leon Macdonald, Sean Maitland, Nasi Manu, Richie McCaw, Bronson Murray, Michael Paterson, Jared Payne, Kade Poki, Jonathan Poff, Kieran Read, Isaac Ross, Colin Slade, Brad Thorn, Thomas Waldrom, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock.

Highlanders: Josh Bekhuis, Matt Berquist, Daniel Bowden, Tim Boys, Jimmy Cowan, Israel Dagg, Tom Donnelly, David Hall, Jayden Hayward, Ross Kennedy, Chris King, Johnny Leota, Kendrick Lynn, Jamie Mackintosh, Brett Mather, Lucky Mulipola, George Naoupu, Clint Newland, Anthony Perenise, Sean Romans, Jason Rutledge, Stephen Setephano, Jason Shoemark, Ben Smith, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Hayden Triggs, Fetu’u Vainikolo

Australian squads:

Brumbies: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Betham, Mitchell Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Huia Edmonds, Francis Fainifo, Gene Fairbanks, Mark Gerrard, Ben Hand, Nic Henderson, Stephen Hoiles, Joshua Holmes, Julian Huxley, Peter Kimlin, Christian Lealiifano, Salesi Ma’afu, Shawn Mackay, Alfi Mafi, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Patrick Phibbs, Clyde Rathbone, Julian Salvi, Guy Shepherdson, George Smith, Tyrone Smith, James Stannard, Sitaleki Timani, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Matt Toomua, John Ulugia.

Reds: Berrick Barnes, Daniel Braid, Adam Byrnes, Blair Connor, Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rod Davies, Dayna Edwards, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Charlie Fetoai, Will Genia, James Hanson, Sean Hardman, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, James Horwill, Leroy Houston, Van Humphries, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Jack Kennedy, Poutasi Luafutu, Ben Lucas, Mark McLinden, Hugh McMeniman, Robert Simmons, Ezra Taylor, Aidan Toua, Morgan Turinui, Brando Va’aulu, Laurie Weeks.

Waratahs: Ben Batger, Al Baxter, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Will Caldwell, Matt Carraro, Tom Carter, David Dennis, Matt Dunning, Scott Fava, Adam Freier, Daniel Halangahu, Rob Horne, Sekope Kepu, Ben Mowen, Dean Mumm, Ratu Nasiganiyavi, Sam Norton-Knight, Dan Palmer, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Beau Robinson, Benn Robinson, Brett Sheehan, Timana Tahu, Chris Thomson, Jeremy Tilse, Lote Tuqiri, Lachie Turner, Phil Waugh.

Western Force: Richard Brown, Ben Castle, Pekahou Cowan, Ryan Cross, Nick Cummins, Scott Daruda, Matt Giteau, Gareth Hardy, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Luke Holmes, Tamaiti Horua, Kieran Longbottom, Tai McIsaac, Drew Mitchell, James O’Connor, Pat O’Connor, Chris O’Young, Junior Pelesasa, David Pocock, David Pusey, Haig Sare, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Richard Stanford, Scott Staniforth, Troy Takiari, Josh Tatupu, Josh Valentine, AJ Whalley, Sam Wykes.

Super 14 draw: All kick-off times are local

Week 1:
Friday, February 13: Highlanders vs Brumbies, Dunedin, 19.35; W Force vs Blues, Perth, 19.45; Lions vs Cheetahs, Johannesburg, 19.10.
Saturday, February 14: Crusaders vs Chiefs, Christchurch, 17.30; Hurricanes vs Waratahs, Wellington, 19.35; Stormers vs Sharks, Cape Town, 17.00; Bulls vs Reds, Pretoria, 19.10.

Week 2:
Friday, February 20: Hurricanes vs Highlanders, Wellington, 19.35; Waratahs vs Chiefs, Sydney, 19.40; W Force vs Cheetahs, Perth, 19.45; Stormers vs Reds, Cape Town, 19.10.
Saturday, February 21: Brumbies vs Crusaders, Canberra, 19.40; Bulls vs Blues, Pretoria, 17.00; Sharks vs Lions, Durban, 19.10.

Week 3:
Friday, February 27: Crusaders vs Hurricanes, Christchurch, 19.35; Waratahs vs Highlanders, Sydney, 19.40; Chiefs vs Sharks, Hamilton, 19.35.
Saturday, February 28: Brumbies vs W Force, Canberra, 19.40; Lions vs Bulls, Johannesburg, 17.00; Stormers vs Blues, Cape Town, 19.10; Reds vs Cheetahs, Brisbane, 16.00.

Week 4:
Friday, March 6: Chiefs vs W Force, Hamilton, 19.35; Waratahs vs Reds, Sydney, 19.40.
Saturday, March 7: Hurricanes vs Cheetahs, New Plymouth, 14.30; Blues vs Sharks, Auckland, 17.30; Highlanders vs Crusaders, Dunedin, 19.35; Bulls vs Stormers, Pretoria, 17.00; Brumbies/Lions Bye.

