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Fans blast axing of the Sunwolves from Super Rugby following thriller against Hurricanes
Although they’re set to be axed from Super Rugby after next year’s edition of the competition, the Sunwolves continue to draw interest from their loyal Tokyo fanbase and entertain the masses with their brand of high-energy rugby.
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That much was evident when they nearly pulled off what would have been the upset of the season on Friday night as they came within a converted try of defeating the Hurricanes in a pulsating 29-23 loss in front of a sold-out crowd at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.
While they squandered a 23-7 first half lead, the Sunwolves put on a display of exhilarating rugby and threatened to upset the 2016 champions in similar fashion to their unexpected victories over the Chiefs and Waratahs earlier this season.
Fijian winger Semisi Masirewa scored a spectacular brace of tries and Kiwi pivot Hayden Parker continued his outstanding form as he pulled the strings from first-five.
Other standouts for the Japanese franchise included Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, the Australian No. 8 who started at second-five and blitzed his way through the Hurricanes’ defensive line at halfway to set up Masirewa’s first try.
All of this was done in front of a passionate home crowd, which achieved the rare feat of selling out a Super Rugby regular season match, something that teams in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa have struggled to accomplish for over a decade.
Despite the Sunwolves’ enthralling on-field play and fierce support shown by the home fans, they remain in line to be cut from Super Rugby after 2020 in a decision made by SANZAAR last month to allow the competition to return to a round-robin-based schedule after coming under much criticism for the current conference-based format the tournament operates under.
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It’s a decision that’s proven to be unpopular from the general public, with many taking to Twitter in the wake of the Sunwolves-Hurricanes clash to vent their frustration and dismay at the Sunwolves’ culling given the entertainment and feel-good factor they provide.
Night game in Tokyo, full house. Their players attack from everywhere. Their coach wears a flat cap. It’s a mistake to get rid of the Sunwolves #SUNvHUR
— Mark O'Shea (@markoyaaaay) April 19, 2019
I love the @sunwolves !!! I petition to overthrow SANZAAR and reinstate them in @SuperRugby even at the place of another side. The quality of play, BUT the atmosphere beats it all. #SUNvHUR
— Cornflake (@CornflakeBTP) April 19, 2019
#SUNvHUR pretty decent crowd at the game. No wonder they're cutting the Wolves, make Aussie & NZ crowds look bad. pic.twitter.com/Ecu6qWKdAH
— Obiwan-Shannobi (@obiwan_shanobi) April 19, 2019
How can a team that plays footy this entertaining, provide competition this solid for a team like the Hurricanes, and get a sold-out crowd possibly be dropped? #SUNvHUR
— Bennett ✉️ (@bennettLmorgan) April 19, 2019
Well, at half time it's 10 points to the Canes, 10 points to Masirewa and 13 points to Hayden Parker!
The Sunwolves are going to be a huge loss if SANZAR don't see sense but the race to sign Tony Brown is going to be fascinating #SUNvHUR
— Rhys Knott (@wrhys_writes) April 19, 2019
If Super Rugby are getting rid of the @sunwolves, can we have them in the Premiership?
Hard not to love this team. 🇯🇵#SuperRugby #SUNvHUR
— Ali Stokes (@alistokesmedia) April 19, 2019
Save the Sunwolves #SUNvHUR pic.twitter.com/Fra8BGML3D
— TAB NZ (@TAB_NZL) April 19, 2019
While some were frustrated at SANZAAR’s decision to banish the Sunwolves from Super Rugby, others simply marvelled at the spectacle playing out in Tokyo.
Whatever happens from here, this has been a cracking Friday night #SuperRugby debut in Tokyo..#SUNvHUR
— Brett McKay (@BMcSport) April 19, 2019
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Impressive turnout again in Japan! One of the best crowds in Super Rugby 👌🏻🇯🇵 and they're certainly getting their money's worth. #SuperRugby #SUNvHUR #SSRugby
— Mike Karam (@TheHalfTimeTalk) April 19, 2019
Who says a backrower can't play in the midfield 😂 #SUNvHUR
— Two Cents Rugby (@TwoCentsRugby) April 19, 2019
YES! Knew Vosayaco would be awesome at 12! Inspired selection! #SUNvHUR
— Cornflake (@CornflakeBTP) April 19, 2019
'Moondogs up 23-10 over the Hurricanes at Half Time'#SUNvHUR pic.twitter.com/pxnH42oxnI
— Steve Lenthall (@steve_l15) April 19, 2019
Well, jislik. It looks like we are heading for another upset! @sunwolves are on fire🔥🔥🔥🔥 and @Hurricanesrugby coach Plumb does not look amused! Bless #SUNvHUR #loverugby @JudgeRugby @theyellowcap
— Dawn Dunn aka Dawnes (@DawnDunnRugby) April 19, 2019
Three unanswered second half tries, including a 68th-minute stunner to Wes Goosen, allowed the Hurricanes to sneak away with the win, keeping them in the top four as they occupy the top wild card spot with 27 points.
As for the Sunwolves, they remain in last place with two wins from nine outings, giving them a total of 11 points.
Another Friday night clash beckons next week, as they face the 14th-placed Highlanders in what could be a bottom-of-the-table clash should the Dunedin-based side fail to beat the Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.
Watch – Daryl Gibson speaks ahead of Rebels clash:
Comments on RugbyPass
The shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to comments