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Super Rugby pre-season: Chiefs squeak past Hurricanes, Blues crush Crusaders

105 days ago

Xavi Taele of the Blues and James O'Connor of the Crusaders shake hands following the Super Rugby trial match between Crusaders and Blues at Kirwee Rugby Club on January 31, 2025 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Super Rugby pre-season on both sides of the Tasman was in full swing over the weekend with Australian and New Zealand teams playing a handful of derbies.

The Blues, Highlanders and Chiefs came away with wins over the Crusaders, Moana Pasifika and Hurricanes respectively across games in New Zealand.

In Kirwee the defending champion Blues stormed home to romp the Crusaders by 35-19 with a five tries to three win.

Flanker Adrian Choat grabbed a double for the Blues while recently capped All Blacks Sevens rep Maloni Kunawave scored for the red and blacks.

Auckland first five-eighth and New Zealand U20 rep Rico Simpson kicked four conversions in the win, with Harry Plummer adding one more for a perfect day off the tee.

New Moana Pasifika recruit Ardie Savea, who has just been named captain of the club, took on water boy duties at North Harbour stadium as Moana started out strong against the Highlanders.

The home side lead 21-14 after two thirds before a late surge from the Highlanders got the win. Southland winger Michael Manson crossed for a solo effort after gathering his own kick and chase to steal the result.

In Taranaki the Chiefs got up over the Hurricanes 43-40 in a high scoring thriller with a late try to Gibson Popoali’i taking the Chiefs to victory.

All Blacks Sevens recruit Leroy Carter scored a double for the Chiefs along with hooker Bradley Slater, while NPC’s breakout star Kade Banks crossed for the Hurricanes.

Across the Tasman, the Waratahs and Brumbies shared a 36-all draw with the Brumbies fielding an experimental team.

Tane Edmed, Andrew Kellaway, Langi Gleeson, Lalakai Foketi and Max Jorgensen all turned out for the Tahs while Darby Lancaster scored for his new club.

There are injury concerns for Wallabies halfback Jake Gordon and superstar Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii, who pulled out of the match before kick off.

The Western Force played out an internal trial match, while the Queensland Reds smashed the Bristol Bears 82-21 on their European tour.

Comments

6 Comments

GP 105 days ago

I was at the Crusaders -Blues game, James O'Connor looked good at 10 when he came on for the Crusaders. Young Canterbury fullback Isaac Hutchinson looked good on defence and attack. Fresh out of Nelson College , Harry Inch clearly has a big future. Captain for the day Ethan Blackadder was a standout. Adrian Choat did a lot of damage for the Blues. .It was a great occasion at the Kirwee Rugby club, the home of former Canterbury great Don Hayes , captain of the famous 1982-85 Ranfurly Shield team.

Cantab 104 days ago

No need to panic over pre season matches as these are merely practice and teams do not show their full hand. Crusaders are always slow starters and usually lose these games anyway.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 6 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

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OJohn 6 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 6 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 6 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