SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) 2022 - NZ & Drua matches with no match thread

[waiopehu oldboy]

It's looking increasingly likely that the six NZ-based teams will shortly relocate to Queenstown with Friday- & Saturday night games in Invercargill & a Saturday- or Sunday afternoon game in Queenstown each week.

Under this scenario next weeks pre-season matches (Blues v Chiefs, Crusaders v Hurricanes & the previously-cancelled Highlanders v Moana Pasifika) would also be played in Queenstown.

For the time being the pre-season matches scheduled for this week (Chiefs v Moana Pasifika, Blues v Hurricanes & Highlanders v Crusaders) are expected to proceed but there's a story doing the rounds that Blues v 'canes will now be in Queenstown on Saturday afternoon rather than Orewa.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

There's also an announcement due tomorrow wrt re-opening NZ's borders & obviously this will determine whether the TT & KO elements of SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) proceed as planned or exclusively in Australia.

A month ago I'd have said Australia for sure but now I'm not sure the Gov will be able to delay re-opening the border much beyond Easter if that long.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Move to Queenstown confirmed for early next week, teams will stay there for at least the first three weeks of the comp & schedule will be per the revised SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) draw.

NZR confirm relocation of Kiwi Super Rugby teams ahead of new season

The six NZ-based Super Rugby teams will move to mitigate against the risk of Covid-19.

www.nzherald.co.nz

DHL Super Rugby Pacific

www.superrugby.co.nz

 

[Dismal Pillock]

What part of South Auckland is "Queenstown" in?



Please don't tell me Queenstown is in the South Island.....

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ A typically geographically-challenged Aucklander I see. Hope this helps...

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Is that Norway?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ only the crinkly bits* in the bottom-left corner. The rest is a subtle blend of Shangri-la & Valhalla.

* some of Slartibartfast's finest work, I think you'll find.

 

[Dan54]

What part of South Auckland is "Queenstown" in?



Please don't tell me Queenstown is in the South Island.....

Mate to make it easier just think of it as being in Te Waipounamu, you will lose a lot less sleep.

 

[Dan54]

Games have been moved from Invercrgill to Fosyth Barr Staium in Dunedin for night games for first 3 weeks.
I loving everytime I open my computer there more rugby news!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Blues v 'canes now in Wellington at 1pm Sunday. Venue Rugby League Park & won't be televised.

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

Teams for Farmlands Cup tomorrow night:

Highlanders: 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown 2.Liam Coltman 3.Jermaine Ainsley 4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit 5. Josh Dickson 6. Gareth Evans 7. James Lentjes (c) 8. Hugh Renton 9. Folau Fakatava 10. Mitch Hunt 11. Scott Gregory 12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen 13. Fetuli Paea, 14. Mosese Dawai 15. Sam Gilbert

Replacements: Luca Inch, Rhys Marshall, Flynn Thomas, Josh Hohneck, Saula M’au, Sam Caird, Fabian Holland, Sam Fischli, Sean Withy, Christian Leo-Willie, Kayne Hammington, Nathan Hastie, Marty Banks, Cam Millar, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Ngatungane Punivai, Josh Timu, Rory Van Vugt.

Crusaders: First half: Chay Fihaki, Freedom Vahaakolo, Isaiah Punivai, Dallas McLeod, Kini Naholo, Fergus Burke, Bryn Hall (c), Pablo Matera, Tom Christie, Josh Kaifa/Jacob Norris, Mitchell Dunshea, Antonio Shalfoon, Fletcher Newell/Tamaiti Williams, Shilo Klein, Finlay Brewis.

Second half: Macca Springer, Waisake Naholo, Inga Finau, Isaiah Punivai/Taine Robinson, Daniel Rona, Simon Hickey/Lucas Cashmore, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Cullen Grace, Corey Kellow, Dominic Gardiner, Antonio Shalfoon, Quinten Strange (c), Oli Jager, Brodie McAlister/Kianu Kereru-Symes, Abraham Pole/Seb Calder.

Rather sad story out today that Solomon Alaimalo is taking more time out to deal with some mental health issues he's been having for some time now.

I suspect he won't be a pro footy player for much longer which will be a shame for one so talented but obviously it's more important that he work through the problems he's having & comes out the other side to a better place than where he's currently at.

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dan54]

Makes you just stop and think, Alaimolo almost seemed to have world at his feet a few years back, looked to be going all the way. I really hope he is able to get better, not tp play rugby, just to be well and happy.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Clan reclaim the Farmlands Cup:

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Game on at Mount Smart. Such a shame the ground has to be all but empty, this deserves a full house.

 

[Dan54]

Game going as expected, remembering this is the first time Moana Pasifika have ever played together. I think it maybe a fiarly long first part of season for them. By geez when you think Chiefs have got 10 All Blacks to wander back, they look like they may go alright. When you think Ah Khuoi a pretty good lock has 3 All Black locks in front of him. Be very intersting.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

MP (Moana Pasifika)'s Set-piece needs a LOT of work.

 

[Dan54]

Sekope Kefu looked like he struggled at set piece in NPC and didn't seem settled last night. Mind you I will put it down to new pack, so hope their scrum and their lineout will improve. Especially as I said playing all NZ teams for first part of comp.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Match raised $25K for the Tonga relief fund which isn't bad considering it was all by txt or online donations.

 

[KiwiM]

Barrett becoming a bit of a worry - though they may be being cautious as it looks like the won't need him for round 1 vs MP (Moana Pasifika)

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1489769803250532352

 

[Dismal Pillock]

 

[zer0]

Was about to angrily rant about how they have the Chufs and Moana club team on SkySport Now but not the reigning champion Blues.