Dynamic duo
The Crusaders had one All Blacks midfield combo before the season started. They've unearthed another.
Tom Vinicombe
08 May 2021, 18:18
Contributors
Tom Vinicombe
@TomVinicombe
Tom Vinicombe is Southern Hemisphere features editor for RugbyPass. Tom has travelled the world covering rugby and lived in Europe, Asia and Oceania.
Rising son
Isaac Lucas is a once in a generation Australian talent currently making waves in Japan.
Tom Vinicombe
07 May 2021, 18:13
'Bryn played better': How the Chiefs decided on their playmaking combo for their grand final showdown with the Crusaders
The last time that the Chiefs played the Crusaders, coach Clayton McMillan made the somewhat surprising call to start pocket-rocke…
Tom Vinicombe
06 May 2021, 23:43
'I don't think there's any pressure on us whatsoever': The big advantage the Chiefs take into the Super Rugby Aotearoa final
The Chiefs may have form on their side heading into Saturday's Super Rugby Aotearoa grand final, but with everyone expecting a win…
Tom Vinicombe
06 May 2021, 22:59
Luke Jacobson returns for Chiefs while top performers from Blues battle rewarded with grand final berths
The Chiefs coaches have stuck to their word, rewarding two of the most impressive performers in last weekend's dead-rubber loss to…
Tom Vinicombe
06 May 2021, 0:31
Braydon Ennor to make Crusaders return in Super Rugby Aotearoa final
In somewhat of a shock selection, coach Scott Robertson has brought Braydon Ennor into the Crusaders side for their Super Rugby Ao…
Tom Vinicombe
05 May 2021, 22:02
'We aren't going to get a break': How a cruel quirk of the draw has forced massive changes to the Chiefs
Clayton McMillan has made twenty positional changes to the Chiefs' match-day team for this evening's clash from the Blues. It's a …
Tom Vinicombe
30 Apr 2021, 19:36
Pablo Matera to make Super Rugby return with champion Crusaders
In a somewhat surprise announcement on Friday afternoon, the Crusaders have confirmed that Argentina captain Pablo Matera has sign…
Tom Vinicombe
29 Apr 2021, 23:56
How the new golden-point law ruined what could have been a thrilling final round of Super Rugby Aotearoa
Super Rugby Aotearoa's new golden point rule introduced at the start of the 2020 competition was supposed to generate more excitem…
Tom Vinicombe
29 Apr 2021, 20:29
'You're preparing for 80-minute and 85-minute games': Why Super Rugby Aotearoa has been such a mental challenge
The rugby has been thrilling but the injury toll has been high - and even for the players who are still left standing after nine r…
Tom Vinicombe
29 Apr 2021, 19:46
Nehe Milner-Skudder to wear No 15 as Highlanders lose All Black to injury
It's not the worst-case scenario for a team when one international representative can step into fill the void left by another - bu…
Tom Vinicombe
29 Apr 2021, 2:56
Chiefs make wholesale changes to match-day squad, name six debutants for Blues dead rubber
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan is taking this weekend's clash with the Blues as an opportunity to freshen up his squad ahead of nex…
Tom Vinicombe
29 Apr 2021, 0:30
Hurricanes flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi opens up on 'rough start to the season'
Having fought his way into the All Blacks squad last year, 2021 was shaping up as a massive season in the career of Du'Plessis Kir…
Tom Vinicombe
28 Apr 2021, 21:36
'We're losing two guys a week': All Blacks hopeful out for the season as Highlanders hit by another injury
If ever there were a perfect representation of how brutal Super Rugby Aotearoa has been this year, it's the Highlanders' ever-incr…
Tom Vinicombe
28 Apr 2021, 20:22
Slog or sidelines
There's no middle ground in Super Rugby Aotearoa this year - if you're not a seasoned pro, you're left right out.
Tom Vinicombe
27 Apr 2021, 17:46
Split loyalties may yet play a part with key All Blacks off-contract beyond 2021
While there are few players in recent years who NZR have lost overseas that they would have dearly loved to have kept in NZ, palms…
Tom Vinicombe
24 Apr 2021, 23:21
McMillan hints that Damian McKenzie is set for a Super Rugby rest
Week after week, Super Rugby clubs are having to field their top teams, knowing that every match could be the one that decides the…
Tom Vinicombe
22 Apr 2021, 3:05
'We've probably been lucky': Why the fast-finishing Chiefs can't write off the fifth-placed Hurricanes
Friday night's Super Rugby Aotearoa match in Hamilton will see the second-placed Chiefs take on the visiting Hurricanes, who are w…
Tom Vinicombe
22 Apr 2021, 0:45
Damian McKenzie's positional merry-go-round continues as Chiefs lose All Black to concussion
Damian McKenzie has been shifted once more as the Chiefs chase their fifth win on the trot, with the pocket rocket slotting back i…
Tom Vinicombe
21 Apr 2021, 0:31
Ruben Love retained at No 10 as Hurricanes name one debutant for Chiefs battle
Rookie first five Ruben Love will again be tasked with wearing the No 10 jersey for the Hurricanes this weekend against the high-f…
Tom Vinicombe
20 Apr 2021, 22:10
