If you like a little international flavour with your football then you might want to check out the Rugby Union Super 14 competition. In addition to bringing you all the raw action for Rugby League, 888 Sport is also booking all the Super 14 games from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

In the early years of the competition it was the Kiwi sides that dominated. More recently it has been a far more balanced competition with teams from Australia and South Africa closing the gap.Power house teams like the Canterbury Crusaders and the Auckland Blues both from New Zealand are showing signs that their dominance is on the way out.

Rugby Union - The Big Three

The Kiwi team that is showing the goods this year is the exciting Waikato Chiefs. They have been the whipping boys of NZ rugby for many years but those days are now over. They are playing an incredible brand of football and in the last few weeks scored try after try, in some of the most breathtaking rugby played in years.

On the other side of the world, the South Africans have two big chances this year with the Bulls and the Sharks. The South African teams always used to be strong at home and always struggled on those long trips to New Zealand and Australia. This is starting to change with both of these sides showing they are capable of beating the best anywhere. Both should make the finals unless things fall apart late in the season.

The Aussie teams are all competitive this year but apart from the Waratahs will be struggle to make the finals. Consistency and depth have always been the Aussie’s problem as the code is not the ‘religion’ it is in South Africa and New Zealand. The Waratahs, however, have been excellent in recent years and even played in a Grand Final. At the end of last year they lost their coach and a few of their key players and many expected them to move down the ladder, but they are inspirational in proving their detractors wrong and are an excellent chance of making the finals again this year.

Rugby Union - What To Look For

We will keep you updated on the Super 14 competition heading towards the finals in the next two months. We will then turn our attention to the international season that will feature a tour by the British Lions and the Tri Nations Cup between the Wallabies, All Blacks and the Springboks. Remember to check out 888Sport who offers competitive prices and a safe, reliable place to have a bet.