Week 5:
Friday, March 13: Blues vs Cheetahs, North Harbour, 19.35; Brumbies vs Waratahs, Canberra, 19.40.
Saturday, March 14: Crusaders vs W Force, Christchurch, 17.30. Highlanders vs Chiefs, Invercargill, 19.35; Reds vs Sharks, Brisbane, 19.05; Stormers vs Lions, Cape Town, 17.00; Hurricanes/Bulls Bye.

Week 6:
Friday, March 20: Hurricanes vs Bulls, Wellington, 19.35.
Saturday, March 21: Highlanders vs Cheetahs, Dunedin, 17.30; Chiefs vs Blues, Hamilton, 19.35; Waratahs vs Crusaders, Sydney, 19.40; W Force vs Sharks, Perth, 19.45; Lions vs Brumbies, Johannesburg, 17.00; Reds/Stormers Bye.

Week 7:
Friday, March 27: Blues vs Waratahs, Auckland, 19.35.
Saturday, March 28: Highlanders vs Bulls, Palmerston North, 17.30; Crusaders vs Stormers, Christchurch, 19.35; Reds vs Chiefs, Brisbane, 19.05; Sharks vs Brumbies, Durban, 17.00; Lions v Hurricanes, Johannesburg, 19.10; Cheetahs/W Force Bye.

Week 8:
Friday, April 3: Crusaders vs Bulls, Christchurch, 19.35; W Force vs Reds, Perth, 19.05; Sharks vs Hurricanes, Durban, 19.10.
Saturday, April 4: Chiefs vs Lions, Hamilton, 19.35; Waratahs vs Stormers, Sydney, 19.40; Cheetahs vs Brumbies, Bloemfontein, 15.00; Blues/Highlanders Bye.

Week 9:
Friday, April 10: Blues vs Lions, Auckland, 19.35; W Force vs Hurricanes, Perth, 17.40.
Saturday, April 11: Highlanders vs Reds, Invercargill, 17.30; Brumbies vs Stormers, Canberra, 17.35; Waratahs vs Bulls, Sydney, 19.40; Cheetahs vs Sharks, Bloemfontein, 15.00; Chiefs/Crusaders Bye.

Week 10:
Friday, April 17: Blues vs Highlanders, Auckland, 19.35; Brumbies vs Bulls, Canberra, 19.40.
Saturday, April 18: Hurricanes vs Stormers, Wellington , 17.30; Reds vs Lions , Brisbane, 17.35; Waratahs vs W Force, Sydney, 19.40; Cheetahs vs Chiefs, Kimberley, 15.00; Sharks vs Crusaders, Durban, 17.05.

Week 11:
Friday, April 24: Highlanders vs Stormers, Dunedin, 19.35; W Force vs Lions, Perth, 19.05.
Saturday, April 25: Blues vs Reds, North Harbour, 17.30; Hurricanes vs Brumbies, Wellington , 19.35; Cheetahs vs Crusaders, Bloemfontein, 15.00; Bulls vs Chiefs, Pretoria, 17.05; Waratahs/Sharks Bye

Week 12:
Friday, May 1: Hurricanes vs Blues, Wellington, 19.35; Lions vs Crusaders, Johannesburg, 15.00; Cheetahs vs Waratahs, Bloemfontein, 17.05.
Saturday, May 2: Reds vs Brumbies, Brisbane, 19.40; Sharks vs Highlanders, Durban, 15.00; Bulls vs W Force, Pretoria, 17.05; Stormers vs Chiefs, Cape Town, 19.10.

Week 13:
Friday, May 8: Crusaders vs Reds, Christchurch, 19.35; Lions vs Highlanders, Johannesburg, 19.10; Chiefs vs Hurricanes, Hamilton, 19.35.
Saturday, May 9: Brumbies vs Blues, Canberra, 19.40; Sharks vs Waratahs, Durban, 15.00; Bulls vs Cheetahs, Pretoria, 17.05; Stormers vs W Force, Cape Town, 19.10.

Week 14:
Friday, May 15: Chiefs vs Brumbies, Hamilton , 19.35; Lions vs Waratahs, Johannesburg, 19.10.
Saturday, May 16: Blues vs Crusaders, Auckland, 19.35; Reds vs Hurricanes, Brisbane, 19.40; W Force vs Highlanders, Perth, 19.45; Cheetahs vs Stormers, Bloemfontein, 16.00; Sharks vs Bulls, Durban, 18.05.

Week 15:
Semi-finals: Friday, May 22, TBC vs TBC; Saturday, May 23, TBC vs TBC.

Week 16:
Final: Saturday, May 30, TBC vs TBC.