Super Rugby 2017: matches not involving Australian teams

[dru]

The Sunwolves fans just LOVE a scrum. What a moment when the Canes had a yellow and SW packed a 7 on 8 scrum to demolish the Canes. The crowd went off.

They need to purchase a couple of really big Saffer props. I think the stadium will sell out if they can win some scrums, whatever the score.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

The Sunwolves fans just LOVE a scrum. What a moment when the Canes had a yellow and SW packed a 7 on 8 scrum to demolish the Canes. The crowd went off.

They need to purchase a couple of really big Saffer props. I think the stadium will sell out if they can win some scrums, whatever the score.

It was like for the first 60 minutes the SW's thought they were playing touch football as paper thin defence....

Last 20 minutes they finally started to play better. The only having 17 days together as a squad really showed.

Commercially with the packed stadium and interest in Japan in rugby I can see why if SW's can be competitive it would work but they are pure and simple just not competitive and this does not bode well for the season with that appalling high score loss. Not having the pick of their best playing plying their trade in Japan's Top League continues to make the likelihood of success on the field less likely. Just not sure I can see this working out in the long run unless something changes.

 

[dru]

It was like for the first 60 minutes the SW's thought they were playing touch football as paper thin defence..

Last 20 minutes they finally started to play better. The only having 17 days together as a squad really showed.

Commercially with the packed stadium and interest in Japan in rugby I can see why if SW's can be competitive it would work but they are pure and simple just not competitive and this does not bode well for the season with that appalling high score loss. Not having the pick of their best playing plying their trade in Japan's Top League continues to make the likelihood of success on the field less likely. Just not sure I can see this working out in the long run unless something changes.

I dont think sharing homegrounds across nations works either.

If you judge their merit on commercials and ground numbers, they're pretty solid. Performance on the field is a different matter.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Please enjoy this tackling attempt on Julian Savea by Ed Quirk

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Yes and given commercials work well with Sunwolves is why should probably persist and look at how they can improve on field performance. I am not sure that is so easy as Top League main game in Japan and getting best players for Sunwolves seems challenging + travel schedule makes unappealing to attract and retain top name players.

I can't imagine Sunwolves staying in African conference is viable long term solution.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^ those are issues that were foreseen & which should've been addressed before they were added to the comp, not 2-3 years after.

 

[dru]

^^^^^^ those are issues that were foreseen & which should've been addressed before they were added to the comp, not 2-3 years after.

Likewise Kings inability to perform commercially.

 

[dru]

Just finished with the Stormers v Bulls game. If you have it recorded but haven't seen it yet, I think its worth doing.

How the hell te Springboks can be in the hole they are in with the quality available is mind boggling.

 

[Dan54]

Yes and given commercials work well with Sunwolves is why should probably persist and look at how they can improve on field performance. I am not sure that is so easy as Top League main game in Japan and getting best players for Sunwolves seems challenging + travel schedule makes unappealing to attract and retain top name players.

I can't imagine Sunwolves staying in African conference is viable long term solution.

Sunwolves big problem at moment seems to be getting together early enough, I wouldn't mind betting teams from NZ, Aus or SA may struggle with only 17 days together before playing. I know they still aren't real strong by by geez they surely start the season behind the 8 ball!

 

[mst]

Sunwolves big problem at moment seems to be getting together early enough, I wouldn't mind betting teams from NZ, Aus or SA may struggle with only 17 days together before playing. I know they still aren't real strong by by geez they surely start the season behind the 8 ball!

Your right its a puts them behind the 8 ball and sad it wasn't sorted sooner but at least with the changing of the Top Leagues dates it wont happen again.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Didn't need this: Mo'unga gone for 6-8 weeks with some kinda hand fracture.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...eed-to-reduce-error-count-against-highlanders

Leaves them rather thin, Marty Mac the only specialist 5/8 then it's Bateman & Havili as backup & I doubt Racing will loan us DC even after his recent indiscretion. All in all we've had better losing starts to the season than this winning one.

 

[mst]

That's a big loss WoB, It will be interesting to see who stands up.

Havilli could be an interesting option.

 

[zer0]

The Crusaders lose their starting first five-eighth and now find themselves scrambling for even a NPC level replacement after hoarding test level first fives for the better part of a decade?

 

[Dan54]

Didn't need this: Mo'unga gone for 6-8 weeks with some kinda hand fracture.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...eed-to-reduce-error-count-against-highlanders

Leaves them rather thin, Marty Mac the only specialist 5/8 then it's Bateman & Havili as backup & I doubt Racing will loan us DC even after his recent indiscretion. All in all we've had better losing starts to the season than this winning one.

Doesn't young Mitch Hunt also play at 10 WOB? I thought I recalled him there for the U20s at some stage.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I only remember him at 15 for Tasman & not at all in U20 but obviously Razor will be all over it, maybe he's why they were prepared to let Ben V go. Even so, losing your starting 5/8 in Rd 1 for up to half the season is a pretty big blow.

 

[PaarlBok]

Both Saffer derbies was exciting. Stormers outplayed the Bulls totally. Even de Ellende learn to pass and kick. Stormers scrums was surprise. Lood look like a Bull now.

 

[dru]

Both Saffer derbies was exciting. Stormers outplayed the Bulls totally. Even de Ellende learn to pass and kick. Stormers scrums was surprise. Lood look like a Bull now.

Saffer game plans are changing. Stormers even looked like they could play in NZ. And I completely got wrong my thoughts on Stormers v Bulls.

Stormers off to a cranking start, Bulls playing well, but its likely to be slow from here. Not sure Pollard is on his game, thought he looked sleepy.

Sharks, not a derby but man they made the Reds look disorganised. They aren't, but it was a hell of a style difference.

 

[mst]

The new version of the foreign exchange is up:
UN-AUSTRALIAN ACTIVITIES!

Give it a click and have a read:
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/super-rugby-2017-un-australian-activities/

 

[Ulrich]

I think the Stormers got a wake-up call when the Chiefs walloped them last season and anticipated they'd have to make change since they'll be up against all 5 Kiwi teams this season.

The acquisition of a Kiwi skills coach certainly could only have helped.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

ROUND 2

Chiefs v Blues
17:35 Fri 3 March*

Highlanders v Crusaders
17:35 Sat 4 March

Sunwolves v Kings
21:55 Sat 4 March

Stormers v Jaguares
02:15 Sun 5 March

Cheetahs v Bulls
04:30 Sun 5 March

*times are AEDT