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'Everyone is going to be fired up': Hurricanes star reveals excitement about Super Rugby restart

(Photo by Rob Jefferies/Getty Images)

Super Rugby players aren’t meant to spend April and May on the sidelines, so having been forced to do so by Covid-19, there’s little wonder a return to the grass is being eagerly anticipated.

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New Zealand Rugby this week unveiled Super Rugby Aotearoa, a ten-week round-robin competition with all five sides playing each other home and away.

“It’s going to be a spectacle, I reckon,” said Hurricanes hooker Ricky Riccitelli.

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Scott Sio fronts the media

Wallaby prop Scott Sio has offered his qualified support for a scrum clock to be trialled during a planned domestic competition in Australia.

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Scott Sio fronts the media

Wallaby prop Scott Sio has offered his qualified support for a scrum clock to be trialled during a planned domestic competition in Australia.

“Everyone’s going to be so keen and that amped and fired up to get back out on the footy field.

“There’s been a lot of speculation about it and a lot of waiting around not knowing what’s happening.

“By the time it comes around to that first kick-off – jeepers – I don’t know if I’d want to be the one running back on the first kick-off!”

The squads will reassemble next week and prepare for the first of eight gruelling derbies, starting with the Highlanders hosting the Chiefs in Dunedin on Saturday June 13. The Hurricanes will meet the Blues in Auckland the next day while the defending champion Crusaders have been handed the competition’s first bye.

A return to contact training is seen as crucial to prepare the players for the rigours of such high-intensity action.

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“With eight super rugby derbies for each team, it’s pretty much the hardest rugby below international level you can get,” said Riccitelli.

“It’s getting the bodies ready so it’s safe for everyone. It’ll just be building into it and getting used to tackling again and being knocked around a little bit. It’s more like damage control, so you don’t go from zero to one-hundred straight away.

“Along with the big contacts, it’s a much faster brand of footy that we love to play in New Zealand. There are bodies going everywhere and you need faster reaction times.

“But once you’re out there, you’re pretty much playing and don’t actually notice the (increased) level of it.”

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The nuggety Taranaki rake spent the first month of lockdown at home with his mum in New Plymouth before returning to the capital in Alert Level Three.

“As weird as it sounds, sometimes a break can be a good thing,” he said.

“You can refresh and have a really good think about things and what you want to get out of your trainings and your footy.

“But speaking to the boys, we’re just all so amped and ready to get back into work and get amongst each other and around each other’s company. I’ve missed the lads and the environment so it’ll be so awesome to go back into battle with them on the weekends again and put some good performances out there.”

The only thing missing will be the crowds with the competition to be played behind closed doors as part of the protocols around mass gatherings.

“It’ll definitely be different but the boys are so keen to get back into it, I don’t think it’ll be a big factor,” said Riccitelli.

“Obviously not having fans in the stadium is not ideal, but we’re just grateful to be back playing some footy and doing what we love doing.”

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R
RedWarrior 45 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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TRENDING Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss
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