Super Rugby 2025 predictions
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
a host of players heading offshore including Hoskins Sotutu and Mark Tele'a
Whilst all signs point to Sotutu leaving, I hadn't seen anything about Tele'a leaving (though I wouldn't be surprised)?
I think it was more of a prediction than anything.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
Brave predictions, most of which will unlikely happen. I hope.
Who's everyone got in their top 6 for 2025.
I'm going:
- Blues
- Chiefs
- Brumbies
- Hurricanes
- Waratahs
- Crusaders
How are you ignoring the Reds?
I also believe the Tahs will be much, much better than last year.
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@antipodean said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
Brave predictions, most of which will unlikely happen. I hope.
Who's everyone got in their top 6 for 2025.
I'm going:
- Blues
- Chiefs
- Brumbies
- Hurricanes
- Waratahs
- Crusaders
How are you ignoring the Reds?
I also believe the Tahs will be much, much better than last year.
Just a gut feeling that I have. I was tossing up between the Tahs and Reds but went with the Tahs.
Reds could also very well be in the top 4 but I just feel like they are going to get a bit of bad luck this year with injuries, and it will derail their season.
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.... Along the lines of O'Connor to Crusaders .... wasn't there another Aussie who played in Christchurch about 10 years ago?
Edit - I recalled, it was Digby Ioane.
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@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
Penning the Canes in is a big call when they don’t have a first five or Jordie Barrett… they may lack a little in the outsides too.
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@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
Penning the Canes in is a big call when they don’t have a first five or Jordie Barrett… they may lack a little in the outsides too.
oooh, now you've done it
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The Blues will finish the regular season in 1st place, the month of May for them consists of The Force, The Drua, Moana & The Waratahs. The Chiefs breakout players will be Wrampling & Daniel Rona forcing ALB to consider his future. Zach Gallagher of the Hurricanes will be getting AB shouts from fans after a strong season. Crusaders reserve halfback Kyle Preston will score the match winning Try at least once this season. Highlanders hooker Jack Taylor will score a hatrick sometime during the season becoming the newest cult hero. Moana will win at least 5 games with the loose forward trio of Mircale Fai'ilagi, Sione Havili & Ardie Savea being rated among the best in the comp.
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@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
Penning the Canes in is a big call when they don’t have a first five or Jordie Barrett… they may lack a little in the outsides too.
The Canes will be fine, Cameron wasn’t exactly special last year at 10, we only need someone steady with the talent outside our 10 in that backline. Roigard is back as well which will take huge pressure off whoever runs the cutter. Higgins will be the big mover in NZ rugby IMO at 12, Jordie not a huge loss with the depth we have.
Our pack is the strength this year and we have two AB tight head props which is gold. You’re a brave man for picking the Landers above the Canes and Saders but I expect that’s more heart than head. Over a whole season I just can’t see the Landers staying with the other Kiwi sides, they just don’t seem to quite have the star power to me.
The beauty of this year is everything will play out one way or another. A few of us will be happy and a few of us will be planning for 2026 pretty early on if things don’t go well.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
Penning the Canes in is a big call when they don’t have a first five or Jordie Barrett… they may lack a little in the outsides too.
The Canes will be fine, Cameron wasn’t exactly special last year at 10, we only need someone steady with the talent outside our 10 in that backline. Roigard is back as well which will take huge pressure off whoever runs the cutter. Higgins will be the big mover in NZ rugby IMO at 12, Jordie not a huge loss with the depth we have.
Our pack is the strength this year and we have two AB tight head props which is gold. You’re a brave man for picking the Landers above the Canes and Saders but I expect that’s more heart than head. Over a whole season I just can’t see the Landers staying with the other Kiwi sides, they just don’t seem to quite have the star power to me.
The beauty of this year is everything will play out one way or another. A few of us will be happy and a few of us will be planning for 2026 pretty early on if things don’t go well.
I absolutely own heart over head, but I do seriously think that if Cashmore doesn't click, it will cost the Canes. Like or loathe Cameron, I suspect you won't realise how important he was until you are struggling on derby games with the lack of a first five.
No coincidence the Highlanders, and the Blues before them, have been the weakest NZ sides because they lacked a 10. Having Jordie I think would have helped off-set that somewhat, and even if Higgins has a big year, which I agree he will, he does not have the kicking game Jordie has, or perhaps more pertinently the experience. I also think if Kini Naholo picks up an injury, the Canes could be a little light in the outside backs.
I think the Crusaders lack of a 10 hurts them too - it is the most crucial position by a country mile.
