RugbyRebels

All confirmed now. 12 teams - 5 from NZ, 5 from Oz, Fijian Drua and Moana Pacifica. 14 matches each (1 Vs each other team and 3 other games of which at least two will be "derbies"). Top 8 teams make it to the finals which we be straight knock out on a seeded basis with the top 4 at home.

A lot to like and I'm excited.

Fixtures slightly unbalanced (and likely harder for the NZ teams) but not too bad. Top 8 into finals is a little bloated but I can see the logic.

Big thing we'll find out over the next few weeks is how strong the new teams will be. Would be huge for Fiji, Samoa and Tonga if this can be a launch pad to bring some of their stars home. I suspect that might take a few years but need a few decent names to make sure they are reasonably competitive from the start.

Any thoughts?

Superb news. I was worried that the promise of two PI sides would be quietly forgotten, especially with the political upheaval that Samoa has been having, so it's great that they're in. They'll be fan favourites, they'll give the Australian sides some overseas competition that's actually in their fighting weight, and if the Fijians stay true to their attacking style of rugby, they'll be a great television draw (including possibly for the US, where their Olympic success will weigh heavily).

The only risk will be the quality of players that they can turn out. If they finish 11th and 12th, the shine will be off fairly quickly. Do they have to select all PI-qualified players or have they got an overseas players allowance to recruit Kiwis?

Puja


ETA: 80% must be Fiji/Tonga/Samoa eligible: https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super ... artnership

Good luck competing with the community that is rugby league.

morepork wrote:Good luck competing with the community that is rugby league.

In what way?

Puja

Puja wrote:Superb news. I was worried that the promise of two PI sides would be quietly forgotten, especially with the political upheaval that Samoa has been having, so it's great that they're in. They'll be fan favourites, they'll give the Australian sides some overseas competition that's actually in their fighting weight, and if the Fijians stay true to their attacking style of rugby, they'll be a great television draw (including possibly for the US, where their Olympic success will weigh heavily).

The only risk will be the quality of players that they can turn out. If they finish 11th and 12th, the shine will be off fairly quickly. Do they have to select all PI-qualified players or have they got an overseas players allowance to recruit Kiwis?

Puja


ETA: 80% must be Fiji/Tonga/Samoa eligible: https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super ... artnership

There is a rumour that Josh Ione (one capped All Black ten who is half Samoan I think) is in talks to sign up.

I think the comment re the RL community is maybe that a large chunk of the Pacific Island community in Auckland is perhaps more engaged with the Warriors and NRL than union.

Has to be the most promising development for a long while though. Two key things will be making the two teams competitive and getting firm plans in place for games on the islands as soon as practicle.

Puja wrote:Superb news. I was worried that the promise of two PI sides would be quietly forgotten, especially with the political upheaval that Samoa has been having, so it's great that they're in. They'll be fan favourites, they'll give the Australian sides some overseas competition that's actually in their fighting weight, and if the Fijians stay true to their attacking style of rugby, they'll be a great television draw (including possibly for the US, where their Olympic success will weigh heavily).

The only risk will be the quality of players that they can turn out. If they finish 11th and 12th, the shine will be off fairly quickly. Do they have to select all PI-qualified players or have they got an overseas players allowance to recruit Kiwis?

Puja


ETA: 80% must be Fiji/Tonga/Samoa eligible: https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super ... artnership

There is a rumour that Josh Ione (one capped All Black ten who is half Samoan I think) is in talks to sign up. Edit: he has now joined the Chiefs.

I think the comment re the RL community is maybe that a large chunk of the Pacific Island community in Auckland is perhaps more engaged with the Warriors and NRL than union. (Edit: Or maybe MorePork is talking about competing with the NRL in Australia)

Has to be the most promising development for a long while though. Two key things will be making the two teams competitive and getting firm plans in place for games on the islands as soon as practicle.

Perhaps?

They definitely are.

morepork wrote:Perhaps?

They definitely are.

Fair - given the number of PI players coming through in Union though, you'd think there is still plenty of engagement in both codes.

Could be wrong.

So. Gatland has been made "director of rugby" at the Chiefs and Clayton McMillan kept on as head coach.

morepork wrote:So. Gatland has been made "director of rugby" at the Chiefs and Clayton McMillan kept on as head coach.

Otherwise known as the gentle easing out as your actually not up to the job and you can have less interference in things doing that role and then bugger off as you get bored (probably to England worryingly)...

Yeah, I did immediately think England job when I saw this.

We can only hope Foster builds on his lack of popularity or Gats stops being such a Kiwi when it comes to playing styles

Go and fish somewhere else you grubby little toilet trader.

Fine work from Fozzy, a quick response in making himself less popular

Fijian team gradually making signings. Must of them seem in the promising category with either sevens or NPC experience, but can't say I've heard of many of them.

Anyone got any better insight or a view on whether there might be one or two big names to be announced?

Moana Pasifika have nabbed Lealiifano.


and to everyone down there doing it hard under covid, kia kaha, and, obviously, shot bro.

Cameo wrote:Fijian team gradually making signings. Must of them seem in the promising category with either sevens or NPC experience, but can't say I've heard of many of them.

Anyone got any better insight or a view on whether there might be one or two big names to be announced?

They've grabbed back a few names from the MLR in the latest batch of signings. Can't say any of them have been particularly tearing up the league, but probably good squad depth.

Puja

Puja wrote:

Cameo wrote:Fijian team gradually making signings. Must of them seem in the promising category with either sevens or NPC experience, but can't say I've heard of many of them.

Anyone got any better insight or a view on whether there might be one or two big names to be announced?

They've grabbed back a few names from the MLR in the latest batch of signings. Can't say any of them have been particularly tearing up the league, but probably good squad depth.

Puja

Yeah, slight fear that almost all their signings so far are "good squad depth". Maybe will need to wait a year or two to get any stars back.

Moana Pasifika beginning to announce some signings now too. A bit more experience, especially with Leali'ifano and Sekope Kepu, albeit on the aging side.

Just hope some of those with lower level experience have real breakthrough years.