Super Rugby 2018

[Fulcrum29]

CONFERENCES:

New Zealand

Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes

Australian

Brumbies, Rebels, Reds, Waratahs, Sunwolves

South African

Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers, Jaguares

FIXTURES:

LINK TO DOWNLOADABLE PDF DRAW SCHEDULES (Dropbox)

KICK OFF TIME - HOME vs AWAY

Source: http://www.superxv.com/fixtures/

WEEK 1 (SAC Only):

Saturday 17 February

15:05 - Stormers vs Jaguares
17:15 - Lions vs Sharks

Bye: Bulls

WEEK 2:

Friday 23 February

08:35 - Highlanders vs Blues
10:45 - Rebels vs Reds

Saturday 24 February

06:15 - Sunwolves vs Brumbies
08:35 - Crusaders vs Chiefs
10:45 - Waratahs vs Stormers
15:05 - Lions vs Jaguares
17:15 - Bulls vs Hurricanes

Bye: Sharks

WEEK 3:

Friday 2 March

08:35 - Blues vs Chiefs
11:00 - Reds vs Brumbies

Saturday 3 March

08:35 - Crusaders vs Stormers
11:00 - Sunwolves vs Rebels
15:05 - Sharks vs Waratahs
17:15 - Bulls vs Lions
23:40 - Jaguares vs Hurricanes

Bye: Highlanders

WEEK 4:

Friday 9 March

08:35 - Highlanders vs Stormers
10:45 - Rebels vs Brumbies

Saturday 10 March

08:35 - Hurricanes vs Crusaders
10:45 - Reds vs Bulls
15:05 - Sharks vs Sunwolves
17:15 - Lions vs Blues
23:40 - Jaguares vs Waratahs

Bye: Chiefs

WEEK 5:

Friday 16 March

08:35 - Chiefs vs Bulls

Saturday 17 March

08:35 - Highlanders vs Crusaders
10:45 - Brumbies vs Sharks
15:05 - Stormers vs Blues
17:15 - Lions vs Sunwolves
23:40 - Jaguares vs Reds

Sunday 18 March

07:05 - Waratahs vs Rebels

Bye: Hurricanes

WEEK :6

Friday 23 March

08:35 - Crusaders vs Bulls
10:45 - Rebels vs Sharks

Saturday 24 March

06:15 - Sunwolves vs Chiefs
08:35 - Hurricanes vs Highlanders
17:15 - Stormers vs Reds
23:40 - Jaguares vs Lions

Bye: Brumbies, Waratahs, Blues

WEEK 7 (Daylight Saving finishes in AUS and NZ):

Friday 30 March

08:35 - Chiefs vs Highlanders
10:45 - Rebels vs Hurricanes

Saturday 31 March

08:35 - Blues vs Sharks
10:45 - Brumbies vs Waratahs
17:15 - Bulls vs Stormers

Sunday 1 April

14:30 - Lions vs Crusaders

Bye: Sunwolves, Jaguares, Reds

WEEK 8:

Friday 6 April

09:35 - Hurricanes vs Sharks

Saturday 7 April

07:15 - Sunwolves vs Waratahs
09:35 - Chiefs vs Blues
11:45 - Brumbies vs Reds
17:15 - Lions vs Stormers
23:40 - Jaguares vs Crusaders

Bye: Bulls, Rebels, Highlanders

WEEK 9:

Friday 13 April

09:35 - Hurricanes vs Chiefs

Saturday 14 April

05:05 - Sunwolves vs Blues
07:15 - Rebels vs Jaguares
09:35 - Highlanders vs Brumbies
11:45 - Waratahs vs Reds
17:15 - Sharks vs Bulls

Bye: Stormers, Lions, Crusaders

WEEK 10:

Friday 20 April

09:35 - Blues vs Highlanders
11:45 - Waratahs vs Lions

Saturday 21 April

09:35 - Crusaders vs Sunwolves
11:45 - Reds vs Chiefs
15:05 - Bulls vs Rebels
17:15 - Sharks vs Stormers

Sunday 22 April

08:05 - Brumbies vs Jaguares

Bye: Hurricanes

WEEK 11:

