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Hickey holds high hopes for Waratahs
John Connolly | February 8, 2009
The expectations of the Australian Super 14 teams are very high for this season. Justifiably so. I believe there's a chance the four local teams could finish in the top eight as a number of young players begin to mature.
That's a far cry from two years ago, when NSW and Queensland were languishing at the bottom of the table. The future looks good for Australian rugby.
However, there are also some coaching challenges ahead. There are two new coaches, in Chris Hickey at NSW and Andy Friend at the Brumbies. Both are good choices and have strong squads at their disposal.
John Mitchell has some bridges to mend in the west, while Phil Mooney is probably the man under the most pressure. The Reds coach is in his second year in charge and there are high hopes of a Queensland resurgence.
BRUMBIES
The ACT will be Australia's top-ranked team. They have been very unlucky during the past few years and have lost a number of games on the bell. They are a side that ticks most of the boxes. They have a very experienced forward pack. The addition of former Queensland hooker Stephen Moore is a huge plus, as the position has been an issue for them in recent seasons. They have some quality props in Ben Alexander, Salesi Ma'afu and Guy Shepherdson and an incredibly strong back row in Stephen Hoiles, Ben Hand, Mitchell Chapman and George Smith. Their lineout and scrum will be good.
In the backs, they'll be led by Stirling Mortlock, who is likely to be partnered in the centres by Adam Ashley-Cooper, with Mark Gerrard at fullback and Clyde Rathbone on the wing. In Mortlock they have an outstanding kicker, but the key to their success could hinge on how Josh Holmes and Christian Lealiifano gel at No. 9 and No. 10. I can't see them missing the finals.
NSW WARATAHS
There's a big question mark on how they'll cope without Wallabies forwards Rocky Elsom, Dan Vickerman, Matt Dunning, David Lyons and Sekope Kepu. Their forward pack is likely to be one of the smallest in the Super 14. It's likely Dean Mumm and Will Caldwell will have to play in the second row, although Chris Thomson will push them very hard. You have to wonder why the ARU knocked back NSW's quest to bring in South African lock Anton van Zyl as an imported player, when the Force were allowed to recruit New Zealander Ben Castle. They have a good front row in props Benn Robinson and Al Baxter and hookers Tatafu Polota-Nau and Adam Freier . A huge player on the field and off it for the Tahs is Wallabies veteran Phil Waugh. The backs look good. Luke Burgess is well suited to the ELVs, and I expect young five-eighth Kurtley Beale to have a good year. Timana Tahu, Rob Horne, Lote Tuqiri and Sam Norton-Knight have quality stamped all over them. They are definitely semi-final contenders but they might just miss out.
WESTERN FORCE
It's hard to pick how they'll go. Time will tell what impact the ongoing speculation about coach John Mitchell will have on the team, although players have a wonderful ability to put these things behind them. Their back line is the best in the business. This is an all-international back line. Matt Giteau, Josh Valentine, Ryan Cross, James O'Connor, Scott Staniforth, Drew Mitchell and Cameron Shepherd.
That's class no other team in the competition has. And in Giteau they have Australia's best goalkicker and playmaker. They have a workmanlike pack. There's Tai McIsaac, Richard Brown and the up-and-coming David Pocock. But the key to their success could well be Nathan Sharpe, given his ability to run the lineout and the team. Like Waugh, he is the heart of the side. They are a chance of the semis but a mid-table finish is more likely.
QUEENSLAND REDS
Supporters have been living on a diet of hope for many years - and have been dying of starvation! Expectations are high for Phil Mooney in his second year. He will miss James Horwill early and the experience of Stephen Moore. New Zealand import Daniel Braid is a great gain for them. Forwards Sean Hardman, Greg Holmes, Leroy Houston and Van Humphries have plenty of experience. Their back line will test some teams, with Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper and Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes capable of causing defences some problems. A mid-table finish (hopefully).
I believe the Super 14 presents many challenges for the Australian sides, and we can expect good results.
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