Super Rugby News
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Clear clickbait
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This article sums things up nicely.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11955282
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Not sure whether it's interesting news that 2Degrees will be the exclusive telecommunications partner for all five New Zealand Super Rugby teams, but this caught my eye:
The 2degrees logo is set to take pride of place on a new brand property - the sides of jerseys, from the Blues in the North to the Highlanders in the South.
More brand names on the jerseys ...
It’s a tight five for 2degrees | 2degrees
2degrees will be the exclusive telecommunications partner for all five New Zealand teams competing in the Investec Super Rugby competition from February 2018. 2degrees CEO Stewart Sherriff says the sponsorship is a positive reflection of the company’s national capability. “This is a significant...
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We have today confirmed our venues for the 2018 Investec Super Rugby season, where we’ll play seven thrilling home games at FMG Stadium Waikato, as well as bringing an Investec Super Rugby clash to Rotorua International Stadium. For the first time since 2013, FMG Stadium Waikato will host all four action-packed New Zealand derbies. We have back to back games against the Highlanders and Blues in rounds seven and eight, before taking on the defending champs the Crusaders in round 16 and the Hurricanes in the last round robin game of the season. The team will host the Jaguares, Argentina’s only Super Rugby team, at Rotorua International Stadium on Friday 4 May. It will be the first time the two sides meet on Chiefs Country turf and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to play a match in front of their passionate Bay of Plenty supporters. The club had planned to hold the Blues match at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth. Unfortunately, following recent developments in regards to the structure of the East Stand at Yarrow Stadium and due to the time constraints to ensure their facilities meet code requirements, it was deemed necessary to relocate this game. The Blues match will now be at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday 7 April. Yarrow Stadium and we will be working closely together to offer our great Taranaki supporters some exclusive offers and travel packages to enable them to experience a live home match in Hamilton. -
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@kiwimurph said in Super Rugby News:
This article sums things up nicely.
One of the most vapid articles I've ever read, about anything.
But - fits the topic, and as you say - sums it up nicely. If unnecessarily.
FFS - that should be copied over to the "how shit is the NZ media?" thread. -
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@unite said in Super Rugby News:
@stargazer said in Super Rugby News:
Not good
Could be a blessing in disguise. The ABs need their hand forced this way to search for a backup 8. Hopefully players themselves react and start putting their hands up strongly.
If Read needs extra time to come right and come back strong then he should have a long break and let Bender take the reins for a while.
Will be interesting as I can't see many candidates around. Akira needs to work on decision making at 8. He gets lost deciding when and where to drop back or move out. -
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@bones said in Super Rugby News:
@crucial with the loss of Kaino, Whitelock strikes as a likely candidate, which allows them to continue with the looser 6 options of Squire/Fifita.
We'd sorely miss those lovely blindsiding spot hits of Read though.
It is the positioning of Read that we lose a lot from as well. He wasn't running on all cylinders up north and we really seemed to miss an option or two.
Whitelock is dependable but, as you say, doesn't make the big plays nor does he pop up in the right place as a link option or get behind defences out wide to create a back-pedalling defence.
I hope Akira is getting some 'extras' on effective 8 play in pre-season. We don't even really have any other good modern 8s to mentor him. -
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Delayed start to Super Rugby for Kieran Read
Read also had a late start to the Super Rugby campaign in 2017 and returned to rugby just before the first Test against the British & Irish Lions in June. ... Next year's return could be earlier, in mid-April, giving him plenty of time to prepare for New Zealand's three-Test series with France in June. ... It is anticipated that Read will be out of action for about four months. ... Because of his All Blacks duties Whitelock will have a delayed start with the Crusaders. The return of Tom Sanders to the Crusaders side this year after two seasons with the Chiefs will strengthen the loose forward cover in Read's absence with Jordan Taufua, Pete Samu and Ethan Blackadder prospective candidates to play at No.8. -
I wouldn't mind seeing Scott Barrett tried at 8 at some point. IMO he's a bit lightweight at lock at test level. From memory Read was a lock/blindside when he first started playing for the Crusaders (at least he was listed as a lock in Fantasy Rugby), so you never know.
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@milk said in Super Rugby News:
I wouldn't mind seeing Scott Barrett tried at 8 at some point. IMO he's a bit lightweight at lock at test level. From memory Read was a lock/blindside when he first started playing for the Crusaders (at least he was listed as a lock in Fantasy Rugby), so you never know.
I don't get what others see in Scott Barrett (I may give BB shit for not holding last year's form but I can see how good he is, same too with Jordie), maybe I don't watch enough Crusaders games, but in test matches he's never stood out for me. He doesn't appear to have a robust edge to his game like BBBR or JK or Read (lightweight as you describe him). Maybe I'm just missing it?
I would prefer Squire to play 8 with a tight 6 like a fit year off JK.
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@nepia said in Super Rugby News:
@milk said in Super Rugby News:
I wouldn't mind seeing Scott Barrett tried at 8 at some point. IMO he's a bit lightweight at lock at test level. From memory Read was a lock/blindside when he first started playing for the Crusaders (at least he was listed as a lock in Fantasy Rugby), so you never know.
I don't get what others see in Scott Barrett (I may give BB shit for not holding last year's form but I can see how good he is, same too with Jordie), maybe I don't watch enough Crusaders games, but in test matches he's never stood out for me. He doesn't appear to have a robust edge to his game like BBBR or JK or Read (lightweight as you describe him). Maybe I'm just missing it?
I would prefer Squire to play 8 with a tight 6 like a fit year off JK.
Agreed. Scott Barrett makes Reuben Thorne look like a flashy showpony. Maybe he has good stats on rucks hit/tackles made, but I don't see that when watching him
