Braam's crystal ball comes out

Will the Waratahs retain their Super Rugby title? Will the Crusaders add an eighth championship, or the Chiefs get a third? Will the Sharks and Stormers dominate the South African conference, or will the Bulls come through?

All these were questions posed to Springbok Braam van Straaten by rugby365, as part of his extensive interview at the start of this World Cup year.

Van Straaten had no doubt that the New Zealand teams will remain "a step ahead" of the rest, even though the Waratahs won the championship last year.

"You look at the talent here in the Cape, then I have to say that it should be between the Stormers and the Sharks, among the South African teams," Van Straaten said.

"Looking at the Australian conference, one of the teams that has done well is the Brumbies under Stephen Larkham.

"They are playing a great brand of rugby, they move the ball well and they have an effective defensive system. The Brumbies have some great talent.

"Also, the Western Force showed last year that they don't have a bunch of rock stars, but they work hard. It comes back to the development of players at the right stage.

"The Reds will be in a transition phase, as they have signed a few big names, but I can't see them go all the way.

"Then we get to the defending champions, the Waratahs. They have a core group of quality players and play an effective brand of rugby.

"For me it will be between the Waratahs and Brumbies, with the Force not too far behind. The other teams will be threatening, but I am not sure they have the depth to sustain it for the whole season.

"In New Zealand we have some of the most dangerous teams - the Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues - who can beat any team on the day.

"It may be similar to last year when New Zealand's teams were just that step ahead of the rest, before the Waratahs produced a surprise to win it in the end.

"I would say it will be between the Chiefs and the Blues, who have in John Kirwan a technically very astute coach.

"In Australia it will be the Waratahs and Brumbies, with the Force an outside chance.

"In South Africa it will be between the Stormers and the Sharks.

"Those, I feel, will be the teams most likely to feature in the semifinals and Final."

By Jan de Koning

@rugby365com

* Don't forget the rest of our interview with Braam van Straaten, when he talks World Cup - with how he sees the Souther Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere's top teams performing.