Friday 27 April

09:35 - Hurricanes vs Sunwolves
19:10 - Stormers vs Rebels

Saturday 28 April

07:05 - Reds vs Lions
09:35 - Blues vs Jaguares
11:45 - Brumbies vs Crusaders
17:15 - Bulls vs Highlanders

Bye: Sharks, Waratahs, Chiefs

WEEK 12:

Friday 4 May

09:35 - Chiefs vs Jaguares
11:45 - Rebels vs Crusaders

Saturday 5 May

07:05 - Waratahs vs Blues
09:35 - Hurricanes vs Lions
15:05 - Stormers vs Bulls
17:15 - Sharks vs Highlanders

Bye: Sunwolves, Brumbies, Reds

WEEK 13:

Friday 11 May

09:35 - Blues vs Hurricanes

Saturday 12 May

05:05 - Sunwolves vs Reds
07:15 - Crusaders vs Waratahs
09:35 - Highlanders vs Lions
11:45 - Brumbies vs Rebels
15:05 - Stormers vs Chiefs
17:15 - Bulls vs Sharks

Bye: Jaguares

WEEK 14:

Friday 18 May

09:35 - Hurricanes vs Reds

Saturday 19 May

TBC - Sunwolves vs Stormers
09:35 - Blues vs Crusaders
11:45 - Waratahs vs Highlanders
15:05 - Sharks vs Chiefs
17:15 - Lions vs Brumbies
23:40 - Jaguares vs Bulls

Bye: Rebels

WEEK 15:

Friday 25 May

09:35 - Crusaders vs Hurricanes
11:45 - Rebels vs Sunwolves
21:40 - Jaguares vs Sharks

Saturday 26 May

09:35 - Chiefs vs Waratahs
11:45 - Reds vs Highlanders
15:05 - Bulls vs Brumbies
17:15 - Stormers vs Lions

Bye: Blues

WEEK 16 (AC & NZC Only):

Friday 1 June

09:35 - Highlanders vs Hurricanes

Saturday 2 June

07:15 - Blues vs Rebels
09:35 - Chiefs vs Crusaders
11:45 - Reds vs Waratahs

Sunday 3 June

08:05 - Brumbies vs Sunwolves

WEEK 17:

Friday 29 June

09:35 - Blues vs Reds
11:45 - Rebels vs Waratahs

Saturday 30 June

09:35 - Highlanders vs Chiefs
11:45 - Brumbies vs Hurricanes
13:55 - Sunwolves vs Bulls
17:15 - Sharks vs Lions
21:40 - Jaguares vs Stormers

Bye: Crusaders

WEEK 18:

Friday 6 July

09:35 - Crusaders vs Highlanders
11:45 - Reds vs Rebels

Saturday 7 July

07:15 - Chiefs vs Brumbies
09:35 - Hurricanes vs Blues
11:45 - Waratahs vs Sunwolves
15:05 - Bulls vs Jaguares
17:15 - Stormers vs Sharks

Bye: Lions

WEEK 19:

Friday 13 July

09:35 - Chiefs vs Hurricanes
11:45 - Reds vs Sunwolves

Saturday 14 July

07:15 - Highlanders vs Rebels
09:35 - Crusaders vs Blues
11:45 - Waratahs vs Brumbies
15:05 - Lions vs Bulls
17:15 - Sharks vs Jaguares

Bye: Stormers

QUALIFIERS:

Saturday 21 July

...

SEMI-FINALS:

Saturday 28 July

...

FINAL:

Saturday 4 August

...

SUPERBRU COMPETITIONS:

...

*I will update this

 

[Fulcrum29]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...s/news-story/9083d9759f4a2d7cc024f33cfbd86a31

Super Rugby: Wessels signs to coach Melbourne Rebels

Western Force coach Dave Wessels has agreed to move to Melbourne to coach the Rebels in Super Rugby.

Amid all the carnage caused by the Australian Rugby Union’s decision to cut the Force, one of the most poignant stories was whether the 34-year-old former South African who had coached the Perth team through the 2017 Super Rugby campaign, his first season as head coach, would be lost to the game in this country.

