IT’S BEEN A rough week, rugby fans.
It’s been cold, wet and we’ve been sifting through the wreckage of Ireland’s Six Nations hopes. Now, that tournament is even on a down week to stop us moving on with our lives.
Mercifully, the southern hemisphere season kicks off on Friday morning with the return of Super Rugby.And we can’t understate how welcome that return is going to be.
1. It’s about four months since we last watched genuinely jaw-dropping rugby
It’s been too long, New Zealand and Australia. Too long.
2. Rugby over breakfast!
Your Saturday (and Fridays if you’re really committed) mornings are sorted until August: wake up, watch great rugby. Perfect.
Even though you’re being exactly as productive as you would be if you slept until noon, you feel like you’re ahead of the game and that’s all that matters.
3. The blend of cultures is going to absolutely fascinating
Most leagues are made up of clubs from one national identity. The Pro12 has four, but three have them have loads in common on top of proximity. Super Rugby is going to be represented by five countries.
4. Rugby over brunch!!
Australia come let us rejoice for your time zone brings us mid-morning action. Bring it on.
5. The games are scheduled not to clash so you can watch all of them (if you really want to)
New side Sunwolves kick off a little after 4am Irish time in Tokyo this Saturday. You could squeeze five matches in before the Six Nations even starts.
When the Jaguares play at home, we’re basically talking about 24-hour rugby.
6. It treats us to such a rich tapestry of accents
From the chummy Australians, to the over-excited Justin Marshall pitchside all the way to the dulcet Jo’burg tone of Hugh Bladen.
7. Tries. From. Nowhere
You’d bet your house on a European winger being bundled in to touch here, but not Henry.
8. The skill levels are just ridiculous
9. More inter-country derbies = more intensity
Only a defeat to Western Province could leave a man in a state like this.
10. Every season tosses up a bolter for the international scene
Israel Folau made his Super Rugby debut in 2013 and was the main threat against the Lions six months later. This time last year, World Cup winner Nehe Milner Skudder’s highest honour were caps for Manawatu.
Get up and watch the next big thing.
11. It’s high-scoring, it’s unpredictable, it’s a freakin’ rollercoaster!
A 14 to 17 point lead in Super Rugby is about the equivalent of six in the northern hemisphere. It can be blown away in minutes.
12. Yet we can still take pride in one area where Irish Rugby is clearly superior
Look at all the empty seats! No matter how good the product, rugby fans either side of the Tasman have a terrible track record of attendance and the atmosphere rarely matches the on-field excitement.
13. Where else would you find three-minutes as thrilling as this, eh?
Here maybe?
14. Nick ‘The Honey Badger’ Cummins is pure entertainment on and off the field
Frankly, the people behind this Imgur tribute to his words of wisdom put it best:
“People say that if you can find the true meaning of his words, so too shall all the secrets of the world be known to you, and powers once granted only to gods and goddesses shall be yours to wield.”
15. Of course, they all have lovely jerseys
But our our personal soft spot was for the Blue Bulls’ camo get-up.
16. Watching Waisake Naholo is a joy
17. Ah here, just watch it
The42 Six Nations Show / SoundCloud
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