Thread: Super Rugby 2018

Good to see that 3 Aussie sides won their games.

Random Week 2 dribblings...

Blues actually looked decentish in defeat. Canes didn't, they were shit.

If Mo'unga and McKenzie were in a dress rehersal to see who will be Barrett's deputy at the WC next year then Mo'unga (yellow card notwithstanding) gave McKenzie a down-trou. Calm, collected, assured he was everything 'One-Moment-of-Brilliance-Followed-by-Two-Fuck-ups' McKenzie wasn't.

Impossible to say without sounding arrogant but... the Kiwi conference / derbies are still head 'n shoulders above the others.

Ben Smith.

This week's action (all times Thailand)...

​Round Three

Friday, 2 March

Blues v Chiefs (1335)
Reds Brumbies (1600)

Saturday, 3 March

Sunwolves v Rebels (1115)
Crusaders v Stormers (1335)
Sharks v Wartahs (2005)
Bulls v Lions (2215)

Sunday, 4 March

Jaguares v Hurricanes (0440)

Originally Posted by happynz

Blues v Chiefs -- Blues

Interesting.

That seems to be the prevailing sentiment with quite a few people.

The Blues played well against the Highlanders. The Chiefs seem to be in a bit of a transition phase. The Chiefs looked bewildered the last ten minutes of last week's game.

Yeah I don't disagree with any of that.

It's just strange how thinking changes.

Who for instance woulda thunked even a season ago that the Blues were heading into that game as favs.

Yeah. Is this what is called a paradigm shift? lol

At the half Blues 14 10 Chiefs.

Boom Crash Thud !!! NZ derbies are the best derbies.

Round 5

(Kickoff times Thailand)Friday 16 March

Chiefs v Bulls (1335)

Saturday 17 March

Highlanders v Crusaders (1335)
Brumbies v Sharks (1545)
Stormers v Blues (2005)
Lions v Sunwolves (2215)

Sunday 18 March

Jaguares v Reds (0440)
Waratahs v Rebels (1205)


There ya go...some Super Rugby action that you can watch down the pub.

For those of us who like to see the scores and the standings.

Super Rugby Standings - Super Rugby | Super 15 Rugby and Rugby Championship News,Results and Fixtures from Super XV Rugby

Games of the week? It has to be Highlanders v Crusaders. Of course any NZ derby will provide entertainment, but South Island derbies have been especially good these past few years. The bookies have it pretty even with the 'landers at 2.00 and the Sadists at 1.92.

I reckon the Highlanders will have a better chance against a depleted Crusaders side which is missing playmaker Richie Mo'unga, out with a broken jaw. Hopefully Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty will be back after leaving last week's clash in Wellington with concussion checks. When All Blacks Kieran Read, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, and Israel Dagg return...who knows? Nevertheless, Canterbury is a rugby factory and it won't surprise anyone if a sensational new talent pops up in the red and black.

Round 7

(All kickoff times Thailand)

Friday 30 March


Chiefs v Highlanders (1335)
Rebels v Hurricanes (1545)

Saturday 31 March

Blues v Sharks (1335)
Brumbies v Waratahs (1545)
Bulls v Stormers (2215)

Sunday 1 April

Lions v Crusaders (1930)


My picks

Chiefs (I hate myself for this pick)
'Canes
Blues
Waratahs
Bulls
Crusaders

...and Joseph Parker to beat Anthony Joshua in Cardiff Saturday night.

Originally Posted by happynz

Chiefs (I hate myself for this pick)

So do I... you twat!

Actually I'm conflicted on that one. I'm technically from Chiefs country but Landers have been my team since the S12 kicked off when I was at uni so... Dunno.

Originally Posted by happynz

...and Joseph Parker to beat Anthony Joshua in Cardiff Saturday night.

Yes please.

The Rebels have been somewhat impressive this year.

I wonder if a big upset is on the cards.

It's going to be interesting that game.

The Canes will give a true indication of where the Rebels are actually at.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

So do I... you twat!

Actually I'm conflicted on that one. I'm technically from Chiefs country but Landers have been my team since the S12 kicked off when I was at uni so... Dunno.

Chiefs 27 - 22 Highlanders

'landers battled back, down 20-7 in the second half, but the Chiefs prevailed.

New Zealand derbies are the best derbies.

Originally Posted by happynz

New Zealand derbies are the best derbies.

Yep!

I see that the Canes burst the Rebels bubble in a major way too.

Damian McKenzie... I hope he never starts a Test at 10. Don't think my heart could take the stress: one moment of brilliance followed by one of flakery.

Round 8

(All times TST)
6 April

Hurricanes v Sharks (1435)

7 April

Sunwolves v Waratahs (1215)
Chiefs v Blues (1435)
Brumbies v Reds (1645)
Lions v Stormers (2215)

8 April

Jaguars v Crusaders (0440)

My picks this week (last week's picks were not that sterling)

Hurricanes
Waratahs
Chiefs
Brumbies
Lions
Crusaders

Round 9

(All kickoff times TST)

Friday 13 April

Hurricanes v Chiefs (1435)

14 April

Sunwolves v Blues (10:05)
Rebel v Jaguares (12:15)
Highlanders v Brumbies (14:35)
Waratahs v Reds (16:40)
Sharks v Bulls (22:15)

My picks --
Hurricanes
Blues
Rebels
Highlanders
Waratahs
Sharks

It’s now been 687 days since an Australian side beat a Kiwi side in Super Rugby...

Just saying.

Brumbies unlikely to snap that streak.

Round 10

Kickoff times (TST)

Friday 20 April

Blues v Highlanders (14.35)
Waratahs v Lions (16.45)

Saturday 21 April

Crusaders v Sunwolves (14.35)
Reds v Chiefs (16.45)
Bulls v Rebels (20.05)
Sharks v Stormers (22.15)

Sunday, 22 April

Brumbies v Jaguares (13.05)

My picks



Highlanders (Blues have quality, but they always seem to play like numpties)

'tahs (The NSW side have definitely improved from their awful season last year)

Crusaders (Israel Dagg makes his return to SR playing at 14 while Owen Franks comes back to the front row. 'saders by 55)

Chiefs (This match should be tight. The Chiefs are chocka with talent, but new coach and former AB Brad Thorn has this Reds team playing some competitive footy)

Bulls (These big b'stards looked awesome against the Sharks last week. The Rebels, after a good start folded against the Jaguares. Throw in travel factor, Bulls win)

Sharks (They had better up their game 'cos they were dreadful against the Bulls)

Jaguares (Both teams have been my bogey teams this season. The fifty halala coin tells me to go for the Buenos Aires side)

Not what I'd call a vintage round really, none of those games immediately jump out as being must watches to me (Blues v Landers maybe if the Blues hadn't been so utterly shite).

Edit: actually Sharks v Stormers has some potential.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Blues v Landers maybe if the Blues hadn't been so utterly shite.

Blues 16 34 Highlanders

Fifteenth straight loss by the Blues to other NZ sides. Despite the talent they have on the Auckland side (really impressed with Duffy), this Blues team year after year stinks up the joint.