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The Rugby Thread
Re: The Rugby Thread
Congratulations to Wales for the win and Grand Slam.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
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pharvey
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- Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:21 am
- Location: Sir Fynwy - God's Country
Re: The Rugby Thread
My head hurts.......
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things" - Yma o Hyd.
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pharvey
- Moderator
- Posts: 15864
- Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:21 am
- Location: Sir Fynwy - God's Country
Re: The Rugby Thread
BIG hand to BB for winning this year's 6 Nations League!!
And didn't I do well!!
And didn't I do well!!
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things" - Yma o Hyd.
Re: The Rugby Thread
I actually lost interest in the league when Wales beat us - I didn't even know I was in the reckoning. Thank you anyway
[Edit] I'll wait in the bar until 17:45 - all alcoholic drinks are on me until then
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Re: The Rugby Thread
NZ rugby's Crusaders mull name change after massacre
Published: 18/03/2019 at 12:45 PM
Online news: AFP https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports ... recent_box
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand: New Zealand's Canterbury Crusaders rugby team said they would consult with the Muslim community about a potential change of name after criticism following Friday's massacre at two mosques in their home city of Christchurch.
The name of the reigning Super Rugby champions has been questioned in the past, but the club said "we understand the concerns that have been raised" after the mass shooting, which left 50 people dead.
Distinctive writing on the attacker's weaponry included the names of historical figures from the Crusades, the religious wars waged by European Christians against Muslims for control of the Holy Land in the Middle Ages.
"In terms of the Crusaders name, we understand the concerns that have been raised," chief executive Colin Mansbridge said in a statement.
"In our view, this is a conversation that we should have and we are taking on board all of the feedback that we are receiving, however, we also believe that the time for that is not right now," he added.
"At an appropriate time, we will thoroughly consider the issues that have been raised and our response to that. That will include conversations with a range of people, including our Muslim community."
The Crusaders' logo features a knight holding a sword, and pre-match entertainment at home games usually features sword-wielding mounted men dressed as crusading knights in black and red tunics adorned with crosses.
The Crusaders represent the top half of New Zealand's South Island and are the most successful team in Super Rugby, the southern hemisphere club competition, with nine titles. Their name was chosen in 1996.
"Among others in the mix of potential names were the Plainsmen but the powers that be believed the name Crusaders reflected the crusading spirit of Canterbury rugby," the team website says.
- 'History of genocide' -
Former Test cricketer Mark Richardson said he first thought that ditching the Crusaders' name would be an "over-reaction", but had since had a change of heart.
"When I first read that, I thought, 'for goodness sake'," he said on New Zealand's Three TV channel.
"But then I thought nothing is an over-reaction when it comes to trying to make amends and be understanding."
One of the Crusaders' best-known former players is Sonny Bill Williams, who converted to Islam in 2009 and remains the only Muslim to play for the All Blacks, as the rugby-mad country's national team is known.
Williams, who currently plays for the Auckland Blues, broadcast a tearful Twitter stream on Friday lamenting the attacks.
Similar debates have raged in the United States over the names of sports teams with Native American associations, such as the Washington Redskins, Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians.
Peter Lineham, a historian at New Zealand's Massey University, said the Crusaders name should never have been chosen in the first place.
"It invokes a history of genocide and because of that the name, it should never be on anybody's mind," Lineham told New Zealand's Newshub website.
Published: 18/03/2019 at 12:45 PM
Online news: AFP https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports ... recent_box
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand: New Zealand's Canterbury Crusaders rugby team said they would consult with the Muslim community about a potential change of name after criticism following Friday's massacre at two mosques in their home city of Christchurch.
The name of the reigning Super Rugby champions has been questioned in the past, but the club said "we understand the concerns that have been raised" after the mass shooting, which left 50 people dead.
Distinctive writing on the attacker's weaponry included the names of historical figures from the Crusades, the religious wars waged by European Christians against Muslims for control of the Holy Land in the Middle Ages.
"In terms of the Crusaders name, we understand the concerns that have been raised," chief executive Colin Mansbridge said in a statement.
"In our view, this is a conversation that we should have and we are taking on board all of the feedback that we are receiving, however, we also believe that the time for that is not right now," he added.
"At an appropriate time, we will thoroughly consider the issues that have been raised and our response to that. That will include conversations with a range of people, including our Muslim community."
The Crusaders' logo features a knight holding a sword, and pre-match entertainment at home games usually features sword-wielding mounted men dressed as crusading knights in black and red tunics adorned with crosses.
The Crusaders represent the top half of New Zealand's South Island and are the most successful team in Super Rugby, the southern hemisphere club competition, with nine titles. Their name was chosen in 1996.
