Super Rugby 2020
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Nigel Yalden: Super Rugby NZ Team of the Season after Seven Rounds -
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Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues) is back to full health and steadily returning to top form. He’s been excellent in his core rolls at scrum and lineout time, but to see him hitting rucks, defending around the fringes and carrying with vim and vigour has been especially pleasing given the illness he suffered from last year.
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Codie Taylor (Crusaders) has been by far the most consistent of the New Zealand hookers. For the most part, he has been accurate in all the key roles of his position whilst mixing physicality and athleticism around the field. However it must be said that the lack of consistent play behind Taylor is very worrying, with the gulf widening over the first seven weeks of play
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Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes) improvement as a rugby player has been clear for all to see. He’s the most dominant scrummager in New Zealand at the moment and compliments that with excellent athleticism and physicality in general play. Lomax is set to wear the All Blacks number three jersey for a very long time
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Captaincy very much agrees with Scott Barrett (Crusaders). Adopting the leadership credo of the likes of McCaw, Read and Whitelock – try to be the best player on the field each week – has seen his play lift another couple of notches this season.
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Like Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) increased comfort as captain of the Blues has seen him deliver the type of performances that teams expect of their international players. His physicality often sets the tone for his side’s defensive efforts while he’s just a strong and busy on attack.
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Tom Robinson (Blues) continues to get better and better at this level. He’s a consistent lineout winner, defends and cleanouts strongly and gets through a tonne of other work around the field. Honourable mention for a Rookie of the Year candidate in Cullen Grace (Crusaders) for his power start to his inaugural season at this level
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Whilst he’s wearing six, I think we can all agree that Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs) is playing an openside role and doing so exceedingly well. His presence at the breakdown, particular late in a couple of tight games, has been superb, as is his ability to turn those attendances into turnovers. He doesn’t mind a tackle, good support runner and carries well when required to.
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Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) was chosen ahead of Akira Ioane on form and has justified that decision with every start he has made. He has all the physical attributes that you look for in a number eight and a top notch work rate to take full advantage of his size, speed and skill
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I can’t split Brad Weber (Chiefs) and Sam Nock (Blues). Weber has been more overt in his contributions while Nock is in career best form at this level – I suspect either answer is the right one
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Aaron Cruden (Chiefs) return to Super Rugby has been excellent. From the moment he run out following halftime of the opening game at Eden Park, his class, demeanour, skill and experience has shone brightly while his braveness as defender remains as staunch as ever; it’s also very clear that he’s enjoying his rugby
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Mark Telea (Blues) is at the head of the field for NZ Super Rugby rookie of the year. What’s not to like about his play? He runs with purpose, has a magnificent fend, makes great decisions and can finish while defensively his positional play and tackling is top drawer.
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Plenty of contenders in this position but its Jack Goodhue (Crusaders) for mine. The vast majority of his work, with or without the ball, has been impeccable and his left footed kicking game has given the Crusaders nice options in that regard too. That said, New Zealand is loaded with good second fives as TJ Faiane (Blues) Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes) and Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs) are in great form too
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Braydon Ennor (Crusaders) edges out Rieko Ioane (Blues) in a tough call. Ennor’s body of work over the season has been more accurate though as stated in the most recent Team of the Week, Ioane, whilst still prone to the odd rush of blood, is providing a lot for those around him on attack since moving into centre and helping lead the backline defence.
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Sevu Reece (Crusaders) has been consistently effective as part of the defending champs attack. He’s always a threat when he gets the ball in hand whilst also defending his position well.
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David Havili (Crusaders) has started this season in the sort of form that saw him earn All Black honours in 2017. He’s been influential on attack, provided great organisation and communication on defence and provided steady goal kicking.
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That says everything we need to know about the Highlanders.
No doubt their bench loosie will be named the ABs though.
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@Daffy-Jaffy no way I have Cruden at 10. Mo'Unga or Black for me
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@nzzp said in Super Rugby 2020:
@Daffy-Jaffy no way I have Cruden at 10. Mo'Unga or Black for me
For reals it's gotta be Mo'unga
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@Crucial said in Super Rugby 2020:
@Chris-B said in Super Rugby 2020:
@nzzp said in Super Rugby 2020:
@Chris-B said in Super Rugby 2020:
@canefan Can't see things opening up internationally in the immediate future, so I think an NZ Mini-Series is the answer.
Only possible until a player tests positive. Then hwo do you continue it?
This looks like it's going to have some real legs I fear
If all sports are going to be canned - we'll have to start National Service weekends, where everyone gets out and picks up rubbish, etc.
Otherwise what is the populace going to do at weekends? Hang around in shopping malls?
Waiting until the Malls fill up with Meanderthals and locking the doors could be a good idea
Good word. You get an upvote.
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2020:
@booboo There were three, but there's only one that you want to remember. Maybe.
Not sure any if them are worth remembering.
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@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2020:
A question: If the NZ comp does go ahead, and that's still a big IF, do we go back to the amateur days of teams travelling by bus? I'm not sure moving sports teams around the country by plane is considered essential travel.
... or charter a plane to transport 45 people. Hell, buy a plane and fly teams aroudn, disinfecting between times
Something liek this perhaps (56 seat capacity)
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@Bovidae yep.
The internet provides so much useful information in life.
The bombardier Q300 costs aroudn $USD1500/hour to operate. Costs $17M new. So a weekend of charters (top of my head), transporting two teams away and back would cost about $10k or so (say 6 hours of flying time).
Seems very reasonable; about $100 per person total.
Bombardier Q300 - Price, Specs, Photo Gallery, History - Aero Corner
The Dash 8 was an incredibly popular aircraft that was sold many times and finally underwent major changes to make it much more reliable, environmentally friendly, and quieter for passengers. The Q300 is still available today, and is a powerful aircraft for shorter flights.
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Joe Marchant on how fast Super Rugby is compared to the UK
