Super Rugby set to explode in 2016

Above: The only way is up for Ihaia West and the Blues this season, while the Highlanders and the Hurricanes will want to repeat last year’s blueprint and the Chiefs and the Crusaders are set to re-live past glories.

A new strip, new opposition, a new format, and loads of new talent will combine to make for thrilling rugby action when Investec Super Rugby 2016 kicks off in 10 days’ time.

The 2016 season was officially launched at a special event featuring the hip-hop world champion ReQuest Dance Crew in Auckland today, with the Blues and Highlanders kicking off the whole competition at Eden Park on 26 February.

ReQuest was founded by Kiwi choreographer Parris Goebel, who is riding a massive wave of international success having just won the World Dance Industry’s Female Choreographer of the Year award last week.  Goebel and the ReQuest Dance crew worked with players from all the New Zealand teams in the 2016 competition marketing campaign.

New Zealand Rugby General Manager Rugby Neil Sorensen said many of rugby’s young fans were also huge fans of hip hop music and dance so the partnership was a great fit.

“We’ve done something different this year to underscore that the competition is reaching new places and connecting to new fans while continuing to showcase the best rugby players in the world.”

This year’s expanded Super Rugby competition heralds the start of a new era with the Kings (South Africa), the Sunwolves (Japan) and the Jaguares (Argentina) joining the fray.

Sorensen said it was an exciting time for Super Rugby fans.  

“There’s a lot that’s fresh about Super Rugby this year - the teams all have new strips, the referees have a new sponsor in Specsavers and a new strip to match, there are new coaches in the mix, the new Jaguares will tour here in April – and I'm really looking forward to watching more of the pulsating and outstanding rugby we know this competition produces.

“The new format may appear vastly different, but in reality, fans may notice very little difference.  For fans, the task is simple – cheer your team on to win the conference to bank a quarterfinal playoff – or they’ll have to battle it out on the points table to grab one of the four wildcard spots to keep their championship hopes alive.

“Basically we’ll have 17 weeks of great footy, and then it’s knock-out rugby. Fans are in for a treat this year,” he said.

All the New Zealand teams will play six matches against the other New Zealand teams (two teams once, and two teams home and away).  They will play all five of the Australian teams and four from one of the two South African conferences (which have absorbed the three new teams). 

Sorensen said that the #Superbangbang campaign had already pushed the New Zealand Super Rugby profile into new places and new audiences all over the world.

The TV commercial featuring Goebel, the ReQuest and the Super Rugby players was released on social media ahead of the season launch, and reached over one million people, had over 650,000 views on the Super Rugby New Zealand Facebook page, and more than 2000 shares. 

“We know that when this commercial hit social media, fans from all over the world were googling and looking for it, so we’re hopeful that a lot of that enthusiasm and fun will translate into support for our teams.”

Sorensen acknowledged the support of sponsors behind the teams and the competition, specifically title sponsor Investec which is again backing Super Rugby in 2016.

“In an age where competition for the attention of fans and the entertainment dollar is fierce, we are grateful that Investec continues to support the Rugby Championship and Super Rugby in New Zealand and that they readily get behind our efforts to promote these competitions,” he said.

Straight after the Blues and Highlanders kick off the first match for all countries, the Hurricanes open their campaign in Canberra against the Brumbies on Friday night. On Saturday, 27 February, the Crusaders host the Chiefs in Christchurch.

The competition takes a break for the annual June Test series.  This year Wales makes the journey over for a three-Test series against the All Blacks, a tour that will also include a mid-week fixture against the Chiefs in Hamilton, on Tuesday 14 June.

Round 17, the last of the regular season, kicks off on 15 July, with the qualifiers (quarterfinals) the following weekend on 22 and 23 July.  The semi-finals will be played on 29 and 30 July with the Final scheduled for 6 August.