Ireland’s Munster were circling, as were other *European clubs. There were reports that he had decided to move to Limerick. But as tempting as that option may have been, Wessels has revealed he will remain in Australia because it’s the country that first gave him his chance.

“My dream has always been to coach professional rugby and it’s Australian rugby that’s given me that opportunity,” Wessels told The Australian. “From a loyalty perspective — and I know we haven’t had the greatest couple of months here in Perth with all the speculation about the Force — but the position I’m in, I owe it in large part to the people within Australian rugby.

“A lot of the (Force) staff and players will now have the opportunity to come with us to Melbourne and I feel that if I turned my back on Australia now, I would live the rest of my life wondering where it could have ended up.”

It could now end up as coach of the Wallabies. Michael Cheika has made it clear he intends to stand down as Test coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the feeling now is that Wessels could be the man to replace him. How the fates play out over the next two years will determine whether he or Wallabies assistant coach Steve Larkham win the chance to coach at Test level.

 

[Fulcrum29]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/macdonald-to-step-down-from-crusaders-role-20170929

MacDonald to step down from Crusaders role

Cape Town - Crusaders assistant coach Leon MacDonald will step down from his role with the Super Rugby champions to spend more time with his family.

According to Reuters, MacDonald will assume less responsibility and take on a resource coaching role for the team. The former All Blacks' fullback helped Scott Robertson and his charges win their first Super Rugby title in nine years.

“Stepping back from the role was certainly not an easy decision to make, however the family’s preference is to be living back home in Blenheim so that is absolutely where I need to be,” MacDonald said.

“I am grateful to the Crusaders for the amazing opportunity to be a part of their coaching team this year and for allowing me to continue contributing next year from the northern end of the Crusaders region.”

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Quite a loss that. MacDonald is a great coach.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Sunwolves has started to sign players to their 2018 Super Rugby season which is now managed by a committee appointed by SANZAAR.

2017 players returning:

- Ed Quirik
- Keita Inagaki
- Harumichi Tatekawa
- Yu Tamura

2016 players returning:

- Akihito Yamada

John Plumtree has also signed with Japan as assistant coach, he may also be brought into the Super Rugby mix alongside Jamie Joseph which has now been appointed as the Sunwolves' head coach.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Sunwolves has started to sign players to their 2018 Super Rugby season which is now managed by a committee appointed by SANZAAR.

2017 players returning:

- Ed Quirik
- Keita Inagaki
- Harumichi Tatekawa
- Yu Tamura

2016 players returning:

- Akihito Yamada

John Plumtree has also signed with Japan as assistant coach, he may also be brought into the Super Rugby mix alongside Jamie Joseph which has now been appointed as the Sunwolves' head coach.

A committee managed by SANZAAR? How does that work?

 

[Fulcrum29]

A committee managed by SANZAAR? How does that work?

The Sunwolves as an Super Rugby product is compromised due to them being unable to meet certain criteria over the past 2 Super Rugby seasons. Now SANZAAR is directly involved in running the Sunwolves, essentially the JRFU has been relieved by an entity called the Japan Super Rugby Association (JSRA). Rumour has it that there are many Kiwis onboard.

I don’t like the entire restructuring, because one key change to the Sunwolves is too play more non-Japan eligible players. It skips on the idea to ready Japan going into the 2019 RWC.

More will be known in time.

Then also… in my opinion as good as Jamie Joseph may be, his play style is… well, not very much the Japanese way. They should approach the top 3 Top League clubs and rope in their coaching. Robbie Deans (Panasonic), Jim McKay (Kobelco) and Keisuke Sawaki (Suntory) are doing good work with these players and so are their assistants.

 

[Fulcrum29]

OT:

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/super-rugby-champions-coach-joins-baabaas-20171002

Super Rugby champions coach joins BaaBaas

Cape Town - Former All Black Scott Robertson is joining the Barbarians coaching team for next month’s matches against New Zealand and Tonga.

Robertson, 43, lifted the Super Rugby title this summer in his first season as head ccoach of the Crusaders.

