Official Super Rugby 2016 Thread

Fulcrum29

Fulcrum29

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DanDango said:
Stormers 29 vs Jaguares 14 - was it the Jaguares strongest team?
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Fleck played a young Stormers team, hard to say what calibre players the Los Jaguares played on the day as they are new to the Super Rugby campaign. The Argentine squad overall is experienced.
 
OrbitalDawn

OrbitalDawn

Ulysses Everett McGill
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Hougaard joins Worcester, out of Super Rugby

Springbok Sevens player Francois Hougaard will join Aviva Premiership side Worcester Warriors in England on a short term contract, SA Rugby confirmed on Monday.

The Springbok scrumhalf is currently on a one-year contract with the Springbok Sevens side. He will return to the squad in May, in time to be considered for selection for the last two World Series tournaments of the season, in Paris (14 and 15 May) and a week later at Twickenham in London.

The move effectively means that Hougaard will not represent the Bulls in Super Rugby this season.

Since joining the Springbok Sevens, Hougaard has played in four HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments, helping South Africa to joint first place on the log as well as the inaugural HSBC Cape Town Sevens title.

Springbok Sevens coach, Neil Powell, said Hougaard has made a big impact since joining the squad before the start of the season. According to Powell, the player has always played open cards with him regarding his desire to undertake a short spell overseas.

“This is a great opportunity for Francois and he was always keen on the idea of exploring playing opportunities overseas,” said Powell.

“He has kept us informed at all times and we had him scheduled to skip the next couple of tournaments anyway, because of our rotation system.”

Hougaard will therefore not be available for selection for the next four World Series tournaments, in Las Vegas, Vancouver, Hong Kong and Singapore. At Worcester, he will be reunited with former Bulls and Springbok team-mates Wynand Olivier and Dewald Potgieter.

The Springbok Sevens is currently one of a trio of teams who have 69 points after four rounds. Fiji is placed first because of their superior points margin, followed by South Africa and New Zealand.

Source:

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/hougaard-joins-worcester-out-of-super-rugby-20160215
 
Fulcrum29

Fulcrum29

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As much as I dislike Fleck as head coach, and wanted Gert Smal to dual role his position, he is doing a superb role at conditioning his young squad. Great decision to give co-captaincy to both de Jongh and Malherbe, de Jongh being the leader in this case. Though the Stormers will enter the competition with an ‘Currie Cup’ classed team, they do look ready to win the Bulls at this stage.

The Bulls and Stormers both currently have a hospital squad.
 
OrbitalDawn

OrbitalDawn

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A prop as captain? Usually you want your captain to stay on the whole 80...
 
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Fulcrum29

Fulcrum29

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OrbitalDawn said:
A prop as captain? Usually you want your captain to stay on the whole 80...
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De Jongh is still the team captain, but with the Sevens World Series at large there is a chance that he may be called up. The idea in having co-captains are an WPRU initiative in building a collective leadership, essentially having a captain in the backline and another in the 8-pack whilst having deputies. I think Malherbe will ultimately take over as team captain in the case that de Jongh has an Olympic medal opportunity. Eying Burger and Groom/Vermaak as deputies. In my opinion I think that Groom will continue as co-captain when de Jongh is unavailable.
 
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