Super Rugby 2023
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@Nepia said in Super Rugby 2023:
@antipodean said in Super Rugby 2023:
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Nepia said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Winger Posting Reason is an insta ban isn't it?
it's not a bad article actually
Actually it's much better than that. It's bang on the money.
We complain about the Herald who are nothing more than NZR's marketing branch and obsequious journos. This is the type of contrarian article we should be supporting. Nothing kills a competition more than predictable (don't look at my tipping) outcomes and one fucking team constantly winning it.
And having the ball in play more actually exacerbates the problem. They're fixing the wrong things at the wrong level.
SR should be competitive between teams.
Tests are the ones needing more time in play to reduce the behemoth turgidity.
On this point, the Crusaders are essentially playing their C team this week and they're still fielding more ABs than the Highlanders. That's fucked up. Clearly their are contracting improvements that can be made that spread the NZ talent around ...
they were Crusaders before they became All Blacks, it's not like they were brought in from elsewhere, how many of them were no-names before they were developed by them? Bridge was a guy didn't even make his school's 1st XV, didn't make any representative teams, was a labourer with no intention to play professionally and didn't get started until he was 21/22, George Bower was a Highlanders discard from their development squad, he was behind several players & unwanted by them - George Bell, Noah Hotham, Christian Lio-Willie, were all unwanted by the Highlanders also!
Also how about some context.
How many are currently mainstays? those players are mostly at Chiefs, Blues, Hurricanes, none of them (not even Richie) would make my All Black starting side going by form of past 2 seasons, & most are just fringe players like Ennor, Bower, etc..
just because someone is a capped player doesn't mean they're better than another who's coming through.
Marino Mikaele Tu'u, Cameron Millar, Folau Fakatava, Ayden Johnstone, Shannon Frizell, Andrew Makalio, Sam Gilbert, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jermaine Ainsley, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Aaron Smith, Billy Harmon, Sean Withy, Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland.
A number of these players 1) could've easily done a job for ABs 2) are already making AB squads, Or 3) will likely see capped in the future.
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@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Duluth said in Super Rugby 2023:
It'd take a crisis to force through a change. In late 1995 there was a bidding war and that lit a fire under NZRFU's arse.. covid was probably a missed opportunity
i've made the comment before about whether rugby is an international or a club game
I believe the NZRU view it as an international game, and the only role of the club game is to provide players to the ABs. In which case every single decision they make appears to be strategically on point. I reckon the ARU see it much the same way.
Expecting change when the current structure suits their strategic goals is folly.
Almost every rugby board in the world know that their money that money is made by international rugby. Hell in Aus the kids team have to (or did when I was there) pay money towrds their rugby board. So that RA can make enough money to administer game through test rugby. Have a look anywhere in world it's the case , and even in other sports all lower gade comps are really aimed at filling out higher grade teams. Have a look at the league comps in Aus, all the lower grades are just really in existence to fill out NRL teams, which is the pinnacle comp for league. AFL also has feeder clubs, it's not much different anywhere that I am aware. Even in places like France etc their teams that are completely seperate to their rugby board are now restricted on foriegn players for one reason, so teams produce more players that are eligible for France or Englnador wherever. Japan is same.
We kidding ourselves if we think any sport isn't trying to feed upper echelons of said sport.And it was always going to be case when game went pro.
@Dan54 100% missing the point
of course every sport has a top level. I am dumb but i'm not retarded
But every sport has a pretty significant distinction between which is the most importnat
Soccer, by far the biggest sport, is a club game, where aside from international tournaments for 6 weeks every two years, the International game is an unwelcome distraction
Basketball is a club game where the pinnacle is the NBA and quite frankly the international game is irrelevant.
Cricket is an international game where domestic cricket is watched by 8 people who probably wandered in to the ground by accident (incidentally T20 is probably the reverse)
League is a club game where internationals are an after-thought.Rugby is still trying to make both Internationals constantly relevant, while also trying to maintain the club game is as well. A season where a player will play as often for the ABs as the Chiefs has its priorities all over the shop.
