Super Rugby 2022

[KiwiMurph]

Wasn't sure where to put this.

The Plus500 Brumbies are pleased to announce 26-year-old centre Ollie Sapsford will join the club until the end of the 2023 season.

Australian-qualified while born and raised in New Zealand, Sapsford has been playing with Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand’s National Provincial competition for the past three seasons, scoring a hat-trick of tries in their recent 40-31 victory over Manawatu.

Sapsford is comfortable in the midfield and on the wing.

https://twitter.com/BrumbiesRugby/status/1455640806383972354

[Stargazer]

@kiwimurph The media release doesn't mention it, but he's had a stint in AFL before playing NPC. Not sure when and where and at what level. Not surprised that he is a player ending up in Australian Super Rugby.

[Nepia]

@kiwimurph Didn't Sapsford play 7s for NZ, so he's not actually Australian qualified?

[Stargazer]

@nepia I don't think he ever made it to a tournament? He was in the squad and trained with them, but I think that's it. Not 100% sure though.

[ARHS]

@stargazer he has played for them. Not sure if any of the events were world circuit.

[KiwiMurph]

@nepia said in Super Rugby 2022:

@kiwimurph Didn't Sapsford play 7s for NZ, so he's not actually Australian qualified?

I think he played recently in those games set up against Australia prior to the Olympics (they played games against Aus over the course of a weekend at Eden Park and club grounds like Grammar TEC) but I don't think they were official so probably don't count towards eligibility.

[Higgins]

@arhs said in Super Rugby 2022:

@stargazer he has played for them. Not sure if any of the events were world circuit.

Can confirm he definitely played for one of the NZ Mens Teams (Black I think it might have been) in the warm up tournament played at Hataitai Park earlier this year

[Tim]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/126887856/super-rugby-squads-who-needs-what-for-next-season

[Bovidae]

The Stuff journos must have been reading TSF with some of their rumours.

I did note that Laban also mentioned yesterday that Thompson had signed with the Chiefs.

[Chris B.]

Hames also said that a couple of Super teams are interested in Jacob Norris.

I'm surprised no-one appears to have picked up Sam Matenga - he's been solid all year.

[Stargazer]

https://twitter.com/SuperRugbyNZ/status/1459763025569845248

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Stargazer]

https://super.rugby/superrugby/news/match-schedule-for-super-rugby-pacific-revealed/

https://www.allblacks.com/news/super-rugby-pacific-2022-draw-unveiled/

[Stargazer]

[Bovidae]

They seem determined to have their Super Round.

[Yeetyaah]

I'm a little confused. There's a round robin plus "rivalry" matches. Are the rivalry matches sprinkled in or are they at the end?

[Chris]

Interesting

Crusaders play Highlanders,Hurricanes,Chiefs twice

Blues play Chiefs,Highlanders,MP Twice

Chiefs play Crusaders,Blues Brumbies twice

Hurricanes play Highlanders,Crusaders,MP twice

Highlanders play Crusaders,Blues,Hurricanes twice.

[Yeetyaah]

All 12 clubs will have their bye in either Round 7, Round 8 or Round 9 providing a fair chance for all teams to recharge as they launch their final push for a place in the Grand Final.

Great idea.

[Bovidae]

@yeetyaah said in Super Rugby 2022:

I'm a little confused. There's a round robin plus "rivalry" matches. Are the rivalry matches sprinkled in or are they at the end?

It's just a fancy way of saying you play 3 teams twice.

[Yeetyaah]

Super Rugby Pacific will also embrace diversity with Women in Rugby to be celebrated in Round 3, a Culture Round in Round 6, ANZAC Day in Round 10, and a Heritage Round in Round 12.

Sooooooo more jerseys?