Potential new All Blacks Coach selection process underway

|

When a list of names was put forward as potential candidates for the vacant All Blacks Coach position last week, the New Zealand Rugby administration was inundated with quality choices. From domestic title winners, to European and International rugby leaders. It all makes for an interesting selection process, and a widely anticipated appointment. Widely; well […] READ MORE


Highlanders Select Aaron Mauger As New Head Coach For Super Rugby

|

2018 will be a season of new beginnings as Highlanders select Aaron Mauger as new head coach for Super Rugby. The former Crusader and All Black has previously coached the Leicester Tigers. With a three-year deal, Mauger will be expected to deliver another Super Rugby title to the franchise in that time, and he has all […] READ MORE



Super Saturday: Highlanders and Crusaders Convincing Winners

|

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 […] READ MORE


Blues v Highlanders Derby Match a Scrappy Affair

|

So both sides will leave the Park with challenges ahead. That is the beauty, and the difficulty of the NZ local derby games like the Blues v Highlanders. When teams have a tough start to the competition [like the Highlanders] they just have to quickly turnaround, stand tall and look forward to the next challenge. READ MORE


Highlanders: High Stakes Rugby, High Cost Outcome

|

In any event, the high stakes rugby is costing the Highlanders. In the 2016 semi final, they were unable to combat the open-style of the Lions (on the Johannesburg ground) and paid the price. They did take the right decisions in the quarter final, and the side must make precise decisions from now on. Dropping points now will be hard to recover in the later stages of Super Rugby. And after a high risk outcome last week, the time is now to play more settled, no nonsense rugby to get back into winning form. Rebuild their battered confidence--before they can again, look to incorporate any 'high stakes rugby' in their game. Oh, and get Ben Smith back to full health asap! READ MORE


Chiefs Finally Grab Win Over Highlanders in Season Opener

|

The Chiefs always looked the more composed side when the big moments came. A better executed set play was a big difference maker for the Chiefs, and it provided Hika Elliot his ninth try in Super Rugby. James Lowe was gifted two tries from intercepts, and in the end, the Highlanders never dotted over the line themselves. READ MORE