I converse with bloggers, travellers and rugby fans all over the globe. I like to inquire about swapping posts and Jonny King (pictured below) is a loud, opinionated, impassioned and (sometimes) articulate Kiwi, who manages content for Backing Black, while writing his own personal blog. Here is his why he believes the ‘Saders can and should win the inaugural Super 15.
Why it will be THE Super Season of the Saders!
Sound the ram’s horn, calling forth to those no-so-little blue men, as the time is coming to turn off your Steve Hofmeyr cassette tapes, leave the mother-in-laws basement, as another season of Super rugby is soon to begin.
While South Africans of all shapes and shades of a team colour will be salivating for this season after the International travails of the Bokke 2.10; I will be a blogging gentleman, bursting your bubble with the candor of a Kiwi.
It is possible that you may think all I am offering is a little prick!
To all Bulls supporters… who can read… I do apologise for buying into any perceived stereotypes, but in my defense, you do push play and since this is the season of “giving”… the pleasure is all mine! 
I must admit, part of this posting opines that our Land longing under an increasingly Black Cloud will not even conceive of such thoughts as peaking too soon, as our Hillary will meet its Everest circa. October 2011.
Okay, it is now time for me to “take,” as I will explain myself… in a form of English… why this will be Saders so… with brevity for effect!
History – Seven Titles, Nine times in the Final, only missing the Semi’s once after the initial two years; this is an organisation that has cloned the model, with 2011 offering much more.
Their Line-Up – Okay, so maybe I should elaborate a smidgeon more. Let me throw it out there that this is the strongest 15-22 the Saders have had in some time… significant injuries notwithstanding.
World Class Depth, and Growing – This All Black year of 2010 was built upon a re-emphasis on the forward pack, where continuity of selection grounded this growth.
McCaw, Read, and Thorn – These Saders have the All Blacks core. In Owen Franks and Sam Whitelock, they have the duo on the rise. An All Black in waiting, Matt Todd, they have a young man many are viewing as McCaw’s heir apparent. Add in Big Brother Ben… Franks and Corey Flynn… This Eight is definitely Enough!
The Back-Line – You all know about Dan who remains our Man, will have heard about SBW, and may know there is a Robbie Fruean! With the One Tribe of Israel Dagg at the back, there is a finishing line! I could add in Guildford and Maitland on the wings, but words do count!
Saders Record versus other NZ sides – While there has been no spotting of Trains this festive season, with a new emphasis on home fixtures, more matches versus other NZ franchises should suffice.
They are Due – While the past five years has been dominated by two teams, the previous two years have been all blue. This remains a load of Bull for a franchise built on success. Hunger coupled with drive will result in success!
Time Now Fails Me!
Put your house on it, even if it is your mother-in-laws, as this will be the Super Season of the Saders… House-speaking figuratively, of course!
If you have any doubts, you do understand that we All Blacks supporters are well versed in backing “sure things.”
Every four more years Byron, we have been given the recent pleasure of an honest Pakistani bookmaker.
Yes, Confidence is High!
If I may, as we prepare for a huge 2011 in all our Rugby worlds, let’s enjoy this Union one game at a time, as 2011 is going to be a year to savor.
Bring on Feb. 19th!
What Say You?
Until Next Time
Iamjonnyking
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Thanks Jonny – look forward to catching up in the land down under!!
Bloggers, please leave a comment with details if you want to do the same blog swapping tricks with me…
Bob
Sharks to take it! SBW to be taught a lesson by Jaque Fourie when the 2 meet… Unless it is a boxing match!
Foxyman,
Apologies for the Avatar shyness!
You wouldn’t happen to be a fan of, Grant Fox? Thought Not!
Sharks? Have promised much for many years in Super rugby, and while at the Currie Cup level they have delivered, with 2010 strong in one’s memory, one must also remember the historic Cheetahs dichotomy at these two levels.
Sharks in the Mix, but battling it out with Bulls and Stormers.
I agree that Jacque Fourie is a very very good player, and while these two will definitely duel, the head-to-head could be more with the “Fear Factor,” Robbie Fruean.
Young man has a mean streak on the field. If he stays heart-healthy, he will hurt someone this Super season.
