Do you follow Super Rugby?

Swiwi.

Lads & ladesses, with the Super Rugby season looming, I'd be interested to get a gauge on how much interest there is on the forum, whether avid or casual.

Obviously, most people wouldn't follow Super Rugby - it's a SH comp after all - but it's pointless writing previews etc if the number of interested people can be counted on 1 hand.

If you genuinely reckon you'll keep an eye on Super Rugby in 2014, feel free to click on the poll.

Morf

Lions (SA)

I try to record as many games as possible on a weekend.

UPC has a habit of not recording second game when they are 2 or 3 in a row.

If i have a good number of games recorded I might cherry-pick one or two to watch (fast-forwarding all breaks in play) then just fast-forward to tries in others.

I tend to follow the Highlanders, Waratahs and Sharks/Cheetahs.

More inclined to watch NZ games then Aus games and SA derbies least if just choosing blindly.

Avoiding scores on twitter/facebook is a big issue.

.ak

Highlanders (NZ)

Yep, keen follower when work allows it!

Morf

Lions (SA)

Putting the tv on mute if the Chiefs fans get out the cowbells is a necessity.

awec

Chiefs (NZ)

I can't say I have been to date, but I guess I could start.

Not the same without a team to follow though!

P_1

Don't have a team but am inclined to have the odd nose

.ak

Highlanders (NZ)

awec wrote: »

I can't say I have been to date, but I guess I could start.

Not the same without a team to follow though!

Pick one out of a hat, then stick money on them for the title. That'll make it interesting!

Swiwi.

Highlanders (NZ)

awec wrote: »

I can't say I have been to date, but I guess I could start.

Not the same without a team to follow though!

Yeah this season I decided to really wheel in behind Leinster, make sure I watch most of their games, follow the thread & squad etc, and it makes the Rabo & HEC much more interesting. If you go with Super Rugby i'd recommend the same. So long as it's the crusaders

chupacabra

No preference

Huge Sharks fan and try to catch as many games as I can. But lately it's been hard due to travel/work stuff. I would greatly appreciate threads with good write ups here though. The quality of the previews here is honestly better than anywhere else online imo.

darragh_haven

Reds (Aussie)

I've really followed it since 2008 when I lived in NZ for a few months. I follow the highlanders as first choice but have a liking for the chiefs too..... and dislike the crusaders

.ak

Highlanders (NZ)

Crusaders fan myself. Always like the brand of rugby they play, great balance of power and pace.

darragh_haven

Reds (Aussie)

.ak wrote: »

Crusaders fan myself. Always like the brand of rugby they play, great balance of power and pace.

I'm a Munster man. Munster = highlanders or chiefs
Leinster = crusaders
Theirs my twisted logic ;-)

awec

Chiefs (NZ)

darragh_haven wrote: »

I'm a Munster man. Munster = highlanders or chiefs
Leinster = crusaders
Theirs my twisted logic ;-)

And Ulster?

Pudsy33

Waratahs (Aussie)

Have a soft spot for the Reds I have to say.

P_1

awec wrote: »

And Ulster?

Well I guess the only remaining teams are on the North Island so take your pick

Tox56

Highlanders (NZ)

Unashamed glory hunter rooting for the Crusaders, wouldn't follow it religiously but can never pass up a chance to watch Dan Carter

darragh_haven

Reds (Aussie)

awec wrote: »

And Ulster?

The blues..... quiet a good fit really

awec

Chiefs (NZ)

I did a random number generator and got 10 and used last seasons table as the guide.

Go Blues!

P.S. The kit is terrible.

Newtown90

Highlanders (NZ)

Crusaders fan it's usually a great start to a weekend watching Super Rugby! Would like a preview to every weekend if not the games at least! Get the interest levels up around here too I'm sure!

Swiwi.