"Among others in the mix of potential names were the Plainsmen but the powers that be believed the name Crusaders reflected the crusading spirit of Canterbury rugby," the team website says.
- 'History of genocide' -
Former Test cricketer Mark Richardson said he first thought that ditching the Crusaders' name would be an "over-reaction", but had since had a change of heart.
"When I first read that, I thought, 'for goodness sake'," he said on New Zealand's Three TV channel.
"But then I thought nothing is an over-reaction when it comes to trying to make amends and be understanding."
One of the Crusaders' best-known former players is Sonny Bill Williams, who converted to Islam in 2009 and remains the only Muslim to play for the All Blacks, as the rugby-mad country's national team is known.
Williams, who currently plays for the Auckland Blues, broadcast a tearful Twitter stream on Friday lamenting the attacks.
Similar debates have raged in the United States over the names of sports teams with Native American associations, such as the Washington Redskins, Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians.
Peter Lineham, a historian at New Zealand's Massey University, said the Crusaders name should never have been chosen in the first place.
"It invokes a history of genocide and because of that the name, it should never be on anybody's mind," Lineham told New Zealand's Newshub website.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: The Rugby Thread
This is not good news, and I wag a finger at the South Africans for their stance. What's worse is the bottom line of the article. We could see an entire new setup in a year or two.
__________________
Japanese Super rugby team the Sunwolves will be cut from Super rugby after the 2020 season.
According to reports Sanzaar bosses told the Sunwolves on Tuesday this week that after 2020 they will not be part of the tournament.
A report in Australia said that the Sunwolves offered to pay a tournament fee to remain in the tournament but as no other team pays a participation fee it was rejected.
It is understood that the Sunwolves exit has largely been driven by the South African teams due to the travel burden placed on their teams.
The Sunwolves will remain in Super rugby for the remainder of the current Super rugby broadcast contract which ends in 2020 and then from 2021 the tournament will go back to a Super 14 format.
The super 14 round robin format was more popular with fans than the current geographic conference format which sees some teams not playing other in a season.
Sanzaar said in a statement that they will confirm the future of Super rugby on Friday this week.
Read more: http://www.superxv.com/sunwolves-to-be- ... z5ihNz2LMw
__________________
Japanese Super rugby team the Sunwolves will be cut from Super rugby after the 2020 season.
According to reports Sanzaar bosses told the Sunwolves on Tuesday this week that after 2020 they will not be part of the tournament.
A report in Australia said that the Sunwolves offered to pay a tournament fee to remain in the tournament but as no other team pays a participation fee it was rejected.
It is understood that the Sunwolves exit has largely been driven by the South African teams due to the travel burden placed on their teams.
The Sunwolves will remain in Super rugby for the remainder of the current Super rugby broadcast contract which ends in 2020 and then from 2021 the tournament will go back to a Super 14 format.
The super 14 round robin format was more popular with fans than the current geographic conference format which sees some teams not playing other in a season.
Sanzaar said in a statement that they will confirm the future of Super rugby on Friday this week.
Read more: http://www.superxv.com/sunwolves-to-be- ... z5ihNz2LMw
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: The Rugby Thread
I'll come back and change the times to Thai time later today....
Super Rugby Round #6 (Local Time - Thai Time)
Fri 22 March: Blues v Highlanders @ Eden Park, Auckland (19:35 - 13:35)
Sat 23 March: Hurricanes v Stormers @ Westpac Stadium, Wellington (19:35 - 13:35)
Sat 23 March: Waratahs v Crusaders @ Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (19:45 -15:45)
Sat 23 March: Sunwolves v Lions @ Singapore National Stadium (18:55 -17:55)
Sat 23 March: Bulls v Chiefs @ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (15:05 - 20:05)
Sat 23 March: Sharks v Rebels @ Jonsson Kings Park, Durban (17:15 - 22:15)
Sun 24 March: Reds v Brumbies @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (15:05 - 12:05)
Bye: Jaguares
Super Rugby Round #6 (Local Time - Thai Time)
Fri 22 March: Blues v Highlanders @ Eden Park, Auckland (19:35 - 13:35)
Sat 23 March: Hurricanes v Stormers @ Westpac Stadium, Wellington (19:35 - 13:35)
Sat 23 March: Waratahs v Crusaders @ Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (19:45 -15:45)
Sat 23 March: Sunwolves v Lions @ Singapore National Stadium (18:55 -17:55)
Sat 23 March: Bulls v Chiefs @ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (15:05 - 20:05)
Sat 23 March: Sharks v Rebels @ Jonsson Kings Park, Durban (17:15 - 22:15)
Sun 24 March: Reds v Brumbies @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (15:05 - 12:05)
Bye: Jaguares
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: The Rugby Thread
SUPER RUGBY FUTURE IS 14 TEAMS
Announced today.......
