Super Rugby

[cashead]

Definite weakpoint at 13 with the Crusaders, IMO. They actually probably have one of the weaker midfield selections in the NZ conference.

I thought 10 might be an issue for them, as Mo'unga was plucked out of relative obscurity with the star 10 at age-grade ending up at the Hurricanes, and Volavola, while he had his moments, was highly inconsistent for Fiji last year, but much like with McCaw, it seems the Crusaders scouts saw something there that few others did with that boy at 10.

[UGagain]

Len has one UG. Few miles on the clock, but popular with the ladies.

Just watched the game. How good are the two Smiths? Benjamin just Zen and right decisions almost every time. The little Smith has such a mean flat pass and keeps his dick in his pants, focusing instead on getting on with continuity.

Crusaders have an issue at centre maybe. They are relying a lot on consistent paint by numbers players like Todd. Forwards are definitely carrying them. Len, your mate at 14 had a good go at being Owen Farrell for the first 15.

I thought Len had a Dyslexia.

[cashead]

Take it easy on the poor boy. He's a South Islander.

[rowan]

Kiwis still a cut above the others...

[Len]

Kiwis still a cut above the others...

Apart from Blues poos.

[rowan]

Yeh, bit shocked by the magnitude of that result. I thought they were coming right now, since axing JK as the coach. Possibly just an aberration? I guess that's why they call them the 'Blues!' Anyway, let's see what the rest of the competition brings. . .

[rowan]

Graham Henry is disappointed in this year's Super Rugby competition, including the Kiwis' dominance, and says expansion to Argentina and Japan has diluted the quality:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/ar ... Henry.html

[morepork]

Ted you dick. What do you want?

Imagine how bad the Bloos would look without the new boys in the comp.

[rowan]

Simplest way: 3 6 team conferences with the Jaguares joining NZ and the Sunwolves joining Australia. 10 games against conference rivals still leaves room for 6 games against teams from the other two conferences during the regular season (3 from each)?

ANDY MARINOS SAYS THEY ARE LOOKING INTO ALTERNATIVE FORMATS
Super Rugby’s controversial format will not be changed next year but a new format could be brought in as soon as the 2018 season.

According to reports SANZAAR has hired a consultancy firm who will look at the format over the next six months and they will map out its 10 year strategic vision (2016-2025).


A major part of the process will be look into the current problematic conference style structure which has teams with less points ranked higher than those with more points.

SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos says that everything will be looked at and considered including expanding into new territories or the reduction of teams in some countries.

It’s unlikely that New Zealand will drop one of their teams and it’s even more unlikely that South Africa will drop a team as they pushed the current expansion to include a sixth team.

There has however been rumblings in Australia about dropping the Force and adding a second team in Sydney.

A yet to be named consultancy company will work with the respective Sanzaar national unions, Super Rugby franchises, broadcasters and commercial partners before they sign off with a new and clear direction at the end of this year.

Critics of the Super Rugby system say that the current format lacks integrity as some teams get easier routes into the play off as they avoid the top teams so regaining some of the compromised integrity and credibility should be a focus.

Read more: http://www.superxv.com/sanzaar-planning ... z490gxmZze

[rowan]

New Zealand teams still with 4/5 top places, including the top 2. Expansion teams rooted to the bottom of the table. Jaguares have been a little disappointing, in my view, but appear more likely to improve in the future than either the Sunwolves or the Kings - neither of whom belong in the championship. A particularly bad year for the Aussies, meanwhile, with even perennial flag-bearers the Brumbies battling mid-table.

