Super Rugby 2024
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Jaguares returning to Super Rugby in 2026. It could be earlier if the Rebels fold apparently.
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@Machpants they did...the same government that pulled out of the comm games
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2024:
@gt12 yeah they should have put the two Sunday games on the Saturday. So stupid.
I'd argue the two marquee games of the weekend are in many ways tonight.
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After losing interest in the world cup final (I stopped watching it) due to the shockingly bad reffing by Barnes and his assistants.
My interest is returning with super rugby. We just now need a stronger Aust presence (reduce to 4 teams as a first step) and keep it at 12 teams (not try and keep on increasing the number of teams) along with the other changes already discussed. Then the crowds will start returning
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@antipodean said in Super Rugby 2024:
Scott can catch a pass.
Sam Cane and even McGod were AB captains and not that flash at catching a pass.
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@nostrildamus said in Super Rugby 2024:
@antipodean said in Super Rugby 2024:
Scott can catch a pass.
Sam Cane and even McGod were AB captains and not that flash at catching a pass.
IMO those were aberrations in their games, not a defining characteristic like Shields.
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If Super Rugby's going to be a viable product that can be sold around the world, it's going to have to do a lot better than the swathes of empty seats we saw this weekend. No one will want to watch sport in front of empty stands. Time for the administrators to pull their finger out!
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@sparky Super Rugby broadcasters need to do better aswell, the commentary standards over the weekend were horrible and it's bloody off putting at times. Also, if this is meant to be a marquee event for Super Rugby, maybe dress up for it. SBW wearing a fking singlet looks so unprofessional.
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Hahah this guy's passion is hilarious. He's not wrong on a few points here.
Stan and Sky really need to do better.
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On here to post about the horrid 'alternative' commentary team apparently used this weekend. Yuk. SBW really downgrades the quality. Are they deliberately targeting younger non rugby fans for an audience?
Saw a nice interview with Naitoa ah Kuoi but not much else sparked. -
@Canes4life did he call Tuʻungafasi a young up and coming prop trying to break into the AB's?
I do agree thought the commentators could do a better job, i do feel it pretty normal for every game to have some comments critiquing the actual game/laws etc
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Super Rugby power rankings courtesy of TVNZ
1. Chiefs
(2 wins, 0 losses) beat Brumbies 46-12(Table position: 1)
Prediction: In the absence of Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie will be the most dominant player in Super Rugby this year. He was at it again against the Brumbies, who aren't a bad side. He's also being enabled by a pack which appears hungrier than any other in the competition. The Chiefs' clash with the unbeaten Blues will be highly anticipated but, due to a quirk, they play each other only once this year and that's in the final round.
Blues
(2-0) beat Highlanders 37-29(Table position: 3)
Settled into their work nicely against a Highlanders side who impressed with their creativity and toughness, especially early. Hoskins Sotutu, with three tries, is on a tear but new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson will be looking for consistency and workrate before getting too excited. Still, a well-rounded team which should go deep into the playoffs.
3. Hurricanes
(2-0) beat Reds 38-33(Table position: 2)
Two wins against Aussie competition, the latter a golden-point win over the Reds, should be kept in perspective but the Hurricanes deserve their high position for their composure in extra time in Melbourne and in a brilliantly worked set-piece try featuring an offload by Jordie Barrett, later shown a red card for a high tackle, which is worth watching again and again. Plus, two tries for Cam Roigard who will presumably be the All Blacks' No.9 in the middle of the year.
4. Waratahs
(1-1) beat Crusaders 37-24Table position: 8
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman advised reporters on the eve of this match to put money on his side, who were 10-1 outsiders. Afterwards he said he was planning to celebrate by sinking several schooners. Fair enough, too, the Sydneysiders were far too good in nearly every aspect against a Crusaders side lacking direction and accuracy. The defending champs are in a spot of bother. Coleman is quids in (or would be if he was allowed to bet on the match).
5. Moana Pasifika
(1-1) beat Fijian Drua 39-36(Table position: 9)
In the match of the round, Moana Pasifika outlasted their Pacific neighbours despite playing with 13 men late on, a display of grit to go with a performance high in flair and ambition. It was a joy to watch. A debatable red card for Nigel Ah Wong for a no-arms tackle was followed by Moana putting on 14 points in three minutes. The Drua responded in the same fashion to finish the match. Put the super into Super Round.
6. Highlanders
(1-1) lost to Blues 29-37(Table position: 5)
Rhys Patchell! A week after a beautiful wide pass assist in their win over Moana Pasifika, the Welsh international first-five threw an around-the-corner offload that SBW would have been proud of in the Highlanders' loss to the Blues. Jamie Joseph is building something on his return. The Highlanders will be a handful this season.
7. Fijian Drua
(0-2) lost to Moana Pasifika 36-39(Table position: 11)
It's difficult to be cynical about Super Rugby when watching these guys in full flight. They should feel confident about next weekend's clash against the Crusaders.
8. Brumbies
(1-1) lost to Chiefs 12-46(Table position: 6)
Not in it after going to the break 25-7 behind but they will cause problems elsewhere this season.
9. Rebels
(1-1) beat Force 48-34(Table position: 7)
A triumph for a club on the point of collapse and playing in front of a small crowd on their weekend of all weekends. And they did it after falling behind 34-19 with 30 minutes to go. Bravo.
10. Reds
(1-1) lost to Hurricanes 33-38(Table position: 4)
The golden point losers would probably have taken an old-fashioned draw.
11. Crusaders
(0-2) lost to Waratahs 24-37(Table position: 10)
The Crusaders were pretty good in their defeat to the Chiefs in round one — any team that scores 19 unanswered points against the Mooloo men this season will have to be. Against the Waratahs they were awful. Their scrum was beset with technical issues, their lineout wonky, they lacked leadership in the backline, with Rob Penney electing to start inexperienced halfback Noah Hotham and first-five Taha Kemara (both only 20), and midfielder David Havili appeared rusty to say the least. They play the Drua in Lautoka next. That's tough.
12. Force
(0-2) lost to Rebels 34-48(Table position: 12)
If getting a hiding from the Brumbies in round one wasn't bad enough, the Force backed it up by losing to a Rebels club that probably won't exist in a few months.
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Brendon Pickerell retires -
After 151 first-class matches, including 10 Test matches, 60 Super Rugby matches, and 58 NPC matches, Brendon Pickerill has made the tough decision to hang up his whistle.Known for his consistency, proficiency, and calm nature on the pitch, and his professionalism and passion for the game off of the pitch, we wish Brendon well on his next adventure. Ngā mihi nui, you’ll always be part of the NZR whānau 🖤
