Super Rugby Trans Tasman

[Cameo]

And the Brumbies get a win. The NZ teams still looking by far the better but some signs the OZ teams can live with the pace.

Interesting ref call that seemed to go without mention on the coverage I saw. Savea with a small knock on but not seen, Brumbies then give away penalty, Hurricanes go for a quick tap and score a couple of phases later. TMO brings them back for the knock on. Could argue the right decision is reached but seems too far to me. If Canes had gone to touch or goal or even taken a slower tap, don't think the TMO would have got involved.

[morepork]

TMO got involved because the advantage went in the wrong direction which resulted in a biased result. Fair call IMO.

[Lizard]

Aggregate score NZ 205 - AU 119

NZ 416 - AU 215 after 2 rounds.

4 rounds in, aggregate score NZ 792 - AU 431.

Current Wooden-spooners Waratahs have amazingly got both the highest Points For of any Aussie team (120, lowest NZ is 130), but still have the worst PD of 105. Their average score is 30 - 56.

[morepork]

Does Straya even give a toss about rugger these days? The only really interested parties seem to be a few wealthy semi-literate mining magnates that try to jazz things up with shyte like Global Rapid Rugby. Interestingly, a few private equity set ups are sniffing around Australian rugby, including good old silver lakes wot was interested in purchasing a stake in the ABs.

[Lizard]

Does Straya even give a toss about rugger these days? The only really interested parties seem to be a few wealthy semi-literate mining magnates that try to jazz things up with shyte like Global Rapid Rugby. Interestingly, a few private equity set ups are sniffing around Australian rugby, including good old silver lakes wot was interested in purchasing a stake in the ABs.

I think it’s the same as it’s always been. Rugby Union is generally only of real interest to those that went to the “right” schools/universities in NSW and QLD. When the Wallabies do well then it gets a bit more of a following.

Efforts to spread the game to WA and VIC haven’t really made much ground. If it wasn’t for one rich dude, imported players and Saffer expat fans, the Force would have disappeared by now. The Rebels could probably be justified but IMHO they serve only to dilute the available talent pool. If Australian Rugby want to spread the game domestically while remaining competitive in Super Rugby, they should merge the Brumbies with the Rebels and play them mostly out of Melbourne.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Does Straya even give a toss about rugger these days? The only really interested parties seem to be a few wealthy semi-literate mining magnates that try to jazz things up with shyte like Global Rapid Rugby. Interestingly, a few private equity set ups are sniffing around Australian rugby, including good old silver lakes wot was interested in purchasing a stake in the ABs.

I think it’s the same as it’s always been. Rugby Union is generally only of real interest to those that went to the “right” schools/universities in NSW and QLD. When the Wallabies do well then it gets a bit more of a following.

Efforts to spread the game to WA and VIC haven’t really made much ground. If it wasn’t for one rich dude, imported players and Saffer expat fans, the Force would have disappeared by now. The Rebels could probably be justified but IMHO they serve only to dilute the available talent pool. If Australian Rugby want to spread the game domestically while remaining competitive in Super Rugby, they should merge the Brumbies with the Rebels and play them mostly out of Melbourne.

Theres a 153 pro players playing across the world in various leagues. They need investment to keep them in Oz, all those players added into the mix makes for a very competitive competition in Oz.

[morepork]

Pity Laumape is heading Frogside. He is really doing the damage at the moment.

[zer0]

A Crusader-less final at Eden Park. What better finale could you ask for?

[morepork]

Don't be such a little bitch.

[zer0]

A Crusader-less final at Eden Park ending with the Blues being crowned champions of Australian AND New Zealand. An excellent finale to the most prestigious SR iteration of the last two years.

I'm going to indulge myself in the Stuff rugby comments section for the next few days.

[morepork]

Wot's happening with the Championship now chaps? I think NZRFU has declined to travel to Perth and were considering basing in Brisbane? Is that true?

I hope the pest gets squashed again after sneaking in from Sydney. Also looking for a better managed vaccination roll out from here on in. So I can come back and visit...