The Crusaders finished with a flourish to kick off their title defence with a 45-23 bonus-point win over the Chiefs in Christchurch on Saturday. CRAIG LEWIS reports. On Friday, the Super Rugby fraternity was in raptures following the first New Zealand derby of the season, which saw the Highlanders claim a 41-34 victory over the Blues in a cracking contest…. Read more →
JON CARDINELLI looks ahead to the first four Super Rugby matches of round two, including the big New Zealand derby in Christchurch. HIGHLANDERS vs BLUES (Dunedin, Friday, 08:35) Take a look at some of the backline players who will be on show at the Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday. Fullback Ben Smith is back in New Zealand after taking an… Read more →
Chiefs scrumhalf Brad Weber scored a hat-trick to help his side to a 38-26 victory against the Brumbies on the Sunshine Coast. Both sides named strong starting lineups for this Super Rugby warm-up match, with Sam Cane leading an All Blacks-laden Chiefs outfit, while Christian Lealiifano captained a Brumbies lineup featuring Wallabies Tevita Kuridrani and Henry Speight. The Brumbies were… Read more →
Nineteen-year-old lock Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa starred for the Blues as they beat the Chiefs 45-19 in a pre-season game in Te Kuiti on Friday.
