Here at Fantasy Rugby Geek, living up to our name as Rugby Geeks, we have a bit of an obsession… with stash. We know we’re not the only ones, and we’re in good company along with the good stash-loving folks at The Eggchasers Rugby Podcast and Rugby Shirt Watch as we can’t help but analyse, scrutinise and spend an inordinate amount of cash any new rugby shirt that takes our fancy.
Super Rugby has always led the way in terms of stash. As a northern hemisphere kid in the 90’s I would always look on in awe at how cool some of the old Super 12 kits were, and training sessions at my club would always see a good variety of Sharks, Brumbies, Blues and Waratahs kits. Super Rugby was, and still is, the home of the coolest Rugby kits. So, without further ado, and offering absolutely zero use to your fantasy team, here’s our overview of who’s topping the table this year in the sartorial stakes (Also, if you are looking for place to buy rugby shirts, we have some of the finest online emporiums linked in here to cater to to your stash-related needs)…
Blues
In a nutshell: Classic but innovative, Adidas have played an absolute blinder with both the home and away kits. One of the standout shirts in this year’s offering.
Where you can get it: Blues’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Brumbies
In a nutshell: A great retro effort harking back to the 90’s Super 12 classics
Where you can get it: Brumbies’ kits only seem to be currently available on the official Brumbies site
Bulls
In a nutshell: Not quite at the standard of previous years, but a solid effort. The away shirt is an interesting twist! Shades of the Brazil football team, but it is actually a tribute to fellow Pretorians, Mamelodi Sundowns FC.
Where you can get it: Bulls’ kits only seem to be currently available on the Official Bulls site
Chiefs
In a nutshell: Another great Adidas effort, with a subtle but intricate nod to the region’s cultural heritage
Where you can get it: Chiefs’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Crusaders
In a nutshell: A bold and simple effort, maybe too overly red for the Crusaders purists but still looks great
Where you can get it: Crusaders’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Highlanders
In a nutshell: The best Highlanders kits for some time, simple and uncluttered with a subtle tartan motif on the home kit. Adidas can do no wrong.
Where you can get it: Highlanders’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Hurricanes
In a nutshell: Out of all the Adidas made NZ team kits, this is right up there with the outstanding Blues kits. As with the other Adidas NZ shirts, it is subtle and uncluttered and both the home and away shirts look great.
Where you can get it: Hurricanes’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Jaguares
In a nutshell: There are two things you can count on the Jaguares for, one is free flowing attacking rugby that throws all caution to the wind, and the other is a stunning set of kits. Once again the home of the best kits in Super Rugby. Well played Nike.
Where you can get it: We cannot actually find anywhere that you can purchase these things of beauty, but when we do, we will share on here…
Lions
In a nutshell: The Lions have embraced hoops this year, and Canterbury have produced a fine effort. Shades of Japan in this great looking shirt.
Where you can get it: Lions’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Huge Rugby and here at Lovell Rugby
Rebels
In a nutshell: The Rebels have never really set the world alight with kits and this is a fairly inoffensive but also uninspiring effort.
Where you can get it: Rebel’s shirts only seem to be available here at the Official Rebels site
Reds
In a nutshell: Made by new supplier Zoo Sport, this is simple and classy effort with a strong contemporary look.
Reds’ kits seem to currently only be available here on the Official Reds site
Sharks
In a nutshell: Canterbury have produced another stunner here. Simple all black with a subtle Durban-inspired motif. Canterbury continue to do great things with a side famed for classic Super Rugby kits.
Where you can get it: Sharks’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Huge Rugby and here at Lovell Rugby
Stormers
In a nutshell: The Stormers have taken the design and manufacture of their kits in house this year. The new shirts seem to be lacking something compared to recent years, not least the full body hoops. It’s not a bad effort, but still a drop off compared to some of the great shirts they’ve had in the past.
Where you can get it: Stormers’ kits only seem to be currently available at the Official Stormers site
Sunwolves
In a nutshell: The Sunwolves have gone for a basic but contemporary looking set of kits from Canterbury this year. Nice but nothing special.
Sunwolves’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Huge Rugby
Waratahs
In a nutshell: The Tahs have returned to a simple and clean looking sky blue home shirt. It’s classic and probably Canterbury’s best shirt in this year’s Super Rugby.
Where you can get it: Waratahs’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
So there you go, it certainly won’t help your fantasy team, and we won’t take it personally if you completely disagree with our assessment, but that is the Fantasy Rugby Geek’s stash review of the 2018 Super Rugby season!
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