Your FREE guide to the 2021 Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa season www.sky.co.nz/skysuperrugby WELCOME TO YOUR FREE GUIDE TO 2021 SKY SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA AND SKY SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN COMPETITIONS SUPER RUGBY CONTENTS SUPER RUGBY 2021 SEASON PREVIEW SKY SUPER RUGBY Managing Editor: 04 The new Sky Super Rugby Trans-Tasman 17 TRANS-TASMAN OLIVER LEE competition will add an extra dimension to what is MATCH SCHEDULE set to be a thrilling season. After the New Zealand and Editor: Australian local competitions the 10 teams will PETER WHITE combine in a new competition bound to whet the appetite of fans on both sides of the Tasman. Photography: photosport.nz HIGHLANDERS KEEPING THE FAITH 21 The Southerners beat both the Crusaders and Cover: Blues last year. Coach Tony Brown is after more ONTIME ASSOCIATES consistency this time round. Pagination: NEW-LOOK HURRICANES CONFIDENT 25 There will be several new and exciting players HNZL 2014 representing the Hurricanes in 2021 plus a solid Printing: core of quality players back from last year. OVATO AUCKLAND A CLOSE LOOK 29 AT THE BRUMBIES : Publisher BLUES BELIEVE THEY CAN WIN AND REDS 07 Last year the Blues showed what they are capable The Brumbies beat the of — can they go up a step and win a title in 2021? Reds in last year’s Super Rugby AU final. Both Box 331-667, Takapuna, CHIEFS HAVE NEW HEAD COACH 11 - teams have strong squads. Auckland 0740, Maori All Blacks head coach Clayton McMillan Are they the likely steps into the hot seat at the Chiefs to lead a finalists again? New Zealand talented squad. THE WARATAHS, Phone: 09 486 6966 CRUSADERS STILL THE TEAM TO BEAT 30 15 REBELS AND FORCE Email: oliver oliverlee.co.nz The Crusaders are rightly the TAB favourites after @ winning the last three Super Rugby competitions ARE READY Website: oliverlee.co.nz and the 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa title. Can There are plenty of quality anyone stop them? Wallabies stacked in these teams plus some exciting SKY SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA SCHEDULE new talent ready to 16 There will be 10 rounds of local derbies in the unleash in the Australian New Zealand competition with the final set down and Trans-Tasman for Saturday 8 May. competitions. NOTE: The TAB odds quoted throughout the magazine were correct on 9 February 2021. For the latest updated odds visit tab.co.nz ISSN 2463-5499 (Print) COPYRIGHT: Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited. DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this magazine ISSN 2463-5502 (Online) do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any loss due to use of material in this magazine. CHAMPIONS: The Crusaders celebrate with a haka after clinching the 2020 Aotearoa Super Rugby title. SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA 2021: A BRAVE NEW RUGBY WORLD By Peter White: The 2021 Super Rugby season will pack a double dose of excitement for rugby fans with the second instalment of Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa followed by the new Sky Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition in May. There are always multiple There is no such thing as an the defending team in the the following day. The Chiefs reasons to be thankful we live easy local derby among the in-goal area. have the opening round bye. in New Zealand rather than so New Zealand teams. Each captain will get one The move to bring back many other places on the planet. Once again it was the Crusaders referral per match to ask the afternoon footy was hugely But the deadly impact of the who triumphed, lifting the referee to have the TMO check popular in last year’s Super COVID-19 virus has given us even Tu - Ko - tahi Aotearoa trophy in for an infringement in the Rugby Aotearoa. more reason to thank our lucky front of their adoring home lead up to a try or to review There will be four family- stars we call Aotearoa home. fans, before their final match foul play. friendly Sunday afternoon against the Blues at Eden Park When last year’s Super Rugby If the captain is correct he kick-offs this time round was called off due to a new competition was called off retains the referral but if the with two at Eden Park in COVID-19 outbreak in Auckland. after the seventh round on referee’s original decision Auckland and one each at March 14–15, it seemed rugby The win follows three stands, or the TMO footage is Wellington’s Sky Stadium fans would miss out on their successive Super Rugby titles not clear and obvious, the and at Orangetheory Stadium annual showcase that from 2017-2019 making