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@Winger said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Dan54 said in Super Rugby 2023:
Now the idea of evening up teams like through drafts etc , just tends to almost encourage teams to not go well once they realsie thay can't win,
For me its essential to have a more even competition if SRP wants to survive. One team always winning (and then being able to attract the best young players) is not a great way to get the crowds back
One option would be to just give the weaker teams more money. To attract the better players. This could apply within countries but also overall. Say a percentage of broadcasting money would be allocated to ensure team are more competitive.
Once again encourages teams that aren't going to win comp to not show interest as lower they are more money they get?
Think they have had same problem a few years back in AFL, and definitely read about in NFL and NBA in US.
I lived for 20 odd years in Brisbane and read every year the Broncos were unbeatable favourites because the Sydney clubs were disgusted they were a 1 team city so got more coin than the rest.. Seems that was just whining, when they got arses in gear.
And I never watched NRL, just saw it in papers, and was proof everyone can come up with excuses or just f***en do better!@Dan54 said in Super Rugby 2023:
Once again encourages teams that aren't going to win comp to not show interest as lower they are more money they get?
Don't think this would happen.
But I believe they have got to try something. This is just one option. Give more money to a small number of teams (NZ conference would include MP - a lot - and Highlanders less) and see how it goes
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@Dan54 100% missing the point
of course every sport has a top level. I am dumb but i'm not retarded
But every sport has a pretty significant distinction between which is the most importnat
Soccer, by far the biggest sport, is a club game, where aside from international tournaments for 6 weeks every two years, the International game is an unwelcome distraction
Basketball is a club game where the pinnacle is the NBA and quite frankly the international game is irrelevant.
Cricket is an international game where domestic cricket is watched by 8 people who probably wandered in to the ground by accident (incidentally T20 is probably the reverse)
League is a club game where internationals are an after-thought.Rugby is still trying to make both Internationals constantly relevant, while also trying to maintain the club game is as well. A season where a player will play as often for the ABs as the Chiefs has its priorities all over the shop.
@mariner4life never agreed with you more than right now...maybe you're not all bad
lets not forget the football world cup is still HUGE making FIFA billions....they just spend four years building hype so everyone is gagging for it rather than several small competitions or trophies that just results in people going...oh well, we'll just win the next one
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The Chiefs & Blues have just as many All Blacks in their squads, so why the emphasis on the Crusaders?
@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
The Chiefs & Blues have just as many All Blacks in their squads, so why the emphasis on the Crusaders?
Because the Crusaders have a very understrength team this week (for them), I was discussing it with a Cantab, so it was an easy comparison to make.
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Giving some franchises more money than others is just as stupid as a draft. Why would SR franchises with a good academy develop players if other franchises can just pick those players up in a draft or sign them on higher paid contracts because they have more money to offer? I'm with @Dan54 on that one. A draft could also lead to players leaving NZ, because they'd end up playing for a franchise they don't want to play for; some players are loyal to the bone. If more money for some franchises would end up in an influx of more foreign players, that would also totally send the wrong message to NZ players. More would leave the country and our depth would only shrink.
About an alternative comp, which has already been discussed to death in the past without much agreement:
NPC is the main reason why I watch rugby. If it was my province being cut from a new comp of 10 teams, I'd probably not watch that new comp. I like to watch 1st XV rugby, to see which players will progress to NPC. I watch Super Rugby, to watch my province's players at a higher level. It's the provincial connection that makes rugby more interesting, because basically I follow many players from the start to the end of their careers. If that provincial connection is lost, then rugby will just compete more with other things. I'd lose a lot of passion for the sport. I'd probably only watch 1st XV (as club rugby isn't streamed). If my province would be playing in the new comp, it would depend entirely on the format. -
@Dan54 the national organisations may have to focus on the international game for money...but looking at the UK, the domestic teams are independent of that, not controlled by the RU like NZR controls SR
@Kiwiwomble said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Dan54 the national organisations may have to focus on the international game for money...but looking at the UK, the domestic teams are independent of that, not controlled by the RU like NZR controls SR
Of course they do, but domestic teams are independant at pro level. But not sure your point even your post forgets that RA also controls super rugby , but even in England they have rules about international players that are brought in by RU, no comp can be totally independant of governing body . The games are controlled by Referees that are part of RU etc too.
