Hi everyone, the teams are out, the injuries are out and there’s a bit of news. To say a bit has happened in the last week of so in an understatement so let’s get into it.
This week’s ground is in Alaska.
New TV deal drops
While some will bemoan the lack of content on free-to-air, this is by any measure a good deal. If the Super Rugby teams perform at a high level, and an appetite and advertising dollars develops, then the broadcaster will have many of the games on FTA.
This from PRAVDA
The five-year deal is valued at up to $240 million, with further money handed out pending the success of the national teams and Super Rugby Pacific.
“We want to maximise value obviously for Rugby Australia, but equally we need to ensure we’re maximising value for Nine in that partnership,” Waugh told reporters. “We’ve worked in partnership through the discussions, through the negotiation to get to a sensible outcome, and it certainly guarantees us a material uplift on where we were last cycle, and also then if we hit the incentives we’ll go even further north.
“It’s north of 30% increase on the guaranteed amount (from last deal) through the next cycle, and if we hit our incentives then we’ll be north of 40%. In terms of the actual guaranteed amount, I think to have an outcome of greater than 30% on the last cycle allows us to invest in the game, to ensure that we’ve got the right athletes, the right product to engage and drive greater value to both Rugby Australia and all our supporters.
Waugh confirmed that while there was no contractual obligation to broadcast Super Rugby Pacific on FTA, discussions were set to happen with Nine Network around how to maintain some presence. As part of the new deal, one game per week from Shute Shield and Hospital Cup competitions will be shown on FTA in addition to the current allotment of international games.
“We’ll work constructively to put a product out onto the field that’s attractive and we’ll work with the Nine executive to ensure we get the balance right between what’s behind the wall and what’s in front of the wall, and there’s no contractual obligation for Nine to put it on,” Waugh said. “The way that we view rugby in this country is how do we ensure that we’re producing a quality product that we’re putting onto the field that everyone wants to be watching, and I think that the relationship that we have with Nine is very constructive.
“We’re very optimistic around the journey that Nine’s on around greater integration across their platforms, and so we need to ensure we’re putting a product that we’re very proud of, Nine’s very proud of, and then we’ll work through with their executives around is that free-to-air or Stan. We don’t think it’s a shift away from behaviour, we just think it’s how we get the balance right between value, how we put the best product onto the field, and ensuring that we’ve got the economics to have a sustainable impact.”
Personally, I haven’t watched terrestrial television in some years and think the medium is going the way of film cameras.
Chocolate Wheel of Injustice (tin foil hat time)
I’ve made the point that the Super Rugby judiciary is an opportunity for the game to further engage with the fans on another level. It could provide the opportunity to provide context around why certain decisions are made. At the moment they’re smoking something when determining who should be sanctioned and why.
This week they were at it again first up with the losing lottery ticket won by Sean Withy. TBH, on first viewing I thought it didn’t look that bad, until the other angles came up and he ended up with three weeks reduced to two. It does seem a little absurd that he must undertake high tackle school considering he kneed a player whose head was 30cm off the ground. Boilerplate judgement here.
Can someone explain why Patrick Tuipulotu wasn’t cited or suspended in the Blues v Canes game. He came from distance, was always upright, had his arm in full holding a beer can mode and collected the ball carrier flush in the head. That was the second worst crime on the weekend, the Blues jersey was the worst.
While I’m at it, during the Chiefs v Reds game Luke Jacobsen does a clear croc roil on Filipo Daugunu, who is now Injured and can’t play this week. There was no action taken by the citing commissioner and obviously state media in NZ didn’t show a replay until after the penalty shot.
Apologies for the bad moon rising.
Obviously as a Reds fan I still feel aggrieved when these incidents are compared to the Hunter Paisami one.
