The new Super 14 is looming

Who are the likely contenders!

Australian rugby saw two great games of finals Rugby in Brisbane and Sydney recently, hosting super 14 recruits and players alike.

The clash in Brisbane pitted Toutai Kefu’s old club Sunnybank boasting English 7’s expert Ben Gollings and new wallaby squad member Digby Ioane who were instrumental in the down fall of the very experienced Gold Coast rivals 41 points to 17. Western Force Recruit Vitori Buatava and their Wallaby flyer Lloyd Johansson were bitterly disappointed as only a fortnight earlier they had downed the Sunnysiders to seal the Queensland minor premiership.

The Sydney premiership was thrilling as well – the University club gave the rugby audience a sneak preview of a possible Western Force front row combination, which boasted Wallabies Brendan Cannon and David Fitter and the 2005 Waratah reserve forward Gareth Hardy. The pack containing this front row dominated the underdog's Eastwood.

The Woodies crumbling pack saw Wallaby Matt Dunning replaced by young Aaron Broughton-Rouse, which admittedly saw a slight stemming of the tide. Two tries by Daniel Halangahu and Peter Playford and one each by Nigel Staniforth and Brendan Cannon helped the student take the trophy by 38 points 22. Wallaby and Western Force No.8 was outstanding for the losers with two tries and a turning point for Eastwoods demise when he left the field with injury.

NPC is at its peak with two of the strongest provinces Auckland and Otago ready to fight out a final of titanic forward proportions - With players like John Afoa, Chris King, Carl Hayman and Saimone Taumoepeau locking horns in the front row it's going to be a superb contest of technique and strength. The backs will also pack a punch with both side boasting All Blacks and speed to burn.

Auckland has most likely the most potent twin wing attacks in the world with Doug Howlett and Josevata Rokocoko. Otago aren't wimps in the backline either with guys like Neil Brew, Seilala Mapusua and Nick Evans are dead certs to give the Auckland inside backs the run around.

The South African Currie Cup campaign is almost over and as in New Zealand, two strong provinces contest the prize. The mighty Blue Bulls from the Transvaal and the team that will form basis of the new South African super 14 franchise the Free State Cheetahs.

These guys have some awesome fire power in their back divisions with the man known as 'lethal weapon' Willem De Waal being one the most dangerous players on the field and a marked man as far as the Blue Bulls are concerned. The Bulls, however, are not short of brilliance in the backline with Springbok under 21's Johan Roets and Morne Steyn who have caused all sorts of problems for the non final contenders over the past weeks.

The forward packs are like a Springbok shopping list - for the Bulls Pedrie Wannenburg, Jacques Cronjé, Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha are some of their stars and Free State boasts Juan Smith, Hendro Scholtz and Naka Drotskè as well as their well known coach Rassie Eramus.

When the victors celebration dances have ended and the spring tours are all complete the best of these provincial warriors will regather to rise to a new challenge the glittering prize of the SUPER 14's crown - who will win it in its inaugural season?

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