Super Rugby 2022

[Rugby Mum 2]

So if it is disaster planning then why not change the rule to allow for a match to be rescheduled given the extenuating circumstances rather than forfeit? Schedule the time in advance a bit like the wet weather round in Shute Shield to replay the game.

 

[Braveheart81]

So if it is disaster planning then why not change the rule to allow for a match to be rescheduled given the extenuating circumstances rather than forfeit? Schedule the time in advance a bit like the wet weather round in Shute Shield to replay the game.

Maybe that is on the table as well?

Personally though, if a game is impacted so close to the start time that alternative players can't be sourced to have contested scrums then I would prefer them to play uncontested scrums rather than try and reschedule a game for later in the season.

The competition is 15 weeks long with each team having one bye across three weeks. Some games could potentially be rescheduled without too much difficultly if it happened in the first six weeks of the comp. Others would be impossible.

The other issues with rescheduling are ground availability and fulfilling broadcast agreements.

If it's a choice between no game and a game with uncontested scrums would you really prefer no game?

 

[Rugby Mum 2]

I hate uncontested scrums full stop. It impacts scrums, rolling mauls, and all the other things the short stocky men do around the field.

Let's hope contingency planning includes lots of extra roving front rowers, covid testing every day and that the team Covid bubbles work. And that this madness goes away. # savethescrum

 

[PhilClinton]

I'll be interested to see as the season progresses, and more research is done around the boosters and people who have already been diagnosed with covid re-testing positive, if some rules are changed.

For example if we look at the Reds squad, based on what was reported last weekend and what we know from the start of pre-season, it sounds like over half the squad has already contracted COVID at some stage. It will be quite frustrating if for example JOC (James O'Connor) tests positive again pre-game sometime in April, is asymptomatic but has to isolate from the team for 7 days and misses a game.

I understand it has to do with infection rates as well, but I would hope whatever rules they put in place to start the season aren't static and can be amended or reviewed as new medical information comes to light.

 

[Braveheart81]

I'll be interested to see as the season progresses, and more research is done around the boosters and people who have already been diagnosed with covid re-testing positive, if some rules are changed.

For example if we look at the Reds squad, based on what was reported last weekend and what we know from the start of pre-season, it sounds like over half the squad has already contracted COVID at some stage. It will be quite frustrating if for example JOC (James O'Connor) tests positive again pre-game sometime in April, is asymptomatic but has to isolate from the team for 7 days and misses a game.

I understand it has to do with infection rates as well, but I would hope whatever rules they put in place to start the season aren't static and can be amended or reviewed as new medical information comes to light.

Largely it's going to be dictated by how quickly the state governments move with rules. I can't imagine teams will be able to have their own rules.

If you look at the US, they have moved away from asymptomatic people having to test at all. Hopefully we get there soon.

Someone testing positive has to return a negative test before they can play but for a fully vaccinated person that may only take a couple of days.

 

[Set piece magic]

It's disaster planning.

It's very unlikely to be required but let's say you're playing away from home and several props in your squad test positive on the day of the game. The fact that you've got additional props back home is irrelevant at that point.

It's all designed so there doesn't need to be a forfeit because the rules don't currently allow for a match to commence without enough specialist front rowers.

100%

 

[PhilClinton]

Largely it's going to be dictated by how quickly the state governments move with rules. I can't imagine teams will be able to have their own rules.

Knowing the way V'Landys operates, he will probably end up getting all the NRL players added to the list of essential workers who can return to work in a shorter time frame.

Whilst the Reds will have Taniela Tupou sitting on the sideline for a month.

 

[dru]

If the option is uncontested scrums or no game, the answer is not as simple as “well at least we have a game”. Yes it’s a game, but arguably it’s not a game of rugby, perhaps “almost rugby”.

I’d prefer the brains trust kept working on alternatives - this one has warts.

 

[Braveheart81]

If the option is uncontested scrums or no game, the answer is not as simple as “well at least we have a game”. Yes it’s a game, but arguably it’s not a game of rugby, perhaps “almost rugby”.

I’d prefer the brains trust kept working on alternatives - this one has warts.

Did you read the article?

Besides COVID measures within squads, they're putting together a pool of extra players which will largely be focused on specialist positions to provide a stop gap measure.

The uncontested scrums from the start of the game is literally the last option available prior to cancelling the game. They need permission to have that as an option.

 

[Rob42]

Did you read the article?

Besides COVID measures within squads, they're putting together a pool of extra players which will largely be focused on specialist positions to provide a stop gap measure.