Highlanders (NZ)

Tox56 wrote: »

Unashamed glory hunter rooting for the Crusaders, wouldn't follow it religiously but can never pass up a chance to watch Dan Carter

On sabbatical for much of this super season

Will be back for the knockout games though

.ak

Highlanders (NZ)

darragh_haven wrote: »

I'm a Munster man. Munster = highlanders or chiefs
Leinster = crusaders
Theirs my twisted logic ;-)

Ha I'd agree there. Always wanted Leinster to play crusaders when both teams were on their pomp in 2011, very similar styles. Surprising when our coach was a blues man.

Swiwi.

Highlanders (NZ)

.ak wrote: »

Ha I'd agree there. Always wanted Leinster to play crusaders when both teams were on their pomp in 2011, very similar styles. Surprising when our coach was a blues man.

The Blues with Spencer at the helm, Rococoko Howlett and some guy called Isa were great value for running rugby.

Judgement Day

Highlanders (NZ)

Crusaders all the way - Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Kieran Read, the Whitelock family, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis etc.etc...what's not to like? The only problem is the obscenely early starts for Home games but I'm lucky enough to have discovered a friendly pub that lets me in when the kitchen staff arrive.

.ak

Highlanders (NZ)

Funnily enough it's not the all stars at crusaders that does it for me, but rather the fringe players. Canterbury really develops some great talent.

Winters

Cheetahs (SA)

Went on honeymoon to SA 2 years ago and caught the Stormers Rebels game where Gio Aplon saw birdies. So keep an eye on the WP and Stormers results in SH.

matthew8

Sharks (SA)

I like the Cheetahs/Lions myself but I may find myself getting behind the Sharks as these 2 fall out of contention. Hard to see that Cheetahs squad going so well again. Will do my best to watch any live games I can which will be tough for games not in SA.

schools rugby

Waratahs (Aussie)

Big Reds fan here as I started watching Super Rugby in 2011 and have followed them since. I usually watch the South African games as they are in the afternoon, majority of games in New Zealand are just too early

CatFromHue

Crusaders (NZ)

Very loosely but not really. I'm not a morning person and don't have Sky so that rules out most of the games for me.

I'd keep an eye on the results and might try to watch the knock out games but not much more than.

its_phil

Cheetahs (SA)

I'd traditionally be a Stormers fan because Cape Town is my favourite place in the world and my dad have me a jersey when I was young enough. But how could I not have a soft spot for the Chiefs with Craig Clarke now at Connacht!

I'd love this place to erupt after a controversial decision in a Crusaders v Chiefs game just like it does after a Munster v Leinster game. Just for giggles

awec

Chiefs (NZ)

Any interest in a SXV Last Man Standing? Just for craic.

GiftofGab

Waratahs (Aussie)

Watched and went to a lot of games last year while living in Melbourne....but a reds supporter.... I'll try watch as many games as I can this year but reckon I'll only end up seeing the big games. Back living in Ireland now

[Jackass]

Fan of the Blues, Crusaders, Reds, but not hardcore by any means. I watch some Super rugby during the season, but virtually never live. I see a lot more AP and T14 outside of Pro12 and HEC than I do super rugby.

TheGoldenAges

Waratahs (Aussie)

I became a Reds fan during the McKenzie era when I'd religiously get up and watch Genia and Cooper do their stuff. They played some cracking rugby the season they won it.

sydthebeat

Reds (Aussie)

Crusaders with a soft spot for the highlanders.

mogwai81

Blues (NZ)

Living in Australia, really enjoy watching any game. There is usually at least one special try in every game.

Am going to give it a proper go this year.

Still unsure of who I want to follow, I'm thinking QC and Genia at the Reds are who I want to watch most.

Phoeey

P_1 wrote: »

Well I guess the only remaining teams are on the North Island so take your pick

North Island actually used to be called New Ulster.

.ak

Highlanders (NZ)

Wha? Is that real? New Ulster, New Munster and New Leinster? Didn't realise there was that much of an Irish history?

P_1

.ak wrote: »

Wha? Is that real? New Ulster, New Munster and New Leinster? Didn't realise there was that much of an Irish history?

The namers of the time were a bit mad for those kind of names back in the day. New South Wales probably is the most famous name out there but there's also a New Ireland and a New Scotland out there.

