Super Rugby 2018

[Solitude]

Thanks for a great Super Rugby season everyone!

 

[D4N]

Wasn't expecting the Lions to win it. This just makes last year's loss more painful.

 

[Arthur]

Lekker game. Lost by Lions rather than won by Crusaders.

Crusaders are a brilliant and polished outfit. The gap is in culture, coaching and management. Decades of relentless focus and commitment from management, administrators, coaches, players. We don't have that.

We probably have more raw talent. But mgt, culture and coaching deficits mean we can't fully develop it in teams.

 

[Sl8er]

I’m not saying the Lions aren’t the best team in SA, I’m just saying the Stormers haven’t lost since June.

:crylaugh:

 

[Drifter]

Lekker game. Lost by Lions rather than won by Crusaders.

Crusaders are a brilliant and polished outfit. The gap is in culture, coaching and management. Decades of relentless focus and commitment from management, administrators, coaches, players. We don't have that.

We probably have more raw talent. But mgt, culture and coaching deficits mean we can't fully develop it in teams.

Also, because the Crusaders are the All Blacks in disguise.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Massive congrats to the Lions and their legion of fans. Was a pleasure watching them play. Again just falling short at the final hurdle but there's no shame in losing to a nine times champion team on their home turf.

 

[sand_man]

Thats it, glad I cant watch. TBH, the format seriously penalizes the team that has to travel for a final. Not an excuse, Crusaders are just too good.

Format rewards the team that finishes ahead on the log. Saders have earned their home final.

 

[stefan9]

No BMT again. Lacked precision as in the previous two finals again. Difference between champion sides and runnerups.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Good season overall, with some great games.

Congrats to the Lions for making it to the final 3 times in a row. Impressive.

And congrats to Robertson and the Crusaders. Pretty impressive to win the comp twice in a row in your first 2 years as coach.

Can see him becoming ABs coach one day.

 

[Fulcrum29]

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2018/09/c428df29ee9e-rugby-japan-no-8-mafi-pleads-not-guilty-to-assault.html

Rugby: Japan No. 8 Mafi pleads not guilty to assault

Japan rugby international Amanaki Lelei Mafi pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the assault of former Melbourne Rebels teammate Lopeti Timani.

The 28-year-old No. 8 is charged with intent to injure Timani, a childhood friend of Mafi's, following an early morning incident in Dunedin, New Zealand, on July 14.

Mafi did not appear in Dunedin District Court but his lawyer Anne Stevens entered the not guilty plea, on the grounds of self-defense, and elected trial by jury on his behalf. The charge carries a maximum jail sentence of five years.

A planned restorative justice conference between the pair has yet to take place because Mafi is currently in Japan -- where he is currently banned from all team activities by NTT Communications Shining Arcs until court action is finalized -- and Timani is in France.

...

The case is next due in court in November with Mafi, who was recently withdrawn from Japan's Rugby World Cup 2019 training squad, remaining on bail.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Who will replace John Mitchell?

 

[Agent_Smith]

Who will replace John Mitchell?

Pote? Heard Jimmy Stonehouse's name mentioned too. He's done good things with the Pumas. Could be a viable option?

 

[Fulcrum29]

Pote? Heard Jimmy Stonehouse's name mentioned too. He's done good things with the Pumas. Could be a viable option?

Stonehouse is a blessing, every destination he has coached showed remarkable improvements under his guidance, but the moment he moved on those destination staggered. I believe him to be more a peoples coach. Mitchell being more the opposite. Perhaps that is what the Bulls need, people skills.

Vic is also in the running, but I don't know about this option.

 

[Fulcrum29]

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2018/09/740c3bf0c625-rugby-joseph-to-stand-down-as-sunwolves-coach-ahead-of-rwc-2019.html

Rugby: Jamie Joseph to stand down as Sunwolves coach ahead of RWC 2019

Japan coach Jamie Joseph will stand down as head coach of the Sunwolves in the build-up to Rugby World Cup, forcing the Super Rugby side to put a new person in charge for the fourth time in as many years.

Speaking at a news conference prior to the launch Thursday of events to celebrate one year to go to the World Cup, which the Brave Blossoms kick off against Russia in Tokyo on Sept. 20, 2019, Joseph said, "I won't be coaching the Sunwolves next year, but I will be involved in appointing the coaches."

The 48-year-old New Zealander said "Some of my staff will be involved with the Sunwolves" but he admitted there would be a change in playing personnel particularly early on in the season.

"What has always been challenging has been giving our national players the opportunity to play Super Rugby without giving them too much rugby," he said.

"Next year we need to be peaking about now, in September, and certainly not in February when the Super Rugby competition starts, so you can expect a number of our players will not be participating at the start of the Super Rugby competition with the Sunwolves. But they will start a bit later in the season."

Super Rugby suicide, reading this they will need the Top League's support to do better than this year. They should negotiate with the top 3 Top League clubs...

 

[Pitbull]

Rumor has it that Frans Steyn is heading to SA for the home games. He wasn't featured in the Montpellier team.

Now that would be awesome seeing as Willie is back in Europe. Man, I really hope he plays...

 

[Fulcrum29]

The Sunwolves signed their first players for 2019. Tony Brown is confirmed as head coach. Scott Hansen will take over the duties when Brown is on tour with the Brave Blossoms.

Returning:

Java Bregvadze
Hayden Parker

New:

Rene Ranger
Phil Burleigh