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UK rugby commentator's take on Super Rugby Aotearoa sparks fascinating north versus south debate
A tweet from rugby commentator James Gemmell has kick-started a fascinating debate on the quality of rugby in the southern hemisphere compared to the north. Gemmell, who works for Sky Sports, took to Twitter to offer his opinion that New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa competition is on another level to anything he has seen before.
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Gemmell wrote: “Having lived in the UK for 12 years now, and having covered every major club rugby competition in the world, I firmly believe #SuperRugbyAotearoa 2020 has produced consistently the highest quality rugby I’ve ever seen.”
It didn’t take long for Gemmell’s tweet to take-off, with All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick and former Ireland international Jamie Heaslip among those adding their voice to the discussion.
Heaslip questioned whether the European Champions Cup winners would ‘stand a chance’, others argued that the lack of relegation in Super Rugby Aotearoa invited more open, attacking play, while some felt the competition lacks the atmosphere seen across the Champions Cup.
Super Rugby Aotearoa concludes this weekend, with the Crusaders wrapping up the title with a game to spare thanks to a thrilling 32-22 win over the Highlanders.
The competition has produced a number of brilliant games, and Gemmell wasn’t alone in his belief that the it has been unmatched in terms of consistent, high quality games.
Having lived in the UK for 12 years now, and having covered every major club rugby competition in the world, I firmly believe #SuperRugbyAotearoa 2020 has produced consistently the highest quality rugby I’ve ever seen.
— James Gemmell (@JamesGemmell_TV) August 9, 2020
Agree Jimmy 100%?Also great to have the @BluesRugbyTeam back at the top table. https://t.co/8iJqWjDhrQ
— Sean Fitzpatrick (@SFitzpatrick92) August 9, 2020
Will be interesting if it draws UK players downtown play in it in the future. Although players probably won't earn anywhere near the money they could in UK and Europe
— Angus Brown (@angusbrown90) August 9, 2020
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Would the winners of @ChampionsCup this year stand a chance?
— jamie heaslip (@jamieheaslip) August 9, 2020
Well there were 7 Saracens on the field vs 9 Crusaders in the World Cup semi and we know how that went ????
— Joe (@joesummer100) August 9, 2020
I agree wi the skill level quality of basic skills abd devision making however would they take those risk with more at stake like relegation? I know this will be seen as negative bit it is true risk can be rewarded when there are few consequences.
— Graham Smith (@grahamsmith36) August 9, 2020
I feel sorry to the SuperRugby AU which follows on Sky… the skill set and overall quality (Excluding Hooper) is way short of Artearoa
— Ian Rundall (@RundalltheCab) August 9, 2020
100%! Without a doubt the highest quality rugby tournament I’ve seen since Super Rugby in the 90s. Fantastic spectacle of the game.
— Kaylan Geekie (@KaylanGeekie) August 9, 2020
I have watched all the SRA games before this weekend. I used to watch a lot of SR but found it boring when they overexpanded. Totally agree with comment on skills levels but honestly feel it lacks the passion and drama we get with the European Cup. Realise that might be my bias
— ed hunter (@edhunter1999) August 9, 2020
Couldn’t agree more. Genuine question, Is it commercially viable to just keep as it is without going back to Super 15 format? Because spectacle wise, why would anyone want to go back?
— Luke Bradshaw (@LukeBradshaw85) August 9, 2020
A. Not sure of the relevancy of the 12 years in the UK?
B. If it is relevant you’re comparing 18 games (so far) over 8 weeks versus 12 years of all sorts.
It’s been awesome entertainment. But so is the end of the European Cup pools stages + the following KO comp.
— Thomas (@Salmon__Salad) August 9, 2020
I agree, but will add the NZ derbies in the traditional Super Rugby competition (Aust, SA, Arg & Japan) were just as entertaining games as Aotearoa.
Quality stuff ?
NZ teams vs other nations isn’t as enjoyable to watch.
— Richard Jewitt (@jewitt76) August 10, 2020
The game yesterday Cru/Highlanders was best game of rugby I’ve seen in a while.
Not only the big names stepping up , every player bringing it.
Jordie Barrett’s all round game on Sat was pace, power and subtlety combined.— Billy Connolly (@BillyConnolly15) August 9, 2020
Of course. When teams push the boundaries, mistakes happen. But across the board the quality has been of such a high standard. It’s been a joy to watch.
— James Gemmell (@JamesGemmell_TV) August 9, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
pure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to comments