Super Rugby 2017

Ugh, wait until the NZ teams arrive (Chiefs on the 8th of April & The Blues on the 19th of May) to play The Stormers. Newlands will be packed when the Cape Crusaders arrive in force...
 
sand_man said:
Correct, local derbies. Not convinced that it has worked. Judging by the crowds at this weekends games, the popularity of the competition is dissipating. Over complicated format coupled with bore-fest local derbies (not so much the NZ teams but Aus/SA) and a general decline in the standard of teams competing... but tv viewership numbers would paint the real picture...

Currie Cup should be the domain for local derbies. Super rugby is about the international competition.


EDIT:

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/super-rugby-tv-fan-viewership-plummets-20160704
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We can see local derbies in the Currie Cup. Most of us want to see how our teams perform against Australian and New Zealand teams. Now they just play against them now and again. This format seriously socks!
 
Deja Vu?

Four Lions not travelling to Argentina to face the Jaguares. Mapoe and Mostert both rested, Jantjies staying behind for the birth of his second child and Rohan given compassionate leave due the passing of his mother.

Emirates Lions touring squad: Jacques van Rooyen, Dylan Smit, Ruan Dreyer, Johannes Konker, Hencus van Wyk, Malcolm Marx, Robbie Coetzee, Andries Ferreira, Lourens Erasmus, Marvin Orie, Jaco Kriel, Kwagga Smith, Cyle Brink, Ruan Ackermann, Warren Whiteley, Ross Cronje, Faf de Klerk, Andries Coetzee, Shaun Reynolds, Jaco van der Walt, Courtnall Skosan, Anthony Volminck, Harold Vorster, Jacques Nel, Sylvian Mahuza.
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Still, a much stronger squad that went last year and lost. Hopefully lightning doesn't strike twice...
 
mbayshark said:
We can see local derbies in the Currie Cup. Most of us want to see how our teams perform against Australian and New Zealand teams. Now they just play against them now and again. This format seriously socks!
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+ a trillion :p

Okay, it's not entirely comparable but remember when there weren't any Bok tours in the Apartheid era. There would be South for North games. And then in 92 we were finally officially back and playing NZ and Aus at Ellis Park!!

I feel the same way about local derbies vs international opponents as I do those North vs South games vs AB/Aus internationals.... :p
 
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http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/super-rugby-season-over-for-cheetahs-lock-20170307

Super Rugby season over for Cheetahs lock

Cape Town - Cheetahs lock Reniel Hugo will miss the remainder of their Super Rugby campaign after tearing knee ligaments.

Hugo sustained the injury in last weekend’s 34-28 win over the Bulls in Bloemfontein.

Other players who sustained injuries against the Bulls include prop Ox Nche, loose forward Uzair Cassiem (both medial collateral ligament damage) and midfielders Clinton Swart (rib) and Nico Lee (shoulder).

Nche and Cassiem are set to undergo scans to determine the severity of their injuries, while Swart and Lee’s participation for Saturday’s match against the Sunwolves will be decided later this week.

Despite the injuries, the Cheetahs will remain confident of beating the struggling Sunwolves at home on Saturday.
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I am sure that they will easily beat the Sunwolves as the travelling squad is weak. However, as I have previously stated the Cheetahs is thin on depth in their small squad where the abovementioned article may prove troubling to them.
 
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/rebels-dismiss-super-rugby-exit-talk-20170306

Rebels dismiss Super Rugby exit talk

Cape Town - Melbourne Rebels owner Andrew Cox has poured cold water over suggestions that his franchise are in line for the Super Rugby chopping block.

Heavy losses in the Rebels' first two matches of the season to the Blues and Hurricanes and have led to speculation that the team could be cut from the competition, ahead of SANZAAR bosses meeting in London on Friday to map our the 2018 tournament.

Cox's argument is that the Australian Rugby Union could not afford the cost of doing so. Cox's Imperium Capital Group purchased the Rebels from the ARU in 2015.

"Economically I doubt the ARU could afford to do it," Cox told AAP.

"We've got stadium deals, new facilities we've invested a lot of money in and there's significant issues with that.

"We're a very important market for Fox (pay television) as we're the second best advertising market in Australia so there's a whole host of things that make it highly unlikely."
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Interesting though, several players on their roster has also made long-term commitments to the club, some being Wallabies. Taking the above obligations into account, it may be that the Rebels has done so on purpose to avoid being axed. The Force has done something similar with their employees (and players) buying into the club and going with government sponsorship commitments.

Thursday is going to be a big day in Super Rugby.
 
http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39183293

Leinster sign back James Lowe from Chiefs but Mike McCarthy to leave at end of season

Leinster have signed back James Lowe from Super Rugby side the Chiefs and have announced that Ireland second row Mike McCarthy is to leave the province.

Lowe, 24, has made 39 appearances for the Chiefs, scoring 18 tries.

Lowe has also represented the Maori All Blacks on five occasions, crossing for six tries, including one against Munster at Thomond Park in November.
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http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/kings-lose-key-players-for-stormers-clash-20170306

Kings lose key players for Stormers clash

Port Elizabeth - The Southern Kings will be without scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and lock Mzwanele Zito when they take on the Stormers in Saturday's Super Rugby clash in Port Elizabeth.

