Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 4:03 pm
I think you accidentally quoted the wrong post by mistake - you had one of mine there.morepork wrote: See Rowan? That's how you do it. Maturity and humility.
Puja
Puja
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Puja
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 4:46 pm
This is not the Crap Jokes Fred sonny jim.
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 12:08 am
Connacht 32 - 10 Kings
Munster 51 - 18 Cheetahs
The first win will come next weekend, as Zebre travel to the Cheetahs, but the interesting one will be Kings vs Leinster. If home advantage doesn't make much difference, then it'll be a hard old season.
Puja
Munster 51 - 18 Cheetahs
The first win will come next weekend, as Zebre travel to the Cheetahs, but the interesting one will be Kings vs Leinster. If home advantage doesn't make much difference, then it'll be a hard old season.
Puja
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 8:15 am
Quite an oversight, wouldn't you say?
Leinster captain Isa Nacewa and scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park will fly back to Ireland after being refused entry to South Africa over visa issues.
http://rugbylad.com/breaking-leinster-i ... a-refusal/
Leinster captain Isa Nacewa and scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park will fly back to Ireland after being refused entry to South Africa over visa issues.
http://rugbylad.com/breaking-leinster-i ... a-refusal/
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 5:30 pm
Southern Kings 10 - 31 Leinster.
From 5 games, neither of the South African sides have gained a match point, whereas the Celtic sides have all got try scoring wins. Do I get an acknowledgement that maybe I had a point on how this season would go vis-a-vis "running riot", Rowan?
Puja
From 5 games, neither of the South African sides have gained a match point, whereas the Celtic sides have all got try scoring wins. Do I get an acknowledgement that maybe I had a point on how this season would go vis-a-vis "running riot", Rowan?
Puja
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:43 am
Apparently over 20 K attended the Cheetahs Pro' 14 home debut but barely 500 were at the Kings.' There's no doubt that SANZAAR made a huge mistake by incuding the Port Elizabeth franchise in Super Rugby - and that the perfectly healthy Bloemfontein outfit paid the price. Similar story with Perth & Melbourne, of course.
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 11:01 am
That is horrible. Is there no smaller stadium that they can play in until they build crowds up a little more? I mean, 500's pathetic anyway, but it looks even worse in that bowl.rowan wrote:Apparently over 20 K attended the Cheetahs Pro' 14 home debut but barely 500 were at the Kings.' There's no doubt that SANZAAR made a huge mistake by incuding the Port Elizabeth franchise in Super Rugby - and that the perfectly healthy Bloemfontein outfit paid the price. Similar story with Perth & Melbourne, of course.
Maybe worth going the same route that Saracens do, when they have their promo games at Wembley, and give free tickets to all the schools in the area? It'd build up a long-term fanbase and make them look a lot less silly in that bowl.
Puja
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 3:07 pm
Kings helped ruin Super Rugby by gatecrashing the party. They'll do the same to Pro 14 given half a chance.
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 5:52 pm
Hang on, hang on - what happened to running riot and Super Rugby asking for them back? What happened to "SH rugby is inherently better than NH rugby" and your grand and infallible experience which told you that I was wrong?rowan wrote:Kings helped ruin Super Rugby by gatecrashing the party. They'll do the same to Pro 14 given half a chance.
I will accept a, "Sorry, I was wrong and maybe I shouldn't've been so high-handed and dismissive of you," if you're willing to offer it at any point.
Puja
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 11:36 am
New format released (basically an old one revived):
SANZAAR has announced the match schedule for the restructured 2018 Super Rugby tournament that comprises a 15-team three-conference format.
– SANZAAR Committed to new Super Rugby tournament
– South Africa Conference to kick-off season
– Sunwolves to play in Australian Conference
– 120 regular season matches
– Each team plays 16 matches [8 home and 8 away] and has two byes
– Eight team, seven-match finals series with Final set for 4 August
The SANZAAR Executive Committee (Exco) has confirmed its commitment to Super Rugby and has released the match schedule for the restructured 2018 Super Rugby tournament. As announced in April this year the 2018 Super Rugby tournament will be changed from an 18-team, four conference format to a 15-team, three conference format.
