Super Rugby [Super 15] - General Discussion Thread

CatFromHue

Will the Aussie Internationals all be playing this weekend?

The long range weather forecast doesn't look too good for either games with rain and lightening forecast for both games......Yikes!

Swiwi

CatFromHue wrote: »

Will the Aussie Internationals all be playing this weekend?

The long range weather forecast doesn't look too good for either games with rain and lightening forecast for both games......Yikes!

Can't see any reason why not. The Rebels have picked up Higginbotham, they also have Beale & James "Bieber" O'Connor. The Force have the Honey Badger and not much else. Reds & Brumbies have more classy players, the Brumbies 10 Christian Lealiifano is certainly worth watching.

CatFromHue

For some reason I thought some of the Internationals were being given extra time off.

Just checked and the Brumbies and Reds teams for their pre season friendlies on the weekend had their Internationals.

Swiwi

CatFromHue wrote: »

For some reason I thought some of the Internationals were being given extra time off.

Just checked and the Brumbies and Reds teams for their pre season friendlies on the weekend had their Internationals.

Aussie franchises starting early to allow Dingo Deans extra time pre-Lions, I think.

irishbucsfan

I was very much hoping Lealifano would be Sextons replacement. Dont think it'll actually happen.

Don't know if he'd be up for Rabo rugby in the short term either.

Swiwi

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I was very much hoping Lealifano would be Sextons replacement. Dont think it'll actually happen.

Don't know if he'd be up for Rabo rugby in the short term either.

I'd say he'd want to give the Wallabies a decent lash first. Would almost certainly have made the squad last year but for an ankle fracture. He's actually Kiwi by birth...

CatFromHue

31 May/1 Jun Full SuperXV schedule
1 Jun Lions play BaaBaas in HK :rolleyes:

5 Jun Force v Lions
7 Jun Brumbies v Rebels
8 Jun Reds v Lions
9 Jun Force v Waratahs

22 Jun 1st Test
No game between 1st and 2nd test
29 Jun 2nd Test
28/29 June SuperXV kicks off after International break no Aussie teams have games
5/6 July Aussie teams back playing SuperXV
6 July 3rd Test

It's a fairly full on schedule for the SH players as the Saffers will be playing their tournament on the 8th, 15th, and 22nd June with their SuperXV teams playing on the 1st and 29th June too.

Talk about burnout?

Swiwi

CatFromHue wrote: »

31 May/1 Jun Full SuperXV schedule
1 Jun Lions play BaaBaas in HK :rolleyes:

5 Jun Force v Lions
7 Jun Brumbies v Rebels
8 Jun Reds v Lions
9 Jun Force v Waratahs

22 Jun 1st Test
No game between 1st and 2nd test
29 Jun 2nd Test
28/29 June SuperXV kicks off after International break no Aussie teams have games
5/6 July Aussie teams back playing SuperXV
6 July 3rd Test

It's a fairly full on schedule for the SH players as the Saffers will be playing their tournament on the 8th, 15th, and 22nd June with their SuperXV teams playing on the 1st and 29th June too.

Talk about burnout?

And France v NZ as pre-match Lions entertainment, if I recall correctly. Squads with depth should do OK - that rules out the Aussie franchises, especially their lesser lights.

However, if France produce the dross they currently are in the 6N in NZ, it will hardly be entertainment.

Podge_irl

Swiwi wrote: »

Aussie franchises starting early to allow Dingo Deans extra time pre-Lions, I think.

Was about to ask what the story was with that. One presumes his best players will be in the playoffs anyway though and thus get no extra time...

Swiwi

Podge_irl wrote: »

Was about to ask what the story was with that. One presumes his best players will be in the playoffs anyway though and thus get no extra time...

Playoffs are well after the Lions tour, but Aussies start early to accomodate a pause while Lions in town.

Podge_irl

Swiwi wrote: »

Playoffs are well after the Lions tour, but Aussies start early to accomodate a pause while Lions in town.

Ah I see. I'm exposing my startling lack of knowledge of SXV rugby here.

CatFromHue

Podge_irl wrote: »

Was about to ask what the story was with that. One presumes his best players will be in the playoffs anyway though and thus get no extra time...

The Aussie teams play a week before the other teams start, that's this week, and the weekend of June7/8/9 when the other teams will be off. This means that they don't play on the weekend of June 28/29 and July 5/6 when the 2nd and 3rd test for the Lions series will be on.

