Super Rugby 2017

Don'the like the new format either.

Should have it simple. Cut 2 teams. 2 groups of 8 each. All in the groups play each other twice . Top 4 in each group go through to quarters.

Random draw each year to determine groups.
 
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stefan9 said:
Don'the like the new format either.

Should have it simple. Cut 2 times. 2 groups of 8 each. All in the groups play each other twice . Top 4 in each group go through to quarters.

Random draw each year to determine groups.
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This conference format is a crock of s hite!! I also prefer the old round robin format with the top 4 sides qualifying for the semi finals!

But what would really be nice to see is the competition expanded to 20 teams.

2 pool of 10 teams competing against each other on a round robin basis, home one year and away the next. Top 4 teams in each pool play in the semis to decide finalists. But wait, Pool 1 is the premier league and Pool 2 is the B league so your bottom 10 teams would compete in the B league with Pool winners playing a promotion/relegation match against the Premier league 10th placed team.

So in effect a similar format to what we currently see in the English Premier league. Why Super rugby hasn't gone this route already is beyond me.

EDIT: The Western Force/Southern Kings game was one of the most entertaining of the competition so far. Games played between teams of similar strength can be very entertaining. It's a shame to see both sides cut. Same applies to Cheetahs. The Free State/Grey Bloem continues to produce some of the best rugby players in the country but they can't retain them, losing the top players to Europe clubs and/or the Sharks.
 
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...ers-skipped-kfc-ads-after-invoking-sbw-clause

Super Rugby players skipped KFC ads after invoking SBW clause

Some of the country's high-profile rugby players opted to avoid featuring in KFC television advertisements, exercising the same clause in their contracts Sonny Bill Williams did by taping over a bank logo on his jersey.

In his debut for the Blues, against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday, Williams taped over the BNZ logo on the collar of his jersey. Williams has not explained why other than to say it was owing to a conscientious objection.

The objection was believed to have been due to his Muslim faith, which goes against the notion of banks charging interest and fees on loans.

New Zealand Rugby Players Association chief executive Rob Nichol said all players were able to lodge conscientious objections, but they were not a given and usually had to be agreed to by the employer - which is New Zealand Rugby.

The Blues were understood to have been blind-sided by the taping move, and Williams, his management and the sponsors in question were expected to release a statement clarifying the situation on Tuesday.

...

A prime one was the reluctance of players to appear in the ads of Super Rugby sponsor KFC, believing it wasn't such a good look for a fast food chain to be linking with the sport.

"There are some players who essentially said 'No, that's not for me'," Nichol said.

"A number of players said 'Look, I've got no issue with KFC sponsoring rugby, but just given my situation, I don't really want to be associated with their advertising'. So we've had players being excused from doing KFC adverts. What we do on behalf of all the players, and KFC were outstanding in this respect, is we said 'Listen, when you're developing your adverts, it'd be really sensible, we believe, to make sure that when you're looking at the role the players have, don't put them next to the product - so don't have them holding or consuming the product, just do the brand association stuff.

"And as soon as we did that, a lot of players said 'Oh yeah, I'm more than happy to be involved now'."

Nichol confirmed there had been other cases too.

"There's been a few others, but obviously we're not going to go into the individuals, or their details."

Nichol said a "conscientious objection" was a request only and required agreement with the employer - New Zealand Rugby.

"If they don't grant the consent, then the player won't be excused and they will be required to undertake the certain activity, and if they don't that would be a breach of their contract," he said.

In the SBW case, it would be a combined effort between NZR and his Super Rugby club, the Blues.
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http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/aussies-wanted-sa-out-of-super-rugby-report-20170411

Aussies wanted SA out of Super Rugby - report

Cape Town - The New Zealand Rugby Union reportedly rejected the Australian Rugby Union's plan to form a new Super Rugby competition which excluded teams from South Africa.

According to the New Zealand Herald website, this was revealed by ARU chairperson Cameron Clyne on Monday.

Super Rugby matches involving South African teams are believed to be unpopular in Australia, both in terms of crowds and TV viewers.

However, New Zealand Players' Association boss Rob Nichol said the experience that the South African teams provided to Kiwi players - both in terms of the style of play and travel - was invaluable to their development.
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A-hem.
 
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/stormers-sweat-over-key-injuries-in-pack-20170411

Stormers sweat over key injuries in pack

Cape Town - Another week, another list of injuries for the Stormers.

It has been one of those seasons for coach Robbie Fleck, and there are a couple of fresh injury concerns following Saturday's 34-26 win over the Chiefs at Newlands.

The biggest comes in the form of young flank Cobus Wiese, who has a shoulder injury and looks almost certain to miss this Saturday's clash against the Lions in Cape Town.

...

With Rynhardt Elstadt and Stephan de Witt also both out injured, the Stormers could have their depth at No 6 seriously tested against the Lions, although Nizaam Carr would be the logical replacement.

There is also concern over the second row powerhouse duo of Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth.