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@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
- Stern Vern's men will need to evolve, but with a host of players heading offshore including Hoskins Sotutu and Mark Tele'a, they will rally.
I know they have plenty of good loosies but I'd add Akira to that list of influential players gone. Wonder how focused Plummer will be.
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@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
Penning the Canes in is a big call when they don’t have a first five or Jordie Barrett… they may lack a little in the outsides too.
The Canes will be fine, Cameron wasn’t exactly special last year at 10, we only need someone steady with the talent outside our 10 in that backline. Roigard is back as well which will take huge pressure off whoever runs the cutter. Higgins will be the big mover in NZ rugby IMO at 12, Jordie not a huge loss with the depth we have.
Our pack is the strength this year and we have two AB tight head props which is gold. You’re a brave man for picking the Landers above the Canes and Saders but I expect that’s more heart than head. Over a whole season I just can’t see the Landers staying with the other Kiwi sides, they just don’t seem to quite have the star power to me.
The beauty of this year is everything will play out one way or another. A few of us will be happy and a few of us will be planning for 2026 pretty early on if things don’t go well.
I absolutely own heart over head, but I do seriously think that if Cashmore doesn't click, it will cost the Canes. Like or loathe Cameron, I suspect you won't realise how important he was until you are struggling on derby games with the lack of a first five.
No coincidence the Highlanders, and the Blues before them, have been the weakest NZ sides because they lacked a 10. Having Jordie I think would have helped off-set that somewhat, and even if Higgins has a big year, which I agree he will, he does not have the kicking game Jordie has, or perhaps more pertinently the experience. I also think if Kini Naholo picks up an injury, the Canes could be a little light in the outside backs.
I think the Crusaders lack of a 10 hurts them too - it is the most crucial position by a country mile.
For most of the season last year Roigard carried the Hurricanes in terms of decision making. There was a noticeable drop in Cameron's performance once Roigard got injured so with him back again I think he'll call most of the shots from the base of the scrum. All Cashmore needs to do (if he's the guy selected) is put us in the right areas. I would agree with you if Roigard wasn't there but I think someone will step up accordingly.
I think for most teams keeping key guys off the injured list is going to be vital.
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@nostrildamus said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
- Stern Vern's men will need to evolve, but with a host of players heading offshore including Hoskins Sotutu and Mark Tele'a, they will rally.
I know they have plenty of good loosies but I'd add Akira to that list of influential players gone. Wonder how focused Plummer will be.
I probably wasn't quite clear here. I was more meaning that there will be guys announced as leaving during the season, so they will therefore rally to go out on a high.
As much as I had a bit of fun to say the Blues will lose the final, I think this is probably the last hit out for this squad of players, so it is hard to see them not rallying to win the title IMO. Ioane will be a loss, but he isn't unreplaceable.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
Penning the Canes in is a big call when they don’t have a first five or Jordie Barrett… they may lack a little in the outsides too.
The Canes will be fine, Cameron wasn’t exactly special last year at 10, we only need someone steady with the talent outside our 10 in that backline. Roigard is back as well which will take huge pressure off whoever runs the cutter. Higgins will be the big mover in NZ rugby IMO at 12, Jordie not a huge loss with the depth we have.
Our pack is the strength this year and we have two AB tight head props which is gold. You’re a brave man for picking the Landers above the Canes and Saders but I expect that’s more heart than head. Over a whole season I just can’t see the Landers staying with the other Kiwi sides, they just don’t seem to quite have the star power to me.
The beauty of this year is everything will play out one way or another. A few of us will be happy and a few of us will be planning for 2026 pretty early on if things don’t go well.
I absolutely own heart over head, but I do seriously think that if Cashmore doesn't click, it will cost the Canes. Like or loathe Cameron, I suspect you won't realise how important he was until you are struggling on derby games with the lack of a first five.
No coincidence the Highlanders, and the Blues before them, have been the weakest NZ sides because they lacked a 10. Having Jordie I think would have helped off-set that somewhat, and even if Higgins has a big year, which I agree he will, he does not have the kicking game Jordie has, or perhaps more pertinently the experience. I also think if Kini Naholo picks up an injury, the Canes could be a little light in the outside backs.
I think the Crusaders lack of a 10 hurts them too - it is the most crucial position by a country mile.
For most of the season last year Roigard carried the Hurricanes in terms of decision making. There was a noticeable drop in Cameron's performance once Roigard got injured so with him back again I think he'll call most of the shots from the base of the scrum. All Cashmore needs to do (if he's the guy selected) is put us in the right areas. I would agree with you if Roigard wasn't there but I think someone will step up accordingly.