Kiwi_knock

The Rebels have named their team for Friday's game. Interesting to see the positions of Beale and O'Connor. I am still not that convinced of Beale at 10. I think the Rebels should have brought in a proper 10, which would mean they would not have to play other players out of position.

Melbourne Rebels:
15 James O'Connor, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 Richard Kingi, 10 Kurtley Beale,9 Nick Phipps,
8 Gareth Delve (c) 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.

Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Cadeyrn Neville, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 Alex Rokobaro, 22 Tom English

This is going to be the Rebel's year, I can tell.

Swiwi

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

The Rebels have named their team for Friday's game. Interesting to see the positions of Beale and O'Connor. I am still not that convinced of Beale at 10. I think the Rebels should have brought in a proper 10, which would mean they would not have to play other players out of position.

Melbourne Rebels:
15 James O'Connor, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 Richard Kingi, 10 Kurtley Beale,9 Nick Phipps,
8 Gareth Delve (c) 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.

Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Cadeyrn Neville, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 Alex Rokobaro, 22 Tom English

This is going to be the Rebel's year, I can tell.

I think Beale is probably the best 10 that has been tried by Aussie in recent times - Copper has been sussed out, Barnes is solid but unspectacular. I'm not sure JOC's best position has been determined, I'd probably favour him as a wing at present. Injuries to Beale & O'Connor and that's the Rebels X-factor gone for the season. NB: I'm never sure whether you're a Kiwi living in Knock, or a Kiwi-knocker?

CatFromHue

Scott Fuglistaller
Higginbotham
Hugh Pyle
Laurie Weeks
Jarrod Saffy
Alex Rokobaro

All wonderful names! :pac:

sock puppet

Beale had a few injuries last year and came into a struggling Australian side. I'd like to see him play a whole season at 10 before judging.

Who am I following this season?

Swiwi

Deleted User wrote: »

Who am I following this season?

Hey Emmet, assuming you're a neutral, then last season I found the 2 sides which played the most attractive rugby were the Cheetahs & the Hurricanes. The Cheetahs, in particular, scored some great tries (see below, for an example), but were let down by an untimely injury to Johan Goosen and at times a porous defence. The Hurricanes, from memory, had the best points for, and were very close to making the playoffs.

.ak

Yeah but in fairness Dagg's shaking his head because the 'saders were totally asleep defensively there. Shambolic.

I'll be keeping tabs on the Crusaders as I always do! Though I think Highlanders have a decent squad this year.

Hagz

I'm usually a Bulls man but this song has me contemplating a change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYRRAvi3cpw

Swiwi

.ak wrote: »

Yeah but in fairness Dagg's shaking his head because the 'saders were totally asleep defensively there. Shambolic.

I'll be keeping tabs on the Crusaders as I always do! Though I think Highlanders have a decent squad this year.

Crusaders my team too. Highlanders have recruited well, would be nice to see them make the playoffs. In fact I think the NZ conference will be extremely competitive, only the Blues look weak on paper, so I guess a dark horse.

Swiwi

Hagz wrote: »

I'm usually a Bulls man but this song has me contemplating a change.

Probably the only team I could never bring myself to support, they have extremely loutish, boorish supporters (excluding your good self, of course), and last season a pretty limited gameplan, which fell apart when Morne Steyn was only kicking at about 60%.

opinionatedfan

any players about to breakout?

thomond2006

Hagz wrote: »

I'm usually a Bulls man but this song has me contemplating a change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYRRAvi3cpw

CatFromHue

Haha it could do with a John Barnes style rap in the middle if you ask me.

Hagz

Swiwi wrote: »

Probably the only team I could never bring myself to support, they have extremely loutish, boorish supporters (excluding your good self, of course)

What?! You mean like this fine man

They're vomit worthy but I absolutely love saying the players names in a thick Afrikaans accent. Ever since that season where Hougaard played on the wing I've been hooked.

irishbucsfan

Hagz wrote: »

I'm usually a Bulls man but this song has me contemplating a change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYRRAvi3cpw

Jesus christ I hope they got a few crates out of that

Swiwi

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I hope they got a few crates out of that

I think they had already downed a few crates to calm the nerves...

Swiwi

opinionatedfan wrote: »

any players about to breakout?

I'm not sure I can answer that Q...

Hagz

Swiwi wrote: »

I'm not sure I can answer that Q...

