'Super Rugby' 2021
-
Why it's 'patently absurd' that the Blues aren't allowed to train a week out from Super Rugby Aotearoa
If the Blues cannot train together from Thursday in the region, it will throw a tight schedule into chaos. It doesn’t have to happen, writes Campbell Burnes.
Rugbypass' stupidity shows again.
-
@Bovidae said in 'Super Rugby' 2021:
It might not be logistically possible but decisions will need to be made this week either way. As it was, the Chiefs would be disadvantaged compared to the other 4 teams by not having a proper pre-season game.
Maybe Rd 1 (or only the Blues-Hurricanes game) is played at a later date.
Bugger that, if the Blues don't turn up at the venue at the appointed time then that is a default win to the Hurricanes in my book!!!!! Might be the only win they have all season so they won't be looking a gift horse in the mouth when the five points are added to their Points Total column.
-
The Chiefs will host both the Blues and Crusaders in a game of three halves on Saturday, February 20 at Hautapu Sports in Cambridge.
The match, which is closed to public, will kick off at 12pm and televised coverage will be live on Sky Sport.
The Blues have been isolated at home with individual trainings while Auckland were in Level 3 lockdown which forced cancellation of their original pre-season game against the Crusaders. Both the Crusaders and Gallagher Chiefs offered to host the Blues, with a change of alert levels leading to agreed plans for a game of three halves based in the Waikato.
The Crusaders will now stick with their plan to fly north, however will take the field in Cambridge instead of the previously scheduled Eden Park. The first game of three halves in 2021 was played in Upper Hutt last Saturday with the Gallagher Chiefs, Blues and the Hurricanes taking part.
The pre-season match will serve as a welcome opportunity for all teams to test scenarios and combinations in a live fixture before the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa Season kicks off next Friday, February 26.
There will be no tickets sold to the event as the match will be played under NZR Level 2 Operating Protocols due to the close proximity to Auckland and the need to take maximum precautions ahead of Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Gallagher Chiefs CEO Michael Collins said that they have erred on the side of caution to play under Alert Level 2 restrictions, especially given the late decision to proceed with the match.
“Our primary focus is to provide opportunities that will best prepare the Gallagher Chiefs squad for Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa and also combat against the many uncertainties that exist for us all. Testing ourselves against the Blues and Crusaders provides that for us.
“We are compelled to err on the side of caution and operate the match with Alert Level 2 restrictions. Auckland is still in Level 2, it’s a short drive down State Highway 1 to get here and we know this fixture would have attracted thousands of passionate fans if we sold tickets to the public. With the stadium unavailable and less than three days to turn this event around, we’ve decided to play it safe and prioritise fans attending matches when the 2021 Sky Super Rugby Season begins.
“We know this decision may disappoint some of our loyal supporters, however thanks to Sky Sport fans can tune in live on Sky Sport 1 from 12pm on Saturday. Of course the Gallagher Chiefs team will give members and supporters a warm welcome at FMG Stadium Waikato for our first match of the season against the Highlanders on March 5,” said Collins.
Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Clayton McMillan is looking forward to the newly announced fixture.
“The situation the Blues were put in was bigger than rugby. We were happy to change our plans to help provide an opposition for both them and the Crusaders this Saturday. After the successful hit out in Upper Hutt, we will continue to make our necessary adjustments and encourage our players to stake a claim for a starting position against quality opposition leading into our first match,” said McMillan.
Blues Head Coach Leon McDonald is delighted his team will take the field on Saturday.
”Things were not looking good for us as we have been unable to train as a team, so this is a real lifeline and vital as we try to make up time before the start of the competition. We are humbled by the support we have received from the clubs, especially for the Chiefs’ offer to host us and for the Crusaders who have been so supportive through this entire pre-season upheaval.”
Crusaders Head Coach Scott Robertson is looking forward to the final pre-season fixture of 2021.
“It’s disappointing for the Blues and the wider Auckland community to miss out on their planned Footy Fest at Eden Park this weekend, and I know a few Auckland-based Crusaders fans will have been looking forward to that contest as well.
“All clubs realise the importance of preparation leading in to the opening round of Super Rugby Aotearoa next week, so we are happy to head to the Waikato as it gives three teams the opportunity to have a pre-season hit out before the start of the competition.”
The teams will be named at on Friday February 19.
-
@Daffy-Jaffy not open to the public. I really wanted to go as the Chiefs have the first round bye. It is what it is I suppose.
-
i had a couple of mates who had Sky TV polos, and just made up some bullshit lanyards, and just used to wander where the fuck they liked at the cricket in Hamilton
-
@higgins aye? The Canes have the quality to win plenty of games this year.
-
@canes4life said in 'Super Rugby' 2021:
@higgins aye? The Canes have the quality to win plenty of games this year.
More confidence than me. We'll be 4th or 5th
-
@machpants I got us third. Still plenty of firepower in the team to sway those close matches. Crusaders are first by a long way with their depth and then it’s a lottery from there down IMO.
-
@yeetyaah said in 'Super Rugby' 2021:
Why it's 'patently absurd' that the Blues aren't allowed to train a week out from Super Rugby Aotearoa
If the Blues cannot train together from Thursday in the region, it will throw a tight schedule into chaos. It doesn’t have to happen, writes Campbell Burnes.
Rugbypass' stupidity shows again.
What a time to be alive!
You don't have to have even got 30% in School Cert science to masquerade as an expert epidemiologist on social media.
I, personally, express strident opinions on the selections and tactics of professional rugby teams based on my extensive experience as a Hurunui representative rugby player at the under-14 level!
-
Three Super Rugby AU matchups to look out for in round one
Super Rugby AU makes its return on Friday, starting with two interesting clashes. First up is the Reds vs Waratahs – that Queensland vs New South Wales rivalry which is always a great spectacle.
-
Fuck's sake. I turn on the telly to watch the rugby...
SANZAAR without UK broadcaster before Super Rugby AU
Rugby fans in the UK and Ireland won’t be able to watch the opening round of Super Rugby AU.
-
@bones said in 'Super Rugby' 2021:
Fuck's sake. I turn on the telly to watch the rugby...
Rugby fans in the UK and Ireland won’t be able to watch the opening round of Super Rugby AU.
Yeah, I had a look this morning but didn't see anything ... then remembered it was only AU, so I remembered I don't give a shit!
Pretty tough for sky to sign up and hand over cash for something that didn't have any real plan for what it was!
Expect it to be inked by next week. All my pommy colleagues watch the friday and saturday morning super rugby, so the viewing numbers should be worth it.
-