Super Rugby teams round 9
Friday 5:05 pm AEST – Hurricanes v Crusaders at SKY Stadium, Wellington
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Riley Hohepa, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilo Tosi, Will Tucker, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Callum Harkin, Fatafehi Fineanganofo
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Ioane Moananu, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Matt Moulds, George Bower, Kershawl Skyes-Martin, Antonio Shalfoon, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, James O’Connor, Macca Springer
Referee: James Doleman Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Fraser Hannon TMO: Glenn Newman
Saders to do Sader things
Friday 7:35 pm AEST – NSW Waratahs v Chiefs at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Hugh Sinclair (c), Ben Grant, Rob Leota, Jamie Adamson, Langi Gleeson, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements: Julian Heaven, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Miles Amatosero, Leafi Talataina, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Henry O’Donnell
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Gideon Wrampling, Shaun Stevenson, Damian McKenzie
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Jared Profit, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa
Referee: Angus Mabey Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Stu Curran TMO: James Leckie
Chiefs, but it’ll be closer than you think. Tahs are 100% at home and 0% away
Saturday 2:35 pm AEST – Blues v Moana Pasifika at Eden Park, Auckland
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, PJ Sheck, Cam Christie, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Stephen Perofeta
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Sam Slade, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Pepesana Patafilo, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, William Havili
Replacements: Sama Malolo, James Lay, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Sione Havili Talitui, Aisea Halo, Patrick Pellegrini, Fine Inisi
Referee: Paul Williams Assistant Referees: Mike Winter, Warwick Lahmert TMO: Richard Kelly
Moana to continue their run and finish the Blues season
Saturday 5:05 pm AEST – Highlanders v Fijian Drua at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell, Sosefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa, Hugh Renton (co-c), Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Taniela Filimone, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Tai Cribb, Nikora Broughton, Adam Lennox, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele’a
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Mesulame Dolokoto (co-c), Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Tuwai, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Longanimasi, Inia Tabuavou, Iosefo Masi (co-c), Selestino Ravutaumada, Caleb Muntz
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Philip Baselala, Isikeli Rabitu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
Referee: Nic Berry Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey TMO: Brett Cronan
Highlanders, as the Drua don’t travel well
Saturday 7:35 pm AEST – Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Dre Pakeho, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: Richie Asaita, Alex Hodgman, Jeffery Toomana-Allen, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jock Campbell
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Angus Gardner Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Damon Murphy TMO: Graham Cooper
Reds in an instant classic
Round 9 Injuries
Biggest one is Harry Wilson with a broken arm
Blues
- Marcel Renata (calf)
- Zarn Sullivan (foot)
- Reon Paul (shoulder)
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck, season)
- Sam Darry (shoulder, season)
Brumbies
- Klayton Thorn (hamstring/round 12)
- Jack Debreczeni (groin/TBC)
- Charlie Cale (lower back/TBC long term)
- Ben O’Donnell (hamstring/TBC long term)
- Tevita Alatini (ACL/TBC long term)
- Harry Vella (ACL/round 13)
Chiefs
- Anton Lienert-Brown (leg/short term)
- Josh Lord (knee/mid-term)
- Kaleb Trask (hamstring/mid-term)
- Liam Coombes-Fabling (knee/mid-term)
- Wallace Sititi (knee/long term)
- Etene Nanai-Seturo (hamstring/long term)
- Rameka Poihipi (knee/season)
Crusaders
- Dom Gardiner (hamstring/TBC)
- Johnny McNicholl (hamstring/2 weeks)
- Kyle Preston (rib/1 week)
- George Bell (foot/8 weeks)
- Braydon Ennor (hamstring/4 weeks)
- Dallas McLeod (quad/1 week)
- Finlay Brewis (shoulder/season)
- Tahlor Cahill (AC joint/1-2 weeks)
- Codie Taylor (concussion/1-2 weeks)
Drua
- Meli Derenalagi (knee/long term)
- Kitione Salawa (thigh/short term)
- Ilaisa Droasese (wrist/short term)
- Epeli Momo (knee/long term)
- Frank Lomani (shoulder/short term)
Highlanders
- Finn Hurley (quad/season)
- Hayden Michaels (hamstring/TBC)
- Soane Vikena (AC joint/1-2 weeks)
- TK Howden (hamstring/1-2 weeks)
- Mitch Dunshea (knee/1-2 weeks)
- Caleb Tangitau (groin/1-2 weeks)
Hurricanes
- Brett Cameron (knee/season)
- Devan Flanders (ankle/round 12)
- Tjay Clarke (shoulder/round 11)
- Harry Godfrey (lower leg/round 12)
- Billy Proctor (Achilles/TBC)
- Zach Gallagher (hamstring/round 12-13)
Moana Pasifika
- Jonathan Taumateine (ankle)
- Lotu Inisi (hamstring)
- Michael Curry (shoulder)
- Neria Fomai (knee/season)
- Sione Mafile’o (neck)
- Solomon Alaimalo (foot)
- Tito Tuipulotu (knee)
Queensland Reds
- Filipo Daugunu
- Josh Flook
- Matt Gibbon
- Frankie Goldsbrough
- Mason Gordon
- Isaac Henry
- Will McCulloch
- Josh Nasser
- Harry Wilson
- Liam Wright
NSW Waratahs
- Charlie Gamble (ill)
- Max Jorgensen (syndesmosis)
- Jake Gordon (medial ligament)
- Mahe Vailanu (broken arm)
- Darby Lancaster (concussion)
- Dave Porecki (calf)
- Fergus Lee-Warner (foot)
- Lucas Ripley (shoulder)
Hoss back tomorrow.
