28 January 2019, by: Leonard Solms

SUPER RUGBY TIPS: CHALLENGERS TO THE THRONE

The Crusaders are rated as favourites to claim a third successive Super Rugby title in 2019, but in order to do so, they will have to fend off a chasing pack led by a new-look Hurricanes side.

Crusaders ?????????
Blues ???
Bulls ???
Brumbies ??
Chiefs ??
Reds ?
Waratahs ?
Highlanders ?
Hurricanes ?

Who will lift the trophy in 2019? pic.twitter.com/2Mn4uZ2MLF

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) January 22, 2019

With Chris Boyd having left the ‘Canes for Northampton Saints, John Plumtree will take the reigns this season after being promoted from assistant coach. As South African rugby fans know very well, the former Sharks boss is capable of adjusting to new challenges. Just as well, because expectations are high in Wellington and they will be up against four strong teams within their conference. Even usual whipping boys the Blues have embarked on a productive recruitment drive.

Fortunately for Plumtree, he has an experienced squad at his disposal, as well as fresh talent in promising young winger Salesi Rayasi and centre Billy Proctor. While the 53-year-old prepares for an interesting challenge in what is always a particularly competitive New Zealand conference, one of his overseas title rivals will be looking to get his side punching above their weight again.

Swys de Bruin is entering his second season since taking over from Johan Ackermann, and after the departures of Franco Mostert, Ruan Dreyer, Jaco Kriel and Rohan Janse van Rensburg, his life hasn’t gotten any easier.

The Lions have earned the respect of their rivals over the past three years, finishing as runners-up to the Hurricanes in 2016 and the Crusaders in the following two campaigns.

They were expected to struggle last season, but although they did not enjoy the smoothest of passages into the final, they were consistently menacing on attack. In total, de Bruin’s outfit scored 89 tries throughout the tournament — second only to the Crusaders.

De Bruin has admitted that the Lions will face stiff competition within the South African conference, singling out fierce rivals the Bulls for praise due to their strengthened squad.

Like De Bruin, Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson will enter the new season with fresh insight into what it takes to go all the way to the title. The ‘Tahs were easily Australia’s most impressive team last season, but lost to the Lions in the semi-finals.

Gibson acknowledged that he may need to rotate his squad more this season after heavily relying on Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley in 2018. While the New South Wales outfit may struggle against the tournament’s best sides, it will be interesting to see what this approach yields.

In terms of challengers within the Australian conference, the Brumbies remain the biggest threat to the Waratahs after a squad overhaul during the off-season.

BET: Super Rugby 2019