Super Rugby News
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If we were to use the current qualified teams but change the finals format so that season points earned created ranking (ie without the conference topping teams getting a boost) the playoffs would look like this
Crusaders v Rebels
Hurricanes v Jags
Chiefs v Tahs
Lions v Highlandersand if wins went to ranking the semis would be
Crusaders v Lions/Highlanders
Canes v ChiefsKind of obvious that the whole comp is designed to stop one country dominating
It seems the only reason that this system isn't used is the promise of a home quarterfinal in each of SA, Oz and NZ for TV reasons
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@machpants said in Super Rugby News:
I'm not sure how much the format is helping NZ at the same time. You get better playing good teams, and NZ derbies are intense. So the competition and quality keeps going up in NZ, but staying mediocre in the other conferences. It's a theory anyway
A fair bit of truth in that. If you don't get a good setup going in NZ and keep looking to improve you will struggle overall irrespective of how well you do in cross conference games (just ask the Blues). The incentive is strong.
Compare that with some of the other teams that have managed to sleepwalk much of the comp yet still look to amp up only for the finals.
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@stargazer Another from the Grammar Tech club in Auckland,add in Suia Halanukuonuka who as a scrummager I would have taken as a tighthead ahead of Ofa every day of the week and weekends..and Teleni Seu who I would taken before a whole host of lock/No 6..that were selected for the Blues..
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The Chiefs will welcome back talisman Brodie Retallick for their playoff primer against the Hurricanes on Friday. The All Blacks lock will make his long-awaited return from a pectoral injury in a dress rehearsal for their quarter-final against the same opponents in their playoff opener the following week. The 27-year-old hasn't featured for the Chiefs since their loss to the Crusaders back in Round 16. He also missed the entire All Blacks series against France.Co-captain Sam Cane has been ruled out of Friday’s match due to concussion, while international first-five Damian McKenzie will be replaced by brother Marty, as he takes his final All Blacks-allocated rest. -
@bovidae said in Super Rugby News:
I thought each franchise was given a certain amount of money from NZR for player salaries. The majority of the players in SR won't be earning big $$ unless they're ABs, which is why many choose to head overseas.
I could be wrong.
The 2016-2018 NZR-NZRPA Collective puts the salary cap for each squad at $4.65m.
- Teams can contract up to 32 players
- Maximum retainer is $195,000
- Minimum retainer is $75,000
- Teams can select an additional six draft players (previously called wider training group players) who are assembled fulltime on retainers of $50,000
- Replacement players receive a weekly payment
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@stargazer if he is coming back to NZ, a player of his profile should not be allowed to play in Japan and take a NZ super rugby spot.
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@taniwharugby Yeah, you'd think so. That's why it could be the Sunwolves, but that last tweet ...
I guess everyone would call their new team "the best", even if they finish last in the comp 
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@Stargazer maybe he's referring to the team environment (even if he doesn't believe it)
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@stargazer said in Super Rugby News:
Just guessing: returning to the Canes as Ihaia West's replacement?
Can't imagine anyone calling the Sunwolves the best team ...?
Replacing Mike Delany at the Crusaders?
JM is after all a Nelson product!
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An update from the Crusaders' medical team was encouraging. Read "has been cleared of any significant injury", the Crusaders said in a statement: "He will be monitored early in the week as he reintegrates to training." Crotty was removed from the field as a precaution, and a medical check-up on Sunday morning revealed the injury wasn't serious. The Crusaders are also expected to soup-up their tight five by bringing back All Blacks Codie Taylor, Owen Franks and Scott Barrett. Joe Moody is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in the previous round, and could be, at best, a 50-50 chance. David Havili is expected to return to fullback in place of Israel Dagg, who has confirmed he will follow Matt Todd to play in Japan after Super Rugby and will return for the following season. -
Johnny Faauli receives six-week suspension
Chiefs centre Johnny Faauli has been banned for six weeks for his dangerous tackle on Wes Goosen during their 28-24 victory over the Hurricanes. The back was red carded and deemed to contravene Law 9.13 having connected with Goosen’s head after failing to wrap his arms around the Canes man. Faauli will therefore miss the game against the Hurricanes in the quarter-finals, as well as the rest of the Super Rugby season, should they emerge triumphant in Wellington. In his finding, Nigel Hampton QC ruled the following: “Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles, additional evidence, a statement from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13. “With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid range entry point of 6 weeks. “The Foul Play Review Committee added 2 weeks to the entry point as aggravation for the fact the Player has two previous offences of a similar nature on his Judicial record and as a personal deterrent to combat a pattern of such offending by the Player. “However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player’s expressed remorse and his plea of guilty at the earliest possible opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 6 weeks.” -
@stargazer I think that's a bit high, from my recollection it was his head that did the damage, not his shoulder, I think 2-4 weeks would have been sufficient, especially when you weight the potential games he is to miss out on as well, although once again the judiciary show they are muppets by reducing a supposed repeat offenders sentence due to remorse...didn't look remorseful on the night after it happened.
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Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett have re-signed with NZR and the Hurricanes, both through to the end of the 2019 season.
But why one year only? Especially Jordie?
http://www.allblacks.com/News/32696/ardie-savea-and-jordie-barrett-recommit-to-new-zealand-rugby
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