The duo sustained concussions in the Kings' 37-23 victory against the Sunwolves at the Singapore National Stadium this past weekend.

Furthermore, back-up scrumhalf Rudi van Rooyen remained in Gauteng on the team's return from Singapore on Monday.

Van Rooyen sustained a suspected dislocation of the ankle after replacing Schreuder on Saturday and he will be seeing a specialist in Pretoria for a full assessment and diagnosis.
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Moving weekend so gonna miss most games Saturday ..... hoping for some average games so I don't miss any crackers :p
 
Some teams are still TBA,

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...s/news-story/6f806afd89b7566f1daad6284a8c4bd2

Super Rugby week three teams: squads, injury news, previews, referees

CHIEFS VS HURRICANES

CHIEFS (15-1): Damian McKenzie, Toni Pulu, Tim Nanai-Williams, Anton Lienert-Brown, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden (co-captain), Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Michael Leitch, Sam Cane (co-captain), Mitchell Brown, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Nepo Laulala, Hika Elliot, Kane Hames

Reserves: Sebastian Siataga, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Atu Moli, Taleni Seu, Lachlan Boshier, Jonathan Taumateine, Stephen Donald, Shaun Stevenson

HURRICANES (15-1): Nehe Milner-Skudder, Vince Aso, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, Mark Abbott, Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, Dane Coles (c), Loni Uhila

Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Ben May, James Blackwell, Callum Gibbins, Chris Smylie, Otere Black, Jordie Barrett.

Referee: Brendon Pickerill (NZ)

BRUMBIES VS FORCE

BRUMBIES (15-1): Aidan Toua, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, James Dargaville, Wharenui Hawera, Joe Powell, Jordan Smiler, Chris Alcock, Ben Hyne, Sam Carter (c), Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Mann-Rea, Ben Alexander

Reserves: Robbie Abel, Nic Mayhew, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Blake Enever, Tom Staniforth, Lolo Fakaosilea, De Wet Roos, Andrew Smith

FORCE (15-1): Dane Haylett-Petty, Chance Peni, Curtis Rona, Billy Meakes, Luke Morahan, Jono Lance, Ryan Louwrens, Richard Hardwick, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander, Matt Philip, Ross Haylett-Petty, Tetera Faulkner, Heath Tessman (c), Pek Cowan

Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Daley, Jermaine Ainsley, Onehunga Havili Kaufusi, Isi Naisarani, Michael Ruru, Ian Prior, Robbie Coleman

Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (AUS)

BLUES VS HIGHLANDERS

BLUES (15-1): Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, George Moala, Rene Ranger, Ihaia West, Augustine Pulu, Murphy Taramai, Blake Gibson, Jerome Kaino, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jimmy Tupou, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons (c), Pauliasi Manu

Reserves: Matt Moulds, Sam Prattley, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Akira Ioane/Kara Pryor, Billy Guyton, Piers Francis, Melani Nanai

HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Richard Buckman, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Elliot Dixon (c), Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Alex Ainley, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown

Reserves: Sekonia Pole, Aki Seiuli, Siate Tokolahi, Joe Wheeler, Jackson Hemopo, Dillon Hunt, Kayne Hammington, Marty Banks

Referee: Glen Jackson (NZ)

REDS VS CRUSADERS

REDS (15-1): Karmichael Hunt, Izaia Perese, Samu Kerevi, Duncan Paia’aua, Eto Nabuli, Quade Cooper, Nick Frisby, Scott Higginbotham, George Smith, Hendrik Tui, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Sam Talakai, Stephen Moore, James Slipper (c)

Reserves: Andrew Ready, Sef Fa’agase, Taniela Tupou, Kane Douglas, Adam Korczyk, James Tuttle, Jake McIntyre, Chris Kuridrani

CRUSADERS (15-1): Israel Dagg, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Digby Ioane, Mitchell Hunt, Mitchell Drummond, Whetu Douglas, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (c), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody

Reserves: Ben Funnell, Tim Perry, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Jordan Taufua, Bryn Hall, Marty McKenzie, George Bridge

Referee: Will Houston (AUS)

...

The Kiwis has enlisted many All Blacks as starters this weekend.
 
http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2017/03/462729.html

Rugby: Sunwolves make 7 changes to starting XV for Cheetahs clash

Sunwolves head coach Filo Tiatia named five uncapped players Thursday in his 23-man squad to play the Cheetahs on Saturday in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

The starting XV shows seven changes from the team that took to the field last weekend against the Kings in Singapore as the Sunwolves look for their first win of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Hooker Yusuke Niwai, prop Yasuo Yamaji and lock Uwe Helu will all make their debuts as will hooker Atsushi Sakate and flyhalf Jumpei Ogura if they come off the bench.

"The team have worked extremely hard on their adjustments this week and the addition of these five men has brought another flush of energy to the pack," Tiatia said in a press release from South Africa.

