Super Rugby General Chat
- Thread starter waiopehu oldboy
- Start date
Jamie
Billy Sheehan (19)
100% Super RugbyAnd there it is, tighter even than the predictions:
This competition has copped a lot of flack in recent years, but this is the best it has been as an entertainment product in a long time. Certainly since 2011 or so
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
And they were run well into extra time to get there too. Setting us up for some mouth watering clashes the next few weeks as teams jostle for position in the 8 on either side of the Tasman and try and cement themselves as contenders (and one previously dominant side desperately tries to save face).
Just a bit annoyed we have to wait until week 8 for the first Chiefs Hurricanes clash and all the way until the final round for the Chiefs Blues.
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
I know it’s been a bit frustrating from an Australian fan basis with close losses by the Tahs & Reds, but gee I’ve enjoyed the standard of games so far in Super Rugby this year. Most have been competitive and whilst not at all error free the games have been mostly pretty up tempo.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Late change of venue right? Can't imagine they are going to get bumper crowds at Mt Smart either tbh.
When you look at what the Drua are getting you can't help but think it's becoming an opportunity missed to take it to Samoa and Tonga.
When you look at what the Drua are getting you can't help but think it's becoming an opportunity missed to take it to Samoa and Tonga.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Last years Reds game was in Apia and their game against the Chiefs this year is in Nukuʻalofa, but it still presents a significant logistical challenge. Infrastructure is not at the level of Fiji and the travel burden can be pretty significant, particularly given Moana themselves aren't based there. It's hard to see it changing in the near future, at least while Moana are still couch surfing in Auckland. Part of the problem is having them so split between Samoa and Tonga, it makes it difficult to invest in one as a base without upsetting the other.
Arguably their best option in the interim would be to shift to somewhere like North Habour or Pukekohe more permanently and aim for consistent crowds in a small stadium but still close enough to Auckland for travel. Tap into a fan vase that doesn't feel the love from super rugby week to week. That is what it looks like they had been starting to explore here before the stadium issues forced them to Hamilton at late notice. The alternative would be a move to Western Sydney where there is latent pacific support and a much larger population in general. But given many of the players are sourced from NPC and the side is currently New Zealand backed that may not be affordable to set up.
Yoda
Cyril Towers (30)
Should have played it at a small suburban ground?
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
Needs pro level broadcast facilities
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
including lighting
rugbyAU
Bob Davidson (42)
Exactly, docent matter about it being moved to Hamilton, Mt Smart also gets empty stadiums
They need to find a way to play games in Apia etc., if it means investing in ensuring there's a proper stadium & facilities so be it
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
It has always been the worst expansion team ever conceived.
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
The concept had legs, the execution less so. Not helped by covid of course
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Moana only playing twice at Mount Smart this year (R12 v Chiefs & R14 v 'tahs). Other home game venues are Eden Park (R6 v Blues), Whangarei (R8 v Reds) & Nuku’alofa (R11 v Highlanders).
Moving them to NH would be a disaster IMO, it's barely fit for Super Rugby & Stadiums Auckland don't appear to be interested in getting it back up to standard. Plus getting there is an issue (or series of issues) esp from South & West Auckland where most of the Pasifika communities live.
Moving them to NH would be a disaster IMO, it's barely fit for Super Rugby & Stadiums Auckland don't appear to be interested in getting it back up to standard. Plus getting there is an issue (or series of issues) esp from South & West Auckland where most of the Pasifika communities live.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
It's actually got to go bankrupt to be the worst expansion team!
Though in all seriousness, it will struggle because it not really one or the other, Samoan,Tongan,Cook Island,Fijian etc etc. I not sure even taking games to Apia for more than 1-2 games a year would help. Drua always better as they are 1; better at rugby, 2 Only 1 country needed to base team 3; only the 1 country RU that they have to really answer too.
I do think if is stuck with may have legs though, and can understand the reasonong of having them. And of course raises the other question, do these island communities actually want these teams that we all seem to think they do?
John S
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Roll up the Rebels fans - get your riot shield ready DanIt's actually got to go bankrupt to be the worst expansion team!
Though in all seriousness, it will struggle because it not really one or the other, Samoan,Tongan,Cook Island,Fijian etc etc. I not sure even taking games to Apia for more than 1-2 games a year would help. Drua always better as they are 1; better at rugby, 2 Only 1 country needed to base team 3; only the 1 country RU that they have to really answer too.
I do think if is stuck with may have legs though, and can understand the reasonong of having them. And of course raises the other question, do these island communities actually want these teams that we all seem to think they do?
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Does feel like a situation of telling the community what they should want.It's actually got to go bankrupt to be the worst expansion team!
Though in all seriousness, it will struggle because it not really one or the other, Samoan,Tongan,Cook Island,Fijian etc etc. I not sure even taking games to Apia for more than 1-2 games a year would help. Drua always better as they are 1; better at rugby, 2 Only 1 country needed to base team 3; only the 1 country RU that they have to really answer too.
I do think if is stuck with may have legs though, and can understand the reasonong of having them. And of course raises the other question, do these island communities actually want these teams that we all seem to think they do?
But, but we already support teams in the comp. I mean sure, I don't mind them but I go for the Blues.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
I can't speak to the geography of Auckland and the surrounds, but I think they need to find a way to differentiate themselves from being Blues light in Auckland. Only way I can really se them doing that is if they shift to one of the stadiums outside the city - yes, it'd be harder to get to for those in the city but much easier for those around that stadium who might be inclined to jump on some thing local. They don't need a hell of a lot of fans, particularly in those smaller stadiums. If they're running a 5-10 thousand average crowd in a stadium where that's 50-100% full they'd look like a mild success all of a sudden. Mostly suggested North Harbour because it was the one they were first looking to when there was a clash. Whangerei may work better, but it's a bit far from Auckland so it would add a travel burden and may make it harder to lock down players. Or would Pukekohe make more sense if they could get the necessary upgrades done given that islander population is South and West?
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ In a perfect world it's Mount Smart all the way as it's adjacent to the most likely supporter base. Unfortunately for Moana, however, the same is true for the Warriors esp on the back of their best season in a decade or more.
The suggestion that maybe Pasifika people aren't that interested in Moana is contrary to the sentiments they've been expressing almost since Super Rugby became a thing & of course it was a group of eminent Pasifika rugby identities who pitched the Moana concept to SANZAAR, not the other way round.
The suggestion that maybe Pasifika people aren't that interested in Moana is contrary to the sentiments they've been expressing almost since Super Rugby became a thing & of course it was a group of eminent Pasifika rugby identities who pitched the Moana concept to SANZAAR, not the other way round.