SANZAAR has announced that following a substantial review of Super Rugby over the last 18 months via a strategic planning process the immediate future of Super Rugby rests with a 14-team, round robin, competition format.
The revised format will come into operation and kick-off in 2021. The Sunwolves from Japan will drop out of the existing 15-team Super Rugby competition at the end of the 2020 season.
SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos stated, “The decision to further consolidate the competition format to a 14-team round robin was not taken lightly. It has involved some detailed analysis and a thorough review of the current and future rugby landscape, tournament costs, commercial and broadcast considerations and player welfare in line with our Strategic Plan.”
“Competition integrity, affordability and a competitive playing environment were further key drivers to ensure that an optimal player development pathway remains in place to feed into international rugby.”
“Factoring in the above analysis and review a 14 or 15-team round robin format were considered, as these models delivered best against the criteria we were seeking, including a format that would see each team playing every other team leading into a finals series, added Marinos.”
Super Rugby will therefore comprise the existing five New Zealand teams, four South African teams, four Australian teams and the Jaguares from South America. The agreed format will be played within the next commercial broadcast window starting in 2021.
Marinos added, “SANZAAR was advised by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) in early March that they would no longer be in a position to financially underwrite the Sunwolves future participation post 2020. The future of the Sunwolves will now be determined by the JRFU which has determined that Super Rugby no longer remains the best pathway for the development of players for the national team.”
“However, Japan and the Asia Pacific region remain strategically important to SANZAAR. We will continue to work with the JRFU, Japan Super Rugby Association (JSRA) and other stakeholders, as we have done throughout this review process, to establish a truly professional league structure in Japan in which current and potentially new teams could participate.”
“We have presented options to them around the establishment of a Super Rugby Asia-Pacific competition structure including Japan, the Pacific Islands, North and South America and Hong Kong. The concept includes linking high performance programmes of such nations into the potential competition structure. The aim is to deliver a competitive and sustainable international pathway that can align to both current and future considerations around the international calendar.”
“We would like to thank the JRFU for their continued support and look forward to working with them going forward and we will continue to be supportive of the Sunwolves through the 2019 and 2020 super rugby seasons,” added Marinos.
The 14-team round robin format will see the removal of the current three conference system and will see each team play every other team home or away each season. This means 13 matches for each team, with two byes, in the regular season with the number of home and away matches varying from six to seven based on a two-year alternate match schedule.
This will then lead into a new three-week, best versus best, super-charged, top six finals series. The top two ranked teams on the competition ladder will receive a bye in week one before hosting semi-final matches against the winners from a knockout round between teams ranked three to six.
The future format and structure of The Rugby Championship will be announced at a later date.
Announced today.......
SANZAAR has announced that following a substantial review of Super Rugby over the last 18 months via a strategic planning process the immediate future of Super Rugby rests with a 14-team, round robin, competition format.
The revised format will come into operation and kick-off in 2021. The Sunwolves from Japan will drop out of the existing 15-team Super Rugby competition at the end of the 2020 season.
SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos stated, “The decision to further consolidate the competition format to a 14-team round robin was not taken lightly. It has involved some detailed analysis and a thorough review of the current and future rugby landscape, tournament costs, commercial and broadcast considerations and player welfare in line with our Strategic Plan.”
“Competition integrity, affordability and a competitive playing environment were further key drivers to ensure that an optimal player development pathway remains in place to feed into international rugby.”
“Factoring in the above analysis and review a 14 or 15-team round robin format were considered, as these models delivered best against the criteria we were seeking, including a format that would see each team playing every other team leading into a finals series, added Marinos.”
Super Rugby will therefore comprise the existing five New Zealand teams, four South African teams, four Australian teams and the Jaguares from South America. The agreed format will be played within the next commercial broadcast window starting in 2021.
Marinos added, “SANZAAR was advised by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) in early March that they would no longer be in a position to financially underwrite the Sunwolves future participation post 2020. The future of the Sunwolves will now be determined by the JRFU which has determined that Super Rugby no longer remains the best pathway for the development of players for the national team.”
“However, Japan and the Asia Pacific region remain strategically important to SANZAAR. We will continue to work with the JRFU, Japan Super Rugby Association (JSRA) and other stakeholders, as we have done throughout this review process, to establish a truly professional league structure in Japan in which current and potentially new teams could participate.”