Are you suggesting that NZR and RA should just wipe their hands and let super die? -
Just out of interest if I was a bigwig in NZR or RA I would like 2 super comps tried, 1 a league where all results count towards winner, none of this finals, and then follow it with a knockout cup with every team involved, would suit me to the ground a little similar to soccer in Pommy land, with the championship and the FA cup but not exactly the same .
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@Dan54 said in Super Rugby 2023:
Once again encourages teams that aren't going to win comp to not show interest as lower they are more money they get?
Don't think this would happen.
But I believe they have got to try something. This is just one option. Give more money to a small number of teams (NZ conference would include MP - a lot - and Highlanders less) and see how it goes
@Winger said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Dan54 said in Super Rugby 2023:
Once again encourages teams that aren't going to win comp to not show interest as lower they are more money they get?
Don't think this would happen.
But I believe they have got to try something. This is just one option. Give more money to a small number of teams (NZ conference would include MP - a lot - and Highlanders less) and see how it goes
Mate it happened overseas, I believe there was talk in AFL when I first went to Aus that some teams didn't really want to win games at end of season, there was certainly a stink in NFL years back about same thing. I want every team to want to win every game they play and not get more money for losing.
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@Dan54 100% missing the point
of course every sport has a top level. I am dumb but i'm not retarded
But every sport has a pretty significant distinction between which is the most importnat
Soccer, by far the biggest sport, is a club game, where aside from international tournaments for 6 weeks every two years, the International game is an unwelcome distraction
Basketball is a club game where the pinnacle is the NBA and quite frankly the international game is irrelevant.
Cricket is an international game where domestic cricket is watched by 8 people who probably wandered in to the ground by accident (incidentally T20 is probably the reverse)
League is a club game where internationals are an after-thought.Rugby is still trying to make both Internationals constantly relevant, while also trying to maintain the club game is as well. A season where a player will play as often for the ABs as the Chiefs has its priorities all over the shop.
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Dan54 100% missing the point
of course every sport has a top level. I am dumb but i'm not retarded
But every sport has a pretty significant distinction between which is the most importnat
Soccer, by far the biggest sport, is a club game, where aside from international tournaments for 6 weeks every two years, the International game is an unwelcome distraction
Basketball is a club game where the pinnacle is the NBA and quite frankly the international game is irrelevant.
Cricket is an international game where domestic cricket is watched by 8 people who probably wandered in to the ground by accident (incidentally T20 is probably the reverse)
League is a club game where internationals are an after-thought.Rugby is still trying to make both Internationals constantly relevant, while also trying to maintain the club game is as well. A season where a player will play as often for the ABs as the Chiefs has its priorities all over the shop.
Understand your points Mariner, so what is your answer , do you want less tests (and less money for grassroots etc) or scrap super ? Of course 10-12 tests is too many, but the game is pro and why that many are played, the bills have to be paid. As I said if ABs etc don't bring in money our kids etc will be paying a lot to play.
I enjoy super rugby, watch it all the time and go to games a fair amount of time, same as tests. So obviously I find it still a good comp, although improvements could be made. -
Giving some franchises more money than others is just as stupid as a draft. Why would SR franchises with a good academy develop players if other franchises can just pick those players up in a draft or sign them on higher paid contracts because they have more money to offer? I'm with @Dan54 on that one. A draft could also lead to players leaving NZ, because they'd end up playing for a franchise they don't want to play for; some players are loyal to the bone. If more money for some franchises would end up in an influx of more foreign players, that would also totally send the wrong message to NZ players. More would leave the country and our depth would only shrink.
