Super Rugby 2022

[Dctarget]

Does this also kill NZ's July tour?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ in theory no, NZR have previously said the only issue was lack of MIQ places but I'd imagine there will now be plenty of those. In practice? We'll just have to wait & see.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Oh shit...

"... in July the country is expected to open up to non-citizens from visa-waiver countries – like Australia, the USA, and UK, before the rest of the world joins them in October".

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

Going by that, latter stages of SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) & at least part of TRC will have to be Australia-based again.

Faaaaark that. I shouldn't be too critical though because I'm not fully across our own border controls. Definitely no chance of me going to NZ this year then!

 

[Dctarget]

^ in theory no, NZR have previously said the only issue was lack of MIQ places but I'd imagine there will now be plenty of those. In practice? We'll just have to wait & see.

More to the point will teams still be willing to do MIQ?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ their version of MIQ will likely be similar to the five star resort with full gym & training facilities the Wobs used last year & IRFU have said they're committed to touring so one hopes they will be.

 

[Dan54]

Just had a bit more of a look at the rules and seems after April 12th, sports teams won't need to isolate.

From 11.59pm on April 12 anyone with a visa could skip MIQ.

Also allowed in will be 5000 overseas students eligible to study in semester two.

The Government will also look to expand the amount of skilled workers coming in – to include season workers and some critical workers who wouldn't meet the income test mentioned above.

Professional sports players and cultural performers and their support staff could also come in.

They would have to be performing in events with “significant national/regional benefits”

 

[Dan54]

And further to that from what I reading from July it's open slather to all non vise requiring countries so long as vaxxes etc! Maybe even earlier, so hopefully Irish and supporters can come with no probs.
Life may just be returning to normal in a small way, we going to get the bloody thing spreading, but seems we going to live with it.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Just had a bit more of a look at the rules and seems after April 12th, sports teams won't need to isolate.

From 11.59pm on April 12 anyone with a visa could skip MIQ.

Also allowed in will be 5000 overseas students eligible to study in semester two.

The Government will also look to expand the amount of skilled workers coming in – to include season workers and some critical workers who wouldn't meet the income test mentioned above.

Professional sports players and cultural performers and their support staff could also come in.

They would have to be performing in events with “significant national/regional benefits”

No MIQ but still 10 or 7 days of isolation depending on whether we're at the Red or Orange traffic light Level? The PDF doesn't actually say one way or t'other.

Who Can Come To New Zealand and When | PDF | Travel Visa | Immigration

Final Immigration Table - Steps 1-5

www.scribd.com

 

[Dan54]

I think what I just heard they can isolate and still train, sounds like they trying to make it easier.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

WR (World Rugby) may be asked to allow SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) matches to start with uncontested scrums in the event a team can't field the required number of props due to Covid.

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

Seems a better option than matches being forfeited or Club standard props being thrown in against pros.

 

[Dan54]

WR (World Rugby) may be asked to allow SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) matches to start with uncontested scrums in the event a team can't field the required number of props due to Covid.

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

Seems a better option than matches being forfeited or Club standard props being thrown in against pros.

Yep we may get stuck with it, I strongly dislike idea but can understand it. I hope there is still some rules to prevent teams taking advantage.

 

[fatprop]

Yep we may get stuck with it, I strongly dislike idea but can understand it. I hope there is still some rules to prevent teams taking advantage.

Like running a load of backrowers instead of "club standard props" when uncontested scrums are required

 

[Rugby Mum 2]

WR (World Rugby) may be asked to allow SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) matches to start with uncontested scrums in the event a team can't field the required number of props due to Covid.

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

Seems a better option than matches being forfeited or Club standard props being thrown in against pros.

Seriously ridiculous when most teams have 3 sets of props training then add in props from the wider training squad and those who have trained in pre-season. The scrum is a major area of contest in the game. Its not the under 9s.

 

[John S]

Seriously ridiculous when most teams have 3 sets of props training then add in props from the wider training squad and those who have trained in pre-season. The scrum is a major area of contest in the game. Its not the under 9s.

I can see both sides but lean this way too. Surely the organisers can just say to clubs - you need to have x amount of props in your training squad, and you need to split them into y amount of bubbles so that the teams always have the correct amount of props even if COVID hits?

 

[PhilClinton]

I can see both sides but lean this way too. Surely the organisers can just say to clubs - you need to have x amount of props in your training squad, and you need to split them into y amount of bubbles so that the teams always have the correct amount of props even if COVID hits?

And the clubs will say, yep that's a great idea - now we just want some funding from RA and NZRU to do that.