"We have a strong philosophical approach to the management of our players and providing opportunities to expose them to quality rugby is important to us. Representing the Sunwolves and Japan means a lot to these guys and they will do us all very proud."

Tiatia said the squad were glad to be back in Bloemfontein despite the city being host to two of the worst results ever suffered by Japanese teams.

Last year, the Sunwolves were hammered 92-17 in the corresponding fixture, having lost 32-31 to the Cheetahs earlier in the season in Singapore.

The city was also the venue of Japan's 145-17 loss to New Zealand at Rugby World Cup 1995.
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Jumpei Ogura is a very good and consistent no. 10 in the Top League with NTT. I don’t why they played Yu Tamaru’s little brother and Hayden Cripps above him until Yu Tamaru can return as their regular no. 10. Strange choices...

Oh well, third time's the charm...
 
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/lions-pick-rookie-at-flyhalf-20170309

Lions pick rookie at flyhalf

Marvin Orie will make his debut for the Lions at lock, replacing Franco Mostert, while in the backline, 21-year-old Shaun Reynolds will make his first start in Super Rugby, replacing Elton Jantjies at flyhalf.

Reynolds played for the Lions junior teams in recent years and made his senior debut in last year's Currie Cup Qualifying competition.

Prop Johannes Jonker also makes his run-on debut in a Lions team which shows nine changes to the side that started against the Waratahs, and one positional change with Harold Vorster moving from outside to inside centre.

Lions

15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Dylan Smith

16 Malcolm Marx, 17 jacques van Rooyen, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Louren Erasmus, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Andries Coetzee, 23 Sylvian Mahuza
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http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/cheetahs-forced-to-ring-changes-20170309

Cheetahs forced to ring changes

Up front, Charles Marais starts in the front row, replacing Ox Nche, who sustained a knee injury against the men from Pretoria.

At lock, Francois Uys replaces Reniel Hugo, who is sidelined due to a long-term knee injury.

The injured Uzair Cassiem (knee) will be replaced by Paul Schoeman who will be starting as No 6 flank, while Niell Jordaan will start at No 8.

In the backline, Rayno Benjamin moves to outside centre, replacing the injured Nico Lee (shoulder).

Zee Mkhabela will start at right wing in Benjamin’s place.

Meanwhile, Tom Botha, Armandt Koster, Henco Venter, Ali Mgijima and Ruan van Rensburg are new additions to the bench.

Midfielder Mgijima will make his Super Rugby debut if he takes to the field.

Teams:

Cheetahs

15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Zee Mkhabela, 13 Rayno Benjamin, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld (captain), 1 Charles Marais

Substitutes: 16 Danie Mienie, 17 Elandre Huggett, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Armandt Koster, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Niel Marais, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Ruan van Rensburg

Sunwolves

15 Shota Emi, 14 Takaaki Nakazuru, 13 William Tupou, 12 Derek Carpenter, 11 Kenki Fukuoka, 10 Hayden Cripps, 9 Keisuke Uchida, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Shumei Matsuhashi, 6 Ed Quirk (captain), 5 Uwe Hela, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Yasuo Yamaji, 2 Yusuke Niwai, 1 Koki Yamamoto

Substitutes: 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Masataka Mikami, 18 Takuma Asahara, 19 Sam Wykes, 20 Shokei Kin, 21 Kaito Shigeno, 22 Jumpei Ogura, 23 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi
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This is the Sunwolves chance to prove themselves. Neither squad is the best, we may see a very loose game.
 
Just had a quick read that there are still some overlapping broadcasting deals which may hamper SANZAAR’s decision by going to a 15 or 16 team Super Rugby setup. Sticking to 18 teams would see 6 groups, where the Sunwolves will be added to an Aussie group and the Jaguares to a Kiwi group. Each team will play the other home and away. The 15-team setup will see the model return as practised during 2011-2015, but then SA must cut 2 teams which SA seems to be against, this also involves the Aussies sticking to their 5 teams and seeing the Sunwolves withdraw until 2020 or indefinitely. Currently neither SA or AUS wants to drop teams as the rumours suggest going by the proposals last night in London.

Fox Sports apparently have continuing rights over the 5 Aussie teams. There is a chance that we may see the Sunwolves exit the competition and SA dropping 2 teams. This is per Australian news. Their support, RUPA, is clinging onto the Rebels and Force.
 
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/etzebeth-leads-stormers-basson-debuts-20170309

Etzebeth leads Stormers, Basson debuts

Teams:

Kings

15 Masixole Banda, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Rick Schroeder, 8 Riaan Lerm, 7 Themelani Bholi, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Irne Herbst, 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Schalk Ferreira (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Kurt Haupt, 17 Schalk van der Merwe, 18 Chris Heiberg, 19 Willem van der Sluys, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Johan Steyn, 22 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 23 Berton Klaasen

Stormers

15 SP Marais, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble

Substitutes: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Chris Van Zyl, 20 Jaco Coetzee, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Damian Willemse
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Kolisi and Senatla is being rested. Kolisi in accordance with the Springbok policy and Senatla had this apparently pre-scheduled between player and coach.
 
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