Each team will play 16 Conference matches that include eight matches within their own Conference (home and away) and four matches against teams from each of the other Conferences (home or away). The finals will comprise an eight team, seven match series.
New Zealand Conference:
Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes
Australian Conference:
Brumbies, Rebels, Reds, Waratahs, Sunwolves
South African Conference:
Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers, Jaguares.
The 2018 Super Rugby tournament starts on Saturday 17 February when the South African Conference kicks-off with the Stormers hosting the Jaguares in Cape Town. The Lions, runners-up the last two years, host the Sharks in Johannesburg, while Bulls have a bye.
The Australian and New Zealand Conferences will kick-off a week later when the defending champions the Crusaders open the defence of their title at home against the Chiefs. The Brumbies, last year’s Australian Conference winner, open the season against the Sunwolves in Tokyo who are now positioned in the Australian Conference.
SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said, “Super Rugby is one of, if not the best club rugby tournaments in the world highlighted this year by a global TV audience of nearly 50 million and a final crowd in Johannesburg of 60,000. It is a key high performance pathway for players from the SANZAAR Unions to transition from club to test rugby, and this will continue to be the case in the future."
“It was not an easy decision to reduce the number of teams but a necessary one considering the outputs from the strategic review to date. The tournament was not working with 18 teams, the structure was confusing, the outcomes of matches were becoming too predictable and the fans and stakeholders had, through our surveys, voiced their concerns."
“SANZAAR respects that as a consequence of this Australia and South Africa have had to make some very hard decisions since our announcement in April that 2018 would revert to 15 teams. It is a difficult time for many in this respect particularly those within the affected teams and their fans. We understand the outpouring of disappointment and associated passion shown for these teams. To not have done anything would have been irresponsible and would have had a significant impact on the long term sustainability of the game within our markets.”
"Our focus is now on rolling out the restructured tournament which we believe will improve standards, competitiveness and interest. By re-establishing a strong base for Super Rugby through a consolidated tournament format, that maximises the potential in the markets in which we currently play, it will allow us to open up new markets through specific match placements and working strategically with our TV broadcasters in the future.”
“The future of SANZAAR, like any business, is linked to the delivery of a long-term strategic plan. In SANZAAR’s case a 10-year plan that was initiated in 2016 with the aim of delivering the strategic road map for the management of Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship.”
“What has been missing is the rugby conversation as we cannot hide away from the high performance and financial realities of the game in the markets in which we play. The teams that have not performed need to start producing a more attractive brand of rugby that re-engages fans, produces competitive results and winning performances. We have a great tournament but what is needed now is the talking to be done on the field as enough opinion and perspective has been provided off the field.”
“In addition to the decisions that were taken around the Australian and South African Conferences, SANZAAR has also been working hard with Japan and the Sunwolves. Their performances over the first two seasons have been disappointing and improvement is required. A structural reform has been implemented where responsibility for the Sunwolves will move from the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) to the entity known as Japan Super Rugby Association (JSRA). SANZAAR will be taking a more proactive role within its operating structures.”
“I wish to acknowledge and thank all our Broadcasters for their support and positive contribution to SANZAAR through this period. We are confident that Super Rugby has a long and exciting future ahead of it."
Click https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5wrkll3ut8ex ... xSZFa?dl=0 for 2018 Super Rugby match schedule.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-u ... ym2l9.html
SANZAAR has announced the match schedule for the restructured 2018 Super Rugby tournament that comprises a 15-team three-conference format.
