Southern Hemisphere

With fans attention stretched right across Super Rugby Round Nine, who comes out on-top will show their hand in the long run heading to the June International window break [June 3].

A spot against the Lions would seem a long shot, but a place on the end of year Northern Tour wouldn’t seem too far-fetched. He is a such thrilling prospect for NZ Rugby.
And yes, for all the excitement and enthusiasm at present, Ngani Laumape could also be a history maker; no one has yet played rugby league for the Warriors, and then also (probably) played for the All Blacks. My money is on Laumape being the first!

The Crusaders have looked above and beyond any other side in Super Rugby so far; but they could face their toughest test yet once a difficult trip to South Africa is over. The next time that the Crusaders play in front of their home fans will be in a clash against the Hurricanes. Now the […]

The Chiefs still find themselves behind the Crusaders at the top of Super Rugby’s NZ conference after a difficult encounter against the Force in Perth. Liam Messam was the only try scorer; but the Chiefs were robbed a second when Aaron Cruden was ruled to have missed the mark after taking a tap right next […]

In two matches on New Zealand soil, Super Rugby Round Nine proved that the high standards of the competition leading conference are certainly consistent. Both fixtures earned high scores, with home fans leaving each fully satisfied on another ‘Super Saturday’. While the rugby was the focus, as happened last night in Napier, ‘rugby remembered’ the […]

On a perfect Autumns evening, the scene was set for a return to the provinces. The reigning Super Rugby champion Hurricanes had taken their Round Nine match out to the regional heartland of Napier–Hurricanes v Brumbies–and the crowds showed up in full. 13,000 strong, they came to be entertained, and left wholly entertained. And while the […]

As well as recognizing milestones though every decade since its formation, the site features interactive quiz questions to test budding historians and includes information on the New Zealand Rugby union’s priorities at the time taken from the ‘Minute Books’.

Super Rugby Round 8 brought us a number of new talking points in the African Conferences.

The night was perfectly set, with a long weekend and clearing weather, fans arrived with a good proportion dressed in yellow. And they weren’t disappointed. There was an ‘epic Easter battle at Eden Park’ with both sides contributing. In another tight-tussle of a local New Zealand derby match, the scores were traded, the visitors only […]

In a double-celebration, the Crusaders faced down the Sunwolves challenge at AMI Stadium, while congratulating the achievement of longtime player, Wyatt Crockett. He reached a personal milestone of 176 matches, which set a new all-time record in Super Rugby. Crusaders 50 – Tries: Manasa Mataele (3), Kieran Read, Ben Funnell, Pete Samu, George Bridge, Whetu Douglas; […]

When you are watching your team play and they score five points, all that matters is they did it. Jump up and down, cheer all you like–whether its in-goal, or end zone, or even the bemoaned try zone all fans are rugbyunited by a shared love of the game.
That’s all that matters. Enjoy.

Look forward to more footy during Super Rugby Round Eight, and the forecast is to “pack down on the couch, have a couple of Easter eggs and enjoy!”

And seeing the Sunwolves and Jaguares on the Super Rugby ‘Knifes Edge’ the whole system has been shaken. How quickly the competition can refocus is key. Admittedly upset, change management is now the role that SANZAAR will play.

Being such a powerful figure, SBW may likely be given special treatment. Whether he suffers collateral damage in his contract payments; respecting the lost revenue and public relations degradation, is in question. Unlike Muhammad Ali, or even figures in NZ sport such as Michael Jones–who would not play a test on a Sunday, due to his faith–SBW may still be seen as acting out of self interest. Even the most conscientious objector can still be vilified for acting outside the best interests of his employer.
Public opinion will count too, but for now the discussions between the Blues, NZ Rugby and representatives of Sonny Bill Williams continue.

Super Rugby Round Seven provided us with many talking points, with some interesting and surprising results adding interest to the competition.