*Super Rugby Aotearoa Starts in 25 Days – YouTube Channels for All Five Teams with Ratings*
We’re counting down the days to actually seeing live rugby again, June 13th, 25 days to go. We took a look at the team offerings on YouTube to get an idea of how the organizations are synced early on, the media departments, coaches, players and how they’re engaging their fans.
There were two clear winners, the Blues and Crusaders, showing Day 1 training video. So, based on the most tenuous of threads, we’re making an early call for either the Blues or Crusaders to top the table when the season ends on August 16th. You heard it here first.
1. The Blues are on a roll on their YouTube channel, 3 videos in the last day, with their Day 1 training video (2:18) getting 1.8K views, smacking down the competition. It features Beauden Barrett, the new star signing, with a personal best in the Bronco fitness test. They look pumped and ready to roll.
2. Crusaders are only one of two teams to show Day 1 training. It’s only a minute long but has 826 views, only surpassed by the Blues. It features celebrity coach Scott Robertson, edged out for the All Blacks job by former Chiefs coach, Ian Foster. Crusaders definitely a favourite to win this truncated Super Rugby season.
3. Chiefs, the last video is from yesterday, not bad, but it’s old news and not focused on the team. An interview with All Blacks coach Ian Foster on Chiefs flanker Sam Cane being given the captaincy of the All Blacks. All good but are they focused on the new season.
4. Highlanders slow off the mark, the last video they have is a week ago, an interview with Waisake Naholo & Jeff Wilson.
5. Hurricanes by far the worst of the bunch, last video 3 weeks ago, heritage highlight of Christian Cullen. Do they even know a new season is starting?
Super Rugby Aotearoa Schedule (from Rugby World)
Round One:
13 June Highlanders v Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 5.05pm
14 June Blues v Hurricanes in Auckland (venue TBC) at 3.05pm
Round Two:
20 June Chiefs v Blues at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton at 5.05pm
21 June Hurricanes v Crusaders at Sky Stadium, Wellington at 3.05pm
Round Three:
27 June Blues v Highlanders in Auckland (venue TBC) at 5.05pm
28 June Crusaders v Chiefs in Christchurch (venue TBC) at 3.05pm
Round Four:
4 July Highlanders v Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 5.05pm
5 July Chiefs v Hurricanes at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton at 3.05pm
Round Five:
11 July Crusaders v Blues in Christchurch (venue TBC) at 5.05pm
12 July Hurricanes v Highlanders at Sky Stadium, Wellington at 3.05pm
Round Six:
18 July Hurricanes v Blues at Sky Stadium, Wellington at 5.05pm
19 July Chiefs v Highlanders at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton at 3.05pm
Round Seven:
25 July Crusaders v Hurricanes in Christchurch (venue TBC) at 5.05pm
26 July Blues v Chiefs in Auckland (venue TBC) at 3.05pm
Round Eight:
1 August Chiefs v Crusaders at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton at 5.05pm
2 August Highlanders v Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 3.05pm
Round Nine:
8 August Hurricanes v Chiefs at Sky Stadium, Wellington at 5.05pm
9 August Crusaders v Highlanders in Christchurch (venue TBC) at 3.05pm
Round Ten:
15 August Highlanders v Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 5.05pm
16 August Blues v Crusaders in Auckland (venue TBC) at 3.05pm