The Hurricanes got a much-needed win over the Highlanders, the Crusaders put the Force to the sword and the Chiefs and Blues produced an all-time thriller in Hamilton.Â
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has made five changes to his team to play the Western Force at home in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon.Â
The Crusaders will have the services of All Black Codie Taylor when they host the Reds in Christchurch this weekend.
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney says the Chiefs' round one win over the defending champion Blues has placed them as the team to beat in 2025.
The Crusaders have made minor changes to the team that beat the Hurricanes in round one ahead of their trip to Hamilton to face the Chiefs in round two.
Former Queensland Reds and Wallabies playmaker James O’Connor joins multiple All Blacks in the Crusaders’ side to take on the Blues.
In a Crusaders context Sam Whitelock was the leader of that team for years. Whether it was Kieran Read as captain, Whitelock himself or Scott Barrett, the guy whose presence, opinion and performances mattered most was Whitelock.
Some experienced heads have called time on illustrious Crusaders careers ahead of the 2025 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.
The stage is set for both NPC semi-finals with Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Wellington and Waikato naming their teams.
Tomorrow’s stars are in action for Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Samoa in a series of international fixtures across Hamilton and Fiji.