Super Rugby rumours aplenty: return date looms, a potential venue and players returning from Japan?
Super Rugby games could be played on Sundays and the All Blacks are lining up a three-test series against Australia at the end of the year.
With sport opening up around the world and the NRL set for a May 28 kick-off across the Tasman, there is hope the Super Rugby competition will get underway next month.
New Zealand Rugby has not officially come out and confirmed any details about competitions but a New Zealand domestic competition between the five New Zealand Super Rugby teams appears the only logical option.
TVNZ is reporting this morning the five New Zealand franchise have been informed by New Zealand Rugby that a return to action will take place once Level 3 restrictions are lifted. The government will make an announcement on Level 2 rules today.
The teams will need three weeks of pre-season having last played in the second week of March. The players have been training on their own and keeping fit but have done no contact work.
Once that is allowed — and an exemption may be needed from the Government to make this happen — the competition is likely to begin on the second or third weekend of next month. Training could initially be limited to just small groups.
The two games every weekend are likely to be played on Saturday night and late Sunday afternoon. With no crowds allowed, kick-off times will be decided by the broadcaster.
Sunday afternoon is attractive to broadcaster Sky as most people are at home and there are few distractions. Games in Australia have kicked off late on Sunday before and rated well.
The competition is to be played on a home-and-away basis and have semifinals and finals.
There had been talk of all games being played at Forsyth Barr Stadium and teams being based in Dunedin but that appears unlikely.
The competition is likely to go through until early September and will then be followed by a revival of the North-South match. This could also double as an All Black trial.
The Highlanders are also believed to be looking at bringing in some players who had been playing in the Japan Top League.
The Mitre 10 Cup will kick off with a full season, though the dates of the season may not align with the original draw. It was set to begin in early August but may begin at least a month later.
All Blacks may feature in some of these games but a three-test series against Australia will be their priority. This is likely to be played in October but the exact locations will have to be finalised. It will depend on the opening up of the borders on both sides of the Tasman.
As for community rugby, that is dependent on the Alert Level moving to Level 1. Once that is reached then the season is set to go ahead.
Latest Comments
Dear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
Go to comments