About an alternative comp, which has already been discussed to death in the past without much agreement:
NPC is the main reason why I watch rugby. If it was my province being cut from a new comp of 10 teams, I'd probably not watch that new comp. I like to watch 1st XV rugby, to see which players will progress to NPC. I watch Super Rugby, to watch my province's players at a higher level. It's the provincial connection that makes rugby more interesting, because basically I follow many players from the start to the end of their careers. If that provincial connection is lost, then rugby will just compete more with other things. I'd lose a lot of passion for the sport. I'd probably only watch 1st XV (as club rugby isn't streamed). If my province would be playing in the new comp, it would depend entirely on the format.@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2023:
About an alternative comp, which has already been discussed to death in the past without much agreement:
NPC is the main reason why I watch rugby. If it was my province being cut from a new comp of 10 teams, I'd probably not watch that new comp. I like to watch 1st XV rugby, to see which players will progress to NPC. I watch Super Rugby, to watch my province's players at a higher level. It's the provincial connection that makes rugby more interesting, because basically I follow many players from the start to the end of their careers. If that provincial connection is lost, then rugby will just compete more with other things. I'd lose a lot of passion for the sport. I'd probably only watch 1st XV (as club rugby isn't streamed). If my province would be playing in the new comp, it would depend entirely on the format.and there we go
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2023:
About an alternative comp, which has already been discussed to death in the past without much agreement:
NPC is the main reason why I watch rugby. If it was my province being cut from a new comp of 10 teams, I'd probably not watch that new comp. I like to watch 1st XV rugby, to see which players will progress to NPC. I watch Super Rugby, to watch my province's players at a higher level. It's the provincial connection that makes rugby more interesting, because basically I follow many players from the start to the end of their careers. If that provincial connection is lost, then rugby will just compete more with other things. I'd lose a lot of passion for the sport. I'd probably only watch 1st XV (as club rugby isn't streamed). If my province would be playing in the new comp, it would depend entirely on the format.and there we go
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@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
The Chiefs & Blues have just as many All Blacks in their squads, so why the emphasis on the Crusaders?
why does it matter? its the example that sparked @Nepia 's thought, it could have been one of the other teams but it obviously occurred to him watching that game
@Kiwiwomble said in Super Rugby 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
The Chiefs & Blues have just as many All Blacks in their squads, so why the emphasis on the Crusaders?
why does it matter? its the example that sparked @Nepia 's thought, it could have been one of the other teams but it obviously occurred to him watching that game
Well It's a pretty simplistic view in my opinion, I mean 10 years ago Highlanders brought in multiple All Blacks from other franchises before the 2013 season and finished 14th that year. After that dismal season Joseph Brown Dermody put a greater emphasis on developing players into All Blacks instead of signing them from other franchises - this yielded some of their most successful seasons in recent times (2014-2018) where Sopoaga, Naholo, Dixon, Squire, Coltman, Fekitoa, Evans, & Hemepo, were all developed into All Blacks.
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@mariner4life Yes, and ...?
@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2023:
@mariner4life Yes, and ...?
I believe it's an example of why NZ Rugby are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
5-6 teams is too few (Super)
14 teams is too many (NPC)
Any attempt in between will alienate supporters who miss out.
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2023:
@mariner4life Yes, and ...?
I believe it's an example of why NZ Rugby are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
5-6 teams is too few (Super)
14 teams is too many (NPC)
Any attempt in between will alienate supporters who miss out.
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2023:
@mariner4life Yes, and ...?
I believe it's an example of why NZ Rugby are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
5-6 teams is too few (Super)
14 teams is too many (NPC)
Any attempt in between will alienate supporters who miss out.
