Super Rugby 2022
-
@machpants i am just the messenger here , what is a concern is the dramatic drop in numbers for rugby
-
I don’t mean to blame them (really) but from talking with my friends / family offline, no-one has any strong interest because they all expect a) the Saders to win, and b) the Aussie teams to be shit, so they are just letting it go on to the playoffs where they are sure they’ll be playing anyway.
Super rugby Aotearoa has got like the NBA - the reasonable teams will all feature, then hope someone trips up the Saders. Then, I think we’d see very sudden interest.
It would be really great for the game if the Blues got strong and made a huge push to get people into the games.
-
@arhs said in Super Rugby 2022:
It seems that NRL does the phone algorithms best but it only happens by being proactive with news updates from Tuesday on. Funny enough I ignore almost all social media except a few Facebook groups and do my work and research on a desktop with ad and cookie blocks. The Ferners I admire do an awesome job trawling and sharing from social media.
Your phone algorithm has nothing to do with the NRL and everything to do with Google. Google is tracking you and because you have shown interest in the NRL the algorithm will continue to deliver you NRL stories.
-
The big brains at the NZ Herald get to the root of things:
Which part of Super Rugby Pacific has surprised you the most?
Kate Wells: The inconsistency. We saw the Chiefs overcome the Blues at the start, then just last week the Blues thrashed the Chiefs. And the Hurricanes, who were beaten by Moana Pasifika, then came close to toppling the Crusaders. I know Covid hasn't helped player availability but as a rugby fan I hoped for more consistency.
-
@labcat ??? I was making the point that the algorithms work for nrl because they release plenty of quality news items from Tuesday through to the weekend. Super rugby overlooks this by doing everything as late and minimal as possible and usually via social media. Really dumb!
-
@arhs I still don't see the problem. Lots of people follow social media, so will see the info, articles and promotions. The fact that you don't follow much social media and rely on those newsfeeds with algorithms, only says something about your social media and internet use, not that of Super Rugby or NRL. The use of Twitter lists is extremely handy!
Articles about SR of the upcoming weekend appear from Tuesday or Wednesday; articles with team line-ups from Wednesday or Thursdays; reviews from match day til Mondays. On the NZ SR website, SANZAAR website and the rugby.com.au website. Sky's ads on their network are throughout the week. Promotion of the Super round in Melbourne already started last week (basically from the day that we knew the borders would be open).
Can things be done better? No doubt. Is it poor now? I don't think so at all.
I think the biggest problem is:
- unwillingness of certain franchises to provide full info player availability/injuries and signings, especially the Hurricanes;
- lack of (access to) cumulative/season stats (so not stats just per game);
- the (sometimes extremely) poor quality of sports media coverage, with lots of hype and fanboying, clickbait, and very little good analysis (but I'm not sure the average or casual rugby fan is actually interested in that). The Hurricanes area doesn't have a sports journo specifically covering the Canes.
- a biggie is the constant changing of the laws (or law application guidelines and frameworks) that makes it hard for players to comply with the laws and for referees to apply the laws (consistently). That's part of the reason for the number of cards IMO. As a result, many fans fail to understand and accept the laws. Some rugby fans (especially the casual ones) don't seem to understand the importance of preventing dangerous play, esp head contact, or just don't care about the consequences of head injuries.
-
I think the biggest problem is:
- unwillingness of certain franchises to provide full info player availability/injuries and signings, especially the Hurricanes;
- lack of (access to) cumulative/season stats (so not stats just per game);
- the (sometimes extremely) poor quality of sports media coverage, with lots of hype and fanboying, clickbait, and very little good analysis (but I'm not sure the average or casual rugby fan is actually interested in that). The Hurricanes area doesn't have a sports journo specifically covering the Canes.
- a biggie is the constant changing of the laws (or law application guidelines and frameworks) that makes it hard for players to comply with the laws and for referees to apply the laws (consistently). That's part of the reason for the number of cards IMO. As a result, many fans fail to understand and accept the laws. Some rugby fans (especially the casual ones) don't seem to understand the importance of preventing dangerous play, esp head contact, or just don't care about the consequences of head injuries.
Some really good points in here
-
Sean Maloney: Looking at the Australian teams ahead of the Trans-Tasman section of Super Rugby Pacific
Stan Sport commentator Sean Maloney discusses with Elliott how the Australian teams will fare against the Kiwi teams. LISTEN ABOVE
-
NRL teams pick the same players every week unless they are hurt or suspended
There is no rotation. No rests. The top 17 players available play every week.
Rugby at the pro level is obsessed with rotation and building depth. Viewers except the absolute die hards hate that shit.
-
@Tim said in Super Rugby 2022:
That seems odd to me. Not sure the Tahs are that bad on recent form and I've seen little evidence that the Force have a great set piece to dismantle Moana Pasifika.
-
Updated:
-
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2022:
NRL teams pick the same players every week unless they are hurt or suspended
So do soccer teams
-
god i forgot how many teams are playing finals this year
Currently the Western force, with an imposing 2-6 record, will get a final
hilarious
-
@Bones said in Super Rugby 2022:
@duluth said in Super Rugby 2022:
@nzzp said in Super Rugby 2022:
All I want to see with mauls is a re-balancing of risk/reward. The old way of 'one go only'; once you were stopped, it was use it or lose it would be a big step in the right direction.
Good call
I think it was Peter Thorburn that came up with the two attempts rule. The logic was that mauls were disappearing from the game with only one stop allowed.
That wouldn't be the case now. Mauls are too efficient and the risk is low. With only one stop we'd probably see less yellow cards too
How about penalising attacking teams for collapsing?
On a similar note, the 5 second ruck law is a farce. Make it 3 and/or enforce it at every ruck. Ref must signal or call when it's available.... and enforce it! Regardless of if more players join.
i know this will go down pooly...but im coming from the exact opposite...less penalties, let defenders try and sack the maul, and the attacking team has to get good at staying on their feet if they want to keep mauling...make the "penalty" for trying to sack it having a couple of your guys on the ground and out of the game
-
I'll be interested to see how the crowds are for the Super Round in Melbourne this weekend.
I would imagine the crowds will be much better for Saturday and Sunday as the Friday game 1 is an early kickoff (6pm) and I can't see the late Friday game attracting many fans (Moana-Pasifika - Force)
The weather forecast looks ok but there might be some kiwi fans that will hold off and go to Storm-Warriors on ANZAC Day Monday instead.
My gut says its going to be a fizzer but hopefully there's enough people there to create a bit of an atmosphere.
-
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2022:
god i forgot how many teams are playing finals this year
Currently the Western force, with an imposing 2-6 record, will get a final
hilarious
As I understand it, some poor team will join Drua, Force and Rebels in missing out. Esteemed company.
-
its bloody horrifying as a sign of how robust the comp it, there is no way the landers should have a shot but because we do we'll just paper over the cracks, and next year just do the same thing again rather than seriously trying to build a well rounded squad
Its why we see people like Hunt getting so many starts, we'll 100% on his few moments of gold are enough to make up for the many more rough stuff...hardly awe inspiring