[cashead]

The current standings are:

Chiefs (42)
Lions (37)
Bulls (32)
Waratahs (30)
-------------------
Crusaders (41)
Highlanders (37)
Hurricanes (36)
Sharks (35)
-------------------
Stormers (32)
Brumbies (29)
Blues (29)
Rebels (23)
Cheetahs (16)
Reds (16)
Jaguares (13)
Force (11)
Sunwolves (9)
Kings (4)


If they were to be organised by their actual points:

Chiefs
Crusaders
Lions
Highlanders
Hurricanes
Sharks
Bulls
Stormers
Waratahs
Brumbies
Blues
Rebels
Cheetahs
Reds
Jaguares
Force
Sunwolves
Kings


If you wanted a demonstration on how stupid and insane and farcical the way the season is now set up, here you go. Keep in mind that the Stormers and Bulls are currently on level points, and the Stormers actually have the superior PD. But, the Bulls are ahead, because they've won one more game so that puts them ahead because FUCK YOU.

And evidence of how much the Australian conference currently totally sucks a total fuck.

[rowan]

2 of the top 3 teams tumble so far this weekend - & it's only Friday

[rowan]

Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Jags blew a 12 point lead in the third quarter to lose 29-22 at the Kings Apparently they were down to 12 players at the end. How did they get so many players sent off??

[cashead]

Slept through first half, but apparently by being dirty fuckers.

[rowan]

Sunpoodles looking totally out of their depth, as I predicted.

[rowan]

5 week break now for the spring internationals? Bummer. I'd rather just keep watching Super Rugby

[Lizard]

A few weeks for the Chiefs to pull themselves together might be a good thing.

[rowan]

I was just starting to get interested

[rowan]

Silly me, but I assumed there were going to be some tour matches this weekend, since Super Rugby's on ice for the rest of the month. I mean, don't they play build-up games against provincial sides any more?

[melbournerebel]

Wales play the Chiefs on the 12th

[Puja]

Silly me, but I assumed there were going to be some tour matches this weekend, since Super Rugby's on ice for the rest of the month. I mean, don't they play build-up games against provincial sides any more?

Given that the English, Welsh and Irish players were all involved in matches on the weekend of the 28th/29th, it'd be a bit difficult to turn around for a match on the next weekend. The Irish might just be able to given they're in a similar timezone, but there'd be no way for the Welsh or English.

Puja

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Silly me, but I assumed there were going to be some tour matches this weekend, since Super Rugby's on ice for the rest of the month. I mean, don't they play build-up games against provincial sides any more?

Given that the English, Welsh and Irish players were all involved in matches on the weekend of the 28th/29th, it'd be a bit difficult to turn around for a match on the next weekend. The Irish might just be able to given they're in a similar timezone, but there'd be no way for the Welsh or English.

Puja

The irony of posting this in the Super rugby thread won't be lost on most.

[Puja]

Silly me, but I assumed there were going to be some tour matches this weekend, since Super Rugby's on ice for the rest of the month. I mean, don't they play build-up games against provincial sides any more?

Given that the English, Welsh and Irish players were all involved in matches on the weekend of the 28th/29th, it'd be a bit difficult to turn around for a match on the next weekend. The Irish might just be able to given they're in a similar timezone, but there'd be no way for the Welsh or English.

Puja

The irony of posting this in the Super rugby thread won't be lost on most.

International rugby's a bit different to domestic though.

Puja

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Given that the English, Welsh and Irish players were all involved in matches on the weekend of the 28th/29th, it'd be a bit difficult to turn around for a match on the next weekend. The Irish might just be able to given they're in a similar timezone, but there'd be no way for the Welsh or English.

Puja

The irony of posting this in the Super rugby thread won't be lost on most.

International rugby's a bit different to domestic though.

Puja

Yes, but not in terms of time zones and none of us has to cope with issues of altitude at the same time.

[Puja]

The irony of posting this in the Super rugby thread won't be lost on most.

International rugby's a bit different to domestic though.

Puja

Yes, but not in terms of time zones and none of us has to cope with issues of altitude at the same time.

Well, if they want to have a club competition where they thrash their players without consideration for the workload and stress, then that's their business. I think I'd rather be in a hemisphere where there's proper rest periods and players aren't just ground into the dirt to satisfy a ludicrous fixture list.

...

I'm not helping the irony here, am I?

Puja