Super Rugby 2018

No doubt we would have had that game in the bag if for the stronger scrum way way earlier. Seriously need the coach to see that fact. Fix the scrum and the odd poephol handling errors and we're good. Happy with the rest of the play
 
18 wins in a row. So the streak continues.
Was wondering what impact change in coaching staff is going to have, but looks like business as usual.
 
18 wins in a row. So the streak continues.
Was wondering what impact change in coaching staff is going to have, but looks like business as usual.

Early season errors but Andries, Lionel, Harold, Ross and Malcolm look good. Even better is having Warren back, and is it just me or did RJVR get even bigger in the off season? That kid is going to hurt some defenses this year.
 
Well done Lions, Line-outs was terrible. Curwin Bosch had a nice break near the end. Maybe start Bosch at 15 for next game.
 
Always a nice fixture to win, was quite a physical encounter. Bit worrying the injury to Dan, looks long term... Think there'll be a few more niggles after this outing.
 
I am confident in next week’s picks that I am going to make, but I am unsure about the Sunwolves and Brumbies game. I am certain that the Brumbies are the best team in the Aussie conference, but if they rest key players for travelling to Japan then I’m going with the Sunwolves. The Sunwolves team is madly different from the previous two years.

I see Tatekawa being the optimist,

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...unwolves-as-key-to-brave-blossoms-future.html

While the national team showed improvement under new defensive coach John Plumtree, Tatekawa said he didn't expect the Sunwolves, who to change much with Scott Hansen overseeing the Super Rugby defense.

What Tatekawa said must change, however, are the franchise's results against Australian teams with the Sunwolves playing this season in the Australian conference, although he believes having fewer jet lag issues will help that goal.

"In order to reach our target of finishing in fifth place (overall), competing against Australian teams will be key," Tatekawa said. "In particular, we want to win our home games against them, both here and in Singapore."

Don't listen to me :D
 
Two former Boks to play for Force

http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/Two-former-Boks-to-play-for-Force
World Cup-winning centre Jaque Fourie is set to make a playing return to rugby for the Force.

The 34-year-old announced his retirement in 2017, but according to Rapport, he received an offer to play for the Force in the new Indo Pacific Rugby Championship bankrolled by tycoon Andrew Forrest.

Fourie is reportedly waiting on the finalised paperwork before his participation in the competition is confirmed.

Another former Springbok, Ryan Kankowski, is also set to join the Force in the competition.

Forrest has revealed that over 250 elite players across the world have been contacted to partake in the rebel tournament.
 
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11997511

The referee kits are horrible

Who would want to be a rugby ref? Every close call you have to go upstairs, whenever you do roll the dice and then get it wrong then fans and critics pan you and the big officials make you wear really bright uniforms.

The latest 'make referees look stupid' line was rolled out in South Africa. They're been forced to wear Highlanders away tops with purple shorts. This bullying must stop.

:D

They have previously wore Outsurance colours in SA, still lol.
 
https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Sup...for-pacific-islands-super-rugby-side-20180219

Nadolo calls for Pacific Islands Super Rugby side

Cape Town - Montpellier and Fiji powerhouse wing Nemani Nadolo has renewed calls for a Pacific Islands team to be introduced to Super Rugby.

The southern hemisphere's leading club competition has reverted back to it's 15-team format this year after two inconvenient years which saw the tournament expanding to 18 teams.

...

Super Rugby's current broadcast deal will come to an end in 2019 and preparations are already underway to determine the tournament's shape and structure after that.

Although South Africa's future could lie in Europe, it is understood that the South Africa Rugby Union (SARU) want to continue in Super Rugby due to the strength of the competition.

But regardless of South African teams' future participation in the competition, SANZAAR are likely to turn their attention to the Pacific.

Nadolo believes it is critical that a team from the Pacific Islands region is included in Super Rugby.

Why is Nadolo bringing this up now? I still say, that beyond 2019, the Asia Pacific Dragons based in Singapore is best suited to cater to a Pacific Islands team. They have a world-class stadium which is currently shared by the Sunwolves due to Super Rugby broadcasting rights, they have the money being French owned and is located in the Asia-Pacific hub.

Besides, Nadolo, a Pacific Islands team, Fijian Drua, is already trialled in the Australian National Rugby Championship (NRA) for Super Rugby 2020. They came third in their first year of exposure to the NRA.
 
https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Sup...for-pacific-islands-super-rugby-side-20180219



Why is Nadolo bringing this up now? I still say, that beyond 2019, the Asia Pacific Dragons based in Singapore is best suited to cater to a Pacific Islands team. They have a world-class stadium which is currently shared by the Sunwolves due to Super Rugby broadcasting rights, they have the money being French owned and is located in the Asia-Pacific hub.

Besides, Nadolo, a Pacific Islands team, Fijian Drua, is already trialled in the Australian National Rugby Championship (NRA) for Super Rugby 2020. They came third in their first year of exposure to the NRA.

He was probably asked about it in an interview or something? Doubt he'd just randomly bring it up.

I like the idea of a combined team for the Pacific Islands. They don't really have the resources to compete otherwise. Get a proper coach, like Graham Henry, in there and it could work.
 
The Sunwolves announced this morning that Ruan Smith will leave the Sunwolves camp, stating “Family reason”.
 
He was probably asked about it in an interview or something? Doubt he'd just randomly bring it up.

I like the idea of a combined team for the Pacific Islands. They don't really have the resources to compete otherwise. Get a proper coach, like Graham Henry, in there and it could work.

Yes, most likely. It is only a dead topic at this time and the media should know better. They know a team is being trialled in an Australian premier league to test their competitiveness and we know that SANZAAR has stated a more expansive competition entering 2020 pending on broadcasting rights. By expansion, they mean more territories and not necessarily more teams.
 
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