In terms of SBW, as good as he will be in 2011, like Brad Thorn, time is his essence. This is no negative on his play, but points to the potential in the player that will grow with his comfort levels. He is an exception on!
SBW to Box Again Soon… Stay Tuned!
Robbie Fruean is indeed one to watch!
On a serious note: Kanko, Deysel, Alberts, Botes, Daniel. Spoilt for choice? I’d say so. Need I mention the front row?
(Also, Keegan Daniel looks like Mr. Tumnis from Narnia. Surely has to count for something?)
However, very thin in the centres and at lock which is a worry.
Regardless, Backing my Boys in Black.
Hey Foxyman,
Gotta back your Boys. Love to read it when Peeps declare their rugby-love-to-loyalty.
Centres could be a problem, particularly with the re-emphasis on movement. Sides will target perceived weaknesses.
Loose-Forward depth is impressive. Alberts was one who stood out up north in the End of Year Tour.
If Daniels looked like something off say, The Lord of the Rings, would surely count for more in our kiwi context!
Narnia still gives points for effect, though!
“Regardless, Backing my Boys in Black.” <— Reads like something I would say in a different part of the season!
Nice to Connect!
Until Next Time
In South Africa we have a saying, he who bets his house on rugby, may be blogging from his mother-in-laws basement next year. However I must admit this side looks power, what a great backline.
“He who bets his house on rugby, may be blogging from his mother-in-laws basement next year.”
Love this saying! Maybe you should change “basement” to “Wendy-House” for a real Saffa twang?!
Cheers Leon.
Hey Mike Jansen,
I am terribly sorry that I missed replying to your comment earlier. Rushed out for the day, and now that I have taken a look, I see that I had lost the commenting plot… amongst other plots!
You’ll have to explain why the change from “basement to Wendy-House” for all us Kiwis.
Look forward to it!
Until Next Time
Hey Leon Swartz,
I did not know that… but surely makes sense… and will no doubt save you dollars [Champagne Stuff]
Back-line is nearing behemoth level.
To be sure, only on paper, but as an anecdote… when you consider Brett and Slade have left to fill the number 10 in other franchises, with the Saders calling up another #10 from the Champion NZ under 20 side, there is some depth!
I hope the pretty boys will gel quickly!
Hey Leon Swartz,
If you haven’t notice, I got a #Fail with the commenting order!
I put my response to your words below Mike Jansen… Just so you know.
Trust your day is tracking nicely!
Until Next Time
jonny has got them under the ribcage there – not sure if they will be easy to beat, but the ‘Saders not having to face one of the SA big three will help their cause big time
check jonny at his best on his own blog, http://www.iamjonnyking.com
Hey bob,
What you doing on your blog?
I thought I had given my best to you! Oh the ignominy of defeat!
And what happens if they suddenly get a string of injuries, very much a passionate writer but his views based too much around a group of players.
I reckon the Stormers to take it. After all even the All Black coach Graham Henry spoke admirably about them before the All Blacks Tri Nations campaign.. They are hungry to win it this season after their past hiccups.
Having said all that I am looking forward to an interesting season especially around player management which has been a big talking point the past couple of years..
Samir Franciscus,
Indeed, and such can happen to any side, and if it was to happen to certain players, it would definitely impact!
This would be akin to South Africa on the International stage, who were aching with the injury to Fourie Du Preez, and if the Saders were to lose a Carter or a McCaw, they would definitely feel the gaping wound. This, however, points to the class of these individuals, who will always put their imprint on the game. This blog’s very own, Bob Skinstad, has said these two are once in a generation type players, and if so, by definition, are difficult to replace!
Take the Five Top players out of every squad, and the impact would be tremendous. It is the nature of this beast to invest much playing capital in those that are… playing, and if these are pivotal, these players importance grows.
With the exception of Kieran Read, as well, the Saders have cover.
From a purely Saders perspective, this is an unfortunate reality from their success… as they… meaning Canterbury, need to give up some players. This is exemplified by Brett and particularly, Colin Slade, who could cover some of the abyss that would be a Carter season ending injury!
I like the way the Stormers play/ed, and they should be up for the challenge after 2010. The conference battles between teams should be epic, and I know Saffas will enjoy the inter-South African battles.
