With the rugby season less than a week away it is time to lay down some fearless predictions for 2012.
The action begins with the Super Rugby season, before the competition take a month-long break, during which the Wallabies play a one-off Test against Scotland and a three-Test series against Wales.
The Super Rugby season then resumes for the final three weeks of the regular season and the play-offs, with the final set down for August 4.
The attention will then shift to The Rugby Championship, where Argentina will make their debut in a major tournament outside of the Rugby World Cup.
The year will be rounded when the Wallabies head to Europe for their annual Spring Tour.
Start by reading our list of 12 predictions, tell us if we’re off our rocker or on the money, then post your own insights at the bottom of the page.
1) Reds do double over Waratahs
It’s the fiercest rivalry in Australian rugby and, this year, Queensland Reds will do the double over New South Wales Waratahs. The two sides lock horns in the first and last rounds of Super Rugby, and after a tight victory at ANZ Stadium to start the season, the Reds will enter the play-offs with plenty of momentum after trouncing the Tahs at Suncorp.
2) O’Connor, Beale lead rise of the Rebels
They were the two biggest off-season recruits and, after overcoming a shaky start, James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale will lead Melbourne Rebels to third spot in the Australian conference. After dropping their opening two matches against the Waratahs and Reds, the Rebels will win back-to-back games for the first time in their history by defeating the Cheetahs and Western Force. They will then grab their first victory outside of Australia by knocking off the Highlanders. Wins over the Brumbies and Bulls at home, and the Lions away will see the Rebels finish above the Force and Brumbies on the Aussie ladder.
3) Stannard stars at five-eighth
Willie Ripia made a shameful exit from Western Force late in 2011, but the New Zealander’s name will be quickly forgotten when James Stannard makes the No.10 jersey his own. After impressing in the Force’s last few games of 2011, Stannard will use his sevens skills to great effect in Perth as he leads the Force to four consecutive home victories in rounds six to 10. Sadly, injuries to key players and a lack of depth out wide will see the Force fade in the final few rounds to finish a disappointing fourth in the Aussie conference.
4) White can’t save Brumbies from bottom
He may have led the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory, but Jake White will have to wait another year to work his magic at the Brumbies. After a few years out of the coaching game and having never held the reins of a Super Rugby side, White will learn that the regimented 10-man approach he adopted in South Africa has no place in Canberra. The one shining light for the Brumbies will be the continued development of youngsters Matt Toomua, Michael Hooper and Colby Faingaa. This, however, won’t be enough to see them avoid the wooden spoon in the Australian conference.
5) SBW confirms NRL return
Not that it will come as any great shock to fans of either code, but Sonny Bill Williams will confirm his return to rugby league at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season. After having a strong season with the Chiefs, Williams will announce his return to the NRL to deflect attention away from the All Blacks, who opt for incumbents Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith. As has been widely reported, SBW decides to join the Roosters and hints that good mate Quade Cooper could soon join him in Bondi Junction.
6) Crusaders collect eighth Super Rugby crown
They may have fallen at the final hurdle last season, but the Crusaders will return to the Super Rugby summit this season after turning the tables on Queensland Reds in the final. After playing all of their games away from Christchurch in 2011, the Crusaders will turn their temporary home ground, Rugby League Park, into a fortress to top the New Zealand conference. After finishing on top of the overall standings, the Crusaders win the right to host the final and complete an amazing two-year journey to lift the Super Rugby crown for the eighth time.
7) Wallabies beat Wales 2-1
The Wallabies renew hostilities with Wales in a three-Test series in June and, after back-to-back victories late in 2011, Robbie Deans’s side will claim a 2-1 series win. After an impressive Six Nations campaign, Wales will catch the Wallabies off guard in the first Test at Suncorp Stadium. However, after blowing out the cobwebs in Brisbane, the Wallabies will bounce back to win in Melbourne and Sydney as a long season takes its toll on the tourists. The standout performer for the Wallabies will be Scott Higginbotham, the Reds backrower nailing down the No.6 jersey for The Rugby Championship ahead of Rocky Elsom.
Barnes, O’Connor become first-choice 10-12
The three Tests against Wales and one-off clash with Scotland will provide Deans with the perfect opportunity to trial different combinations ahead of The Rugby Championship. Following on from their success as a midfield duo on the Spring Tour, James O’Connor and Berrick Barnes will emerge as the Wallabies premier 10-12 combination with two excellent showings against Wales. After battling concussion problems throughout 2011, Barnes will regain complete confidence in defence after lining up against Welsh wrecking ball Jamie Roberts.
9) Wallabies end Bledisloe Cup drought
After failing to win the inaugural Rugby Championship, the Wallabies will head to Suncorp Stadium to play out the Bledisloe Cup decider. With the trans-Tasman clash finally reverting to a three-Test showdown, the Wallabies will claim the opener at ANZ Stadium in Sydney before the All Blacks level the series at Eden Park in Auckland. On a dry track, perfect for running rugby, the Wallabies will make the most of David Pocock’s breakdown dominance to run out seven-point winners in front of a delirious Brisbane crowd.
10) Pumas beat Springboks for first win
It’s been a long time coming, but Argentina will finally take their place alongside Australia, New Zealand and South Africa when The Rugby Championship kicks off in August. Forced to rely on short inbound tours and scattered Tests against northern hemisphere nations in between Rugby World Cups, the Pumas will finally get the chance to play consecutive matches in a tournament atmosphere. After dropping their opening encounter against the Springboks in Cape Town, the Pumas will bounce back two weeks later to turn the tables on the men in green. However, that will be as good as it gets for the Pumas as they drop their remaining fixtures to the Wallabies and All Blacks, both at home and away.
11) Genia wins first John Eales Medal
Before the Wallabies head off on their annual Spring Tour, they’ll gather in Sydney for Australian rugby’s top honour. The John Eales Medal is decided by the players, who vote on a 3-2-1 basis after every Wallabies Test. Despite a scratchy World Cup, Wallabies halfback Will Genia will bring his superb Super Rugby form into the Test season to succeed Kurtley Beale as the John Eales Medallist. The Reds halfback will finish ahead of David Pocock and James O’Connor.
12) Wallabies sweep Spring Tour
After a gruelling Super Rugby season, four June Tests and the inaugural Rugby Championship, the Wallabies will head to Europe for their annual Spring Tour. While the schedule is yet to be announced, Robbie Deans’s side will probably play four Tests and a couple of midweek fixtures. The toughest match of the Tour is likely to be a Cook Cup clash with England at Twickenham, while a trip to Dublin to take on an improving Ireland would also be difficult. However, with James O’Connor and Berrick Barnes directing the backline, and skipper James Horwill and David Pocock leading the way up front, the Wallabies will complete a clean sweep to round out 2012.
