2010 Super 14 Rugby Union Championship Preview

The Waratahs also boast plenty of Wallabies stars in their ranks, including new recruit Berrick Barnes and if he fires, they could again threaten the top four, but another season of struggle appears to loom for the Reds who are still developing under new coach Ewen McKenzie and remain a little lightweight up front.

With so many changes in personnel, it’s hard to predict how the Western Force will perform, but the loss of new signing Andre Pretorius for the entire season through injury is a huge blow and their overall lack of strength in depth may cost them dearly over the course of what promises to be a gruelling campaign.

Last year’s beaten finalists the Chiefs and the competition’s most successful side, the Crusaders, look set to be New Zealand’s strongest challengers again this season, although the Hurricanes are possible dark horses if they can find the consistency that eluded them last term. Even without injured All Black Ali Williams, the Blues have a strong pack that will makes them a threat on their day, but it’s hard to see them gatecrashing the top four and the same applies to the Highlanders for whom another season of under-achievement looms.

The story is similar in South Africa where perennial heavyweights the Bulls and the Sharks will again be among the competition’s pacesetters, although having secured a number of high-profile new recruits including Jacques Fourie and arguably the world’s best winger, Bryan Habana, the Stormers should be big improvers. The capture of former All Black fly-half Carlos Spencer will make the Lions more competitive, meanwhile, but neither they, nor traditional also-rans the Cheetahs, are likely to do anything more than make up the numbers.

Sportingbet Australia Market
2010 Super 14 Winner
Crusaders 4.00
Bulls 5.50
Brumbies 5.50
Hurricanes 8.00
Sharks 9.00
Cheifs 9.00
Waratahs 10.00
Blues 10.00
Stormers 16.00
Highlanders 34.00
Western Force 61.00
Reds 61.00
Cheetahs 101.00
Lions 151.00