Chiefs v Highlanders (W)

https://www.allblacks.com/news/jona-nareki-guides-highlanders-to-first-win/

Crusaders (W) v Hurricanes

https://www.allblacks.com/news/crusaders-make-hurricanes-pay-in-christchurch/

Waratahs v Force (W), Brumbies (W) v Rebels

https://super.rugby/superrugby/

Suntory (W), Kobe (W), Red Hurricanes (W), Wild Knights (W)

http://en.rugby-japan.jp/topleague/

John gives some quick thoughts on the games this weekend:

CHI v HIG (Highlanders +3)

WAR v FOR (Force +9)

BRU v REB (Brumbies +12)

CRU v HUR (Crusaders +10)

https://super.rugby/superrugby/fixtures/

Highlanders v Crusaders (W)

https://www.allblacks.com/news/clinical-crusaders-see-off-highlanders-challenge/

Hurricanes v Blues (W)

https://www.allblacks.com/news/blues-power-past-hurricanes-in-wellington/

Reds (W) v Rebels, Brumbies (W) v Waratahs

https://super.rugby/superrugby/

Kobe (W), Wild Knights (W), Suntory (W), Red Hurricanes (W)

http://en.rugby-japan.jp/topleague/

Italy v Ireland (W), Wales (W) v England, France v Scotland (NR)

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/fixtures/

- Highlanders v Crusaders @Dunedin (CRU +5)

Key Players: HIG - J Dickson, C Garden-Bachop, F Fakatava / CRU - C Grace, W Jordan, C Fihaki 

- Hurricanes v Blues @Wellington (HUR +5)

Key Players: HUR - A Aumua, J Barrett, S Rayasi / BLU - H Sotutu, C Clarke, O Tu’ungafasi

- Reds v Rebels @Brisbane (RED +14)

Key Players: RED - J O’Connor, F McReight / REB - M Toomua, R Hodge

- Brumbies v Waratahs @Canberra (BRU +16)

Key Players: BRU - M Hansen, C Neville / WAR - J Maddocks, C Tizzano

https://super.rugby/superrugby/fixtures/

The.rugby.gods_podcast talks about 5 questions for Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2021.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300237022/super-rugby-burning-questions-who-will-be-missed-most-barrett-or-perenara

Opinion: Richard Knowler, Robert van Royen, Marc Hinton and Joseph Pearson.

1. Who is the biggest loss to their team while running around in Japan this season: TJ Perenara (Hurricanes) or Beauden Barrett (Blues)? 

A. TJ Perenara

2. Already we’ve seen controversy with the captain’s challenge system in the pre-season, is it really a necessary addition?

A. Not necessary, but a worthwhile addition.  

3. Should the Chiefs roll with Damian McKenzie at 10 or 15 this season?

A. They should roll deep with DMac @10!

4. What can we expect from Liam Squire's return to the Highlanders this year?

A. He’ll go well, but with limited game time and no ABs recall. 

5. Who makes the final and who wins?

A. BLU v CRU @Eden Park, CRU to win the final. 

John looks around the professional rugby world in Europe and Japan as well as Australia and New Zealand.

Six Nations

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/fixtures/

Japanese Top League

http://en.rugby-japan.jp/schedule/result/

Super Rugby AU / Aotearoa 

https://super.rugby/superrugby/

A brief overview of the 3 games in round 2 of the Six Nations 2021 with a look at a few players likely to make key contributions.

Also a review of results from round 1.

John’s picks: England +26, Scotland +5, France +11.

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/fixtures/

Join Helston Park Challenge, my Six Nations Predictor league on @Superbru! You can find my pool here:

https://www.superbru.com/sixnations/pool.php?p=12300821

or by downloading the Superbru app and searching for the pool with code:

dintbogs

A brief overview of the 3 games in round 1 of the Six Nations 2021 with a look at each team’s spine - 2-8-9-10-15 and a few other players likely to make key contributions.

John’s picks: France +15, England +10, Ireland +5. 

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/fixtures/

Join Helston Park Challenge, my Six Nations Predictor league on @Superbru! You can find my pool here:

https://www.superbru.com/sixnations/pool.php?p=12300821

or by downloading the Superbru app and searching for the pool with code:

dintbogs

John takes a look at the comings and goings of the Australian Super Rugby clubs before the 2021 season and also has a look at the Jaguares, the club’s disbanding and where their players have moved on to in the world. 

The Super Rugby AU Squads 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2020%E2%80%9321_Super_Rugby_AU_transfers

The Jaguares 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2020%E2%80%9321_Super_Rugby_transfers

John reads through the article and shares a few thoughts on Private Equity in New Zealand Rugby. 

Explainer: What private equity investment would mean for New Zealand Rugby

Paul Cully 07:27, Jan 20 2021

“New Zealand Rugby has been exploring the possibility of private equity investment for at least 12 months.

Global giants Silver Lake and CVC are thought to be among those keen to enter a partnership with NZ Rugby, although senior sources played down a UK report suggesting that a Silver Lake deal could be done imminently.

But what is private equity, how does it work and what would it mean for NZ Rugby?

Stuff spoke to Colin McKinnon, the executive director of NZ Private Capital, to get a clearer understanding of how the industry operates, and why NZ Rugby is open to investment.”