I think for most teams keeping key guys off the injured list is going to be vital.
Absolutely. I guess more my point is, the only team I actually think you can ink into the playoffs are the Blues. I genuinely believe they are the only side who where if everything goes wrong (ala the Crusaders last year) they will still make the top six.
The exciting thing about this season I think, is that there is actually jeopardy for every side, perhaps for the first time since the Super 15 was done away with after 2015. There is bound to be an Australian side his a little better than the others, but this promises to be a year where everyone beats everyone, and I think spots 4-8 will be decided by really fine margins.
Part of the reason I favour the Highlanders for a top six spot (outside of bias) is the way their draw is set-up. Some of this could obviously work against them, but I suspect playing the Waratahs away first-up will be about as easy as it gets to play them there. They avoid a trip to Queensland, play Moana Pasifika 2x, and avoid having to play the Blues 2x. They'll need to start fast, because the end to the season is brutal, but that is far easier than a hard start to the season.
Contrast that to the Chiefs for example, who play the Blues 2x, the Crusaders, the Brumbies and go to Fiji in their first five. There is a world where they lose all five (you wouldn't think they would), and as the Crusaders showed that is almost impossible to come back from.
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@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
Penning the Canes in is a big call when they don’t have a first five or Jordie Barrett… they may lack a little in the outsides too.
The Canes will be fine, Cameron wasn’t exactly special last year at 10, we only need someone steady with the talent outside our 10 in that backline. Roigard is back as well which will take huge pressure off whoever runs the cutter. Higgins will be the big mover in NZ rugby IMO at 12, Jordie not a huge loss with the depth we have.
Our pack is the strength this year and we have two AB tight head props which is gold. You’re a brave man for picking the Landers above the Canes and Saders but I expect that’s more heart than head. Over a whole season I just can’t see the Landers staying with the other Kiwi sides, they just don’t seem to quite have the star power to me.
The beauty of this year is everything will play out one way or another. A few of us will be happy and a few of us will be planning for 2026 pretty early on if things don’t go well.
I absolutely own heart over head, but I do seriously think that if Cashmore doesn't click, it will cost the Canes. Like or loathe Cameron, I suspect you won't realise how important he was until you are struggling on derby games with the lack of a first five.
No coincidence the Highlanders, and the Blues before them, have been the weakest NZ sides because they lacked a 10. Having Jordie I think would have helped off-set that somewhat, and even if Higgins has a big year, which I agree he will, he does not have the kicking game Jordie has, or perhaps more pertinently the experience. I also think if Kini Naholo picks up an injury, the Canes could be a little light in the outside backs.
I think the Crusaders lack of a 10 hurts them too - it is the most crucial position by a country mile.
For most of the season last year Roigard carried the Hurricanes in terms of decision making. There was a noticeable drop in Cameron's performance once Roigard got injured so with him back again I think he'll call most of the shots from the base of the scrum. All Cashmore needs to do (if he's the guy selected) is put us in the right areas. I would agree with you if Roigard wasn't there but I think someone will step up accordingly.
I think for most teams keeping key guys off the injured list is going to be vital.
Absolutely. I guess more my point is, the only team I actually think you can ink into the playoffs are the Blues. I genuinely believe they are the only side who where if everything goes wrong (ala the Crusaders last year) they will still make the top six.
The exciting thing about this season I think, is that there is actually jeopardy for every side, perhaps for the first time since the Super 15 was done away with after 2015. There is bound to be an Australian side his a little better than the others, but this promises to be a year where everyone beats everyone, and I think spots 4-8 will be decided by really fine margins.
Part of the reason I favour the Highlanders for a top six spot (outside of bias) is the way their draw is set-up. Some of this could obviously work against them, but I suspect playing the Waratahs away first-up will be about as easy as it gets to play them there. They avoid a trip to Queensland, play Moana Pasifika 2x, and avoid having to play the Blues 2x. They'll need to start fast, because the end to the season is brutal, but that is far easier than a hard start to the season.
Contrast that to the Chiefs for example, who play the Blues 2x, the Crusaders, the Brumbies and go to Fiji in their first five. There is a world where they lose all five (you wouldn't think they would), and as the Crusaders showed that is almost impossible to come back from.
I definitely see where you are coming from and that's what makes the season so intriguing. Really looking forward to it and I hope (maybe a little less for the Saders
that all NZ can clinch a playoff spot). The Aussie teams are definitely going to be a lot tougher than last year so I expect one or two kiwi sides will miss out but we will just have to wait and find out.
