Before the real battle commences in late February, fans of Southern Hemisphere’s premier rugby competition get a taste of the excitement that is only weeks away. Prepare for some Super Rugby Pre-Season Entertainment as all teams host trial games and home-and-away fixtures in 2016.
Below is the full list of fixtures; see each club website for exact times and venue, but each of these teams hopes to pin some of their forward planning on the opposition faced, the result and the benefits gained. To travel across the Tasman, or even across continents (as The Sharks will when they play Toulon) is a big undertaking, and management must feel satisfied that the rewards outweigh any risk.
SUPER RUGBY PRE-SEASON MATCHES* [confirmed at time of publishing]
Western Force v Hurricanes, Gosford, NSW, February 3
Blues v Melbourne Rebels, Auckland, February 4
Toulon v Sharks, Toulon, February 5
Brumbies v Waratahs, Wagga Wagga, February 6
Reds v Crusaders, Brisbane, February 6
Highlanders v Racing 92, Hong Kong, February 6
Lions v Valke/Leopards, TBC, February 6
Bulls v Cheetahs, Zimbabwe, February 6
Toulouse v Sharks, Toulouse, February 11
Highlanders v Crusaders, Waimumu, February 11
Chiefs v Waratahs, Bay of Plenty, February 12
Reds v Brumbies, Brisbane, February 12
Kings v Cheetahs, Port Elizabeth, February 12
Hurricanes v Blues, Eketahuna, February 13
Western Force v Asia Pacific Dragons, Perth, February 13
Bulls v Lions, Polokwane, February 13
Melbourne Rebels v Manu Samoa, AAMI Park, February 18
Chiefs v Blues, Counties Manukau, February 19
Crusaders v Hurricanes, Blenheim, February 19
Highlanders v Waratahs, Queenstown, February 19
Lions v Jaguares, TBC, February 19
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Tough matches are hard to come by when you discuss ‘pre-season’ results. If you lose by 20 points but suffer no injuries, it can be more satifying than winning big, but losing a star forward or winger. All too often, players are taken by injury too soon from a franchise and some even dread the risk it involves. Ma’a Nonu never seemed too fussed about the Canes side traveling to Eketahuna for a trial game sponsored by the local brewery. He would maybe have a twenty minute blitz of energy, as to not burnout in the warmer weather and dry grounds.
Some like TJ Perenara (pictured) are still fresh off extended leave due to a Rugby World Cup cycle having just ended, so expect a few players to not be at 100%. The extreme of that is the newly formed Sunwolves Japanese team, who only join each other two weeks before their opening match against The Lions. Poor preparation is something that all other sides will want to avoid [hence the pre-season games] so new coach Mark Hammet will have his work cut out.
Also, new leadership can be blooded here too, with men like Michael Hooper and Sam Whitelock nominated as leaders for their franchises. Plus the fact they are not ‘losing points’ means that sharp decision making will bring benefits further into the competition; here deciding to kick for touch is almost sanctioned by Coaches, but a good understanding of the core rules is still required and leaders who perform well gain the confidence of their men.
Good interpretation from referees helps but you won’t lose sleep if a penalty goes the wrong way. A lack of TMO will be light relief and with no ‘variation of the bonus point system’ or complications of new conference standings, experimentation in pre-season is beneficial to players, coaches and fans alike.
Some matches are real barnstormers, and often seventy/eighty points can be scored. It allows for some inventive, experimental play and often more entertainment than sustained pressure, but when I travel to watch several of these matches I hope to see the fans have a good time too. It should make fans believe in their side prior to the first round of any season. A time to celebrate a teams strengths, introduce new ideas and show the fans that “this is our Year”.
If your team doesn’t leave supporters feeling fulfilled, then chances are fans might start with more questions than aspirations. Ask The Blues fans this question after that sides three warm-up games, before they face the title holders in Week One. Win, and they will follow Tana Umaga on his journey. Lose, and the new jersey won’t be in any top sellers lists for 2016 I’ll bet.
One of the stand-out matches must be when The Highlanders travel to Singapore to engage a European challenge from Racing 92. This exciting development is in essence a precursor to more exciting inter-Hemisphere games that happen far too infrequently for fans the world over. The same applies for the Toulon fixture [in exposure levels] and they each have much to do with the influx of NZ, Australian, Argentinian and South African talent towards France. The SANZAR game is admired in the Northern Hemisphere, these type of trial games will bring a benefit for Jamie Joseph and his men in their defence of the Super Rugby title.
The 2016 Super Rugby season commences on Friday 26th February, when the Blues host the reigning champion Highlanders at Eden Park, 7:35pm (NZT)
