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Super Rugby: playoffs picture clears but system raises questions

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Super Rugby

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The playoffs picture in Super Rugby has cleared a little after the weekend’s ninth round of games but has again raised question of whether the playoff system is too liberal.
The top eight of 12 teams, or 66% of all teams, contest the Super Rugby quarterfinals and, after nine rounds this season, the price of admission to the top eight is only three wins or 13 points.

Last year the Queensland Reds squeaked into the top eight with five wins and 24 points from the full 15 rounds of the regular season. In 2022, the Dunedin-based Highlanders qualified with four wins and 23 points, four wins and 12 points behind the seventh-placed Reds.

With six rounds left in the current season, Moana Pasifika are on the fringe of the playoffs in eighth place with three wins and 12 points, one win and one point ahead of the New South Wales Waratahs.

All 12 teams technically are still in with a chance of making the playoffs, even the defending champion Crusaders who have won only one of eight matches. The Christchurch-based Crusaders suffered one of their worst defeats this season on Saturday when they went down 37-15 to the Western Force.

On the current reckoning, the top three teams — the Wellington-based Hurricanes, Auckland-based Blues and ACT Brumbies — are already safe in the playoffs. The fourth placed Melbourne Rebels and Hamilton-based Chiefs are on the margins.

The financially-troubled Rebels appear to have over-performed by winning five of their eight matches. But those wins have come over lower-ranked Australian teams, Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua. They have a tough run towards the playoffs with three matches against New Zealand teams, another against the Brumbies and a last-round match against the Drua in Fiji.

The Hamilton-based Chiefs have five wins and 23 points and are likely to make the playoffs, though they have to face the Hurricanes and Blues in their last two regular season matches.

The run-in will be critical in the last weeks of the season. Moana Pasifika have a tough finish with matches against the Drua in Fiji, then the Highlanders, the Chiefs, the Hurricanes, the Waratahs and the Crusaders.
The Waratahs have an even tougher run in with matches still to come against the Chiefs, the Hurricanes, the Blues, the Brumbies and the Reds.

In each case, the run-in will help determine final placings and quarterfinal match-ups. The question remains whether the first round of playoffs can provide compelling competition when the top teams will be drawn against sides which at best have won half as many matches.

Super Rugby has struggled to attract crowds in Australia and New Zealand this season — not in Fiji where 15,400 filled the national stadium to watch the Drua play the Hurricanes on Friday.

A system in which twice as many teams make the playoffs as miss out may not help attract fans, though it prolongs some teams’ involvement.

In Australian soccer’s A-League, six out of 12 teams make the playoffs. The Australian National Rugby League has eight playoff qualifiers out of 17 teams and uses a weighted system which advantages the highest-placed teams.

Super Rugby’s too generous system may need reappraisal, given than no team has won the tournament from further back than fourth place after the regular season.

By STEVE McMORRAN AP Sports Writer

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Associated Press ©

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Rugby

Hurricanes overcome yellow cards to beat Fijian Drua 38-15 in Super Rugby Pacific

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Super Rugby Pacific

SUVA, Fiji (AP) — The Wellington-based Hurricanes overcame a poor second half in which they incurred three yellow cards to beat the Fijian Drua 38-15 in Super Rugby Pacific on Friday, stretching their winning start to the season to eight matches and ending the Drua’s unbeaten record at home.

The first-place Hurricanes were impressive in the first half, scoring four tries to lead 28-7 at halftime.
But their game started to fall apart in the second half and they spent almost 10 minutes with 13 men when DuPlessis Kirifi and Isaia Walker-Leawere were sin-binned in the 64th and 65th minutes. Replacement prop Caleb Delany also received a yellow card two minutes before fulltime.

In the other match Friday, the Queensland Reds beat the Dunedin, New Zealand-based Highlanders 31-0 at Brisbane. Coming off three losses in a row and missing four frontline players in Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight, Josh Flook and Seru Uru, Queensland dominated the match with Hunter Paisami, Ryan Smith, Lawson Creighton and Suliasi Vunivalu scoring tries in a bonus-point win.

The Drua were unable to get into the game in the first half because of errors, turnovers and penalties. That situation was reversed in the second half as the Hurricanes, tiring in the heat, couldn’t hold onto possession and were heavily penalized, though their defense mostly held firm.

The Drua reduced the Hurricanes lead with a try to scrumhalf Kitione Salawa early in the second half. But they were only able to score three points — a penalty to Kemu Valetini — when the Hurricanes were two men down.