– SANZAAR Committed to new Super Rugby tournament
– South Africa Conference to kick-off season
– Sunwolves to play in Australian Conference
– 120 regular season matches
– Each team plays 16 matches [8 home and 8 away] and has two byes
– Eight team, seven-match finals series with Final set for 4 August
The SANZAAR Executive Committee (Exco) has confirmed its commitment to Super Rugby and has released the match schedule for the restructured 2018 Super Rugby tournament. As announced in April this year the 2018 Super Rugby tournament will be changed from an 18-team, four conference format to a 15-team, three conference format.
Each team will play 16 Conference matches that include eight matches within their own Conference (home and away) and four matches against teams from each of the other Conferences (home or away). The finals will comprise an eight team, seven match series.
New Zealand Conference:
Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes
Australian Conference:
Brumbies, Rebels, Reds, Waratahs, Sunwolves
South African Conference:
Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers, Jaguares.
The 2018 Super Rugby tournament starts on Saturday 17 February when the South African Conference kicks-off with the Stormers hosting the Jaguares in Cape Town. The Lions, runners-up the last two years, host the Sharks in Johannesburg, while Bulls have a bye.
The Australian and New Zealand Conferences will kick-off a week later when the defending champions the Crusaders open the defence of their title at home against the Chiefs. The Brumbies, last year’s Australian Conference winner, open the season against the Sunwolves in Tokyo who are now positioned in the Australian Conference.
SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said, “Super Rugby is one of, if not the best club rugby tournaments in the world highlighted this year by a global TV audience of nearly 50 million and a final crowd in Johannesburg of 60,000. It is a key high performance pathway for players from the SANZAAR Unions to transition from club to test rugby, and this will continue to be the case in the future."
“It was not an easy decision to reduce the number of teams but a necessary one considering the outputs from the strategic review to date. The tournament was not working with 18 teams, the structure was confusing, the outcomes of matches were becoming too predictable and the fans and stakeholders had, through our surveys, voiced their concerns."
“SANZAAR respects that as a consequence of this Australia and South Africa have had to make some very hard decisions since our announcement in April that 2018 would revert to 15 teams. It is a difficult time for many in this respect particularly those within the affected teams and their fans. We understand the outpouring of disappointment and associated passion shown for these teams. To not have done anything would have been irresponsible and would have had a significant impact on the long term sustainability of the game within our markets.”
"Our focus is now on rolling out the restructured tournament which we believe will improve standards, competitiveness and interest. By re-establishing a strong base for Super Rugby through a consolidated tournament format, that maximises the potential in the markets in which we currently play, it will allow us to open up new markets through specific match placements and working strategically with our TV broadcasters in the future.”
“The future of SANZAAR, like any business, is linked to the delivery of a long-term strategic plan. In SANZAAR’s case a 10-year plan that was initiated in 2016 with the aim of delivering the strategic road map for the management of Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship.”
“What has been missing is the rugby conversation as we cannot hide away from the high performance and financial realities of the game in the markets in which we play. The teams that have not performed need to start producing a more attractive brand of rugby that re-engages fans, produces competitive results and winning performances. We have a great tournament but what is needed now is the talking to be done on the field as enough opinion and perspective has been provided off the field.”
“In addition to the decisions that were taken around the Australian and South African Conferences, SANZAAR has also been working hard with Japan and the Sunwolves. Their performances over the first two seasons have been disappointing and improvement is required. A structural reform has been implemented where responsibility for the Sunwolves will move from the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) to the entity known as Japan Super Rugby Association (JSRA). SANZAAR will be taking a more proactive role within its operating structures.”
“I wish to acknowledge and thank all our Broadcasters for their support and positive contribution to SANZAAR through this period. We are confident that Super Rugby has a long and exciting future ahead of it."
Click https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5wrkll3ut8ex ... xSZFa?dl=0 for 2018 Super Rugby match schedule.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-u ... ym2l9.html
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 12:23 pm
rowan wrote:New format released (basically an old one revived):
SANZAAR has announced the match schedule for the restructured 2018 Super Rugby tournament that comprises a 15-team three-conference format.
