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Canadians will be able to watch Super Rugby Pacific

 Super Rugby Pacific Live on TSN has confirmed that they are now airing Super Rugby Pacific.

Super Rugby’s return in limited form, as the New Zealand-based Super Rugby Aotearoa, begins this weekend.

The Land of the Long White Cloud has done such a good job using its geographic isolation, along with an aggressive lockdown approach, that COVID-19 has simply ceased to exist there.

On top of the to-be-expected TV broadcasts, there will be fans in the stadiums when the games kick off between New Zealand’s five Super Rugby teams this weekend.

But whether fans in Canada will be able to watch on their TVs remains unclear.

super rugby Pacific

In normal times, the SANZAAR-run Super Rugby competition is available in Canada through TSN’s online streaming service. The last round played before the whole world went into lockdown, on March 13, was actually aired on TSN’s regular channels. SANZAAR, which was formed in 1996 by the Australia, New Zealand and South Africa rugby boards,  is the body which oversees Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship competitions in Rugby Union

Super Rugby Pacific is also run by SANZAAR, so it stands to reason that the rights deal that has brought the world’s best club competition to the Great White North should apply.

But sources has confirmed this isn’t exactly clear. It’s not about TSN, rather it’s about ESPN. The American broadcaster holds the Americas-wide rights to Super Rugby and sub-licences to local broadcasters where necessary, like with TSN. ESPN is a minority owner of Canada’s sports leader.

And ESPN is in talks with SANZAAR about the rights for Super Rugby Pacific.

TSN PR has not been able to provide a definitive answer to multiple queries on the matter, simply saying they were looking into it. An email to ESPN PR, asking about the rights situation, has not yet drawn a response.

Hurricanes Super Rugby Pacific squads announced

The Hurricanes is a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Wellington that competes in Super Rugby. The Hurricanes were formed to represent the lower North Island, including the East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, Horowhenua Kapiti, Manawatu, Poverty Bay, Wairarapa-Bush, Wanganui and Wellington unions.

The Hurricanes have named five newcomers in their 38-man squad, but perhaps their most important was Luke Campbell, who has been brought into the side to fill the void that TJ Perenara left behind.

Perenara’s decision to head overseas has left the Hurricanes light on experience in the half and the 25-year-old Campbell will have big shoes to fill.

Hurricanes Super Rugby Aotearoa

Campbell joins returning halfbacks Jamie Booth and Jonathan Taumateine, but a broken leg will sideline Booth for at least the first round.

There will be plenty of fire power outwide with the return of former international Julian Savea, who joins All Blacks utility Jordie Barrett and returning wing Wes Goosen.

Hurricanes Super Rugby Pacific squads announced

Props: Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, Fraser Armstrong.

Hookers: Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli, Asafo Aumua.

Locks: Isaia Walker-Leawere, Scott Scrafton, Kane Leaupepe, James Blackwell, Liam Mitchell.

Loose forwards: Ardie Savea, Brayden Iose, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Vaea Fifita, Reed Prinsep, Gareth Evans.

Halfbacks: Luke Campbell, Jamie Booth, Jonathan Taumateine.

Flyhalves: Simon Hickey, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ruben Love.

Centers: Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Vince Aso, Billy Proctor, Danny Toala.

Outside backs: Wes Goosen, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Julian Savea, Lolagi Visinia, Pepesana Patafilo.

Departures: TJ Perenara, Kane Le’aupepe, Ben May, Murphy Taramai, Ben Lam, Jonah Lowe, James Marshall, Fletcher Smith, Chase Tiatia, Kobus van Wyk.

Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific squads announced

The Crusaders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch, who compete in the Super Rugby competition. They have won 10 titles.

After four straight titles, the Crusaders head into 2022 as contenders yet again with an embarrassment of riches across the board. While they only lost six players from last year, they will be without Braydon Enor for the whole Super Rugby Pacific season and George Bridge for the first half through injury.

Crusaders Super Rugby Aotearoa

It’s a big loss across the backline, but the Crusaders remain dangerous with Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue and David Havilli remaining alongside Richie Mo’unga and Bryn Hall.

Adding to their squad, Robertson has named four rookies, all of whom have come through the Crusaders academy. It’s a testament to their program and means all four players have trained with the squad before.

Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific squads announced

Hookers: Codie Taylor, Andrew Makalio, Brodie McAlister

Props: Joe Moody, Michael Alaalatoa, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Tamaiti Williams, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell

Locks: Scott Barrett (captain), Sam Whitelock, Mitchell Dunshea, Quinten Strange, Luke Romano

Loose forwards: Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sione Havili, Tom Sanders

Halfbacks: Bryn Hall, Mitchell Drummond, Ere Enari

Flyhalves Richie Mo’unga, Brett Cameron, Fergus Burke

Centres: Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod

Outside backs: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, George Bridge, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Manasa Mataele, Chay Fihaki, Isaiah Punivai

Departures: Fetuli Paea, Billy Harmon, Harry Allan, Inga Finau, Ethan Roots, Matt Todd.

Highlanders Super Rugby Pacific squads announced

The Highlanders is a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in Super Rugby. The team was formed in 1996 to represent the lower South Island in the newly formed Super 12 competition, and includes the Otago, North Otago and Southland unions.

Liam Squire’s return to Dunedin is a huge win for a team that had only mixed results in 2020.

Highlanders Super Rugby Aotearoa

Ending his two-year stint in Japan early, Squire’s return will bolster the side and add bruising force up front.

Squire’s joined by Jermaine Ainsley, Solomon Alaimalo, Billy Harmon, Sam Gilbert, Japanese test star Kazuki Himeno and highly experienced prop Josh Hohneck.

Meanwhile the Highlanders backline will have plenty of punch with the return of Thomas Umaga-Jensen who’s transformed himself into a 113kg midfield “best” according to Tony Brown.

Highlanders Super Rugby Pacific squads announced

Props: Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jeff Thwaites, Ayden Johnstone, Ethan De Groot, Jermaine Ainsley, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Hohneck

Hookers: Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Ricky Jackson

Locks: Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Manaaki Selby-Rickit , Bryn Evans

Loose forwards: Shannon Frizell, Sione Misiloi, James Lentjes, Billy Harmon, Kazuki Himeno, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Teariki Ben- Nicholas, Liam Squire

Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Folau Fakatava

Flyhalves: Josh Ioane, Mitchell Hunt

Midfielders: Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Patelesio Tomkinson, Michael Collins, Fetuli Paea, Scott Gregory

Outside backs: Jona Nareki, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Vilimoni Koroi, Solomon Alaimalo, Sam Gilbert, Connor Garden-Bachop, Ngatungane Punivai

Departures: Dillon Hunt, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Zane Kapeli, Jesse Parete, Jeff Thwaites, Jack Whetton, Tima Fainga’anuku, Bryn Gatland, Kayne Hammington, Chris Kuridrani, Josh McKay, Tevita Nabura, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden.

Super Rugby Pacific 2022 will be the impact Moana Pasifika can make in their debut season.

Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua are new participants at Super Rugby level who will give the Pacific competition a more provincial flavor among the New Zealand and Australian sides. Previous All Blacks Aaron Mauger and Filo Tiatia are answerable for forming the side that has a great crew for their first season.

Mauger said choosing the crew had not been simple, yet there was no questioning the players’ energy.

“We are especially invigorated by the equilibrium of our crew, we have insight, we have capable youthful players, we have shrewd game drivers who see how to uncover the qualities of our power competitors,” he said.

A piece of the interaction is adjusting the measures of rugby players have been presented to in 2021, because of Covid-19.

“A few people have had somewhat more rugby than others this year, however the individuals who have had their homegrown seasons upset by Covid, will come into camp tearing to get into it. They’re intellectually in an extraordinary spot, and their preparation program has been overseen cautiously,” he said.

The Moana Pasifika squad is:

Hookers: Ray Niuia, Sam Moli, Luteru Tolai

Props: Sekope Kepu, Isileli Tuungafasi, Joe Apikotoa, Tau Koloamatangi, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Chris Apoua

Locks: Don Lolo, Mike McKee, Veikoso Poliniati, Alex McRobbie

Loose forwards: Henry Stowers, Jack Lam, Sione Tuipulotu, Solomone Funaki, Penitoa Finau, Lotu Inisi, Sam Slade, Alamanda Motuga

Halfbacks: Ereatara Enara, Jonathan Taumateine, Manu Paea

First five-eighths: Christian Leali’ifano, Lincoln McClutchie, William Havili

Midfield: Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Henry Taefu, Fini Inisi, Solomone Kata

Outside backs: Lolagi Visinia, Neria Fomai, Tomasi Alosio, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tima Fainga’anuku, Anzelo Tuituvu.