Super Rugby News

[taniwharugby]

@stargazer did he play last year, did any of thier front line forwards play last year?

THat all needs to be considered...if he was set to play, by all means it should count

[Stargazer]

@taniwharugby This was the Waratahs squad for the 2017 Brisbane Tens:

Israel Folau
Tolu Latu
Tom Robertson
Taqele Naiyaravoro
Paddy Ryan
Hugh Roach
Damien Fitzpatrick
Ned Hanigan
Ryan Mccauley
Michael Wells
Rory O'connor
Patrick Mccutcheon
Brad Wilkin
Jamason Schultz
Matt Lucas
Jake Gordon
Mack Mason
Bryce Hegarty
David Horwitz
Andrew Deegan
Con Foley
Andrew Kellaway
Cam Clark
Harry Jones
Reece Robinson
Lote Tuqiri

Looks like they indeed had several forwards, including a few first choice players, in their squad.

Edit: I think under Sanzaar rules, preseason games don't count for suspensions. Not sure about the Brisbane Tens. Complicating factor is that the suspension doesn't come from Sanzaar but from World Rugby.

[Stargazer]

The Sunwolves squad has been announced.

2017 Highlanders Craig Millar and Hayden Parker, who were overlooked this year, have found a new team. As announced earlier, Michael Leitch is in the squad. Robbie Robinson will be back in SR, too! Apparently, more players will be added to the current 26 players.

Edit: the Sunwolves slogan is "Top 5 in 2018"

https://sunwolves.or.jp/en/information/article/4502/

[KiwiMurph]

@stargazer haha top 5 in the Aussie Conference perhaps?

[Stargazer]

Waratahs preaseaon games:

Friday 2 February
NSW Waratahs v Highlanders at the Recreation Ground, Queenstown
Kick-off: 1800 (NZT)

Thursday 15 February
NSW Waratahs v Melbourne Rebels, Brookvale Oval, Sydney
Kick-off: 1845 (AEDT)

[Tim]

@stargazer Any update on this?

[mooshld]

@kiwimurph said in Super Rugby News:

@stargazer haha top 5 in the Aussie Conference perhaps?

If I'm not mistaken its a play on words, as the number 5 is pronounced GO in Japanese.

[Stargazer]

@tim Haven't seen anything, yet.

[Tim]

@stargazer Cheers. I'd be gutted if Auckland lost him to Canterbury after several years in the system.

[Hooroo]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/99618071/could-quade-cooper-be-the-answer-for-the-blues-at-no-10

[Cyclops]

@hooroo said in Super Rugby News:

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/99618071/could-quade-cooper-be-the-answer-for-the-blues-at-no-10

Tasesa Lavea Mark 2!

[Stargazer]

I don't think it's a bad idea. Surely, Cooper should be much better than Kirkpatrick?

[KiwiMurph]

@hooroo said in Super Rugby News:

PLEASE NO PLEASE NO PLEASE NO PLEASE NO PLEASE NO!!!!

Fixed.

@stargazer said in Super Rugby News:

I don't think it's a bad idea. Surely, Cooper should be much better than Kirkpatrick?

The Reds ditched Quade in favour a player even more raw than Perofeta and the Wallabies (who could desperately use a backup 10) are basically deciding to play without a specialist backup 10 than have Quade in the squad.

[taniwharugby]

@kiwimurph well given people think the NZR do whatever SBW wants, maybe he will just tell them he wants his mate Kqwayde alongside him?

[antipodean]

Clear clickbait

[KiwiMurph]

This article sums things up nicely.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11955282

[Stargazer]

Not sure whether it's interesting news that 2Degrees will be the exclusive telecommunications partner for all five New Zealand Super Rugby teams, but this caught my eye:

The 2degrees logo is set to take pride of place on a new brand property - the sides of jerseys, from the Blues in the North to the Highlanders in the South.

More brand names on the jerseys ...

It’s a tight five for 2degrees | 2degrees

2degrees will be the exclusive telecommunications partner for all five New Zealand teams competing in the Investec Super Rugby competition from February 2018. 2degrees CEO Stewart Sherriff says the sponsorship is a positive reflection of the company’s national capability. “This is a significant...

[Stargazer]

We have today confirmed our venues for the 2018 Investec Super Rugby season, where we’ll play seven thrilling home games at FMG Stadium Waikato, as well as bringing an Investec Super Rugby clash to Rotorua International Stadium.

For the first time since 2013, FMG Stadium Waikato will host all four action-packed New Zealand derbies. We have back to back games against the Highlanders and Blues in rounds seven and eight, before taking on the defending champs the Crusaders in round 16 and the Hurricanes in the last round robin game of the season.

The team will host the Jaguares, Argentina’s only Super Rugby team, at Rotorua International Stadium on Friday 4 May. It will be the first time the two sides meet on Chiefs Country turf and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to play a match in front of their passionate Bay of Plenty supporters.

The club had planned to hold the Blues match at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth. Unfortunately, following recent developments in regards to the structure of the East Stand at Yarrow Stadium and due to the time constraints to ensure their facilities meet code requirements, it was deemed necessary to relocate this game. The Blues match will now be at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday 7 April. Yarrow Stadium and we will be working closely together to offer our great Taranaki supporters some exclusive offers and travel packages to enable them to experience a live home match in Hamilton.

[Bovidae]

Good as a season ticket-holder to get all the NZ derbies but I was hoping to see the Jaguares so would have happily swapped that game for the Bulls, Brumbies or Tahs.

[Stargazer]

@bovidae I was lucky to win a Canes-Phoenix combo in 2016 that included the Canes v Jaguares game. It was a great game to watch from the stands. The Jaguares got quite a lot of support in the capital.