Let’s hope for a Grand Season!
Hi Jonny,
I taking nothing away from the Crusaders, I admire the way they play and there are certainly many leaders within that team. They are a world class structure and to be honest I was tipping them to beat the Bulls last year to play the Stormers at Newlands..Well they certainly ran them close.
The Stormers of course also suffered a setback of Schalk Burger early in the last super rugby season which impacted slightly.
Another point I would like to make is that home ground advantage in finals definitely give you that extra edge..
The teams that make it next year to the play off stages next year will definitely will definitely need to work that extra hard to get those top spots.
The new super rugby structure will favor those winning teams who score more tries which is great! Therefor the more bonus points you pick up the more points you get automatically allowing you that key home ground advantage in the play off stages.
Its interesting to note that week by week the New Zealand teams seem to rank higher in try scoring than the Australian and South African teams..
Teams like the Stormers ranked higher last season because of their excellent defensive pattern (typically for most of the season a flat back back line with rush up defence) and committing less numbers to the break down rucks and pods around the rucks. This still needs to be well executed though…
The All Blacks mastered a similar style of play which contributed to their successful 2010 campaign..
Well enough of my views, I cant wait for the start of the season!
Compliments of the season to you
Samir
Samir Franciscus
Some Good Thoughts there, bru!
The home-ground advantage has been huge and should be again. Last two years, Saders semi has been away from home. Whoever holds this card come play-offs time, will definitely have the upper hand… I know, goes without saying really!
Will be interesting to see how Conference play affects results, as it encourages local derby’s. War on the rugby field!
Nice to Connect on the Blog.
Happy New Year to You and Yours…
and Until Next Time!
Nice networking with you! war on the rugby field but let rugby be the winner!
Please join my blog which I only recently started but hope to grow through next year.. http://rugbyfusion.blogspot.com
I will post a link about your blog as well
Cheers
Samir
I think Jonny might just be peeking to soon in he’s blog… A bit like the all blacks this year. Getting dejavue about a all black side also peaking 4 & 8 years ago prior to the previous world cups… Beware the curse of Alle le blue in oct 2011… A tip to the all black team: open running rugby is not World Cup rugby.
arno,
While such is indeed plausible, even possible, I believe I am just under a year early for such peaking.
Just to pay France back, we are forcing them to wear grey when we meet in pool play on my Birthday… the last part is no joke… Sept. 24th… and, I am too young to die
Your wisdom has been heard, arno, as it relates to playing styles. Even this very blogger has witnessed to this reality, which has even resounded out of the All Blacks camp. The one, the only, Bob Skinstad, even used this post as fodder for some friendly banter.
Check it out…
http://iamjonnyking.com/smith-calls-for-world-cup-winning-rugby/
Saders are looking tough, but then again they have looked tough for the last few seasons so I don’t see anything special or out of the ordinary here.
It will come down to who can win week in and week out for the entire competition and get their home semi’s & also lets not forget that there will definitely be “resting or rotation” or players. In 2007 there were about 20-30 AB players who missed out on almost half the super14.
How well can the crusaders manage without mcaw and carter?
Saders spending some semi final time in SA is no easy task, but then again our teams in Christchurch is the same story, bar the stormers of course. But then again my opinion is bias, stormers have been my 1st choice to win for about 10 years now lol.
Either way I would like to see good rugby and may the best team win.
Player 24
Stormers fan,
Good words, Bru!
Thankfully, for all and sundry, there will be no rotation, as per the 2007 mass-migration model. McCaw may get a couple of weeks at the start, but the talk from King Henry is that players will get the week that is connected with a bye, giving the players a small block of rest and respite.
Agreed on the week in, week out reality. I think this new conference component could affect SA teams more than the Saders, as historically this kiwi franchise has tended to dominate locally. Not sure if this would be to the same extent in a SA context.
The last two years, the Saders have lost in the Semis in SA versus the Bulls, and this will be a key, which makes the point about pool play pivotal.
Yes, let’s have a great season of Rugby, and enjoy the interaction and banter throughout.
Good to Connect!