Anyone outside the team at this point is likely an amateur player with a job etc. They will need compensation to join any team in a bubble, even if they don't end up playing.

The uncontested scrum ruling seems to be like the solution which costs the least money because extra players aren't involved. So I'm doubtful the organisations want to stump up the cash.

 

[Ignoto]

I can see both sides but lean this way too. Surely the organisers can just say to clubs - you need to have x amount of props in your training squad, and you need to split them into y amount of bubbles so that the teams always have the correct amount of props even if COVID hits?

But the bubbles merge on game day, so a single player from a different prop bubble can still infect the others. You could easily have 2 bubbles go down within days of each other.

 

[Rob42]

I can see both sides but lean this way too. Surely the organisers can just say to clubs - you need to have x amount of props in your training squad, and you need to split them into y amount of bubbles so that the teams always have the correct amount of props even if COVID hits?

And, especially if you're bringing in new squad members, you'd need to have them training against an opposing scrum, not just a scrum machine - one of those front-rowers gets COVID, you lose 6 front-rowers from your squad. No-one's going to be able to find enough quality clubbies to have at least 2 bubbles of 6 front-rowers. How do you split up your first-choice props? All in one bubble, and then a clubbie bubble? In that case, lose one first-choice prop, you lose all of them. How do they train with the rest of the team? Nightmare scenarios whichever way you do it. Uncontested scrums would be the least-worst option. There will have to be an associated condition that states that you need to play whatever props you have available, not just additional flankers.

 

[RugbyReg]

Ok, can we do a check in of front row depth? Let's start with the Super Rugby sides:

Reds
- Props: Taniela Tupou, Zane Nonggorr, Harry Hoopert, Feao Fotuaika, Dane Zander, George Blake (can play hooker)
- Hookers: Alex Mafi, Josh Nasser (can play prop), Richie Asiata (can play prop)

Waratahs
- Props: Harry Johnson-Holmes, Angus Bell, Tiaan Tuakipulu, Tetera Faulkner, Ruan Smith, Archer Holz, Darcy Breen, Hampan Tuipulotu, Brandon Fa'avae-Eli, Adrian Brown
- Hookers: Dave Porecki, Tom Horton, Mahe Vailanu

Brumbies
- Props: James Slipper, Scott Sio, Allan Ala'alatoa, Tom Ross, Fred Kaihea, Sefo Kautai, Harry Vella
- Hookers: Folau Fainga'a, Lachlan Lonergan, Connal McInerney, Billy Pollard

Rebels
- Props: Pone Fa'amausili, Cameron Orr, Matt Gibbon, Cobus Eloff, Rhys Van Nek (can play hooker), Sef Fa'agase
- Hookers: Jordan Uelese, James Hanson, Efi Ma'afu, Theo Fourie

Force
- Props: Santiago Medrano, Angus Wagner, Bob Abra, Harry Lloyd, Greg Holmes, Tom Robertson, Andrew Romano, Siosifa Amone
- Hookers: Feleti Kaitu'u, Andrew Ready, Jack Winchester.

So these are the guys that are going to save the season for us all so we should herald them like the gods they are. Not sure who the Force have travelling with them but assume it is all of the above. Also don't know who else there is amongst the squads? Anyone I miss?

Some additional QPR options, without knowing for sure if they are still around. Whether these are guys good enough to step up, I'm not sure. The bold ones I'd be comfortable with:

- Props: Tom Moloney (or did he retire?), Maile Ngaumo (GPS), Bronson Tauakipulu (Wests), Lloyd Gorman (Sunnybank), Egan Siggs (Bond), Alex Davies (UQ), Hamish Richardson (UQ), Jethro Felemi (GPS), Fred Burke (GPS), Emosi Tuqiri (GPS, is he in the Drua squad?), Jack Straker (GPS), Dave Feao (Sunnybank),
- Hookers: Matt Faessler (Brothers, now Randwick?) Nick Turner (Bond), Liam Usher (Wests), Ethan Dobbins (Wests), Matt Mafi (GPS), Zack Crothers (Easts), Tonga Ma'afu (Norths), Sean Farrell (Souths),

Not sure about Shute Shield options. Thoughts?

 

[Braveheart81]

Seriously ridiculous when most teams have 3 sets of props training then add in props from the wider training squad and those who have trained in pre-season. The scrum is a major area of contest in the game. Its not the under 9s.

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.

 

[Wilson]

Great list Reg, is Albert Anae still kicking around in Australia? If he is he'd have to be an option on the back of experience alone.