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Super Rugby Round 1 Review
Now that the first full round of Super XV is out of the way and we’ve had a look at all of the teams in action (except the Crusaders, who had the bye last weekend) it’s a good time to ponder who could be the key players across the competition, and what could be the determining factors in deciding the outcome of this year’s tournament. Today I’m looking at the New Zealand conference.
26 February 2013
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super rugby,
timcronin
Into the Crystal (Oval-shaped) Ball we Gaze
By Tim Cronin
We might be nearly three years out from the next Rugby World Cup, but the IRB’s announcement of the first three teams in each of the four pools has given us an early insight as to how the tournament might pan out.
To be honest, most of the groups appear relatively clear-cut. In Pool B South Africa are joined by Samoa and Scotland, and it’s hard to imagine anything less than a first place finish from the Springboks. Scotland have 1000 days to ponder an all-or-nothing game against Samoa for the other play-off berth, and much will hinge on their ability to play with accuracy and defend stoutly against the flair of the Pacific Islanders.
To be honest, most of the groups appear relatively clear-cut. In Pool B South Africa are joined by Samoa and Scotland, and it’s hard to imagine anything less than a first place finish from the Springboks. Scotland have 1000 days to ponder an all-or-nothing game against Samoa for the other play-off berth, and much will hinge on their ability to play with accuracy and defend stoutly against the flair of the Pacific Islanders.
Propping Up The Wallabies
By Tim Cronin
Australia should have a fantastic front row.

It’s no secret they are a sports mad nation, and the volume of their population who take part in sport obviously contributes to the fantastic global success they experience in any number of events. And it’s no wonder that people love to get outside and run around – the environment is simply conducive to playing sport.
So, with high participation levels and a country which is used to competing, and indeed achieving excellence, I can’t figure out why the Wallabies struggle year after year to get a decent front row together.
Australia should have a fantastic front row.
It’s no secret they are a sports mad nation, and the volume of their population who take part in sport obviously contributes to the fantastic global success they experience in any number of events. And it’s no wonder that people love to get outside and run around – the environment is simply conducive to playing sport.
So, with high participation levels and a country which is used to competing, and indeed achieving excellence, I can’t figure out why the Wallabies struggle year after year to get a decent front row together.