Enjoyed this post guys and the ‘guest writer’ initiative is always interesting, especially when the ‘enemy’ is allowed in. I would like to see a Jonny vs Bobby’s post for 2011 World Cup, or is it too early to start with those questions/predictions?
If not, have the All Blacks ‘peaked’ too early or are they going to stay unstoppable? Is the Saffa strategy too old school (or does it even exist, PDiddy)? I see you did start something in your comments of “Smith Calls for World Cup Winning Rugby!”, maybe I need to be directed to another post…
Oros,
Good to know the Tweeps and Peeps are enjoying the connection. Some really good ideas, and some that were close to what had been discussed. I believe I can say that plans are afoot!
As rugby fans, we all want to make the most of these experiences, and the possibilities are endless in this year of 2011.
I am assuming you have read the Smith post, but if not, bru…
http://iamjonnyking.com/smith-calls-for-world-cup-winning-rugby/
If you want a recent favourite from an All Blacks perspective, the following is a long-winded, second to last post on BackingBlack, where I ranked all the players, etc
http://www.backingblack.co.nz/blog/75/2010-all-blacks-rugby-year-in-review-the-players-rated.html
Stay Tuned, & If You haven’t Read Bob’s Post on My Blog! DO!!!
Pleasure to Connect!
I must admit the AB were awesome in 2010 and the Crusaders are looking strong for 2011. Having said that they have always fielded competitive sides for WC and Super Rugby respectively, but this all sounds very familiar to me when supporters back “sure things” when going into WC seasons only having to cancel Ticket Tape parades afterwards.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the style of play the AB’s are playing at the moment and the Crusaders have always played successful, intelligent rugby but I love the confident predictions.
A lot can happen in 1 year, a lot can happen in 4 weeks, a lot can happen in 80 minutes.
Duane Le Roux,
You are making far too much sense.
We NZ/All Blacks supporters who have been around the block once or twice know this all too well… hence the little self-referential dig using the George Gregan quote to Kelleher of four more years. However, unless we remove these from our realities, predictions will always have a tenuous component that says, up in the air, as they point to what may be, and not to what is.
We have no ticker-tape parades planned… at tis stage!
Pleasure, Bru!
Jonny – you astonishingly leave out one of the biggest reasons the Crusaders are the threatening force in 2011 – Todd Blackadder. He’s a players coach and a damn fine one too. The draw favours the Saders for sure and they will rise to the top, but they won’t be without their challengers. Forget the Sharks, but Stormers yes. Bulls? Hmm, if the little general at 9 finds form & fitness maybe.
Justininza,
No doubt, Todd Blackadder is a Coach with an empathy for the personnel, the players, and the people of this area. He is one who will be getting better with his time in the saddle, and should be in pole position from a coaching perspective. Yeah, he could have been added, although, I think there are other significant realities that will prove more pressing. at this point in my posting season! Good reminder though, Bro [give you the kiwi one]!
Draw is a definite help, and we know from previous years that home semis are the money!
Looking forward to it!
Fellow Tweep!
I reckon the new format will see the cheetahs doing better than they normally do, they wont win it, but they will be HUGE competition for the likes of the BULLS, SHARKS AND STORMERS.
In the super 14 the cheetahs always performed well against other SA sides, but they couldn’t kick on against NZ or AUS teams. Now with the first round of matches only against local competition I think they might surprise us and knock out one of the “SA Favorites”.
Just to go on and get thumped in NZ and AUS.
Burt,
Some really good points, which underscore one reason why I think the Saders have an advantage. With greater competition in the SA Conference, this could adversely impact one SA team dominating this phase, thereby impacting where teams finish at the business end, and in the play-offs.
If Saders have most points leading into play-offs, after winning the Conference, they will be very tough to topple in ChCh!
I am hoping teams like the Cheetahs and the Highlanders both do better. We need and want a Comp that has no easy beats!
Nice work and Connect!
Jonny is absolutely spot on. Saders will go all the way, but not win it if the final is at Loftus!
The altitude tires visitors and Morné Steyn does not miss a kick at home.
What I would love to see are referees being a little stricter on McCaws borderline tactics… Will that ever happen?
Delightful blog nevertheless. Well done J bru
Etienne Dittrich,
A ray of sunshine on this dark, and very late, but still early, NZ morn.
