Official Super Rugby 2016 Thread

https://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2016/04/407509.html

Sunwolves to take firsthand look at prop Kitagawa

The Sunwolves on Tuesday added Kubota Spears prop Kengo Kitagawa to their training squad ahead of this weekend's game against the Jaguares.

A team source said Kitagawa could be named to the 23 for the game on Saturday at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground as head coach Mark Hammett searches for answers on the heels of their 92-17 whipping at the hands of the Cheetahs.
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Mark Hammett has a long shopping list...

I have to agree with Eddie Jones,

http://www.japantoday.com/category/...by-expansion-questioned-as-new-teams-flounder

“I watch most of the games but some of the games put me to sleep,” England coach Eddie Jones told Australian media in a recent interview. “I don’t think the standard’s great this year. Having 18 teams in the competition, it’s really dropped the standards.”
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Though he is the one which had punted the idea having Japan compete in the Super Rugby. Knowing the drama, he had with the JRFU, he is correct by stating this,

https://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2016/04/407076.html

Speaking at a writers' briefing at England's home stadium Twickenham, hours before the Sunwolves fell to the second heaviest defeat in Super Rugby history (a 92-17 drubbing by the Cheetahs), Jones said the management of the Japanese franchise should be held accountable.

"The only reason I'm here now is because they stuffed up how to set (the side) up, because they didn't put professional people in place, and that's why they've got such a poor squad," Jones said.

...

Despite the Sunwolves putting themselves in a position to win three of their opening six games, Jones has not been impressed.

"They are terrible. The whole purpose of having a Super Rugby team in Japan is to help promote the national team. So you've got guys now that have been pulled out of (New Zealand) playing on the wing. It's got no relevance to the Japan national team there."

"They've lost six games and everyone's happy they're fighting hard. But there's no joy in losing games. It's just gone back to the old Japan rugby, fight hard and we're proud of you, which is not good enough."
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Mark Hammett and Jamie Joseph are strict men, now I wonder how much actual input they have… Eddie Jones also had a second string Japan squad in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. By conclusion, I think that it is the JRFU which is unwilling to work with the Top League...

It would be great to see Jamie Joseph pulling the right strings to get a potential achiever in the Super Rugby, otherwise SANZAAR should scrap their relationship with the JRFU and terminate the Sunwolves participation. It is near the exact same issue why the island based countries are unable to compete in such competitions, mismanagement - Greener pastures in Australasia, Japan, Europe and USA.
 
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/stormers-to-lose-de-allende-again-20160419

Cape Town - As Damian de Allende approaches full fitness there is still uncertainty surrounding his exact role at the Stormers for the rest of this Super Rugby season.

With just two Sevens World Series tournaments left before the Rio Olympics in August, De Allende is running out of time to prove his fitness and worth to Blitzboks coach Neil Powell.

The Paris leg of the Sevens World Series takes place on May 14 and 15 while the season-ending London leg takes place on May 21 and 22.

Should De Allende want to be a part of the 12-man squad that travels to Brazil, then he will have to feature in at least one, and probably both, of those tournaments.
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Now besides de Allende, the Stormers has other players which may possibly be selected to represent SA at the Olympics. What I want to know, why select these players when we already have an specialised Sevens squad?

The 2015/16 Sevens squad includes these active Province/Stormers players.

- De Jongh
- Geduld
- Kolbe
- De Allende
- Senatla*
- Hendricks**

* Actively representing the Blitzbokke
** http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/springbok-wings-career-cut-short-20160406 :cry:
 
Appears Juan de Jongh has been (or will be) ruled out of the game against the Reds. From Supersport.com

DHL Stormers coach Robbie Fleck suggested earlier in the week that Springbok centre Damian de Allende would have to wait before he gets his first start since coming back from injury, but fate looks to have conspired against that plan.

It is anticipated that when Fleck names his team later on Thursday morning for Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby clash with the Reds at Newlands, De Allende will be included at No 12. Juan de Jongh, who has played inside centre in all the games so far this season, has picked up a concussion and it is understood that he has been ruled out of the clash.
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Rest of the article here
 
Rynard Elstadt starts at 4 and as expected no JdJ. DDA starts at 12. His matchup against Kerevi (even though they're technically not opposing each other) should be great to watch!

DHL Stormers team: Cheslin Kolbe, Kobus van Wyk, Johnny Kotze, Damian de Allende, Leolin Zas, Jean-luc du Plessis, Nic Groom, Nizaam Carr, Siya Kolisi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Rynhardt Elstadt, Frans Malherbe (captain), Bongi Mbonambi, Oli Kebble.
Replacements: Mike Willemse, JC Janse van Rensburg, Vincent Koch, JD Schickerling, Schalk Burger, Louis Schreuder, Brandon Thomson, Huw Jones.
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http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/...ammett-decides-sweeping-changes/#.Vxjmbrh96Uk

Sunwolves coach Hammett decides against sweeping changes

Sunwolves coach Mark Hammett has resisted the urge to make wholesale changes in the wake of his side being on the receiving end of the second biggest defeat in Super Rugby history last weekend.
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Why is Hammett insisting on playing this combination?

I do not think that this team is playing Japanese rugby, like the rugby that the Top League has developed or the rugby that Eddie Jones has brought to the Rugby World Cup.

A hesitant centre on the wing? It is probably better that way without Yamada, but Paea is a slow straight runner, not very creative on the wing. John Stewart has been in the Sunwolves squad since day one, and only brought into training last week. Paea should be on the bench. I agree with switching Carpenter as he is good as an individual player creating opportunities.

They are starting with their best scrummie, and they have a new prop which is in Frans Ludeke’s starting line-up so the young man may know a thing or two to get the better over his opponent.

The best decision was to relegate Tomas Leonardi to the bench, that Argentine has shown nothing special.

Then the Jaguares will want to win this game… the team they have assembled to play the Sunwolves is a good blend. They may sink the Sunwolves into oblivion.

Personally, in my opinion, the Sunwolves should adapt to a similar game now being played by the Cheetahs, GO WIDE! Which is only possible when Pisi realises that he is still playing at the Sunwolves until the Super Rugby season concludes, his balls last week was intercept magnets. That is probably why Hammett is playing Paea on wing, when he could had picked John Stewart, to move the ball to end.

Derek Carpenter and Lolohea has shown impressive stats, the game will rest on them and on the props.

I have made my prediction, but this game has Jaguares written all over it going by spectators pov, the Jags will simply target the scrummage set pieces and weigh relentless pressure on Pisi which is possibly reason why Hiwasa is back on scrummie to get that ball going as quickly as possible.

Then again, the Los Pumas has been super bad in Super Rugby.
 
That was red all day long. Malice or no, player safety first. I'd agree that no further action be taken but that was definitely an early shower for the tackler. Hope Willie's okay and that his subbing is just precautionary.

EDIT: Back in the game. Good man.
 
^ broken link.

Fixed. Thanks.

I think the problem is he never really went for the ball. His eyes are not even looking at the ball.

Tough to be a ref. Tough call.
 
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