Super Rugby News

Stargazer

Injury update Chiefs:

Ngatai won't face the Waratahs in Hamilton on Saturday ...

"Charlie saw a specialist who recommended he be unavailable this week. He's training fully but we're going to be cautious and take the advice of the expert" coach Dave Rennie said.

They will also be without versatile outside back Sam McNicol as he continues to battle concussion but veteran Stephen Donald could be available for his 100th game for the franchise.

However, with Tim Nanai-Williams suffering an ankle injury and the ongoing problem with Toni Pulu's hamstring, the Chiefs have brought in All Blacks Sevens speedster Joe Webber as cover.

http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2017/05/chiefs-to-leave-charlie-ngatai-out-of-team-again.html

Bovidae

@Stargazer Regan Ware would have been better cover.

And will we ever see Fisi'iahi and Tiatia on the field?

Stargazer

@Bovidae Yeah, it's strange that when the Chiefs named it's side to take on the Blues, Crusaders and Reds, Fisiiahi was still mentioned as one of the players "unavailable for selection". Yet, in the Counties Manukau round-up of club rugby of 14 May he is mentioned as a try scorer for Bombay Rugby Club (assuming there are no two players with the same name).

Tiatia has also been playing club rugby.

Crucial

I know we are distracted by the BIL at the moment but there are only 2 rounds to go in Super rugby and some NZ conference games that could have a bearing on the finals.

Currently

Crusaders 59 (Highlanders, Hurricanes)
Hurricanes 48 (Force, Chiefs, Crusaders)
Highlanders 45 (Crusaders, Reds)
Chiefs 45 (Tahs, Canes, Brumbies)

Winner of the NZ Conf will likely get a SA visitor while second place gets to travel to Canberra.

Lets assume for arguments sake that the non -NZ teams get beaten and 5 points are taken from each.

Crusaders 59 (Highlanders, Hurricanes)
Hurricanes 53 (Chiefs, Crusaders)
Highlanders 50(Crusaders)
Chiefs 55 (Hurricanes)

3 absolutely critical games left

Canes v Chiefs
Crusaders v Highlanders
Crusaders v Hurricanes

Crusaders need 1 win to secure 1st. Don't even need a BP. However a loss to the Highlanders would make things really interesting
Chiefs need to win all of their games. Beat the Hurricanes and they could get back to 2nd.

Cyclops

@Crucial said in Super Rugby News:

I know we are distracted by the BIL at the moment but there are only 2 rounds to go in Super rugby and some NZ conference games that could have a bearing on the finals.

Currently

Crusaders 59 (Highlanders, Hurricanes)
Hurricanes 48 (Force, Chiefs, Crusaders)
Highlanders 45 (Crusaders, Reds)
Chiefs 45 (Tahs, Canes, Brumbies)

Winner of the NZ Conf will likely get a SA visitor while second place gets to travel to Canberra.

Lets assume for arguments sake that the non -NZ teams get beaten and 5 points are taken from each.

Crusaders 59 (Highlanders, Hurricanes)
Hurricanes 53 (Chiefs, Crusaders)
Highlanders 50(Crusaders)
Chiefs 55 (Hurricanes)

3 absolutely critical games left

Canes v Chiefs
Crusaders v Highlanders
Crusaders v Hurricanes

Crusaders need 1 win to secure 1st. Don't even need a BP. However a loss to the Highlanders would make things really interesting
Chiefs need to win all of their games. Beat the Hurricanes and they could get back to 2nd.

There's also the race for top overall. Crusaders probably need to win both remaining games to avoid a trip to Johannesburg for the final. That canes v crusaders match is going to be huge even if the canes can't top the kiwi division.

That said, Sharks at home won't roll over for the Lions so there's a chance that a win over the Highlanders will be enough (not that that's a given!).

Crucial

Yes, I forgot about the race to the top. Forgot about the teams in lesser conferences.
Quite right. It is a travesty that the NZ teams end up battling for places 5,6 and 7

booboo

@Cyclops said in Super Rugby News.

There's also the race for top overall. Crusaders probably need to win both remaining games to avoid a trip to Johannesburg for the final.

Assuming the NZ team they play in the QF or SF doesn't beat them

Chris B.

@Cyclops said in Super Rugby News:

That said, Sharks at home won't roll over for the Lions so there's a chance that a win over the Highlanders will be enough (not that that's a given!).

I'm a bit annoyed with the Stormers losing to the Sharks last weekend.

If the Crusaders were to win both their remaining games and the Sharks were to beat the Lions, then we'd probably end up with a QF against the Highlanders. That could easily be a booby prize!

There's potential that the Lions will be able to "choose" their QF opponent in the final round.

Bovidae

I think that the LIons will be hard to beat at home, as they were last year.

I also don't believe that the Lions topping the table is a bad thing from the perspective of the 3 other NZ teams, assuming that the Sharks are the 8th seed. In that scenario only one NZ team would need to travel to SA for a QF instead of two.

The Crusaders would be at short odds to finish top of the NZ conference which means the race is on to finish 2nd and only have to travel to Aust, probably Canberra. Travelling twice across the Indian Ocean in a week has proved a step too far, and that is the fate for the 3rd and 4th teams in the NZC at the moment.

Unco

Probably worth remembering what happened to the Stormers last year. Sure, the Lions are a much better team than the Stormers but I still think they'll be hurt by playing a lower standard of opposition all season.

Stargazer

Pro12: South African side Cheetahs receive invitation to join league

The Cheetahs, based in Bloemfontein, have been approached by the league, which currently comprises teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy.

The Pro12 deny extending a formal invitation, but say discussions are underway between stakeholders.

taniwharugby

@Stargazer would seem an odd team to invite, although I guess what is likely to happen is a bunch of off-shore Saffas may sign up to strengthen it?

booboo

Is that part of the dealings to drop them out of Super Rugby?

Stargazer

Will the Mitre 10 Cup teams get a share of the proceeds? I assume they'll get their players a week later, because SR players are entitled to a certain minimum of rest after the SR competition? The Blues won't make the Final on 5 August, but the Highlanders are still in with a chance.

gt12

@Stargazer

Fuuuuuuuck that.

August 11th? In Kumagaya (literally, the hottest part of Japan)

I won't be in town, but even if I were, no fucking way. Seriously, I hope no-one strokes out.

Stargazer

@gt12 To me, it sounds like pure greed. It's all about $$$$.

Stockcar86

@gt12 said in Super Rugby News:

@Stargazer

Fuuuuuuuck that.

August 11th? In Kumagaya (literally, the hottest part of Japan)

I won't be in town, but even if I were, no fucking way. Seriously, I hope no-one strokes out.

I've spent 3 months working in Tokyo (Jul-Sep) - stinking hot and super high humidity. Are they doing this as a favor for FIFA to see what will happen to athletes in Qatar?

antipodean

@gt12 said in Super Rugby News:

@Stargazer

Fuuuuuuuck that.

August 11th? In Kumagaya (literally, the hottest part of Japan)

I won't be in town, but even if I were, no fucking way. Seriously, I hope no-one strokes out.

Better than playing in Fukuoka that time of year!

Stargazer

Michael Collins signs one-year contract extension with the Blues

Stargazer

What the heck is going on with several SR sides to go to Japan for one game? Now this and the timing is really odd.

With the Rebels also signing England and Lions lock Geoff Parling for 2018 Super Rugby season, can we conclude that they will not be cut from the competition? Or just tactics (with Parling having an out-clause in his contract, obviously) to try convincing ARU not to cut the Rebels?

The Silver Fern

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