Any young NZ or fringe NZ players you'd expect to have a good season? Need a few cheap lads for my fantasy team

Swiwi

Hagz wrote: »

Any young NZ or fringe NZ players you'd expect to have a good season? Need a few cheap lads for my fantasy team

Ok, since you ask, but I in no way stand over these if they flop (especially as I watched minimal ITM cup), but of course will claim all credit if they go onto greater things.

Crusaders: Dominic Bird, Johnny McNicholl, Robbie Freuan make or break year (esp as Kahui off to Japan), Dan Carter...oh wait...

Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara

Blues: Frances Saili

Chiefs: Andrew Horrell, Bundee Aki, Ben Afeaki

Highlanders: John Hardie, Lima Sopoaga

Morf

Swiwi wrote: »

Ok, since you ask, but I in no way stand over these if they flop (especially as I watched minimal ITM cup), but of course will claim all credit if they go onto greater things.

Crusaders: Dominic Bird, Johnny McNicholl, Robbie Freuan make or break year (esp as Kahui off to Japan), Dan Carter...oh wait...

Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara

Blues: Frances Saili

Chiefs: Andrew Horrell, Bundee Aki, Ben Afeaki

Highlanders: John Hardie, Lima Sopoaga

Andre Taylor was top try scorer in Super XV last year or at least he was for a while. I doubt he'll be that cheap.

Sopoaga looked good until he got injured last year.

Highlanders are my team.

Swiwi

Interesting read

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/super-rugby/all-aboard-the-playergoround-20130214-2eg3d.html

GiftofGab

Just back from rebels match - riddled with mistakes, joc was great with the boot, beal didnt nothing at 10 - couldnt control the game

P_1

Caught the end of it, handling errors a plenty based on my 10 minute sample :pac:

Swiwi

P_1 wrote: »

Caught the end of it, handling errors a plenty based on my 10 minute sample :pac:

You mean this...?

B&I Lions watch: JOC not Beale taking the goalkicking for the Rebels (successfully)
B&I Lions watch: Higginbotham gets yet another YC - is he Australia's answer to James Haskell?

thomond2006

Swiwi wrote: »

You mean this...?

B&I Lions watch: JOC not Beale taking the goalkicking for the Rebels (successfully)
B&I Lions watch: Higginbotham gets yet another YC - is he Australia's answer to James Haskell?

Those highlights videos are great, would love to see something similar for the NH leagues.

Between all three countries in Super Rugby, do most/all of the games get televised?

Swiwi

thomond2006 wrote: »

Those highlights videos are great, would love to see something similar for the NH leagues.

Between all three countries in Super Rugby, do most/all of the games get televised?

All games televised...but not free to air

Hagz

I had Pyle, JOC and Mafi on my Fantasy team so I'm happy.

Hugh Pyle was brilliant and O'Connor should get a haircut pronto.

razorblunt

Brilliant quote from the commentary team there...

Nic White is a player that's blessed with a big seat for these kicks ...now some might call this a fat arse but theres a lot of power coming through those hips.

Hagz

That 19 year old who came on for the Reds is going to be a very good player.

Leinster7

Really fancy the Brumbies to go one step further then last season. Jake White is a quality coach. To think we could've got him instead of Kidney....

Swiwi

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/8331305/Ref-Cam-to-debut-in-Brisbane-Super-clash

Will be interesting to see if it's a success.

Taco Corp

Swiwi wrote: »

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/8331305/Ref-Cam-to-debut-in-Brisbane-Super-clash

Will be interesting to see if it's a success.

First thing that comes to mind is that I hope that we see replays of scrum penalty decisions. Maybe they might begin to make sense.

P_1

Didn't they try something very similar to that in a Championship match in England a while back?

Swiwi

Captain_Hindsight wrote: »

First thing that comes to mind is that I hope that we see replays of scrum penalty decisions. Maybe they might begin to make sense.

Not releasing tackler is another that springs to mind.

Deano7788

P_1 wrote: »

Didn't they try something very similar to that in a Championship match in England a while back?

Yep, Newcastle London Scottish in December. It was interesting but didn't really add much in that match.

Beery Eyed

Ben Smith! :eek: What a pickup & score for the highlanders! That's a decent way to start the season

Swiwi

Catching a few minutes before I head to work....

Beery Eyed

Chiefs looking good so far. Nanai-Williams is lightning when he gets ball in hand