Yep and why I think we got the best of what we can do. I understand when people say there is quite a gulf between top and bottom, I would say much the same in any rugby (or most sports I have seen over years). NZ have 3-4 strong teams with Clan not to far off, Aus have a couple of teams that are capable of going deep in comp. Watch any comp. the premiership, top 14 etc all have got 4-6 teams stronger than rest, have a lot of players from certain clubs that play the best part of 8-12 tests a year, iin rugby it's a fact, Test rugby is peak and I actually like we got another level right behind it. But even in EPL soccer etc, there is only 3-4 teams in it with occasional upset. NBA basketball have the big teams usually near the top, and they have the top players and most money etc to pay them. We live in a world where professional sport is not about fair, but who can get best set up together.And anyway I enjoy it myself, and happy to admit it, while saying as any sport improvements can always be made.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Super Rugby 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
The Chiefs & Blues have just as many All Blacks in their squads, so why the emphasis on the Crusaders?
why does it matter? its the example that sparked @Nepia 's thought, it could have been one of the other teams but it obviously occurred to him watching that game
Well It's a pretty simplistic view in my opinion, I mean 10 years ago Highlanders brought in multiple All Blacks from other franchises before the 2013 season and finished 14th that year. After that dismal season Joseph Brown Dermody put a greater emphasis on developing players into All Blacks instead of signing them from other franchises - this yielded some of their most successful seasons in recent times (2014-2018) where Sopoaga, Naholo, Dixon, Squire, Coltman, Fekitoa, Evans, & Hemepo, were all developed into All Blacks.
@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Kiwiwomble said in Super Rugby 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
The Chiefs & Blues have just as many All Blacks in their squads, so why the emphasis on the Crusaders?
why does it matter? its the example that sparked @Nepia 's thought, it could have been one of the other teams but it obviously occurred to him watching that game
Well It's a pretty simplistic view in my opinion, I mean 10 years ago Highlanders brought in multiple All Blacks from other franchises before the 2013 season and finished 14th that year. After that dismal season Joseph Brown Dermody put a greater emphasis on developing players into All Blacks instead of signing them from other franchises - this yielded some of their most successful seasons in recent times (2014-2018) where Sopoaga, Naholo, Dixon, Squire, Coltman, Fekitoa, Evans, & Hemepo, were all developed into All Blacks.
Long term success is developed from the bottom up. Like the Crusaders. Sometimes teams like the Landers get lucky, such as 2015. The Highlanders have now given up in bringing in players, as a general rule. They are doing wjat other franchises are. Starting from the bottom. Next year about 16 of the squad will be 25 or under. For the most part that will assist in building culture and continuity.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Super Rugby 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
The Chiefs & Blues have just as many All Blacks in their squads, so why the emphasis on the Crusaders?
why does it matter? its the example that sparked @Nepia 's thought, it could have been one of the other teams but it obviously occurred to him watching that game
Well It's a pretty simplistic view in my opinion, I mean 10 years ago Highlanders brought in multiple All Blacks from other franchises before the 2013 season and finished 14th that year. After that dismal season Joseph Brown Dermody put a greater emphasis on developing players into All Blacks instead of signing them from other franchises - this yielded some of their most successful seasons in recent times (2014-2018) where Sopoaga, Naholo, Dixon, Squire, Coltman, Fekitoa, Evans, & Hemepo, were all developed into All Blacks.
@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Kiwiwomble said in Super Rugby 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
The Chiefs & Blues have just as many All Blacks in their squads, so why the emphasis on the Crusaders?
why does it matter? its the example that sparked @Nepia 's thought, it could have been one of the other teams but it obviously occurred to him watching that game
Well It's a pretty simplistic view in my opinion, I mean 10 years ago Highlanders brought in multiple All Blacks from other franchises before the 2013 season and finished 14th that year. After that dismal season Joseph Brown Dermody put a greater emphasis on developing players into All Blacks instead of signing them from other franchises - this yielded some of their most successful seasons in recent times (2014-2018) where Sopoaga, Naholo, Dixon, Squire, Coltman, Fekitoa, Evans, & Hemepo, were all developed into All Blacks.
