Nine wins from nine fixtures have the Chiefs Super Rugby Pacific season on target for a home playoff match, including two victories against the Crusaders. This 34-24 win continues the Hamilton side’s dominance of the Southern Hemisphere competition. This home match was another stern challenge, however, the hosts held the Crusaders back, scoring a marvelous […] READ MORE
Tag: FMG Stadium Waikato
BC Place vs. FMG Stadium Waikato
BC Place, in Vancouver, Canada and FMG Stadium Waikato in New Zealand, are two stadiums with fundamental differences in nature. Both sustain the same type of ball sports yet, they each use two dissimilar technologies to groom the playing surface on. For the sport of rugby union, many have talked about which is better. Artificial […] READ MORE
Māori All Blacks v Moana Pasifika a belated nod to Heritage
When these two sides clash, the Māori All Blacks v Moana Pasifika fixture on December 5 is going to be both a nod to cultural heritage of indigenous rugby culture in New Zealand, as well as one more reward for rugby fans who have had a ‘less than satisfactory year’ [thanks to Covid]. The colours […] READ MORE
Fans, fans, fans everywhere; Super Rugby Aotearoa
When numbers count, the figures for attendance at Super Rugby Aotearoa matches in rounds one and two may reach unfamiliar heights. Yet, in unfamiliar times [Covid-19 enforced] something that is positive is very much required. The positives from rugby resuming are untold. In terms of social importance, in participation in part by the teams as […] READ MORE
Rugby: Artificial Pitch vs. Natural Grass
In both codes of rugby, like many sports, there is always a debate between the merits of an artificial pitch and natural grass. Most stadiums in both rugby league and union have natural grass. However, there is a growing number of rugby stadiums using an artificial pitch as their main surface. Previously, Raheem Bashir has […] READ MORE
Second year for New Zealand Sevens new home in Hamilton
It will be the second year for the HSBC New Zealand Sevens new home in Hamilton, when the latest leg of the 2018/19 world series begins this Saturday. Replacing Wellington, the event is back to prove that it is now the ‘new home’ for the yearly sevens-celebration. Kicking off the New Year, this is the third […] READ MORE
‘Lackluster’ Chiefs fall to clinical Crusaders
With an ever-changing New Zealand conference, the Crusaders beat a lacklustre Chiefs side 20-34, to consolidate their status as the leading side heading into the International break. READ MORE
Chiefs overcome the Waratahs in ‘Outstanding’ performance
It was by the account of their head coach, an 'outstanding' performance that saw the Chiefs overcome the Waratahs on a night when both coaches couldn't ask for much more heart, from their respective 23-man lineups. READ MORE
Narrow finish in Chiefs v Blues Local Derby
In yet another narrow finish, the Chiefs v Blues local derby was an exciting fixture with the two traditional rivals competing in the second of their inter-conference match. The Waikato side got the better of the Auckland team, yet the two coaches reaction shows how closely fought it was on the field READ MORE
Fiji earn inaugural Hamilton 7s Title as Fans return to NZ Sevens
Fiji earned the inaugural Hamilton 7s title on Sunday, as fans return to NZ Sevens at it's new home. Moving from Wellington, the crowds were out in force, to enjoy a wonderful weekend of rugby sevens READ MORE