Super Rugby Women's Competition
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Moving to Taupo! 3 games each, then a final
New Zealand Rugby to relocate Sky Super Rugby Aupiki teams to Taupō
• Four Sky Super Rugby Aupiki squads to move into bubbles in Taupō
• Competition will move to a tournament format, played over two and a half weeks
• Matches to be played at Owen Delany Park and FMG Stadium WaikatoNew Zealand Rugby (NZR) has made the decision to relocate the four Sky Super Rugby Aupiki squads to Taupō to ensure the inaugural season of the competition can take place.
The competition will be played in a condensed format with matches being played on Saturday 5 March, Thursday 10 March, Tuesday 15 March with the Final on Sunday 20 March.
NZR General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum said NZR has consulted with the NZRPA and Clubs, coming to the consensus that this was the best option to see the inaugural competition progress.
“We are 100% committed to seeing this competition go ahead and under the current COVID-19 regulations, this is the best option to see that happen. We appreciate the commitment that is required from our players and management staff to relocate for this period of time and are working closely with the clubs to work through this process,” said Lendrum.
The Blues, Chiefs Manawa and Hurricanes Poua will drive to Taupō next week, while Matatū will travel via charter plane.
The squads will operate in separate bubbles with exclusive use of training facilities in the Taupō area. The opening round matches and Final will be played at Taupō’s Owen Delany Park, with the two mid-week evening rounds hosted at FMG Stadium Waikato.
The first three rounds will all be played as double-headers, all matches broadcast on Sky and Prime, and played without crowds at the red level of the traffic light settings.
Teams will stay across four hotels and will utilise the same COVID-19 protocols currently being implemented for DHL Super Rugby Pacific. Players will remain in their team bubbles at all times and be subject to regular rapid antigen tests.
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@bovidae said in Super Rugby Women's Competition:
Better to put that in the Women's SR thread.
It's only about 1:40 h to drive from Taupo to Hamilton so not a big deal. Squad depth will be important with the short turnaround between games.
Ah crap, you're right thanks
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I thought that the Chiefs had already named their captain, but obviously not. No surprise.
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/waitomo-chiefs-manawa-captain-announced
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In no huge surprise, with 2% of the pop with confirmed covid, much higher in AKL
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Delayed 1 week, no final now (decided on competition points). Even less of a competition than before.
Sky Super Rugby Aupiki match days
Saturday 5 March - Owen Delany Park, Taupō - Game of three halves - Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua v Matatū
Thursday 10 March – FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Tuesday 15 March – FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Sunday 20 March – FMG Stadium Waikato, HamiltonDraw and kick off times will be announced in due course.
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@higgins said in Super Rugby Women's Competition:
Hopefully the top bit is actually a removable lid so that you can fill it with copious amounts of refreshments to toast your winning of the trophy.
shit i would love for it to be some secret that the head comes off and get filled with booze, never comes out officially...only the winners know
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@bovidae said in Super Rugby Women's Competition:
Delayed 1 week, no final now (decided on competition points). Even less of a competition than before.
Sky Super Rugby Aupiki match days
Saturday 5 March - Owen Delany Park, Taupō - Game of three halves - Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua v Matatū
Thursday 10 March – FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Tuesday 15 March – FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Sunday 20 March – FMG Stadium Waikato, HamiltonDraw and kick off times will be announced in due course.
Jesus, really helping our ladies for the RWC
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@machpants said in Super Rugby Women's Competition:
Jesus, really helping our ladies for the RWC
It certainly doesn't help but I think that the teams were involved in the decision. The problem is that the majority of the players aren't professionals so have to take time off work/study. Therefore the window to play this comp was short. At least 6 players will have children with them in Taupo.
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@donsteppa said in Super Rugby Women's Competition:
I suppose we can always count on the NZRU to make a bad situation worse…
They only just declared that they would do everything they could to make this comp happen, now it is more of a joke and doesn't fulfil any of its aims.
Firstly the pathway and development aspect wasn't supported. No wider training groups or inclusion/exposure for those 'bubbling under'. The tournament style set up was a good idea to save the comp but what they are now doing is pathetic.
Women's rugby has the right to be highly pissed off here. -
And yet another change:
Due to covid-19 isolation requirements Hurricanes Poua have been forced to withdraw from the game of three halves this weekend.
Chiefs Manawa and Matatū will still take the field in a pre-season fixture. The match will be played at Owen Delany Park, kicking off at 2.15pm. -
If the Chiefs are going to win this competition it will be in spite of the coaching. There appeared to only be one tactic - spread the ball wide. When you take quick taps inside the opposition half because you don't trust your lineout, you have problems that need to be worked on (i.e., coaching).
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@bovidae said in Super Rugby Women's Competition:
If the Chiefs are going to win this competition it will be in spite of the coaching. There appeared to only be one tactic - spread the ball wide. When you take quick taps inside the opposition half because you don't trust your lineout, you have problems that need to be worked on (i.e., coaching).
Good enough for ABs, good enough for SRW
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@bovidae said in Super Rugby Women's Competition:
If the Chiefs are going to win this competition it will be in spite of the coaching. There appeared to only be one tactic - spread the ball wide. When you take quick taps inside the opposition half because you don't trust your lineout, you have problems that need to be worked on (i.e., coaching).
I think that generally this is an aspect of Women's rugby that will only get better with more games.
Because experience levels are way way lower than drills on training fields as soon as the ball is free it gets put through the hands ready for a recycle and back the other way. No one has developed the instincts of line running or variety other than training moves.
At leasts Chiefs Manawa are trying to capitalise on the experience of the Sevens backs even if it means playing a Sevens style.I was pleasantly surprised at the pass and catch running from Matutu. They at least didn't't fall into the trap of trying to spread across like a mens team when their passes are slower.
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