Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
On the verge of returning to action, the Super Rugby Aotearoa intra-conference planned competition is awaiting the Level 2 go-ahead next week. Awaiting the chance to open the gates, that have stood closed for over seven weeks and counting. In fact, all of New Zealand is waiting with bated breath to hear the date when […] READ MORE
Getting to one-third of the way through the season, the one fact that is unquestionable is – there are no unbeaten Super Rugby teams left. Hardly a ‘season changer’ but, many of the leading teams would not have envisaged such parity; to start with. There are always factors that can influence losses. Injuries, weather conditions, […] READ MORE
It began last weekend. It included a ‘weather bomb’ when the Stormers fought it out with the Hurricanes. Now the competition looks to kick on with Super Rugby Round 2, and more world-class fixtures. Seven clashes will make up this second weekend of games. Some mouth-watering local derby games – including the match-of-the-round, Chiefs v […] READ MORE
Time has expired for management teams to settle on their team sheets in 2020. Each Super Rugby franchise has officially submitted their squads for the 25th season of the Southern Hemisphere professional rugby competition. A big day for the stakeholders; New Zealand Rugby, the franchise administration, coaching staff and – front and center on the […] READ MORE
In a move that has shocked and delighted some Kiwi rugby fans, the Chiefs Super Rugby door has closed for current head coach Colin Cooper; but it appeared to open immediately for incoming replacement, current Wales head coach Warren Gatland. The former All Black and Waikato rugby player was announced as the incoming leader of […] READ MORE
Within the next 48 hours, all the qualifiers for the Super Rugby 2019 Finals Series will be decided. Eight sides have chances to join the top-seeded teams, for the quarterfinals matches beginning on June 21. A real weekend of ‘tie-breaker’ fixtures, due to both the close nature of this year’s contest but, as much to […] READ MORE
Warren Gatland has been appointed Head Coach for the British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa in 2021. The New Zealander, who led Wales to the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019, will reprise his role with the British and Irish Lions for a record-equalling third time in a row. Only Sir Ian McGeechan […] READ MORE
Coming off a victory over the Chiefs, head coach Leon MacDonald said of his winning Blues team that, they ‘scrambled well’ while other NZ sides suffered losses this Super Rugby round. In a strange sequence – one which few can ever recall it happening before – the Blues were the lone New Zealand franchise winner […] READ MORE
Even after a disappointing loss, when speaking to him, you can see and hear that Tyler Ardron is very much enjoying his Chiefs experience. The Canadian International has made New Zealand, and the Bay of Plenty Steamers/Chiefs Super Rugby franchise his new playing field. One where he can demonstrate the skills that have impressed his […] READ MORE
In this Round Six Super Rugby Snapshot, followers of the competition find that ‘you win some, and you lose some’. And for leading teams and those at the bottom of the table, results were at the two extremes this round. No matter if you are at the top, or down at the bottom of the ladder, […] READ MORE