And that's my contribution to the 'today I learned' slot

.ak

Highlanders (NZ)

P_1 wrote: »

The namers of the time were a bit mad for those kind of names back in the day. New South Wales probably is the most famous name out there but there's also a New Ireland and a New Scotland out there.

And that's my contribution to the 'today I learned' slot

Yeah but usually it's because of the first settlers there. I wasn't aware there was many Irish settlers in NZ?

P_1

.ak wrote: »

Yeah but usually it's because of the first settlers there. I wasn't aware there was many Irish settlers in NZ?

I'd say it was probably down to the fact that Ireland was still a part of Britain when New Zealand was first settled

durkadurka

.ak wrote: »

Yeah but usually it's because of the first settlers there. I wasn't aware there was many Irish settlers in NZ?

Hardly any Kiwis seem to have Irish names - unlike the Aussies.


I get the vibe there was a lot of missionary type settlements there - but mostly Protestant of one flavour or other.

Jacovs

Cheetahs (SA)

I try to follow as much as possible, but mostly SA games and most importantly the Stormers. Watch as many games of all teams as work and family will let me.
Only 5 weeks to go, cant wait.

hahashake

Hurricanes (NZ)

Not sure there are many Caledonians in New Caledonia - I'm pretty sure they were named because they reminded the discoverers of places they knew. There must have been a few Irish settlers in NZ though, I'm pretty sure everyone is at least 1/8th Irish on St. Patricks day in NZ .
Don't forget guys like Dave Gallaher, Sean Fitzpatrick and I can only assume Kieran Read based on his name. ABs website lists a few O'surnames too.

I'm living in London ATM so it's going to be hard to watch NZ or even Aus games. I would suggest if you are picking a team, go for a SA one. Not as exciting as NZ or Aus teams IMO but a lot closer time zone to Ireland.

stefan idiot jones

Waratahs (Aussie)

Got my season ticket for the Reds. $200 for eight games in the Suncorp.

Cooper, Carter, Cruden. Doesn't get any better than that.

hahashake

Hurricanes (NZ)

Jealous. Suncorp is one of the best rugby stadiums in the world. Close to the action and the Reds always get a good crowd.

desertcircus

Stormers (SA)

Got Sky for the Lions tour last summer, so this'll be the first full season I get to watch. Now to decide who to follow. The South Africans look a bit lonely here...

.ak

Highlanders (NZ)

desertcircus wrote: »

Got Sky for the Lions tour last summer, so this'll be the first full season I get to watch. Now to decide who to follow. The South Africans look a bit lonely here...

The SA teams at S15 level are always impressive. I'm always amazed watching their domestic games as it looks about 10 levels above anything we're used to in terms of raw power and pace. They play at 100 miles an hour and just run into each other 80 minutes straight, in a league that considered Strauss 'too small' to go any further. Basically giants.

Swiwi.

Highlanders (NZ)

awec wrote: »

I did a random number generator and got 10 and used last seasons table as the guide.

Go Blues!

P.S. The kit is terrible.

I note you still have the Ferris avatar. I expect to see Weepu, Nonu...or Benji Marshall by tomorrow. Otherwise you're a flight by night fan.

Pudsy33

Waratahs (Aussie)

Swiwi. wrote: »

I note you still have the Ferris avatar. I expect to see Weepu, Nonu...or Benji Marshall by tomorrow. Otherwise you're a flight by night fan.

Considering the kick off times, I think we're all fly by nights.

Swiwi.

Highlanders (NZ)

Deleted User wrote: »

Am going to give it a proper go this year.

Still unsure of who I want to follow, I'm thinking QC and Genia at the Reds are who I want to watch most.

OK, emmet, I'm going to assume you want a team playing Schmidtball, so probably Cheetahs (SA), Reds as you say (Australia) or Chiefs (NZ). As much as it pains me to say it 'saders have been a bit predictable in recent times, with less X-factor than previous. Missing out on Julian Savea for this season was disappointing!