I do appreciate your kind words in regards to the blog. Given your comment on McCaw, it does not sound like you are a supporter, but are making your decision based on the evidence best available at this stage.
History would say the Bulls perspective is a fair point, particularly with the last two years, which is why the Conference play, etc, make this Tournament all the more fascinating!
Great to Connect, Bru!
Saders have everything they need to win it all but I fear that some of the senior players may just have their eyes on a different prize. There is no doubting that 2011 will all be about the World Cup and the Super XV will be treated first and foremost as preparation by the international players involved.
If you think about it, is 2011 really the year you want to win? If 2010 is anything to go by and the Bulls and Stormers go as hard as they have, they could dig their own grave in terms of keeping Springboks fit and healthy for October. I guess you can look at it the other way and say in 2007 the Bulls win led to Springboks World Cup glory but many of those players have barely had a rest since then and as a result Fourie du Preez gets injured and Spies and Steyn have terrible Springbok campaigns. Is a Bulls three-peat worth it if Matfield, du Preez and Steyn spend all their energy doing it?
As a New Zealander (and in particular a Cantab) I would love to see the Saders win it but hey, I will give it to the Bulls or the Stormers any day if it means the All Blacks have a better shot at winning the World Cup.
kiwimeeky,
I hear where you’re coming from, but the previous RWC’s, and particularly with this group that have been there and blown that, there is the sense that while you must plan for the future, you can’t get ahead of yourself. They have spoken about this, in the context of the past, as an area that they needed to work on.
Rugby is such a sport that injuries can happen at any time, and in many ways. Trying to manage this for a later Tournament seems to play with one’s mind and form [In the AB example, anyway]. We could rest a whole load of personnel, and see top players get injured in the first match in RWC 2011. We effectively tried this tactic in 2007, and while conceptually the rest idea is important, it was not effective.
Yes, in a straight, you can either have one or the other, we would all choose RWC 2011. However, an either/or fallacy, this does not have to be, and one franchise from one country that are among the leading lights for RWC glory must win this thing. May as well be us
Good to have you on here Tweep!
Reading kiwimeeky’s comment, it would be interesting to see the ‘momentum’ theory and ‘peaking to early’ theory everyone speaks about.
Previous Rugby World Cup years saw All Black teams win Super Rugby titles (except the Super 14 title in 2007 where they did not play their best players) but then fail at the Rugby World Cup even with their most in form and fittest team taken into the tournament.
Then there are the dynamics with winning teams. Player fitness, squad depth (in terms of competing bench players for match day), player form, team playing strategy, team administration, even fan and supporter base! list is endless..
It will be interesting to see how the teams employ this over the up and coming season with the sensitivity around resting certain players..
So looking at the world cup it can be a factor but also not a factor. We can look at whatever statistics of total kilometers run, hits and tackles taken or whatever other stats is recorded for the world class players but if the guy is supposed to get injured he will get injured..
In addition to my previous comments I would like to say the following.
Teams that are successful play their best players and best combinations consistently over a long period of time..
They are confident enough to drop ‘out of form’ players (who great track record and experience) instead of playing them week after week and draft in hungry and budding players waiting on the fringes..
That for me is the team that will win the next Super Rugby title in 2011!
Ah, JK. That is why you are KING!
I am sure the Super 15 will be a great one, and I cannot wait to be amongst the Newlands’ Faithful and see the clash of Titans when the Stormers host the Crusaders.
Great idea by the two of you guys to exchange blogs.
I dont care who wins, just knock the Bulls out of it and give us entertaining rugby!
Love your work, JK! You too Bob.
Cheers.
Till 18 Feb.
ah , johnny is king , is he ?! hope he can tough it out when i arrive in NZ in a weeks time
I tell you what, Bob, just because I care and can be there, in light of the need to help you acclimatise for the RWC, I will lend you our 2 man tent.
You can even make yourself at home on the curb in our Kingdom.
Just remember to bag and scoop!
Allyphint,
You’re too kind!
Great to read that the concept has gone down like early evening Braai on a Sunny Cape Town early evening!
Love your support, Bru. You know it!
Big 2011.
I am sure we will make the most of this time… our time!