The National Provincial Championship is in full swing with six rounds of competition completed.
It was music to New Zealand ears. They had won the final of the U19s tournament that was staged in Ireland in 2007, and it was only natural that they carried over that success into the following year at U20s level with a 38-3 win in the final in Wales in June 2008.
The Crusaders have emerged a little worse for wear from their round one Super Rugby Pacific defeat to the Chiefs, revealing two key injury blows.
The Crusaders have emerged a little worse for wear from their round one Super Rugby Pacific defeat to the Chiefs, revealing two key injury blows.
This was the year when two worlds collided and morphed into one. Prior to 2008, World Rugby – known as IRB at the time – used to run World Cups at U21s and U19s.
The Fijian Drua’s historic win over defending Super Rugby Pacific champions the Crusaders at Churchill Park couldn’t have been scripted any better.
Boiling hot conditions in Lautoka hosted round three's Super Rugby Pacific matchup between the Crusaders and the Fijian Drua.
Captain Scott Barrett is set to make his 100th appearance for the Crusaders on Saturday afternoon when the defending Super Rugby champions face the Fijian Drua in Fiji.
Japan star Kazuki Himeno will get his first taste of action in Highlanders colours this weekend, but his Super Rugby Aotearoa debut will have to wait another fortnight.
Amongst the almost 200 players selected for NZ Super Rugby sides for 2021, there are certainly a few men who will count themselves lucky to have been offered a contract for next year - and plenty others who will feel somewhat aggrieved.