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Beauden Barrett says Dan Carter's influence is already being felt as the Blues prepare for Sunday's season opener.
OPINION: New Zealands loyal rugby supporters deserve this.
While theres been economic pain at NZ Rugby, with half the staff losing their jobs because of the financial damage caused by Covid-19, the creation of Super Rugby Aotearoa should provide much-needed coin for its depleted bank accounts and also lift the morale of fans of the oval-ball code.
1 NEWS
Chiefs coach Warren Gatland is looking forward to seeing New Zealand's best competing head-to-head over 10 rounds.
The bureaucrats humming in the Beehive in Wellington may have had rose petals tipped on them by their shiny-eyed supporters, but its the ordinary Kiwis who made the sacrifices during lockdown, and got us to alert level one.
Thats why rugby has been able to push the ignite button, and invite the public into the grounds.
READ MORE:* World first: Super Rugby Aotearoa open to fans as New Zealand heads to Covid-19 alert level 1* Golden point, new red card rule confirmed for Super Rugby Aotearoa* Super Rugby: All Blacks star Brodie Retallick on why he turned down Chiefs coach Warren Gatland
Although the economy has been carpet bombed, and were all going to pay a heavy price for years to come, lets enjoy the return of our own unique brand of Super Rugby over the next 10 weekends.
Thats what makes sport so great. It helps bring everyone together when times are tough.
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The Highlanders will host Warren Gatland's Chiefs side three years to the day after they beat his Lions tourists.
1 Whats changed?
A lot. With the original 15-team Super Rugby competition a goner, the new Super Rugby Aotearoa tournament caters for five New Zealand teams only.
Thats two games played each weekend.
The winner will be declared after the final round on August 15-16. There will be no playoffs. Go early and go hard will be the message for all teams.
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Chiefs player Johnny Faoauli walks off after a red card in a 2018 Super Rugby game.
2 What new laws have been unveiled?
The introduction of the golden point rule and the watering down of the red card sanction are significant.
If a match is tied after 80 minutes of regular time, the result will be decided by golden point. The first team to score - by try, penalty kick or drop goal - during a 10-minute period of extra time will be declared the winner.
A red carded player can be replaced 20 minutes after he has been sent from the field. He cant return, and will face Sanzaars existing judicial process.
NZ Rugby says red cards can sometimes have too much of an effect on a match and fans, players and coaches want to see a fair contest.
But the on-field sanction for a blatant act of thuggery has also been diminished. This is a worry.
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The Highlanders have shifted Mitch Hunt to fullback for the Super Rugby Aotearoa opener on Saturday.
3 Drop goals, anyone?
If games go into extra time, a droppie specialist will surely bury himself in the pocket and attempt to split the devils horns.
Its got to be an option. Mitch Hunt, when he played for the Crusaders, famously kicked a 46m pot goal against the Highlanders during injury time in Christchurch in 2017.
Now at the Highlanders, Hunt has been shifted from No 10 to fullback for the match against the Chiefs in Dunedin on Saturday night.
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Chiefs captain Sam Cane will miss Saturday's match against the Highlanders.
4 Solving the riddle of the ruck.
Theres no rule changes at the breakdowns, but NZR says the existing laws will be applied more strictly to create faster attacking ball and fairer contests.
Right-oh, then. Clearly the intentions are good, but this isn't the first time weve heard this.
Now we wait to see whether the refs have the appetite, or bottle, to play the role of the bad cop and issue yellow cards if the penalty count soars.
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Highlanders fans at the round two Super Rugby match against the Sharks on February 7.
5 Afternoon rugby on Sundays.
The 3.35pm kick-off on the sabbath is a victory for the rugby public.
The more NZR can do to promote day-time games, the better.
In addition to encouraging attractive footy, the earlier starts are great for families. NZR must do everything possible to win back the fans in 2021 and beyond.
Alas the Saturday slot has been shifted back two hours to 7.05pm. NZR says this is to accommodate club sport, and it obviously also works well for the broadcasters selling product to the northern markets.
Unless youre under the roof in Dunedin, be prepared to watch Saturday matches played with a dewy ball and in cold temperatures. Not ideal. There's always room for improvement.
Original post:
NZ Rugby must be brave and schedule day games to win back fans - Stuff.co.nz
