Too Hot to Heave

And so it is that the Super 14 is suddenly upon us. In February, when cricketers are still gasping in the hot and humid air. Rugby weather it is not (he says, looking at the foot of snow outside and a game of rugger coming up in a few weeks).

I remember when I was a young boy, and the Super 14 was the Super Six and included Fiji. Fiji! In those heady days Queensland were actually a good side, winning the tournament when it was Super 10 in 1994 and 1995. I read in a book once (I think by Greg Crowden) that when Queensland are good, Australia are good. This is interesting; when Australia won the World Cup in 1991 the balance between NSW and Queensland players in the national side was pretty much even, though I do own that in 1999, the core of the team - and by that I mean Tim Horan and John Eales - were from the Sunshine State.

I have a hunch that this year the Waratahs and Brumbies might both makes the semi-finals, as I am continuing to believe the next two years will be great ones for Australian rugby generally. And with Crowden's (or whoever it was) comments in mind, let us wish Queensland well too, if only for the fact that in Will Genia they have one of the most charismatic and articulate players to come out of Australia in quite some time. He will supply Quade Cooper with ball, a contrast in brains if ever there was one... Genia is Arthur Miller to Cooper's Marilyn Monroe.

Here is my best Waratahs team from since the Super tournament concept began, back in 1992.

15. Matt Burke
14. Peter Hewat
13. Nathan Grey
12. Scott Staniforth
11.Lote Tuqiri
10.Berrick Barnes
9. Chris Whitaker
8. Wycliff Palu
7. Phil Waugh
6. Michael Brial
5. Dan Vickerman
4. Tom Bowman
3. Ewan McKenzie
2.Phil Kearns
1. Benn Robinson