Du Toit was withdrawn from the Chiefs game late in the week with a swollen knee while Etzebeth is struggling with a calf strain.
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sand_man said:
This conference format is a crock of s hite!! I also prefer the old round robin format with the top 4 sides qualifying for the semi finals!

But what would really be nice to see is the competition expanded to 20 teams.

2 pool of 10 teams competing against each other on a round robin basis, home one year and away the next. Top 4 teams in each pool play in the semis to decide finalists. But wait, Pool 1 is the premier league and Pool 2 is the B league so your bottom 10 teams would compete in the B league with Pool winners playing a promotion/relegation match against the Premier league 10th placed team.

So in effect a similar format to what we currently see in the English Premier league. Why Super rugby hasn't gone this route already is beyond me.

EDIT: The Western Force/Southern Kings game was one of the most entertaining of the competition so far. Games played between teams of similar strength can be very entertaining. It's a shame to see both sides cut. Same applies to Cheetahs. The Free State/Grey Bloem continues to produce some of the best rugby players in the country but they can't retain them, losing the top players to Europe clubs and/or the Sharks.
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That's works me as well.

Why Sanzar went with this us conference junk Noone knows.
 
stefan9 said:
That's works me as well.

Why Sanzar went with this us conference junk Noone knows.
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I think it better suited those with broadcasting agreements. Fox Sports UK has much say, especially in Australia, as I have gathered. They are also responsible to broadcast to the European/UK market. Money talks.
 
http://english.kyodonews.net/news/2...much-changed-sunwolves-against-crusaders.html

Rugby: Quirk back to lead much changed Sunwolves against Crusaders

Ed Quirk returns from injury and will lead the Sunwolves against the Crusaders at Christchurch's AMI Stadium on Friday, in the Japanese franchise's first game on New Zealand soil.

The Australian-born flanker leads a side that shows eight changes from the team that started last Saturday's win over South Africa's Bulls.

"The win against the Bulls in Tokyo last week was a wonderful achievement that we as a team, the organization and the fans alike thoroughly enjoyed," head coach Filo Tiatia said in a press release Wednesday. "We have been in good spirits since we arrived in New Zealand this week, however we are very aware of what lies ahead this Friday night against the Crusaders."

Tiatia's 23-man squad contains two players set to make their Super Rugby debut, wing Teruya Goto and reserve flanker Yuhimaru Mimura.

"I understand one of my roles is to tackle my opponents as many times as possible, and I will be focusing on that," said Mimura, who admitted he was a fan of the Christchurch-based side.

There is a new front row with Keita Inagaki and Takuma Asahara packing down either side of Takeshi Kizu.

Sam Wykes is promoted from the bench and will join Liaki Moli in the second row, while Quirk is joined in the back row by Shunsuke Nunomaki, who impressed coming off the bench last week, and Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, who scored seven minutes into his Super Rugby debut against the Bulls.

Yu Tamura, whose second-half performance last week at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground helped turn the game around, is handed the No. 10 jersey and will pair up with Fumiaki Tanaka.

Timothy Lafaele and Derek Carpenter keep their spots in the midfield with Goto joining Takaaki Nakazuru and Kotaro Matsushima in the back three.

"My main role is to score tries and I will focus on attacking with ball in hand," said Goto, who was part of the Japan squad that finished fourth at the Rio Olympics.

Yusuke Niwai, Koki Yamamoto and Heiichiro Ito provide the cover for the front row. Shinya Makabe makes a long awaited return to action as the second row cover with Mimura the other replacement forward.

Yuki Yatomi, William Tupou and Jamie-Jerry Taulagi add experience, power and the x-factor as the reserve backs.
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...s-for-match-against-sunwolves-on-friday-night

Kieran Read returns to Crusaders for match against Sunwolves on Friday night

Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Tim Bateman, Manasa Mataele, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (captain), Luke Romano, Michael Alaalatoa, Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody, Oliver Jager, Quinten Strange, Whetu Douglas, Leon Fukofuka, Marty McKenzie, George Bridge.
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The Crusaders are not taking any chances, strong team named. I expected them to rest some key players.
 
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/younger-du-toit-set-for-super-rugby-debut-20170413

Younger Du Toit set for Super Rugby debut

Cape Town - Johan du Toit, the younger brother of Pieter-Steph du Toit, is in line to make his Super Rugby debut for the Stormers if he comes off the bench against the Lions at Newlands on Saturday.

With Cobus Wiese ruled out due to a shoulder injury, Nizaam Carr moves into the starting line-up with Du Toit providing loose forward cover.

There are just two changes to the Stormers forward pack that started in the 34-26 victory against the Chiefs last week, with Pieter-Steph du Toit named at lock and Frans Malherbe rotating with Wilco Louw at tighthead prop.

The only change to the backline sees Jano Vermaak return to the team after being sidelined with concussion last week, with Godlen Masimla getting an opportunity to provide scrumhalf cover on the replacements bench.
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Did the Sunwolves practice in New Zealand, such a great start turned into a disaster. The same mistake they made against the Hurricanes and the Kings, kick, kick, kick, hot potato. They even turned the game against themselves like this against the Cheetahs and the Stormers. This is bad coaching.
 
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