ANALYSES THE AUSSIES
ACT BRUMBIES
Coach: Dan McKellar
Captain: Christian Leali’ifano
Last season: 10th, 7 wins, 9 losses
Key man: Tevita Kuridrani. When
Kuridrani is scoring tries or breaking the defensive line, it allows the whole team to play a quick, attacking style of rugby. Final word: the Brumbies are the dark horse among the Aussie sides. Their off-season has been strong and pre-season form outstanding. With Tevita Kurindrani returning after a lot of injuries last year, the Brumbies are going to surprise a lot of people and go close to winning the Australian conference.
NSW WARATAHS
Coach: Daryl Gibson
Captain: Michael Hooper
Last season: 3rd, 9 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw
Key man: Kurtley Beale. He is going to be under a little bit of pressure to hold on to his
No.12 jersey for the Wallabies, but Beale has always had the X-factor. The Waratahs need him fit if they are to go deep into the season.
Final word: There is always so much expectation when it comes to the Waratahs. They should finish on top of the Australian conference but it will depend on how big-name players such as Israel Folau, Beale and Bernard Foley stand up. A lot is on their shoulders to deliver. They were brilliant at the back end of last year and the Tahs went close to beating the Lions in Johannesburg in the playoff to make the final.
QUEENSLAND REDS
Coach: Brad Thorn
Captain: Samu Kerevi
Last season: 13th, 6 wins, 10 losses
Key man: Jordan Petaia. Great as an 18year-old last year, Petaia is certainly one to watch.
Final word: Attack coach Jim McKay is a big inclusion for the coaching structure. Someone who worked a lot with Ewan McKenzie, McKay was part of the Reds’ title-winning 2011 campaign. There are not too many standout changes in personnel, but there is more talent in the squad – and a few more youngsters who have got a taste for the competition and will have a bit more experience this time around. Kerevi and Thorn will say they want to win the competition, but I feel if they win more games than they lose it will be a really good season for them. I always thought this would be a three-year process for Brad Thorn. This is his second year.
MELBOURNE REBELS
Coach: David Wessels
Captain: Dane Haylett-Petty
Last season: 9th, 7 wins, 9 losses
Key man: Will Genia. He will drive the team and demand excellence. If Genia’s fit, the Rebels will have a reasonably successful season. Final word: I think it’s going to be another tough year for the Rebels but they will play some exciting rugby. We don’t know how the combinations are going to work, but in Wessels I believe the Rebels have the best coach among the Australian teams. The choice of Haylett-Petty as captain was good for him.