“We have presented options to them around the establishment of a Super Rugby Asia-Pacific competition structure including Japan, the Pacific Islands, North and South America and Hong Kong. The concept includes linking high performance programmes of such nations into the potential competition structure. The aim is to deliver a competitive and sustainable international pathway that can align to both current and future considerations around the international calendar.”
“We would like to thank the JRFU for their continued support and look forward to working with them going forward and we will continue to be supportive of the Sunwolves through the 2019 and 2020 super rugby seasons,” added Marinos.
The 14-team round robin format will see the removal of the current three conference system and will see each team play every other team home or away each season. This means 13 matches for each team, with two byes, in the regular season with the number of home and away matches varying from six to seven based on a two-year alternate match schedule.
This will then lead into a new three-week, best versus best, super-charged, top six finals series. The top two ranked teams on the competition ladder will receive a bye in week one before hosting semi-final matches against the winners from a knockout round between teams ranked three to six.
The future format and structure of The Rugby Championship will be announced at a later date.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: The Rugby Thread
More about this World Cup protocol I mentioned earlier. At least in New Zealand for the All Blacks if a man plays or prepares for 6 of his league games in a row, he has to be rested for 1 game. Prepares = practice.
Edit: I read from another source that the limit is 5 games and/or practices rather than 6.
Edit: I read from another source that the limit is 5 games and/or practices rather than 6.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: The Rugby Thread
Super Rugby Round #6
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Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: The Rugby Thread
Very difficult Super Rugby weekend coming up....difficult indeed. 
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: The Rugby Thread
Super Rugby Round #7 (Local time - Thai time)
Fri 29 March: Hurricanes v Crusaders @ Westpac Stadium, Wellington (19:35 - 13:35)
Fri 29 March: Waratahs v Sunwolves @ McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle (19:45 - 15:45)
Sat 30 March: Blues v Stormers @ Eden Park, Auckland (19:35 - 13:35)
Sat 30 March: Reds v Rebels @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (18:45 - 14:45)
Sat 30 March: Sharks v Bulls @ Jonsson Kings Park, Durban (15:05 - 20:05)
Sat 23 March: Jaguares v Chiefs @ Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires (18:40 - 04:40 Sunday)
Bye: Lions, Brumbies, Highlanders
Fri 29 March: Hurricanes v Crusaders @ Westpac Stadium, Wellington (19:35 - 13:35)
Fri 29 March: Waratahs v Sunwolves @ McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle (19:45 - 15:45)
Sat 30 March: Blues v Stormers @ Eden Park, Auckland (19:35 - 13:35)
Sat 30 March: Reds v Rebels @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (18:45 - 14:45)
Sat 30 March: Sharks v Bulls @ Jonsson Kings Park, Durban (15:05 - 20:05)
Sat 23 March: Jaguares v Chiefs @ Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires (18:40 - 04:40 Sunday)
Bye: Lions, Brumbies, Highlanders
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: The Rugby Thread
Well, that was a mess. 
A win would have defined the Hurricanes season going forward and the game may have, in a very negative way. 15+ handling errors and the team I was expecting simply didn't show up today. 
A win would have defined the Hurricanes season going forward and the game may have, in a very negative way. 15+ handling errors and the team I was expecting simply didn't show up today. Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: The Rugby Thread
Super Rugby Round 7
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Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: The Rugby Thread
Super Rugby Round #8 (Local Time - Thai Time)
Round #8
Fri 5 April: Highlanders v Hurricanes @ Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (19:35 - 13:35)
Fri 5 April: Reds v Stormers @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (19:00 - 15:00)
Fri 5 April: Lions v Sharks Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg (19:10 - 00:10)
Sat 6 April: Crusaders v Brumbies @ Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch (17:15 - 11:35)
Sat 6 April: Blues v Waratahs @ Eden Park, Auckland (19:35 - 13:35)
Sat 6 April: Rebels v Sunwolves @ AAMI Park, Melbourne (19:45 - 15:45)
Sat 6 April: Bulls v Jaguares @ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (15:05 - 20:05)
Bye: Chiefs
Round #8
Fri 5 April: Highlanders v Hurricanes @ Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (19:35 - 13:35)
Fri 5 April: Reds v Stormers @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (19:00 - 15:00)
Fri 5 April: Lions v Sharks Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg (19:10 - 00:10)
Sat 6 April: Crusaders v Brumbies @ Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch (17:15 - 11:35)
Sat 6 April: Blues v Waratahs @ Eden Park, Auckland (19:35 - 13:35)
Sat 6 April: Rebels v Sunwolves @ AAMI Park, Melbourne (19:45 - 15:45)
Sat 6 April: Bulls v Jaguares @ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (15:05 - 20:05)
Bye: Chiefs
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source