Highlanders 20-42 Sharks | Durban side begin tour with win in Dunedin

The Sharks began their tour on a winning note as they upset the Highlanders 42-20 in Dunedin. Lukhanyo Am’s side, coming off a 23-15 opening round win against the Bulls in Durban, were lethal on the counter as the Highlanders struggled to cope with the speed and skill of the visitors’ loose forwards and back three.

Sharks No.8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe produced two game breaking offloads, both resulting in tries for Springbok winger Makazole Mapimpi while openside flanker James Venter also showed his speed as he raced to the tryline after the Highlanders had failed to collect Louis Schreuder’s up and under. Venter was also a nuisance at the breakdown, something the Sharks have lacked since the departure of Marcell Coetzee to Ulster.

The Sharks went 27-3 ahead at the break, and another penalty from flyhalf Curwin Bosch made it 30-3 before the Highlanders hit back through two quickfire tries. At 30-15, the Sharks seemed to be in danger of undoing all their hard work before Aphelele Fassi’s try brought them some breathing space. Michael Collins scored another for the Highlanders in reply after some superb work on the touchline from Te Ariki Ben-Nicholas, but Fassi’s second, again scored against the run of play, sealed a well deserved 42-20 win for the Durbanites.

The 5 try to 3 scoreline meant the Sharks did not get a try bonus point, but it was nevertheless an impressive performance.

Rugby Treading a Fine Line with its Global Image

There probably isn’t a hotter topic in rugby globally right now than funding.

Whether it’s English Premiership club Saracens and their punishment for breaching salary cap rules, or the controversial signing of Israel Folau by Super League side Catalans Dragons, the sport undoubtedly cares about its image in both Hemispheres. Continue reading “Rugby Treading a Fine Line with its Global Image”

Can SBW help Toronto to stay up?

Toronto Wolfpack are ready to embark on their maiden Super League campaign in just the third year of their existence as a professional club. The Canadian team were outstanding last season to earn promotion to the top division, winning the RFL Championship by beating Featherstone Rovers in the Million Pound Game. Brian McDermott’s men lost only one of their 29 games in the campaign, dominating the majority of their opponents to earn their way into the big time. Continue reading “Can SBW help Toronto to stay up?”

Australia Super Rugby Attendances 2020- List of SR Crowds Australian Conference (including Sunwolves)

Here is the list of crowds for Australian conference games during the 2020 Super Rugby season. The Australian conference consists of five teams- four from Australia (Waratahs, Reds, Brumbies, Rebels) and one from Japan (Sunwolves). Last updated after Brumbies v Highlanders (Attendance 7,270) on 15 Feb, 2020

Brumbies 2020 Super Rugby Crowd

Brumbies vs Reds 2020 attendance 7,436 (Brumbies 27-24 Reds on 31 January, 2020)
Brumbies vs Rebels 2020 Attendance 7,098 (Brumbies 39-26 Rebels on 7 February, 2020)
Brumbies vs Highlanders 2020 Attendance 7,270 (ACT 22-23 Otago on 15 February, 2020)

Sunwolves SR 2020 Crowd

Sunwolves vs Rebels 2020 Attendance 10,426 (Sunwolves 36-27 Rebels on 31 January, 2020)
Sunwolves v Chiefs 2020 Attendance 18,708 (Sunwolves 17-43 Chiefs on 15 February, 2020)

Waratahs 2020 Super Rugby Attendances

Waratahs vs Blues Attendance 2020 7,491 (Tahs 12-32 Auckland Blues on 8 February, 2020)

Rebels 2020 SR attendance

Rebels v Tahs Attendance NOT ANNOUNCED 2020 (Rebels 24-10 Waratahs on 14 February, 2020)