Peni Matavalu was held up over the Hurricanes goal line in what might have been a pivotal moment.
Returned to full strength, the Hurricanes extended their lead with a penalty to Aidan Morgan. They finished with a try to Xavier Numia after the fulltime siren and while down to 14 men.

“It just shows that over here you’ve got to go the full 80 minutes,” Hurricanes captain Brad Shields said. “It was a good test of our character.

“We talked about it during the week, that it was going to be about the effort early. We didn’t think we were going to be down to 13. But it did show good character, the way we held it together on the line and connected on defense.”

The Hurricanes opened the scoring with a try after seven minutes to center Billy Proctor from a speculative in-field kick from Salesi Rayasi.

The Drua scored minutes later through young flyhalf Isikeli Rabitu to draw level. But the Hurricanes opened a 21-point lead by halftime with tries to backrower Devon Flanders, center Jordie Barrett and hooker James O’Reilly.

Salawa scored from a lineout drive in the 46th minute as the Drua began to get on top, bringing a crowd of 15,000 at the National Stadium to life. The Hurricanes grimly held on, even when outnumbered and gradually the Drua’s ascendancy faded.

The Drua have won three home matches this season in Lautoka. This was their first match in Suva and their first home defeat of the year.

They return to Lautoka next week for a crucial match against Moana Pasifika as they attempt to hold onto a place in the top eight playoff zone.

The Hurricanes suffered a major blow when they lost hooker Asafo Aumua to a knee injury.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Associated Press ©

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Sport

SP PNG Hunters Ready for Round Six

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SP PNG Hunters

After five rounds the SP PNG Hunters are two from two and a bye, this puts them at 10th spot on the Hotplus Cup Ladder.

The Hunters have only two wins at home, with two loses away in Queensland Australia, they have the opportunity to keep the wining streak going at home, but it wont be easy this weekend in round 6 of the Hotplus Cup.

The Hunters face the Redcliff Dolphins at the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday the 20th of March 2024.

The Dolphins have been on a roll with a four from one record placing them on 2nd place after 5 rounds.

The Hunters poor defense and discipline has been a concern, but Coach Paul Aiton says the team is looking to keep a clean record at home.

The Hunters were hard at training this week perfecting their techniques in defense, Aiton said it was all about mindset for the team to get themselves in order.

“We have a good tackling technique we worked on it at preseason, we haven’t been disciplined on our technique.

“We have reduced our penalty count every week, the technique is alright I think it is all about mindset, As Coach Enock Maki says defense is about effort I think it is all about our effort,” Aiton said.

Saturday will also see the return of Jamie Mavoko who replaces Sakias Komati, Mavoko has been nursing an injury and as an experienced half-back is a welcome addition to the team, Valentine Richard and Robert Mathias both make their return to the side also.

For the Hunters that are not in the team this week, those that are signed to Digicel ExxonMobil Cup teams will play for their respective clubs.

But Paul Aiton says there are a couple of injuries that players are nursing and not all players are expected to play in the Digicel Cup, he added that priority should be the Hunters and not all players will be allowed to play in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.

“We are very selective and cant let everyone play, even though we want them to get match fitness, because its the best fitness you can get, we got to be very selective on who gets to play.

“We would like for them all to go back and play to get match fitness on timing and defense but its quite risky, we have to hold back on some players,” Aiton said

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Rugby League

Hunters Win in Round 3

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Hunters Round 3

Robert Mathias and Valentine Richard stood out for the SP PNG Hunters, in the team’s 22 to 10 victory over the Sunshine Coast Falcons at the Santos National Football Stadium.

The Duo scored a try each in the round three fixture of the 2024 Hotplus Cup season. Robert Mathias even helped to set up a try to Clent Lama after he made the initial break that led to the try. The Hunters didn’t have the services of Valentine and Robert last week. The two are still having issues with their Visas and are not able to travel to Australia. Possibly miss more away games before the issues are sorted.

Hunters Coach Paul Aiton did admit that the duo was missed during the second-round loss to the Capras in Central Queensland last weekend. But added that there are players who are capable of filling the spots of the two players.

“Valentine Richard is a Kumul and Robert Mathias is impressive. It was a very big loss for us last week without them in the team. But their not being in the team allows us to put in other players that can fill in their spots, and them missing the away games is going to happen again because of their Visas not being granted,” Aiton said.

