Last Word On Rugby, by Scott Hornell.
If you haven’t seen the memo: Super Rugby 2017 Starts Thursday. That is common knowledge, but it is also a date which has approached rather quickly. Since the Grand Final of 2016, teams have done nothing but plan for their attempt at claiming the title. And in that preparation, preseason trial matches have been played over these last three weeks.
The trial games were as much entertainment for fans–who have gone six months without Super Rugby–and for the players, a chance to express themselves. They are professional rugby players, so on the field is where they feel ‘most at home’. So imagine their joy at these trial games, to satisfy that rugby urge.
Players like Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea (main picture) will have gained much, as did the coaches of both the Hurricanes and Crusaders–who played last Friday in Waverley. The small rural town was a buzz, as the big-city teams graced their Border Rugby Club, in a great display of preseason rugby; won 33-27 by the 2016 Champions.
Super Rugby 2017 Starts Thursday
Up until now, it has been all in preparations, so with just days left til Round One, the practice can soon be put into application.
That practice began (for some) on January 28, and would have been highlights of a long training program. The majority of players will have been working hard since November or December–excluding many International players.
Preseason training for @Reds_Rugby has just begun for 2017 @SuperRugby season. @9NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/mDIxIjlJt9
— Adam Jackson (@AdamJackson_9) November 21, 2016
And that exclusion has included most preseason matches. Only last weekend, did selected All Blacks for example, get clearance to have a run in a handful of New Zealand Super Rugby teams preseason games. That included newly All Blacks re-signing Israel Dagg and Ben Smith.
So the impetus has changed from giving all players ‘a run’ to defining squad members roles. Coaches used this last weeks trial games to establish combinations. Aaron Smith in combination with Lima Sopoaga, Quade Cooper and Nick Frisby, Kurt Coleman and Godlen Masimla. It has helped coaches refine their starters, from the back-ups and impact players.
So all teams will have benefited, even if the scoreline went against them.
Recent Preseason Trial Game Results
Sunwolves 24 Top League Allstars 12
Blues 26 Chiefs 14
Hurricanes 33 Crusaders 27
Waratahs 47 Highlanders 50
Queensland Reds 32 Melbourne Rebels
The Cell C Sharks second pre-season match played last Friday against the Bulls saw them emerge victorious by 53-7. pic.twitter.com/gtO9n0iv4v
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) February 13, 2017
Cell C Sharks 53 Vodacom Blue Bulls 7
DHL Stormers 57 Emirates Lions 40
Only a handful of the numerous preseason trial games played, including the Brisbane Global Tens tournament. While that was a wholly different format, it did encourage sides to give players a run.
Trial Games Simulate Match Conditions
The consensus is ‘nothing can match a game situation’ but in the preseason, it is all about simulation. While squads can have opposed training, full contact training is never going to match a game. That natural energy which comes from endorphin’s and adrenaline.
Put your players on the spot, under pressure and with a gameplan–it will separate the achievers, from the pretenders. Not that a squad member selected for Super Rugby is pretending, but the heat of a match can bring out the best; and worst, in any sports person. Catch them at this stage, rather than in a Grand Final….as Elton Jantjies will have found.
Pressure will play on an individual, as it will on a team. The heat of 40 minutes can see the combinations, how the systems operate and if players can adapt. That is a key, where a predetermined strategy is changed. This could be a message from the coaches box, or if players are given the power to change the plan. That can be a good thing–although in preseason, so many ideas are tossed about, the season start can quickly go back to the ‘tried and tested patterns’.
Super Rugby 2017 Countdown to Thursday
The average rugby fan has simple wants. From Christmas onward, they can celebrate New Year, even enjoy the summer holidays–all the while keeping an eye on the calendar. The rugby calendar.
It was just over 50 days from January 1st, until the competition kicked off, so that gave fans a goal. To be organized; like their favourite team, and to be ready for February 23.
The countdown is on! 49 days until @SuperRugby is back! Who are you backing? Who is going all the way? #SuperRugby #ChampionsNZ #Rugby pic.twitter.com/vdrX7KDqJl
— ChampionsOfTheWorld (@ChampionsNZ) January 4, 2017
Every one of the 18 teams must be drilled, studied and fully prepared for their Round One match. It will have been a date circled on the players changing room walls. Probably set on phones and watches, as the anticipation grows.
Last Word On Rugby will too be ready. Our department will have a regular feature to ‘forecast’ the upcoming round. Not just your average preview, it will update fans on their teams last result, conference/competitions standings. But expect more…..Round One is due on Thursday, so as the teams will, be prepared.
“Main photo credit”