He joins Barbarians head coach Robbie Deans for the European leg of the tour which will see the BaaBaas take on New Zealand at Twickenham on November 4 before facing Tonga at Thomond Park in Limerick on November 10.

Awesome opportunity.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

The Sunwolves as an Super Rugby product is compromised due to them being unable to meet certain criteria over the past 2 Super Rugby seasons. Now SANZAAR is directly involved in running the Sunwolves, essentially the JRFU has been relieved by an entity called the Japan Super Rugby Association (JSRA). Rumour has it that there are many Kiwis onboard.

I don’t like the entire restructuring, because one key change to the Sunwolves is too play more non-Japan eligible players. It skips on the idea to ready Japan going into the 2019 RWC.

More will be known in time.

Then also… in my opinion as good as Jamie Joseph may be, his play style is… well, not very much the Japanese way. They should approach the top 3 Top League clubs and rope in their coaching. Robbie Deans (Panasonic), Jim McKay (Kobelco) and Keisuke Sawaki (Suntory) are doing good work with these players and so are their assistants.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the info.

Seems a bit convoluted, and it's a bit sad that Japanese rugby can't really stand on its own just yet.

 

[Fulcrum29]

https://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/171005/Reds_sack_Stiles_appoint_Thorn

Reds sack Stiles, appoint Thorn

The poorly-performing Reds have sacked Nick Stiles after one season in charge and appointed former All Blacks lock Brad Thorn to lead the side in Super Rugby from next season.

Former Australian prop Stiles had been an interim co-coach of the Reds in 2016 with Matt O'Connor before he got the head coaching role.

The Reds won just four games last season and Stiles was outspoken in his criticism and frustration at his players' performances and at times off-field behaviour.

"Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) was disappointed with the performance of the Queensland Reds in 2017 and we believe we require a catalyst for change in culture, discipline and standards," QRU chief executive Richard Baker said in a statement announcing the coaching change.

"We feel strongly that Brad Thorn is the right person to lead this change and that his appointment as head coach is the necessary catalyst for that change.

"Brad has a proven track record of success as both a player and a coach. He is without peer when it comes to the culture and professionalism required to be successful at the highest level of our sport and he is enthusiastic about moving the Reds forward and creating a winning culture at Ballymore once again."

 

[Fulcrum29]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...u/news-story/7caf596c447661357a2882bfc87fec58

Backrower Hendrik Tui’s Queensland Reds exit opens door for former Broncos forward Caleb Timu

THE exit of three-season import Hendrik Tui has opened up a major chance for Caleb Timu to wrestle a full-time role in the Queensland Reds back row next season.

Tweaks to the Reds playing roster have continued in the background while all the focus has been around Brad Thorn’s elevation to head coach at Ballymore.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the reliable Tui, 29, has not been offered a new deal to extend his 30-game career and will play on with leading Japanese club Suntory.

 

[DanDango]

Rugby Fail -The Most HILLARIOUS rugby fight EVER!!!

[video=youtube;DxmtSKePhP0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxmtSKePhP0[/video]

 

[Fulcrum29]

Rugby Fail -The Most HILLARIOUS rugby fight EVER!!!

/snip

Crowd sounds like live at Newlands.

 

[SuperPi]

Rugby Fail -The Most HILLARIOUS rugby fight EVER!!!

I think the ref might have told him that this is the rugby game, football gets played two fields over.

 

[Fulcrum29]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-newspape...leaves-Crusaders-for-fulltime-career-in-Japan

Digby Ioane leaves Crusaders for fulltime career in Japan

Former Wallabies wing Digby Ioane will not return to the Super Rugby title winning Crusaders in 2018 and will stay in Japan with Robbie Deans' Panasonic Wild Knights club.

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson said Ioane and the Crusaders had reached a mutual decision that staying in Japan was best for the 32-year-old.

Ioane, who earned 35 caps for Australia from 2007 to 2013, played just three Super Rugby games for the Crusaders in 2017, scoring one try against the Western Force.

