Super Rugby 6 rounds in -how's it going?
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<p>I like it.</p>
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<p>The new teams have been about what I was expecting. The Jaguares are stacked with talent but the schedule, level of competition and travel were always going to be something they'd have to get used to, I expect they'll be much better going forward. The Sunwolves and Kings are pretty rubbish but have still shown more fight at times than I expected.</p>
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<p>Can't say I liked the idea of the format when it was first suggested, because it sounded like a mess and also sounded like it'd reduce the number of games between the NZ/Aus and SA conference, but I actually think it's been a big improvement over the old format. The old one had way too many home conference games, which got old fast (just like the Tri-Nations format before Argentina joined, with three games between each team) and, especially from a NZ perspective, made it pretty fucking hard for good teams stuck in a tough conference to make it into the finals. Less NZ conference games makes it far more interesting and with 5 quarter final spots in the Aus/NZ conference, also means NZ teams have a much easier path into the finals. It's still a little confusing how the quarter final placings work out but it's easy to ignore all those issues and just focus on the NZ/Aus conference, as that's the one that matters for our teams.</p>
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<p>So yeah, I'm pretty happy with it.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="569673" data-time="1459716531">
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<p>I'm surprised how little I care that I don't understand the format! I know there'll be NZ teams in action each weekend, and that's enough for me.</p>
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<p>Yeah, at the end of the day I just enjoy watching rugby. I haven't really looked at the points table much this year like I used to when Super rugby first came about, but it hasn't taken much away.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="569690" data-time="1459724260">
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<p>I like it.</p>
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<p>The new teams have been about what I was expecting. The Jaguares are stacked with talent but the schedule, level of competition and travel were always going to be something they'd have to get used to, I expect they'll be much better going forward. The Sunwolves and Kings are pretty rubbish but have still shown more fight at times than I expected.</p>
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<p>Can't say I liked the idea of the format when it was first suggested, because it sounded like a mess and also sounded like it'd reduce the number of games between the NZ/Aus and SA conference, but I actually think it's been a big improvement over the old format. The old one had way too many home conference games, which got old fast (just like the Tri-Nations format before Argentina joined, with three games between each team) and, especially from a NZ perspective, made it pretty fucking hard for good teams stuck in a tough conference to make it into the finals. Less NZ conference games makes it far more interesting and with 5 quarter final spots in the Aus/NZ conference, also means NZ teams have a much easier path into the finals. It's still a little confusing how the quarter final placings work out but it's easy to ignore all those issues and just focus on the NZ/Aus conference, as that's the one that matters for our teams.</p>
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<p>So yeah, I'm pretty happy with it.</p>
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<p>Agree re: less home conference games. I really enjoy supporting any of the NZ teams when they are playing overseas opposition. That Chiefs Brumbies game was a cracker and I was cheering for the Chiefs like they were my own team, purely because it was a bunch of Kiwis sticking it to our Aussie mates.</p> -
<p>There are 7-9 games every weekend. Really, most people don't want to watch that much rugby (and nor should they). I watched only the four NZ games on the weekend because that was enough for me. I do watch the occasional foreign game.</p>
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<p>Overall, the most important thing for me is that when I sit down on a Friday/Saturday night, I'm entertained. As long as Super Rugby achieves that, I will keep watching.</p> -
<p>I have enjoyed it but mainly because the NZ teams are doing so well and the Blues are improved from last year (2 wins and a draw vs 0 wins last year at this stage). If I was an Aussie fan I don't think I would be enjoying too much - Rebels maybe but the others have all been disappointing. </p>
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<p>Some of the skills on display from the NZ teams have been a joy to watch. </p>
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<p>Also - big tick to the new bonus point rule - I think it's a definite winner.</p>
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<p>I haven't been particularly impressed by the reffing - I think the standard is pretty average and as the Blues are towards the lower end of the table they don't tend to get the better refs either. Bringing back neutral refs would be a start.</p> -
<p>I'm liking fewer in-country games - playing twice a season was tedious given I have no strong allegiance to any of the NZ teams. Have been surprised how well the NZ teams have been going, really expected the Chiefs and Crusaders to struggle more on their road trips.</p>
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<p>Don't really care about the format, lost interest in tracking it once they started the relentless expansion.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="569691" data-time="1459724755">
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<p>Yeah, at the end of the day I just enjoy watching rugby. I haven't really looked at the points table much this year like I used to when Super rugby first came about, but it hasn't taken much away.</p>
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<p><strong>Agree re: less home conference games</strong>. I really enjoy supporting any of the NZ teams when they are playing overseas opposition. That Chiefs Brumbies game was a cracker and I was cheering for the Chiefs like they were my own team, purely because it was a bunch of Kiwis sticking it to our Aussie mates.</p>
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<p>Agree with your agreeance for two reasons, one they'd get a bit boring and two there'd be weekends with only two games to watch fully sometimes (or at least the potential for it).</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="569715" data-time="1459728783">
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<p>One thing that is somewhat mystifying: the Rebels, Tahs, and Ponies are all on bye duty this weekend.</p>
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<p>That is idiotic!</p> -
<p>I completely echo the thoughts about fewer games between NZ sides. They are of course the best quality games on offer, but less is definitely more in terms of keeping it fresh.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="569716" data-time="1459728998">
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<p>I have enjoyed it but mainly because the NZ teams are doing so well and the Blues are improved from last year (2 wins and a draw vs 0 wins last year at this stage). If I was an Aussie fan I don't think I would be enjoying too much - Rebels maybe but the others have all been disappointing. </p>
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<p>Some of the skills on display from the NZ teams have been a joy to watch. </p>
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<p><strong>Also - big tick to the new bonus point rule - I think it's a definite winner.</strong></p>
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<p>I haven't been particularly impressed by the reffing - I think the standard is pretty average and as the Blues are towards the lower end of the table they don't tend to get the better refs either. Bringing back neutral refs would be a start.</p>
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<p>I forgot about that one, yeah, I think it's pretty great. In hindsight, the old bonus point system doesn't really make much sense, once you score four tries and it doesn't matter how much you give away, just so long as you win in the end.</p> -
<p>I do wonder if making it 2 completely seperate conference might be the best way to avoid a table looking like this....</p>
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<p><strong>Chiefs 24</strong></p>
<p><strong>Stormers 18</strong></p>
<p><strong>Brumbies 17</strong></p>
<p><strong>Sharks 16</strong></p>
<p>Highlanders 22</p>
<p>Crisaders 18</p>
<p>Rebels 17</p>
<p>Lions 14</p>
<p>Hurricanes 15</p>
<p>Waratahs 11</p>
<p>Blues 11</p>
<p>Jaguares 7</p>
<p>Cheetahs 7</p>
<p>Force 5</p>
<p>Kings 4</p>
<p>Reds 3</p>
<p>Sunwolves 3</p>
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<p>obviously as a NZ fan I am pretty happy with how the Kiwi teams are going, bit disappointed the Jaguares havent won more, they are showing endeavour but think they are just struggling with the way the game is played...the Sunwolves, lets just hope they can win a game and leave the Reds winless ;)</p> -
<p>- The NZ conference is the strongest it's been since the conference system began</p>
<p>- I suspect that the competition for All Black vacancies has contributed to the quality of the NZ conferences, as many of us suspected would be the case</p>
<p>- Less intra-conference games should help NZ teams given ours is traditionally the strongest conference</p>
<p>- I'm still not sold on the bonus point change, given that it still benefits teams in the weaker conferences that play against weaker teams. I get the arguments for the change, but I will withhold judgement until the end of the season</p>
<p>- The Jaguares and Waratahs have been the disappointments of the season thus far</p>