After the controversy (in New Zealand anyway) surrounding the Wellington Sevens (poor crowd) and the NRL Nines (poor crowd), another reduced rugby tournament was hoping to fly under the radar of controversy. However, it hasn’t played out that way for the Global Tens being held in Brisbane this weekend. Instead, the promoters have been criticised for the lack of international players (particularly All Blacks) on show.
Despite the negative publicity, the Tens shapes as an excellent day out for punters. Let’s take a look at the teams involved and their chances:
Blue Bulls
Odds: $17
Players to Watch: The Bulls bring a raw but talented side to Brisbane, led by the superb Springbok flanker Jacques Potgeiter. But don’t expect to recognise many other names in the team sheet.
Chances: Getting out of a pool that includes the highly fancied Brumbies and New Zealand’s Highlanders is going to be pretty tricky. Will not be a factor.
Blues
Odds: $13
Players to Watch: Auckland has called upon former All Black Rene Ranger to lead the side. He’s joined by current ABs outside back, George Moala, and former Kiwis rugby league international Matt Duffie.
Chances: While they have some experience in the faster format thanks to their Sevens recruits, we feel as though they lack the x-factor to win close games (sorry Rene, your x-factor is too old). Don’t discount, but maybe just short of the top tier.
Brumbies
Odds: $10
Players to Watch: The Brumbies have gone with just the eight Wallabies (or ex-Wallabies) in their side. Tevita Kuridrani is the best of them, but Henry Speight and Scott Sio are also handy additions. Head coach, Stephen Larkham is also suiting up as a wildcard pick with former dual international, Andrew Walker.
Chances: Part of a trio of Australian sides all given the same chances by the bookies, the Brumbies have a talented side and could be the dark horses in the competition. Keep in your consideration.
Chiefs
Odds: $7
Players to Watch: Liam Messam, Hikawera Elliott, Brad Weber all have AB experience while Tim Nanai-Williams should thrive in the format.
Chances: Look very good on paper and could feature in the finals of the fledgeling tournament. A well-structured squad and set to be expertly led by double Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Messam.
Crusaders
Odds: $7
Players to Watch: Scott Robertson has got current AB Seta Tamanivalu at his disposal, who will play alongside a largely inexperienced setup. There will however, be plenty of interest in one signing, former Wallaby, Digby Ioane.
Chances: We don’t have them as high up on the list of contenders as some do, but should still make the knockout phases.
Highlanders
Odds: $9
Players to Watch: The challenge is not to highlight players to watch, it’s to find players that you recognise, especially in the backline. Tevita Li and Matt Faddes are speed merchants, they should entertain, even if you haven’t heard of them.
Chances: At $9 the bookies give them a chance but we don’t. They’ll struggle against all.
Hurricanes
Odds: $5.50
Players to Watch: Nehe Milner-Skudder and Cory Jane are rugby royalty and could set alight the festival tournament. While Jane’s reaching the end of his career, Milner-Skudder is just getting started (albeit returning from injury).
Chances: Rightly the strong favourites and will be there or thereabouts come Sunday.
Melbourne Rebels
Odds: $21
Players to Watch: The Rebels have five Wallabies but none of them particularly good. More pleasing is the inclusion of Twitter expert and former Australian vice-captain Morgan Turinui.
Chances: About as good as their chances in the regular Super Rugby season – they were eighth of ten in the Australasian conference last year.
RC Toulonnais (Toulon)
Odds: $11
Players to Watch: Australian’s Drew Mitchell and James O’Connor return to lead a side that also features pacific powerhouses, Alesana Tuilaga and Josua Tuisova and Japan test fullback Ayumu Goromaru.
Chances: Higher than most are giving them credit for if they can overcome the travel.
Reds
Odds: $10
Players to Watch: Chris Latham was born for this format, but just ten years too late. The legendary fullback is the wildcard inclusion and will help players like Karmichael Hunt, rising sensation Taniela Tupou (Tongan Thor) and key new NRL recruit Lachlan Maranta adjust to the game.
Chances: Not bad at all. At their Suncorp home, the Reds should definitely factor into your picks.
Tama Samoa
Odds: $26
Players to Watch: The Tama Samoa squad features eight Manu Samoa players and two from the Manu Samoa Sevens, including Sevens captain Tila Mealoi and try scoring machine Samoa Toloa
Chances: Mainly in the tournament for experience rather than for competitiveness, but might surprise some teams with their Athleticism which is well suited for a Sevens style of game.
Waratahs
Odds: $10
Players to Watch: Australia’s best Israel Falou headlines a Waratahs side that the bookies are giving half a chance. The lanky ball runner is ideally suited to the open fields Tens and will call upon his league and AFL experience in ripping teams apart.
Chances: They’ll make the finals but could be too reliant on Falou. Worth a punt.
Western Force
Odds: $26
Players to Watch: Wallabies Tatafu Polota-Nau and Luke Morahan are the mainstays, while Brisbane fans will get a first look at NRL sensation Curtis Rona as he makes his Force debut. Isi Naisarani is one to watch too.
Chances: Next to none. Even club legend Mat Hodgson won’t pull them out of the depths of pool play.
Wild Knights
Odds: $51
Players to Watch: Former Wallabies playmaker Berrick Barnes and emerging talent Ben Gunter are the overseas stars, and try-scoring machine Akihito Yamada is the local star.
Chances: Robbie Dean’s Wild Knights side are the rank outsiders with bookmakers giving them no chance of imitating their national team’s epic run during the 2015 World Cup (they beat South Africa remember). We agree with the bookies.
