Super Rugby starts here: The Australian conference's first week

Scotty Stevenson previews every Australian team’s opening game in Super Rugby 2017.

As they face New Zealand sides in round one, we have covered the Rebels and the Brumbies here, so that only leaves us the Waratahs, Force and the Reds for this week’s matchups. As luck would have it, two of those sides face each other first up so, in the best traditions of New Zealanders reviewing anything Australian, this will be mercifully short.

Waratahs v Force

I’ll be honest here, this is the best possible start for the Waratahs from a player perspective, but the worst possible start for the Waratahs from a fan perspective. Sydney is still Australian rugby’s traditional market, and the Tahs needed a blockbuster clash to get the fans in the mood for the season. The Force is not the team that gets you in the mood for anything other than wagering vast sums against them.

And you should bet the house on the Waratahs in this one. Coach Daryl Gibson has not messed about, and has picked as many of his big names as he could – Hooper, Skelton, Mumm, Kepu, Phipps, Foley, Horne and Folau will all start game one, and need to make a statement of intent against the battlers from the West.

The Waratahs need to score points – if for no other reason than to prove to themselves that they can. Last year they were held to 27.1 PPG, which saw them ranked 9th overall – a terrible result considering the attacking talent in the squad. Fortunately for them, the Force managed just 17 points per game which saw them ranked stone cold last.

The Force were also last in terms of tries per game and clean breaks. In other words, they were about as threatening as a bean bag. Making matters worse for the Force last year was the fact they liked to watch teams do things to them – things like throw the most passes, win the most lineouts, and put together the best scrum percentage in the competition.

It’s hard to see this being anything other than one-sided in Sydney, with the Waratahs too strong. About the best we can hope for is that there will be a fight. Involving weapons.

Hot tip: Israel Folau will score a hat trick.

Ones to watch: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty

Telly Magnet rating: 3/5

Reds v Sharks

There have been some positive noises emanating from the city of the Brown Snake over the last month as the Reds look to bury the last three years of their existence and rise again under the auspices of new head coach Nick Stiles. It is no secret the Reds were in a complete state on and off the field last year, but maybe there is a bit more backbone at Ballymore this season.

Much of that is being supplied by a 36-year old loose forward who once played half a test match against the Lions while pretty much in a coma. George Smith is still one of the best players on the planet, and his influence at the Reds cannot and should not be underestimated. Stephen Moore, Scott Higginbotham and Quade Cooper also return to Brisvegas, and that kind of veteran nous (the four aforementioned players have 326 combined test caps), coupled with the excitement of the likes of centre Samu Kerevi and flanker Adam Korczyk makes for an interesting and potentially dangerous mix.

For their part, the Sharks have one or two things to work on this season. The first thing would be to look interested in playing rugby. It was staggering to watch the Sharks – once a side equal parts reckless and Rabelaisian – do so little in 2016. And by so little I mean this: they threw the fewest passes, made the fewest carries and had the fewest ruck wins of any side.

The Sharks have won four of the last five encounters between these teams, and two of those were in Brisbane. They won’t fear the Reds, and they will be cognisant of the fact they have an easier road to the finals than last year, so best get on that road from the opening weekend.

Still picking this goes to the Reds, but we can only hope the Sharks at least attempt to play the game.

Hot tip: Quade Cooper won’t get booed.

Ones to watch: Adam Korcyk, Daniel du Preez

Telly Magnet rating: 3/5