Paul Aiton did not specify what the reason was for the duo’s visa troubles. Adding that it was not serious but it was a matter of the two players sorting themselves out. Confirming it was a personal issue and would be sorted out eventually.

The match against the Falcons started off slow for both teams. The Hunters suffering a sin bin in the 6th minute to winger Solo Wane.

The Hunters and Falcons played in overcast conditions. It was suitable for a great day of rugby league, but the crowds were kept disappointed by the home side. Countless errors especially poor ball security plagued the Hunters. The Falcons were also victims of poor ball handling, causing a meager flow in the opening exchanges of the half.

The Falcons had an opportunity to get an early two-point lead but were left disappointed when half-back Cody Hunter failed to convert the penalty conversion.

Hunters were camped in the Falcon’s half and finally cracked their defense in the 25th minute. A simply set play leading to a string of passes found fullback Sonny Wabo on the sidelines. Wabo giving an inside ball to Winger Brendon Nima to crash over for the Hunters first try.

A successful conversion by Clent Lama took the Hunters to a 6-0 lead. The Falcons responded with a try 4 minutes later. A cross-field bomb by halfback Cody Hunter from the left side of the field to the right, was caught in mid-air by the Falcons second rower Thallon Peters, who then scored the Falcons opening try.

Falcons Zacariah Miles missed the Conversion to trail 6-4 in favor of the Hunters, the scores remained 6-4 at halftime.

The Falcons scored first in the second half. A converted try to Falcons Kane Jackson pushing the visitors to a 10-6 lead.

But the Hunters managed to get themselves back in the game. A late surge in the final 20 minutes set in motion three tries for the classy win. Clent Lama crossed over in the 65th minute, followed by Robert Mathias in the 75th minute. Finally the win was sealed by Valentine Richard who muscled his way onto the try line in the 78th minute, ending the match 22 points to 10 for a Hunters second win on home soil.

Coach Aiton was happy with the result. Despite a slow start the team managed to turn things around in the final 20 minutes to surge home for the big win.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/glare-talin-and-kai-to-debut-for-hunters/

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Rugby League

Glare, Talin and Kai to Debut for Hunters

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Three to Debut

Three players will make their SP PNG Hunters debut on Saturday. This is after a thrilling win on home soil last weekend. The Hunters will travel to Browne Park, Rockhampton for round two of the 2024 Hotplus Cup, where they will take on the Central Queensland Capras on Saturday the 16th of March.

The PNG Hunters off the field share a bond with the Capras. But friendships aside, Paul Aitons men are determined to secure the valuable 2 points on offer.

“I got a good relationship with the Coach down at the Capras. We get on really well. We also had our video sessions and kind of predicted what they would do. I think for us we just play how we want to play. I’m comfortable with the team we have. The boys, they can score anywhere.” Aiton said.

The Hunters beat the Wynnum Manly Seagulls 36 Points to 22 in round one last weekend. But despite the win, Coach Aiton sees that there is more room for improvement.

It was a 14 point win but the Hunters were scrappy in patches of the match. With a total of 23 missed tackles and 12 errors, the team also gave away 13 penalties, to the Seagulls who gave the Hunters only 5.

Aiton said consistency is important. He added that despite the team being gifted with try scorers they still needed to get the little things right, and discipline was important.

“There was a high completion rate between the two teams. It’s not always good for us despite the win. We gave away a lot of penalties. First half of the season we focus on completing our sets and discipline,” Aiton said.

The Hunters are forced to drop two players due to Visa issues. Robert Mathias and Valentine Richard, will have to stay back in PNG while their Visa issues get sorted out before they are able to travel to Australia.

“Valentine Richard and Robert Mathias are unable to fly. So Junior Talin will step in for Robert and we have Manase Kai takes over Valentines spot. Tapia Solu was charged with a crusher tackle but we took an early plea so he will be out for a week only. So Finlay Glare will also make his debut. So in all three players will make their debut in tomorrows match,” Aiton said.

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Rugby League

Women’s Rugby Sports Development

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Womens Rugby League

Australia has announced more support for Papua New Guinea’s Women’s rugby league development through an investment of a $9.7 million.

Belinda Gwasamun a rugby player with PNG Orchids said she was privileged to travel and play in Australia and at a World Cup and had more dedicated consistency to the high-performance training through similar development program.

“I am excited to see more female athletes playing rugby league and to have more opportunities and exposure
through the support of our own domestic national competition. This is the way forward for the Orchids to be more competitive at the international level,” said Gwasamun.

PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina signs a document as Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea John Feakes looks on.

PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina said the investment is welcoming for the enhancement Women’s rugby league development in country.

“The last two years have started the phase for long term improvement in the game in PNG. Our female game is in its initial professional competition stage, and we are looking forward to getting it off the ground for the first time,” said Hondina.

The Australian support will see the establishment of a national women’s competition in PNG and support towards a women’s talent identification program.

The partnership expands to building the capacity and credentials of PNG Rugby League coaches, support staff and administrators, benefitting both the women’s and men’s game.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG John Feakes said Australia remains committed to promoting greater inclusion of women and girls in sport.

“Women’s rugby league in PNG has come a long way in a few short years. PNG Orchids’ debut performance in the 2017 World Cup and PNG now establishing a women’s national competition shows that barriers to gender equality are being broken down. I am excited to see where the game goes in PNG, there is so much
untapped potential in this country,” Feakes said.

“The QRL prides itself on being an experienced and responsible steward of the game in Queensland and we’re happy to share our knowledge and expertise with trusted partners,” said Ikin.

QRL Chief Executive officer Ben Ikin said it’s a privilege to partner with the Australian Government, PNGRFL and the PNG Hunters to help support the growth of rugby league in PNG.

L-R QRL CEO Ben Ikin, PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina and Australian High Commissioner to PNG John Feakes.

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Rugby League

SP PNG Hunters Ready for Season Opener

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Hunters Season Opener

Its crunch time again for the SP PNG Hunters, the 2024 Hotplus Cup season opener for the Hunters is on Saturday the 9th of March at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

The Hunters with Head Coach Paul Aiton said they had a grueling and eventful preseason, the team named their final 30 men squad last week, the team had two trial matches against the Ipswitch Jets and the Central Queensland Capras, this ensured the team had ample time to work on possible combinations and structures for their season opener.

Ila Alu remains the captain of the team as he looks forward for his 7th season with the club since joining in 2018.

Coach Paul Aiton said Ila Alu continues to prove his leadership prowess on and off the field.

“Ila is the most consistent player in training and a leader outside of the game as well,” Aiton remarked

Hunters finished 10th in 2023 wining just nine and losing 10 matches, the team hasn’t been in the finals since 2017 the year of their maiden premiership win.

Captain Ila Alu says since joining the team in 2018 the level of football in the Hotplus Cup has greatly evolved, and with the addition of Paul Aiton as Head Coach their focus is on consistency in defense and attack.

“The finals are a long stretch away, Coach has bought in a lot of new ideas that fit into our game style, we know we can tackle hard and run hard, but there are some components that we have worked on especially for efficiency for longer periods in attack and defense.

“The game has evolved, especially the speed and technicality, if we can implement what we worked hard for in preseason, we can start off well in our hunt, the finals are a long way away, and we take each game as it comes and work towards the best outcome,” Alu said

Coach Paul Aiton started off with 50 plus players during preseason, among those players were promising talent from the Junior Kumuls that proved their worth against the Australian School Boys side during the Prime Ministers 13 weekend, three players from that side made the final cut for the 2024 Hunters side, Bruce Bawase, Finlay Glare and Gairo Voro, the three were standouts during preseason and Aiton at first didn’t think he would select these players for the final side but, they impressed him and wholeheartedly earned their spot in the team.

“I know these three are talented, they share similar qualities that the current players have and this can push these players as well to improve, I didn’t think I would select these players at the start of preseason but their efforts and humility was impressive and overall they are just great people”, Aiton said

Ila Alu was also impressed with the three young players, he said it was a tough competition among players during preseason, and it really pushed all the current contracted players to fight for their place in the side as well.

“Its good to have the young players coming in at preseason, they push us hard during preseason, its great to have competition amongst us players, these young players are talented and eager to learn, they have earned the trust of the majority,” Alu said

The Hunters have also involved former players in the side, with Wartovo Puara Junior and Enock Maki as assistant Coaches and Butler Morris as a trainer in the team as well.

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News

JMart Supports 7s

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JMart Supports

JMART, a leading retail and community-oriented organization, is thrilled to announce its full-
fledged support for the YoungGunz team, through the sponsorship of three new sets of jersey’s for the Under 20’s, Senior Men’s and Women’s division.

The Youngunz are a 7’s team under the NGCB Blue Heelers Rugby Union Club.

The aim of this team is to provide an avenue for young individuals to engage in sports and develop essential
life skills.