The uncontested scrums from the start of the game is literally the last option available prior to cancelling the game. They need permission to have that as an option.

And if you want to see why they need every option before cancellation, check out the current A-League table: some teams have played 7 games, some have played 11 games. In soccer, you can catch that up with maybe 3 day turnarounds for short periods. BBL did the same. You can't do that in pro rugby. If the Super Rugby comp looked like that, you simply couldn't fix it.

 

[Dan54]

I'll be interested to see as the season progresses, and more research is done around the boosters and people who have already been diagnosed with covid re-testing positive, if some rules are changed.

For example if we look at the Reds squad, based on what was reported last weekend and what we know from the start of pre-season, it sounds like over half the squad has already contracted COVID at some stage. It will be quite frustrating if for example JOC (James O'Connor) tests positive again pre-game sometime in April, is asymptomatic but has to isolate from the team for 7 days and misses a game.

I understand it has to do with infection rates as well, but I would hope whatever rules they put in place to start the season aren't static and can be amended or reviewed as new medical information comes to light.

Joe Marler the English prop has apparently tested positive twice in last 4 months so don't expect anything I think. I despise uncontested scrums as anyone who was at club games in Brisbane will attest when teams pulled them when I was in attendance. I know I hadn't really seen it before then, well at senior level. I find it ruins the game, but not sure what else can be done.

 

[Adam84]

Joe Marler the English prop has apparently tested positive twice in last 4 months so don't expect anything I think. I despise uncontested scrums as anyone who was at club games in Brisbane will attest when teams pulled them when I was in attendance. I know I hadn't really seen it before then, well at senior level. I find it ruins the game, but not sure what else can be done.

calling off the game also ruins it.

This is about finding the lesser evil in a shit scenario.

 

[chiraag]

Would you have to field front-rowers in positions 1 to 3 and 16 to 18 if the game was starting with uncontested scrums? I'm guessing not if you have insufficient props available, which would completely change the contest. Having a combination of 3 extra locks, backrowers or backs on the field instead of front-rowers would make for an interesting game, especially if the 2 teams chose different personnel for the essentially 3 + 3 wildcard positions...

 

[Adam84]

Would you have to field front-rowers in positions 1 to 3 and 16 to 18 if the game was starting with uncontested scrums? I'm guessing not if you have insufficient props available, which would completely change the contest. Having a combination of 3 extra locks, backrowers or backs on the field instead of front-rowers would make for an interesting game, especially if the 2 teams chose different personnel for the essentially 3 + 3 wildcard positions...

That’s where a ‘in good spirit’ clause needs to be considered.

Teams shouldn’t look to use it as an opportunity to replace props with back-rowers or manipulate the concept.

We all know what props look like, if Hooper is suddenly packing at THP then somethings amiss.

 

[Rebel man]

Will either expansion side make the 8? I watched Moana Pacifica against the chiefs and look the defence was solid the intensity was there but they got smoked by a second string Chiefs

 

[John S]

Will either expansion side make the 8? I watched Moana Pacifica against the chiefs and look the defence was solid the intensity was there but they got smoked by a second string Chiefs

So it's possible they will get past the Tahs at least. Maybe not the 8, but maybe just outside (9-10)

 

[Rebel man]

So it's possible they will get past the Tahs at least. Maybe not the 8, but maybe just outside (9-10)

Look they are must win games, I feel the attacking flare they will bring plus the aggressive defence will see them win one or two games when it works but feel like they will get soundly beaten more often than not

 

[Dan54]

Will either expansion side make the 8? I watched Moana Pacifica against the chiefs and look the defence was solid the intensity was there but they got smoked by a second string Chiefs

I would be surprised if they did in first couple of years, you would no doubt remember how well Rebels, Western Force, Southern Kings etc etc went in their first years, and we can't expect a hell of a lot of difference with these teams I don't think.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Loss Bleus really should've done the decent thing & let Mauger into their player warehouse.

For the greater good.

 

[PhilClinton]

Will either expansion side make the 8? I watched Moana Pacifica against the chiefs and look the defence was solid the intensity was there but they got smoked by a second string Chiefs

Probably depends on how Super Rugby is structured. I don’t think we’ve had the definitive plan regarding where games are to be played have we? Or maybe we have but there has been so many changes I’ve forgotten what that is.

Will be tough for a new team to go on the road for a long period of time and win games. And I don’t think anything has been addressed yet about unvaccinated players being unable to play in several Australian stadiums. If their squads are weakened they’re no chance.