the red captain loses the referral. in Christchurch. features the best Southern and blacks the obvious team to The opportunities increase Hemisphere talent. beat in 2021. The five Kiwi sides will join after 75 minutes if a captain up with the Reds, Waratahs, But then a master stroke was Two new rule variations will has not lost his referral, as he Brumbies, Rebels and Force struck. Super Rugby Aotearoa be used in Sky Super Rugby can at that point in a game teams playing 25 matches over was launched featuring the five Aotearoa 2021 after the check any referee’s decision, five weeks before a final on New Zealand franchises. successful introduction of golden regardless of whether a try Saturday June 19. Every match was played with the point and red card replacement has been scored. All teams will play two home intensity of a final. The players laws last year. Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa and two away matches plus could see the opportunity for will take place over 10 weeks of A goal line drop-out and captain’s take part in the Super Round weekly unofficial All Blacks intense, physical derby matches referral are sure to add to the featuring all matches played at trials and the chance to get one and will culminate in a Final drama unfolding on the pitch. one location over the weekend over their rivals. on Saturday May 8. A goal line drop-out will of May 28–29. The big hits, brilliant tries and happen when an attacking The competition kicks off A final between the top two non-stop action went down a player carrying the ball is held at Forsyth Barr Stadium in teams on the combined points treat with the rugby-starved up in the in-goal or knocks the Dunedin on February 26 with ladder will be hosted by the Kiwi fans. ball on in the in-goal area, the Highlanders hosting the top qualifiers. The games were mostly high or when an attacking kick Crusaders and the Hurricanes scoring affairs with plenty of other than a penalty or drop and Blues completing round one All 26 matches will be live and upsets to keep everyone honest. goal attempt is grounded by at Sky Stadium in Wellington exclusive on Sky TV. SUPER RUGBY 2021 page 4 www.sky.co.nz/skysuperrugby From its great lakes and great walks, to its great mountains and great beaches, New Zealand truly is a land of greatness. And now none of it is out of reach with the arrival of the Greatest Outback of All Time. Unlike some goats, the revolutionary 2021 Subaru Outback features EyeSight® clever crash avoidance technology, increased 2,000kg braked towing capacity, and a tablet-like 11.6” touch screen infotainment system, so you can explore all the above, and beyond, with a great drive. While those other goats might scale steep mountains in search of food, this one does so in search of ski slopes. Or to avoid traffic. Discover what else makes this the Greatest Outback of All Time and head to your locally-owned Subaru Centre to book your test drive today. *The 2021 Subaru Outback Recommended Retail Price (RRP) is from $49,990 including GST and excludes on-road costs and accessories. Valid until 30th June 2021. SUB//7173M DRUMS ARE BEATING FOR BLUES SUCCESS by Peter White The Blues captured the imagination of the Kiwi rugby public with a return to winning ways during last year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa competition. Can they go all the way in 2021? LAST YEAR: awaits the Blues in round one of Sky Super Rugby SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA: SECOND Aotearoa. An early bye in round two is followed by It has been a long time between drinks for the Blues two Sunday afternoon games at Eden Park against BLUES faithful supporters but last year the team finally the Highlanders in round three and Crusaders in Coach: Leon MacDonald showed what it is capable of in Super Rugby round four. Captain: Patrick Tuipulotu Aotearoa. The afternoon kick-offs were a huge success last Home grounds: Five wins from seven matches meant a second place year so expect bumper crowds for those two matches. Eden Park, Auckland; QBE Stadium, Albany finish behind the Crusaders with the last round Matches against the Chiefs away, Hurricanes at match between the two great rivals cancelled due home, Highlanders and Crusaders away before a Website: www.theblues.rugby to COVID-19 issues in Auckland. home clash with the Chiefs lead up to the final. Tickets: www.ticketmaster.co.nz Captain Patrick Tuipulotu was superb with a follow-me In the Sky Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition, Contact: PO Box 77012, attitude that swept through the team. Aided by the the Blues begin in Melbourne on May 15 against the Mt Albert, Auckland 1350.