Super Rugby News
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@SammyC Signing McKay as a fullback indeed makes sense if they decide not to re-sign McKenzie; otherwise you have only Dagg and Havili who can play fullback. Bateman was signed as a 10 in 2017 (but played all his games at 12). So if they're not going for a rookie such as Brett Cameron, Bateman is the logical choice, esp if they want experience in that young backline.
@Chris-B Why Dunshea? Bedwell-Curtis was pretty handy this year. Whetu Douglas is another one they could consider (he's on a one year contract with Treviso; his 2nd year was optional).
And why a 4th halfback? They only had 3 this year.
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@Stargazer Dunshea - mainly just my speculation that he'd going to be seriously good if he can stay fit. Big and very fast. Didn't realise Douglas was already an option. If you want Bedwell Curtis could also sign Dunshea as lock cover and let Strange go.
4th halfback - because I rate Enari and Stratton, I don't really rate Fukofuka, and Hall seems like a year to year proposition.
I'd love it if we could shed Fukofuka - but, I think we can afford to use a slot to carry a 4th halfback for a year.
Otherwise, we could end up with Drummond and Fukofuka in 2019 - Hall overseas and Enari and Stratton at other franchises.
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@Stargazer I wonder if he's doing that with an eye to return a better player or beat the five-year residency requirement?
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@antipodean Apparently, he wants to stay here and play in NZ. If his father is a Kiwi (he played for the Kiwis in league), he won't need to meet the residency requirement.
Although born in Canberra, Lomax grew up playing league in Wellington, but switched to rugby when his family moved to Australia. He was named in Michael Cheika's' original 48 man Wallabies squad for 2017 before withdrawing.It's clear though that Lomax is determined to see out his career in New Zealand. "I decided this was where I wanted to play my rugby long term and decided to sign with Ta$man and the Highlanders for the next few years. "This year at the Rebels was quite tough, really tough actually, but I took a lot from it and gained a lot of experience and got to play some good minutes. "I guess this is home, it's where I'm from and where all my family is and it's where my parents will end up in the next few years. It's just where I feel myself playing my rugby for hopefully the next 10 years."From another article:
Ta$man Mako$ head coach Leon MacDonald noted Lomax's potential when explaining why he had opted to move back across the Ta$man. "Even though he's young, his frame and attitude set him apart," MacDonald said. "He's aspiring to make the All Blacks and we are very proud that he sees Ta$man as the pathway for him. For him to pack down alongside stalwarts like Tim Perry and Kane Hames is exciting for the future of Ta$man rugby." -
Injured All Blacks props Owen Franks and Joe Moody may not be seen in Super Rugby until May. Surgery to repair serious injuries means the pair must set aside six months to rehabilitate, although Crusaders coach Scott Robertson could extend that timeframe to guarantee they are in peak condition prior to returning to duty for the title holders. Franks recently had an operation on a troublesome Achilles tendon, while Moody went under the scalpel after damaging his shoulder during the All Blacks' 39-22 win over the Pumas in New Plymouth on September 9. "They are both in the six-month mark, but you also count a little bit of extra time [before they are back playing]," Robertson said. "So it could be around April or May, depending on their recovery. -
Reducing the number of teams from 18 to 15 hasn't made finalising the Super Rugby draw any easier. Nor will it make the Kiwi teams any happier. That's the assessment of New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew, who revealed the draw is due to finally be released in days.Tew expects the five New Zealand teams will have the same concerns as always, notably around travel and the number of taxing derby matches, neither of which will dramatically change. -
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According to Gregor Paul:
The three conference winners will automatically qualify for the playoffs but in 2018, unlike the last two years, the five wildcard places will go to the five teams with the most points.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11925046
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@tim Yes, this is from another article:
The winners of each conference qualify for the playoffs and will be joined by the five next-best teams, regardless of geography. -
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@higgins said in Super Rugby News:
Last time we had a competition called The Super 15 the format was ok if my memory serves me correctly. Wonder why that same format was not adopted this time?
It is almost the same. The only difference is that now 8 teams go through to the finals, while from 2011 to 2015, 6 teams qualified for the finals (with the two highest ranked teams not playing qualifiers/quarter finals).
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I believe franchises push for more local derbies because it means bigger crowds.
Id also suggest more local derbies means higher ratings and given the broadcasters were willing to cut 3 teams for the same $ they would have demanded a return of more local derbies.
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Restructured Sunwolves set for marquee players, less travelling
But the sources have told Kyodo News a compromise has been reached that will allow SANZAAR to have more direct involvement with running the Japan Super Rugby Association. It is understood a member of SANZAAR will now sit on the Sunwolves committee, which is set for some serious structural reform as it recruits "rugby specific people who know what success is." Jamie Joseph, head coach of the Japan national team and a Super Rugby winner in 2015 with the Highlanders, will have a far more hands-on role with the side, with Tony Brown and Filo Tiatia helping the former All Black and Japan international run the team. A doubling of the player budget will allow the team to recruit some marquee players from overseas and it is expected four world-class players will put pen to paper in the coming weeks. With player management one of Jospeh and Tiatia's main concerns, the Sunwolves used 56 players in their second season. That number will be cut to 40 next season, as the Sunwolves look to further their agreements with Top League sides to ensure players are not overworked. With the Sunwolves moving from the South Africa conference to the Australia group as a result of the competition now featuring 15 teams, the side will also see their travel schedule cut drastically. Last season the team flew close to 120,000 kilometers, double the travel of any other side in the competition.
