Super Rugby News

Stargazer

@Tim Haven't read anything about him staying at or leaving the Rebels. How many foreign players can Aussie teams sign? The Rebels already have signed two, a Japanese international and a Welshman.

Edit: according to this article from July 2015, he signed for two years, so that would mean he still has another year on his contract.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/70431944/Lock-Culum-Retallick-leaves-New-Zealand-rugby-for-Melbourne-Rebels

Crucial

Where is the customary '6th Super Rugby team' made up of those left out or signed overseas because they weren't wanted?

Tim

Given that the Lions don't play any NZ teams, $7.50 seems like pretty good value.

Cpt Kumera

@Stargazer yes hes back at rebels for another season

Stargazer

Jackson Garden-Bachop, who missed out on a NZ Super Rugby contract, has been signed by the Rebels on a 2 year deal.

The media release below, includes the FULL Rebels squad:

http://melbournerebels.com/2016/11/04/rebels-finalise-squad-with-all-black-pedigree-garden-bachop/

Crash

@Stargazer
Jeez you would have thought Jackson Garden-Bachop would be a handy addition to any NZ franchise - the Chiefs for example have Cruden and ...Donald? Much as I respect Donald for all his experience, commitment and service to NZ rugby I think the Chiefs squad could really benefit (as would JGB) from a young play maker of his calibre. Even the Blues are still hamstrung by West - while he is serviceable at SR level, he is no more than that. Both squads should give themselves an uppercut, as he has great potential. And now we are stuck with seeing him profit from across the ditch - lets hope he doesn't wreak too much havoc on Kiwi teams.

Unco

You seriously think JGB could've led the Chiefs around like Donald did against Wales and the Saders? You might've had a point if you'd said that last year but this year, Donald proved that he's still got it. And they already have a young play maker of HIGHER calibre in DMac anyway. So nah, the Chiefs are good.

Crash

@Unco
Point is we need our young players guided by older, experienced ones - better to keep them in NZ and sandwiched between youth and experience than lose them across the ditch

Unco

@Crash But you're suggesting the Chiefs get rid of an older, experienced hand who can still play at that level, for someone who isn't a huge standout at NPC level and is completely unproven at higher levels.

Crash

@Unco
No not get rid of older hands at all - just wish one of the franchises could have found a place for JGB instead of losing him to Aus franchise

Unco

@Crash Seemed like you were saying they should've picked JGB over Donald but if that's not the case then there just wasn't space for him. Not much they can do about that, there's plenty of other more promising players IMO who missed out too, like Michael Little and Sam Vaka. There's still the chance more players will get exposure at Super level through injury replacements though.

Tim

Is JGB a better player than Bryn Gatland?

Stargazer

The Chiefs have confirmed their 2017 Super Rugby venues. Their home game v Crusaders will again be played in Suva, Fiji!

http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/272-2017-venues-announced

Friday 3 March – Gallagher Chiefs vs Blues, FMG Stadium Waikato, 7:35pm
Friday 10 March – Gallagher Chiefs vs Hurricanes, FMG Stadium Waikato, 7:35pm
Saturday 1 April – Gallagher Chiefs vs Bulls, FMG Stadium Waikato, 7:35pm
Saturday 29 April – Gallagher Chiefs vs Sunwolves, FMG Stadium Waikato, 7:35pm
Saturday 6 May – Gallagher Chiefs vs Reds, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, 7:35pm
Friday 19 May – Gallagher Chiefs vs Crusaders, ANZ Stadium, Suva, 7:35pm
Saturday 3 June – Gallagher Chiefs vs Waratahs, FMG Stadium Waikato, 5:05pm
Tuesday 20 June – Gallagher Chiefs v British & Irish Lions, FMG Stadium Waikato, 7:30pm

Preseason game:
Wednesday 8 February – Gallagher Chiefs v Bulls, Ballymore, Brisbane

KiwiPie

@Stargazer So again no game in one of the largest provinces in the country but there is a game overseas .....

Unco

@KiwiPie said in Super Rugby News: Injuries:

@Stargazer So again no game in one of the largest provinces in the country but there is a game overseas .....

I'll refer you to this thread:
http://www.thesilverfern.com/topic/1184/we-need-a-stadium/

Rotorua will probably get another pre-season game though.

mariner4life

@KiwiPie said in Super Rugby News: Injuries:

@Stargazer So again no game in one of the largest provinces in the country but there is a game overseas .....

you know what, fuck Taranaki. Those rural motherfuckers are a burden. They were with the Hurricanes for ages, and the Hurricanes didn't win shit. We won a couple, so the sneaky fuckers jumped ship for what looked like greener pastures. Since then? We haven't won, but lo and behold, the Hurricanes won a comp. They are the bringers of failure.

And on top of that the sneaky fuckers up and stole games from BOP, the province that was there for the Chiefs for all the shit years

Cpt Kumera

@mariner4life , what a joke no games in either rotorua or Tauranga., but games in the naki and overseas, bay of plenty and counties been a member of the chiefs longer then the naki,,

Tim

Counties needs to come home to daddy.

Hooroo

Does it really matter though? Waikato got the majority of the matches so all is good. I don't understand the kerfuffle....

taniwharugby

@Tim they could get more token players in the Blues then too!!

The Silver Fern

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