Sun, surf . . . and Super Rugby
Just one more sleep until Super Rugby launches for another year. Smear on the sunscreen and load a stash of popsicles in the freezer because it’s late summer, and that means the Chiefs are about to greet the Highlanders at FMG Stadium in Hamilton for the season opener tomorrow night.
Entertainment (fingers crossed) is imminent throughout the 18 rounds as athletes from five countries try to stay physically, and mentally, intact over the next five months to claim a winner’s medal after the final on July 9.
The competition has its flaws (don’t we all?), but don’t dare suggest this is a picnic. Because this gruelling marathon will push these men to their limits.
1. Anything changed with Super Rugby?
Terrific news. The competition will run, uninterrupted, from start to finish. With inbound tests canned because of the World Cup in Japan later this year, the annoying interval usually scheduled for June won’t exist.
2. Does the conference system remain the same?
Yes. Once again 15 teams are split into three sets of five. The Kiwis are lumped together, the Sunwolves are aligned with the four Aussie teams and the Jaguares join the four South African sides.
Each team plays 16 games. For the NZ clubs that means trying to survive eight derbies, as well as eight ‘‘crossconference’’ fixtures.
3. How about a quick reminder on how teams qualify for the eight playoff spots?
The three conference winners will host a final in week one, with the last home final spot allocated to the next highest performing team. The last four ‘‘wildcard’’ spots will be filled by teams with the most points. From there it’s a simple knockout format.
4. Does the World Cup mean fewer appearances for the All Blacks?
Yes. The five Super Rugby clubs and NZ Rugby have brokered a deal to allow All Blacks to miss two fixtures in the regular season, and they won’t be permitted to play five games on consecutive weekends.
The Crusaders cop it worse. On top of this they must rest captain Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read from the first four rounds. Codie Taylor will also be absent from the first two.
5. Can we expect anything radical from the referees?
No. Sanzaar referees boss Lyndon Bray said it’s a priority to ‘‘strengthen our capability around high impact decisions’’ and how refs use the TMO process will be improved.
High tackles aren’t going to be tolerated, we are told.
6. What’s the good oil on the teams from outside New Zealand?
The Jaguares have a new coach in Gonzalo Quesada, and the Sunwolves have also had a change with former All Black Tony Brown in charge to allow Jamie Joseph to focus on the Japanese national team ahead of the World Cup.
7. Since the Waratahs won the title in 2014, Super Rugby has been dominated by NZ teams. Who can snap the Kiwis’ run?
The Lions, maybe. Three finals in the last three years. Three losses. Lessons learned, etc.
8. How many All Blacks are head coaches?
Six. Scott Robertson, Leon MacDonald and Aaron Mauger are working in NZ, Daryl Gibson and Brad Thorn are calling the shots at the Waratahs and Reds and Brown is in Japan.
9. Any scandals we should know about?
Not yet. Give it time. Historical records don’t lie. There will be incidents of foul play, contentious calls by officials, outbursts by frustrated coaches and probably some off-field mischief by players.
10. What’s the game of the round this weekend?
Blues v Crusaders: 7.35pm, Saturday night. Get a package of fish and chips, apply a liberal squirt of vinegar and settle in.