Super Rugby News
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According to Gregor Paul:
The three conference winners will automatically qualify for the playoffs but in 2018, unlike the last two years, the five wildcard places will go to the five teams with the most points.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11925046
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@tim Yes, this is from another article:
The winners of each conference qualify for the playoffs and will be joined by the five next-best teams, regardless of geography. -
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@higgins said in Super Rugby News:
Last time we had a competition called The Super 15 the format was ok if my memory serves me correctly. Wonder why that same format was not adopted this time?
It is almost the same. The only difference is that now 8 teams go through to the finals, while from 2011 to 2015, 6 teams qualified for the finals (with the two highest ranked teams not playing qualifiers/quarter finals).
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I believe franchises push for more local derbies because it means bigger crowds.
Id also suggest more local derbies means higher ratings and given the broadcasters were willing to cut 3 teams for the same $ they would have demanded a return of more local derbies.
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Restructured Sunwolves set for marquee players, less travelling
But the sources have told Kyodo News a compromise has been reached that will allow SANZAAR to have more direct involvement with running the Japan Super Rugby Association. It is understood a member of SANZAAR will now sit on the Sunwolves committee, which is set for some serious structural reform as it recruits "rugby specific people who know what success is." Jamie Joseph, head coach of the Japan national team and a Super Rugby winner in 2015 with the Highlanders, will have a far more hands-on role with the side, with Tony Brown and Filo Tiatia helping the former All Black and Japan international run the team. A doubling of the player budget will allow the team to recruit some marquee players from overseas and it is expected four world-class players will put pen to paper in the coming weeks. With player management one of Jospeh and Tiatia's main concerns, the Sunwolves used 56 players in their second season. That number will be cut to 40 next season, as the Sunwolves look to further their agreements with Top League sides to ensure players are not overworked. With the Sunwolves moving from the South Africa conference to the Australia group as a result of the competition now featuring 15 teams, the side will also see their travel schedule cut drastically. Last season the team flew close to 120,000 kilometers, double the travel of any other side in the competition. -
@stargazer surely getting the best local players is the way forward for this team??
A doubling of the player budget will allow the team to recruit some marquee players from overseas and it is expected four world-class players will put pen to paper in the coming weeks.
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@taniwharugby said in Super Rugby News:
@stargazer surely getting the best local players is the way forward for this team??
A doubling of the player budget will allow the team to recruit some marquee players from overseas and it is expected four world-class players will put pen to paper in the coming weeks.
If they have deep pockets they'll go the way of French clubs and try to buy best available players. The team needs to be competitive to justify their existence, otherwise interest will be low, supporters will go elsewhere, and the whole thing withers and dies. And that travel schedule they had last year -- double other teams -- was suicidal for an expansion franchise.
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@sammyc said in Super Rugby News:
@kiwimurph said in Super Rugby News:
Blues fans getting their excuses in early this year
Of course they have the hardest schedule. They can't play themselves now can they.
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@kiwimurph said in Super Rugby News:
Not surprising considering we are in the toughest conference, which made half of the finalists.. having to play each team twice will be tough..
notice that 5 of the 6 toughest schedules belong to nz teams.. the 5 easiest schedules are ridiculous.. Aussies plus JapanLooking at the standings, the Blues were 8th in terms of points.. but missed the playoffs due to the conference system..
In saying that, I don't mind the winners of each conference automatically qualifying.. that happens in the NFL so it's easier for me to accept.. -
