SYDNEY - The new Super 15 season gets under way tomorrow with the leading contenders fielding squads shorn of some of their most influential stars after serious injuries suffered in the World Cup.
It is four months since the All Blacks lifted the famous Webb Ellis Cup on home soil but the physical effects of the draining showpiece tournament continue to be felt by the top teams.
Defending champions the Queensland Reds, who took their first Super Rugby title with an 18-13 win over the Canterbury Crusaders in last season's final, will try to retain their crown without star Wallaby playmaker Quade Cooper.
Cooper ruptured knee ligaments in last October's World Cup bronze play-off win over Wales in New Zealand and appears likely to be sidelined until round seven of the tournament on April 6.
His injury is a big blow to the Australian side, who were a revelation last season with their adventurous running rugby that saw them lose only three matches in their 15-victory charge to the title.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders have worries of their own. All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw is not expected to recover from foot surgery until April, while ace goal-kicking flyhalf Dan Carter will also miss the opening rounds with a groin injury.
But it is not all bad news for the Red and Blacks who still field a squad boasting seven All Blacks among the eight forward pack positions, as well as Israel Dagg, who leads a strong backline.
The Auckland Blues are well placed to take advantage of any slip-ups from last season's leading pair, having reinforced their ranks with All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu.
Coach Pat Lam will draw on one of the most experienced squads in the tournament, with eight players from the World Cup-winning All Black squad and a total of 14 players who have played for New Zealand.
South Africa's main title threat looms from the Stormers, who lost to the Northern Bulls in the 2010 final and finished second in the regular season before going out to the Crusaders at home in last year's semis. Captain Schalk Burger will lead the Stormers for a third successive season supported by the experience of Andries Bekker, Duane Vermeulen, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers, Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh. The Bulls will have to make do without retired skipper and former Springbok lineout general Victor Matfield and fellow Boks Fourie du Preez, Gurthro Steenkamp and Danie Rossouw.
Super squads thinned out by injuries
SYDNEY - The new Super 15 season gets under way tomorrow with the leading contenders fielding squads shorn of some of their most influential stars after serious injuries suffered in the World Cup.
It is four months since the All Blacks lifted the famous Webb Ellis Cup on home soil but the physical effects of the draining showpiece tournament continue to be felt by the top teams.
Defending champions the Queensland Reds, who took their first Super Rugby title with an 18-13 win over the Canterbury Crusaders in last season's final, will try to retain their crown without star Wallaby playmaker Quade Cooper.
Cooper ruptured knee ligaments in last October's World Cup bronze play-off win over Wales in New Zealand and appears likely to be sidelined until round seven of the tournament on April 6.
His injury is a big blow to the Australian side, who were a revelation last season with their adventurous running rugby that saw them lose only three matches in their 15-victory charge to the title.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders have worries of their own. All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw is not expected to recover from foot surgery until April, while ace goal-kicking flyhalf Dan Carter will also miss the opening rounds with a groin injury.
But it is not all bad news for the Red and Blacks who still field a squad boasting seven All Blacks among the eight forward pack positions, as well as Israel Dagg, who leads a strong backline.
The Auckland Blues are well placed to take advantage of any slip-ups from last season's leading pair, having reinforced their ranks with All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu.
Coach Pat Lam will draw on one of the most experienced squads in the tournament, with eight players from the World Cup-winning All Black squad and a total of 14 players who have played for New Zealand.
South Africa's main title threat looms from the Stormers, who lost to the Northern Bulls in the 2010 final and finished second in the regular season before going out to the Crusaders at home in last year's semis. Captain Schalk Burger will lead the Stormers for a third successive season supported by the experience of Andries Bekker, Duane Vermeulen, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers, Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh. The Bulls will have to make do without retired skipper and former Springbok lineout general Victor Matfield and fellow Boks Fourie du Preez, Gurthro Steenkamp and Danie Rossouw.
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