Super Rugby season breaks new ground

THE second staging of the 18-team Super Rugby tournament will see the already geographically stretched competition taken even further with new venues hosting matches.

Fiji and Samoa are set to host games this year, featuring teams from New Zealand as the home sides. The Blues will play the Reds in Apia (Samoa) while the Chiefs host the Crusaders in Suva (Fiji).

The tournament covers 142 matches (135 regular season matches and seven post-season games) in 15 time zones and will be played in eight territories (New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Japan, Singapore, Fiji and Samoa), adding to the logistical challenges for some teams.

But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the tournament will be how many yellow and red cards will be dished out.

World Rugby’s new high tackle protocols (not new laws) demand more severe application of the law by referees on high and dangerous tackles.

The new protocols started in the northern hemisphere in January, which has seen a slew of cards.

In European matches since the new policy was introduced last month, there have been more than 50 yellow cards and 12 red cards.

Super Rugby might see similar numbers, especially in the early stages of the tournament when referees are setting a standard.

So, in addition to working on set pieces, defence and the breakdown, Super Rugby coaches have also been honing their teams’ ability to play with 14 or even 13 men.

“The new high tackle law won’t change the way we approach this season, but I admit I have been preparing the team to play with 14 men in training,” Cheetahs’ coach Franco Smith said.

“We have to be able to adapt when we lose players. Hopefully, it won’t ruin the quality of the game.”

The tournament starts today, when the Rebels host the Blues in an Australasian conference match.

The tournament is again broken down into five different conferences.

The eight-team South Africa Group, which includes six existing SA franchises – Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions, Sharks, Southern Kings and Stormers – is split into two conferences.

So there will again be three logs: Africa 1 and Africa 2. Then their points are tabled collectively in a third log called South Africa Group.

The Bulls, Stormers, Cheetahs and Sunwolves are in Africa 1 conference. The Cheetahs, Kings, Sharks and Jaguares in Africa 2.

The winners of each conference will advance to the quarterfinals, while the third-placed team in the combined South Africa Group log will take the third quarterfinal spot.