...
So we fixed it but it's just as messed up as it was before.
Great. More teams making the finals that couldn't even qualify if they weren't protected by this madness.
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 12:41 pm
I must have missed something. I thought it was the same format as the old Super 15...
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 3:54 pm
Unless this proves a raging success and/or the Sunwolves show drastic imporvement, my guess is the Sunwolves will be axed in 2020 and they'll go back to a round-robin Super 14.
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 1:07 pm
I'm almost starting to think Super Rugby's implosion might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for pro rugby, with the possibility of more South African franchises competing in Europe, in addition to those extant, along with talks about an 'Indo-Pacific league.' This from SA Rugbymag:
Two new South African franchises will be formed by the end of the year.
A tender process will begin on 4 October, with SA Rugby looking to have four franchises in Super Rugby and four in Europe.
The two new franchises could play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
'We have four teams in Sanzaar; we have two in Pro14 and the other two will start to develop to play somewhere,' SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux told the New Zealand Herald. 'Hopefully something like the Anglo-Welsh as a development tournament. At the right time in 2020 [when the current Sanzaar broadcast deal ends] we can then make a decision on where our bases are.'
Roux again insisted that SA Rugby is committed to Sanzaar beyond 2020.
'We believe we are as strong as we are because we play Australia, Argentina and New Zealand. We measure ourselves by those teams even though the north is getting better.'
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander recently said the Springboks could field two different teams – one for matches in the southern hemisphere and one for those in the north – but Roux said this would not be the case.
'Having two completely different teams, that's ridiculous. Why would you not play your best team? You might get to a situation where you select four or five players because they are more adapted to the northern hemisphere. Test rugby is too competitive to play the same players week in, week out.'
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/detail ... franchises
Two new South African franchises will be formed by the end of the year.
A tender process will begin on 4 October, with SA Rugby looking to have four franchises in Super Rugby and four in Europe.
The two new franchises could play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
'We have four teams in Sanzaar; we have two in Pro14 and the other two will start to develop to play somewhere,' SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux told the New Zealand Herald. 'Hopefully something like the Anglo-Welsh as a development tournament. At the right time in 2020 [when the current Sanzaar broadcast deal ends] we can then make a decision on where our bases are.'
Roux again insisted that SA Rugby is committed to Sanzaar beyond 2020.
'We believe we are as strong as we are because we play Australia, Argentina and New Zealand. We measure ourselves by those teams even though the north is getting better.'
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander recently said the Springboks could field two different teams – one for matches in the southern hemisphere and one for those in the north – but Roux said this would not be the case.
'Having two completely different teams, that's ridiculous. Why would you not play your best team? You might get to a situation where you select four or five players because they are more adapted to the northern hemisphere. Test rugby is too competitive to play the same players week in, week out.'
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/detail ... franchises
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 9:42 pm
Can't believe the Indo Pacific League would take South African clubs - surely that'd screw with the idea that the league is in similar time-zones?
Cheetahs are up and running with an impressive home win against Leinster, so there's hope for the Pro14 yet, as long as the Kings don't lose to Zebre in an empty stadium tomorrow.
Puja
Cheetahs are up and running with an impressive home win against Leinster, so there's hope for the Pro14 yet, as long as the Kings don't lose to Zebre in an empty stadium tomorrow.
Puja
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 10:31 pm
I don't think South African clubs joining the proposed Indo Pacific League was mentioned, was it? I think they're looking at having their four strongest franchises in Super Rugby, and selecting their Championship squad mostly from them, while creating two more franchises to join the Cheetahs & Kings in Pro Rugby, around which they'll base their squad for the AIs. I'm guessing the next two franchises would be based in Nelspruit (pop 1.7 million), home of the Mpumalanga Pumas in what was formerly known as Eastern Transvaal, and Kimberley (pop 250K), home of the Northern Cape Griquas. It would be nice if they could get Namibia involved, however.