That’s a hell of a tact change…no one is arguing what Joseph et al did after 2013…I was replying to you seemingly being offended on behalf of the crusaders
Couple of things…we brought in 2 all blacks, whilst technically “multiple”…we didn’t buy a whole squad
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@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Kiwiwomble said in Super Rugby 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
The Chiefs & Blues have just as many All Blacks in their squads, so why the emphasis on the Crusaders?
why does it matter? its the example that sparked @Nepia 's thought, it could have been one of the other teams but it obviously occurred to him watching that game
Well It's a pretty simplistic view in my opinion, I mean 10 years ago Highlanders brought in multiple All Blacks from other franchises before the 2013 season and finished 14th that year. After that dismal season Joseph Brown Dermody put a greater emphasis on developing players into All Blacks instead of signing them from other franchises - this yielded some of their most successful seasons in recent times (2014-2018) where Sopoaga, Naholo, Dixon, Squire, Coltman, Fekitoa, Evans, & Hemepo, were all developed into All Blacks.
That’s a hell of a tact change…no one is arguing what Joseph et al did after 2013…I was replying to you seemingly being offended on behalf of the crusaders
Couple of things…we brought in 2 all blacks, whilst technically “multiple”…we didn’t buy a whole squad
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/7887763/All-Black-laden-Highlanders-squad-named
"The squad, to be captained by All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore, assisted by fellow international, winger Hosea Gear, as vice captain has famous faces such as Tony Woodcock, Brad Thorn, Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Tamati Ellison and Ma'a Nonu in its ranks."
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2023:
@mariner4life Yes, and ...?
I believe it's an example of why NZ Rugby are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
5-6 teams is too few (Super)
14 teams is too many (NPC)
Any attempt in between will alienate supporters who miss out.
Yep and why I think we got the best of what we can do. I understand when people say there is quite a gulf between top and bottom, I would say much the same in any rugby (or most sports I have seen over years). NZ have 3-4 strong teams with Clan not to far off, Aus have a couple of teams that are capable of going deep in comp. Watch any comp. the premiership, top 14 etc all have got 4-6 teams stronger than rest, have a lot of players from certain clubs that play the best part of 8-12 tests a year, iin rugby it's a fact, Test rugby is peak and I actually like we got another level right behind it. But even in EPL soccer etc, there is only 3-4 teams in it with occasional upset. NBA basketball have the big teams usually near the top, and they have the top players and most money etc to pay them. We live in a world where professional sport is not about fair, but who can get best set up together.And anyway I enjoy it myself, and happy to admit it, while saying as any sport improvements can always be made.
@Dan54 said in Super Rugby 2023:
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2023:
@mariner4life Yes, and ...?
I believe it's an example of why NZ Rugby are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
5-6 teams is too few (Super)
14 teams is too many (NPC)
Any attempt in between will alienate supporters who miss out.
NZ have 3-4 strong teams with Clan not to far off
lol @ hesitating to call the Hurricanes strong, they have arguably their best crop of players coming through in a decade, straight off the back of Wellington's first Premiership in 22 years, enviable depth across most positions, with a bunch from U20's like Harry Godfrey still yet to stamp their mark.
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@Dan54 said in Super Rugby 2023:
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2023:
@mariner4life Yes, and ...?
I believe it's an example of why NZ Rugby are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
5-6 teams is too few (Super)
14 teams is too many (NPC)
Any attempt in between will alienate supporters who miss out.
NZ have 3-4 strong teams with Clan not to far off
lol @ hesitating to call the Hurricanes strong, they have arguably their best crop of players coming through in a decade, straight off the back of Wellington's first Premiership in 22 years, enviable depth across most positions, with a bunch from U20's like Harry Godfrey still yet to stamp their mark.
@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Dan54 said in Super Rugby 2023:
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2023:
@mariner4life Yes, and ...?
I believe it's an example of why NZ Rugby are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
5-6 teams is too few (Super)
14 teams is too many (NPC)
Any attempt in between will alienate supporters who miss out.
NZ have 3-4 strong teams with Clan not to far off
lol @ hesitating to call the Hurricanes strong, they have arguably their best crop of players coming through in decades, straight off the back of Wellington's first Premiership in 22 years, enviable depth across most positions, with a bunch from U20's like Harry Godfrey still yet to stamp their mark.
Well I a Canes man, so have to be positive lol, and even then I put 3-4 teams don't want to get ahead of myself..