JMART shares the same vision with the NGCB Blue Heelers RUC and is committed to the welfare and empowerment of the youth in Papua New Guinea by engaging in sports as an ideal way to living a positive life.

As a part of this exciting collaboration, JMART through this initiative believes that investing in our youth and keeping them engaged in sports can lead to healthier, more motivated, and well-rounded individuals. Justin Tan, Managing Director of JMART expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration,
saying, “JMART with support also from TrackPro are proud to support YoungGunz Jersey’s in their mission to empower our youth through sports. We firmly believe that by providing
these young individuals with the right tools and opportunities, we can help them grow, not only as athletes but as responsible and confident citizens.”

YoungGunz coach, Ase Boas, added, “We are thrilled to have JMART and TrackPro on board as club partners. Their support will meaningfully have a positive impact on our youths. What
our club promotes is more than just sports; it’s about instilling life skills, good values,
leadership, and self-confidence.”

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in promoting community engagement and youth development through sports.

Together, we are working to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of young individuals in our community.

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Rugby League

PNG Kumuls are Pacific Championship Bowl Champions

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Kumuls Win Final

The PNG Kumuls have done it, they are the Bowl Champions in the Pacific Championship.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo was there to witness the triumph of the Kumuls. He along with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape watched closely as the Kumuls redeemed themselves of last weeks flogging.

Picture by NRL

The presence of CEO Andrew Abdo being here is a positive for PNG’s NRL Bid.

Picture by NRL

PNG Kumuls

Picture by NRL

PNG managed a 32 points to 12 Victory over the Fiji Bati side.

PNG managed five tries in total to redeem themselves of last weeks devastating loss to Fiji Bati.

Edwin Ipape was awarded the man of the match. He made a complete turn around from last weeks performance for the Kumuls.

Robert Derby the 21 year old Kumuls winger also grabbed a double, two tries as PNG leaped into the lead at 26-0 at halftime.

Fiji came back in the second half determined to score. They did score two tries but PNG managed to defend their try line for majority of the match with Epel Kapinias scoring the only try in the second half to close the score 32 points to 12.

Kumuls Coach Justin Holbrook was impressed with the turnaround from the Kumuls and it showed the passion from the side.

Picture by NRL

Big Dan Russell taking a hit up as Fiji Bati’s Kurt Donoghoe attempts the tackle.

“Obviously we did a good job early in the match. We turned them back and managed to score big in the first half. We conceded in the seconded half but we hung in there quite a bit in the second half and we managed to win,” Holbrook said

PNG Kumuls Captain Kyle Laybutt raises the Pacific Championship Bowl as PNG Prime Minister James Marape looks on.
(Picture by NRL)

The Captain of the Kumuls, Kyle Laybutt, was also impressed with the team.

“Extremely happy for the boys we turned it around from last week to this week a massive improvement,” Kyle Laybutt said.

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Rugby League

Putt, Horne and Rop Back Against Fiji Bati

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Kumuls Final

PNG Kumuls Coach Justin Holbrook has picked his strongest side to take on the Fiji Bati in the Pacific Championship Bowl final.

Holbrook is looking for aggression and versatility off the bench. Opting to bring back Nixon Putt, Liam Horne and Junior Rop back into the side.

“Junior Rop is strong and aggressive, Nixon Putt has a tireless work rate and Liam Horne has the versatility. And he can gain meters up the ruck and is also great at lock,” Holbrook said

Holbrook said he wasn’t at all disappointed with individuals in the team. But these three deserved their spot in the final side.

“I wanted to give everyone a game. Especially to the guys that came down from England. I have been impressed by Nixon Putt, Junior Rop and Liam Horne. [I} wasn’t really unhappy with any individual performance, I was just unhappy with how collectively the team played. But these players, they deserve a call up. They were pretty good in the games they played in,” Holbrook said.

PNG Kumuls Coach Justin Holbrook admitted that the team needs to discipline themselves in defense. One area of concern was PNG allowing Fiji to pick up speed off the ruck.

Edwin Ipape was poised to be a game changer for the Kumuls but it turned out to be quite different. The Coach said Ipape needed to familiarize himself with conditions and hopes this week he can make a difference.

“Edwin needed a run to be honest. He didn’t play for a month and he was on the other side of the world in different conditions, and Fiji didn’t give us any real opportunity.

“We have had a look at the video. And we have a number of areas we have to work on and improve on them and execute them this weekend,” Holbrook said.

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