 

[Fulcrum29]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/garden-bachop-makes-hurricanes-switch-20171017

Garden-Bachop makes Hurricanes switch

Cape Town - Rebels flyhalf Jackson Garden-Bachop has signed a two-year deal with the Hurricanes which will keep him at the franchise until the end of 2019.

The 23-year-old joins the 2017 Super Rugby semi-finalists following a debut season of Super Rugby with the Rebels.

Garden-Bachop said he was excited to have the opportunity to continue his career with his home club the Hurricanes.

"I'm really happy to be settled in my home town and able to play my provincial and Super Rugby in one place and in my home town and close to my family," he said.

"Growing up in Wellington I always dreamed of playing for the Hurricanes, so I'm pretty happy to get this opportunity. The Hurricanes have some world class players, especially in my position and I'm looking forward to learning off and working alongside players like Beauden Barrett."

He will join the Hurricanes off the back of an excellent season with the Wellington Lions that saw him named as the team's player of the year.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Eh, Garden-Bachop wasn't that impressive. Although the Hurricanes are certainly a team better poised to help young players perform. Rebels not so much.

Dunno how much game time he'll get ahead of Barrett and Black, though.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Eh, Garden-Bachop wasn't that impressive. Although the Hurricanes are certainly a team better poised to help young players perform. Rebels not so much.

Dunno how much game time he'll get ahead of Barrett and Black, though.

I agree with this sentiment. His old man is an All Black so they may see some potential pumping in the young man, not to mention that he was Wellington’s starter at #10, but was unable to sign with an New Zealand Super Rugby team which urged him into the Rebels camp in 2016.

 

[Fulcrum29]

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2017/09/18/talakai-set-to-join-rebels

Talakai to be unveiled as a Rebel

Reds prop Sam Talakai is set to join his third Super Rugby club, with a move to the Rebels for the 2018 season to be unveiled tomorrow.

RUGBY.com.au understands the Talakai announcement will be the first of many in the coming weeks, as the Rebels roll out a number of new signings, headlined by Force stars eager to follow former coach Dave Wessels to his new club.

It’s understood the Reds were willing to let Talakai walk at the asking price, with the growth of Taniela Tupou this year a big factor in the decision.

The Reds have been patient since signing the schoolboy prodigy but in the back half of this Super Rugby season, as a 21-year-old, Tupou showed he has what it takes to be the starting tighthead for many years to come.

 

[Fulcrum29]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/...s/news-story/ee24417cdcc682788a4506b71221907f

Reds sign Filipo Daugunu and Chris Feauai-Sautia to Super Rugby deals

QUEENSLAND Reds have bolstered their outside back stocks with the signing of the National Rugby Championship’s leading try scorer Filipo Daugunu.

Daugunu is a former Fijian football youth international who has scored 10 tries this season for Queensland Country, the side coached by recently appointed Reds boss Brad Thorn.

The 22-year-old played as a goalkeeper in the round ball game but gave it up in 2015 to pursue a career in rugby and has also spent time in Fiji’s sevens program.

He moved to Brisbane this year to play club rugby and quickly caught the attention of Queensland talent scouts.

“(He’s) just a highly talented young man,” Thorn told reporters on Thursday.

“He does some special things out there.

There’s no substitute for speed and he’s just a natural footballer.

“You’d like to think having him in the (Reds) program, he’s just going to flourish.

“He can kick goals, like a lot of Fijians — they’re multi-talented. He’s good in a ruck situation, he’s a physical guy.

“It’s great to have him on board and good reward for him. He’s backed himself, come here, played club footy and got picked up.

“And he’s a wonderful young man too.”

Daugunu’s addition means Thorn is now spoiled for choice on the wings.

...

Meanwhile, the Reds have re-signed utility back Chris Feauai-Sautia for a seventh season.

Feauai-Sautia, 23, has hit good form in the NRC for Country after recovering from a season-long knee injury.

“His form’s demanded attention,” Thorn said.

“He’s really come out of his shell, he’s actually been a bit of a leader in that team.

Seeing how the Warriors experiment is going in the NRC, it seems be okay,

http://www.rugby.com.au/fixtures-results?competition=247&team=441&season=2018&ticketed=false