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 11:02 pm
You mentioned the IPL (think we might need to look for another acronym!) in your last post.
I will note that the Anglo-Welsh Cup is lovingly referred to as the Mickey Mouse Cup in the north and is mostly used to break in youngsters and fringe players as it's played in sproadic bursts during international windows. I can't see it being worth your time, certainly not worth setting up new franchises for. Could maybe see the Cheetahs and Lions getting involved as it would, by its nature, dovetail with their Pro14 commitments, but I frankly can't see it being worth the airfare.
Puja
I will note that the Anglo-Welsh Cup is lovingly referred to as the Mickey Mouse Cup in the north and is mostly used to break in youngsters and fringe players as it's played in sproadic bursts during international windows. I can't see it being worth your time, certainly not worth setting up new franchises for. Could maybe see the Cheetahs and Lions getting involved as it would, by its nature, dovetail with their Pro14 commitments, but I frankly can't see it being worth the airfare.
Puja
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 12:40 am
It's something of a shame that I offered that as a specific example...Puja wrote:Can't believe the Indo Pacific League would take South African clubs - surely that'd screw with the idea that the league is in similar time-zones?
Cheetahs are up and running with an impressive home win against Leinster, so there's hope for the Pro14 yet, as long as the Kings don't lose to Zebre in an empty stadium tomorrow.
Puja
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/ ... RUP4020707
Puja
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 7:48 am
Cheetahs had another good win. Starting to look close to their best again. But there's no doubt these two franchises are just thumbing their noses at SANZAAR this year and were not remotely prepared to go straight into another competition. The Kings have always been a joke in terms of their organization, which continues to implode, and undoubtedly the Currie Cup is getting priority right now, but I think you'll see a very different Kings outfit in 2018 and, if they get back to where they were in Super Rugby this year, they will indeed run riot in the Pro 14.
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 5:24 pm
So, to summarise, I was correct in warning you that your 'experience' was leading you wrong on this occasion and it probably was hubris for you to dismiss my opinion so rudely?rowan wrote:Cheetahs had another good win. Starting to look close to their best again. But there's no doubt these two franchises are just thumbing their noses at SANZAAR this year and were not remotely prepared to go straight into another competition. The Kings have always been a joke in terms of their organization, which continues to implode, and undoubtedly the Currie Cup is getting priority right now, but I think you'll see a very different Kings outfit in 2018 and, if they get back to where they were in Super Rugby this year, they will indeed run riot in the Pro 14.
Puja
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 7:00 pm
Only in your imagination, Puja. I just said that the two teams were not remotely prepared for a second competition this year, especially while the Currie Cup was in full swing. The Cheetahs, at least, look to have got back on track to some extent, but the kings are still just mucking around, the way they did in Super Rugby prior to this year. We'll have to wait till next year, when they are fully focused, to gauge this, and I have little doubt they'll prove too strong and, indeed, run riot against most of their opponents.
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 9:57 pm
Gosh, if only someone had mentioned that back when you were insisting that it wouldn't make a difference and running riot would still happen this season.rowan wrote:Only in your imagination, Puja. I just said that the two teams were not remotely prepared for a second competition this year, especially while the Currie Cup was in full swing.
Puja
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 10:06 pm
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:05 pm
Another big win for the Cheetahs, I believe . . .
Re: Super Rugby Axes 3 !!
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 9:00 pm
Wimpiest excuse I ever heard!
It would take more than a little old lion bite to keep a Southern Hemisphere rugby man from playing. Remember Andy Macdonald?
https://rhodesiansportprofiles.blogspot ... onald.html . . .
It would take more than a little old lion bite to keep a Southern Hemisphere rugby man from playing. Remember Andy Macdonald?
https://rhodesiansportprofiles.blogspot ... onald.html . . .