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Today
14:05
Super Rugby PacificCrusadersHighlanders

Watch: Shannon Frizell dents Crusaders' Super Rugby Aotearoa title chances with explosive opening minute try

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Not many have given the Highlanders much of a chance of doing the Blues and Hurricanes a favour in dispatching the Crusaders in Christchurch this weekend.

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The hosts were strong favourites leading into the South Island derby with the Super Rugby Aotearoa crown in reach.

Sitting atop of the table, the reigning Super Rugby champions needed just a win to clinch the title against fourth-placed Highlanders, who had only tasted success twice this season from six outings.

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Aaron Mauger speaks to media

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Aaron Mauger speaks to media

Playing in front of a packed house at Orangetheory Stadium, the hosts were understandably paying small money to bag the victory, but the Highlanders sent an early warning of intent.

While they have nothing left to play for in the domestic league, the Dunedin club started the game in manner that showed they weren’t there to simply make up the numbers.

That was reflected in the way their forward pack smashed their way through a limp Crusaders defence in the opening passage of play from the kick-off, which led to a monstrous try from in-form All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell.

The rapid start put the Highlanders at an early 7-0 advantage, keeping the Blues’ and Hurricanes’ faint title chances alive in doing so.

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It also drew an emphatic response from pundits on Twitter, who were quick to laud Frizell’s efforts throughout the first 40 minutes.

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Comments on RugbyPass

D
DA 34 minutes ago
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffers new injury setback

he should not be playing 12. He should be playing 10 and team managers should stop playing players out of position to accommodate libbok.

2 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Aus hasn’t owned the bled in 21 years.

176 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Dupont!!

176 Go to comments
J
Jobe 4 hours ago
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC

I just can't agree with 8.5 for Ross Byrne. A 6 at best I would think.

2 Go to comments
B
Barry 5 hours ago
Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

I wouldn't take it personally that you didn't hear from Gatland, chief.


It's likely he just doesn't have your phone number.


You can't polish a turd. No coach can change that team at the moment.

12 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffers new injury setback

Uhh, he was playing inside centre?


Do you understand the role of a 12?

2 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

"aside from winning RWCs and playing some really good rugby?"


What a doos.

11 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 5 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Well if you’re correct in that assertion then it blows up all of the numbers in the original post that came from, do you recognise the overall number or even the 300k residual for senior male player numbers in SA?


Tbf, even 300k senior players is an impressive resource, particularly if there is a residual of untapped school talent that could be developed if required and resources allow.

176 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 6 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Now that is a slam dunk response right there!!!

176 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 6 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I’d say SA continuation is pretty much a slam dunk. They have brought much to the table in the URC with revenue growth, fan engagement and player enjoyment - yes, this is a factor too! On top of that there is still much headroom for further growth, both in the URC and especially with EPCR. The only resistance to SA teams comes from the English at present, mainly because they can’t win the CC any longer and their clubs are in real financial shit, but their recent overtures were firmly rejected.


I can only see great things on the horizon for SA inclusion in the URC and EPCR, if the right format adjustments are made. But if they are, then further success will follow and there is a strong likelihood that 6N becomes 7N as well.

176 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 6 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Great post and spot on in your analysis about generations to develop African rugby. There’s a strong argument to say that pursuing the successful URC path they’re already on and getting the EPCR comps to do similar will provide a role model for African countries AND fund SA activities, such as the development tours to Arg you mention, to help grow African rugby in parallel.

176 Go to comments
D
DH 6 hours ago
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffers new injury setback

That's twice he has tried to run at forwards and got his butt kicked. This isn't school boy rugby anymore. Give the ball to the forwards to take up and manage your runners outside of you. Ask Pollard for advice on how, if you don't understand

2 Go to comments
N
NB 6 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Pure fantasy JW.

176 Go to comments
N
NB 7 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Yes that comment bewildered me too! The Rand in bad shape.

176 Go to comments
N
NB 7 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

“I think if you asked me that question maybe three years ago or when I first left Australia, I had so much, I suppose, animosity or professional anger inside of me just because I felt like maybe my talent really wasn’t looked after in Australia.


“But to be honest now I feel like I am where I’m supposed to be, like here in Scotland. And I feel like all those things that happened early in my career were meant to happen because now I’m sitting here talking to you guys in the position that I am.”

From the horse's mouth. It's a better rugby destination.

176 Go to comments
N
NB 7 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

That's a bit of a "NZ" only problem, because those players need to reach such a high standard to be chosen by the All Blacks, were as a country like Ireland wants them a lot earlier like that.

Nah. Ireland had to put in a lot of work on guys like JGP and Lowey to get them to the standard expected. There were areas of their game that were sub-par when they first came over from NZ.

176 Go to comments
N
NB 7 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

They don't go for money, but for lifestyle, and NZ uses PI's a resource like everyone else. They don't belong to you.

176 Go to comments
N
NB 7 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Well I'm happy for it to go on until it naturally stops tbh.

Who on earth fo you think you represent JW?🤣

176 Go to comments
N
NB 7 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

James Lowe is a great example. He may have some Irish ancestors, but he was born, raised, and developed in NZ, and for all intents and purposes is a Kiwi. However, when he was ignored by selectors, he moved to Ireland and only had to wait 5 years before he could play for a different nation. If thats not ridiculous, I don't know what is.

On very thin ice there. I can still recall Frank Bunce , Alama Ieremia, Tuigamala and the Bachops playing for both PI's and NZ in their Test careers! They were interchangeable.


Most guys at this level now are multi-qualified.


And much of Lowe's development as a player occurred at Leinster, so why wouldn't Ireland profit from it?

176 Go to comments
N
NB 7 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

One of OJohn's Kiwi coaching 'moles'!

176 Go to comments
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TRENDING 'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion' 'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'
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