2013 Super Rugby Champions – the early odds
January 3, 2013 in Uncategorized
The Crusaders are the early favourites with the bookies to win the 2013 Super Rugby competition with the Brumbies, Crusaders and Stormers leading the bookies’ race to win their respective conferences.
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http://www.udt.co.za/superrugby/restricted/Dashboard.j
| Team | Odds 3 Jan | Odds 27 Jan |
| Crusaders | 4/1 | 9/2 |
| Chiefs | 11/2 | 6/1 |
| Stormers | 8/1 | 8/1 |
| Sharks | 8/1 | 8/1 |
| Highlanders | 12/1 | 10/1 |
| Queensland Reds | 12/1 | 12/1 |
| Brumbies | 12/1 | 12/1 |
| Hurricanes | 14/1 | 14/1 |
| Blues | 16/1 | 18/1 |
| Bulls | 16/1 | 20/1 |
| Waratahs | 28/1 | 22/1 |
| Rebels | 66/1 | 66/1 |
| Cheetahs | 100/1 | 100/1 |
| Force | 200/1 | 200/1 |
| Southern Kings | 500/1 | 500/1 |
http://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/super-15/super-15/grand-final-winner
In the South African conference the Stormers will hope for less injuries and that their off-season gains (Jantjies, Taute, Cilliers and Rhodes) will pay off in the form of a Super Rugby final spot and win.
The Sharks will look to make a faster start than they have done in recent seasons in order to compete for the top conference spot and a top two spot overall to improve their chances of winning a final.
The Bulls will look to their Boks regaining form in 2013 otherwise they might not make the top six while the Cheetahs will feel they have a good season if they can win more than five matches.
The race for top spot seems to be a two horse race between the Stormers and Sharks, both sides having fairly settled squads with their key players in form. Both sides will want a top two spot and an automatic home semi-final which makes for an interesting contest. If the Stormers can build on their Currie Cup attacking form while maintaining their solid defence they will be tough to beat.
My predictions:
SA Conference: Stormers
Kiwi Conference: Chiefs
Oz Conference: Brumbies
Champion: Stormers
HTW said on January 28, 2013
Can I ask why the Hurricanes are still so low down? They did beat both the 2012 finalists in round robin play, only just missed out on the playoffs and scored the most tries last season. Their defence picked up a heap towards the end of the season as well. Surely they’re worth more of a shout?
Baylion said on January 28, 2013
Not sure. Might be because the bookies have them as 4th in the Kiwi conference
Nick said on January 23, 2013
I agree, as long as Goosen stays fit. Coenie is also vital. Rhule will make a serious push for national selection this year.
Nick said on January 23, 2013
Cheetahs are going to build on last year- possibly even make the playoffs. They’ve lost a few players but that happens to them every year. The guys that have stayed, especially Coenie and die wunderkind Goosen, will be a force to be reckoned with. The Force on the other hand are going to get some big hidings without Pocock and Sharpe
Graham said on January 10, 2013
I would have to say the sharkies will be tough, and keen to make up for their stumble from the final hurdle. Dark horse I do predict however to be tough is the Waratahs, they have had a big clean out there and rumours from Oz that they look the goods
Baylion said on January 11, 2013
If the Sharks get off to a better start than they normally do they will be tough to beat for the top SA spot. As to the Tahs, they had a long injury list last year and if they have their key players available the Oz conference will be a three horse race.
Abraham said on January 7, 2013
My prediction:
SA – Stormers
NZ – Crusaders
Aus – Brumbies
Can’t see the Cheetahs or Bulls doing anything significant other than helping the Stormers win the cup.
Gus Fourie said on January 6, 2013
I think the Kings are gonna do well – if Cheeky says so, it will be so…. he has never lied to me before…….
Baylion said on January 6, 2013
Peter said on January 5, 2013
Bah bookies have little clue, which opens up an opportunity for making money, if I was a betting man. Cheetahs will be a far better team than last year, and they have ensured they have decent back up to Goosen. I don’t think the Stormers will be so good as to gaurentee them a trophy. They still haven’t addressed their front row depth problem.
kitshoff and Cilliers/Malherbe will be good, but then the depth is below par!
Cheetahs have a good squad, with a particularly good backline.
LH: Caylib Oosthuizen/Nyakane
HK: Strauss/Liebenberg/Barnes
TH: Coenie/Rossouw de Klerk/Adriaanse
4Lock: Ferreira/Landman
5Lock: Lood de Jager/Muller/Waltie Vermeulen
6: Brüssow/marnus Schoeman (Top fetchers in CC)
7: Juan Smith/Lappies
8: vd Walt/Uys/Boom Prinsloo
9: van Zyl/Sarel Pretorius
10: Goosen/Brummer/Graaff/Watts
11: Rhule/Jansen
12: Ebersohn/Geel/Engelbrecht
13: Ebersohn/Sadie/JP Nel
14: Benjamin/Boshoff
15: le Roux/Daniller/Scheepers
I challenge anybody to tell me a time like that is rated to finish below the Rebels/Waratahs/and Blues
Janneman said on January 4, 2013
I agree with the writer, if injuries stay away, then the young Stormers team can and will win the cup, It is a loss off Katrikilus, bur between Jantjes and Grant we have good cover for the number 10. Go STormers, you lekka ding
guntz27 said on January 4, 2013
Very funny to see the rebels so high, theyve lost a lot of players
Adrian said on January 3, 2013
LOL. Catrakilis sealed both the Vodacom Cup and the Currie Cup for WP in 2012 so he might give you a glimmer of hope… But I believe he’ll be part of a bunch of loosers for the next 2 years.
mickeynelster said on January 3, 2013
Ill put money on the Kings
Baylion said on January 4, 2013
The bookies haven’t opened a wooden spoon option yet.
Wozza said on January 3, 2013
Stormers are favourites for me, there youngsters made great progress in the Currie Cup, and the players they have signed from the Lions will push their weak links out the squad. Also dont forget they have acquired Ruan Both who has huge potential as well.