Super Rugby Pacific live updates: Crusaders v Highlanders
Crusaders' Chay Fihaki makes a run.
Photo:
Derek Morrison
The Crusaders need a big win here to get themselves back to the top of the table, they're coming off a good win last weekend against the Waratahs. Meanwhile the Highlanders' last minute loss to the Hurrucanes means they're currently last but still have the slimmest of mathematical chances to make the play-offs. Kick-off is at 7:05pm NZT.
Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog:
Crusaders:
1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Mitch Drummond, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Macca Springer, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Johnny McNicholl
Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. George Bower, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Dallas McLeod
Highlanders:
1. Ethan de Groot (cc), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Saula Ma'u, 4. Mitch Dunshea, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Sean Withy, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Taine Robinson, 11. Taniela Filimone, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Tanielu Tele'a, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Tai Cribb, 20. Will Stodart, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Cam Millar, 23. Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
26 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Warriors co-captain Barnett ruled out for season with knee injury
Mitch Barnett ruptured his ACL against Souths on Sunday. Photo: NRL Photos/Photosport NZ Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett will miss the remainder of the NRL season, after suffering a knee injury in their win over South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday. Barnett left the field about halfway through the first half, after falling awkwardly making a tackle, as his right leg buckled underneath him. He tried to hobble back into position, but left the field soon after and never returned. Scans on Monday confirmed he had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and would be sidelined for the remainder of their 2025 campaign. The injury will also rule him out of the State of Origin series, after he starred in New South Wales' victory over Queensland in the opener last Wednesday. He will meet with specialists this week to set a date for surgery. Barnett, 31, has played 48 games for the Warriors, since arriving at Mt Smart in 2023, after logging seven seasons and 126 games for Newcastle Knights. He has been a major part of the team's transformation under coach Andrew Webster, making his Origin debut off the bench, as the Blues toppled the Maroons at Brisbane last year. Barnett was subsequently selected for Australia in the Pacific Championships in October/November. When Warriors captain Tohu Harris suddenly retired over the summer, Barnett and NZ Kiwis skipper James Fisher-Harris were named to share the captaincy role, but Barnett carried that duty alone for a month, while his teammate recovered from a pec injury. During that time, the Warriors went on a five-game winning streak that carried them into the competition's top three. After the 36-30 win over Souths in Sydney, Webster was quizzed on Barnett's injury, but knew little more, until his player underwent scans. "There's different grades to each different injury and until you look under the hood, honestly you don't know," said Webster. "He's in good spirits. "We lost Fish for four weeks and he's one of the best front-rowers in the world, so we certainly know how to do next man up. "Life goes on all the time. You'd rather have your best players on the field, but when they're not, this game doesn't wait for anyone. "We've got the belief that the next guy will do it. No-one has to do anything more or change their game - they've just got to do their job." During Fisher-Harris' absence, Webster shifted second-rower Marata Niukore into the front row and promoted teenage sensation Leka Halasima to the starting line-up, where he thrived. He's likely to do something similar without Barnett. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
37 minutes ago
- RNZ News
King's Birthday Honours: 'Wild' how far women's cricket has come
White Ferns captain Sophie Devine. Photo: Marty Melville White Ferns captain Sophie Devine has witnessed the dramatic increase in opportunities afforded to female cricketers, but has also seen the downsides of a packed schedule. Devine has been reflecting on her career since being recognised in the King's Birthday Honours for services to cricket , which she describes as a huge honour. Devine was selected for the White Ferns in 2006 at age 17 and has become one of the sports most dominant players. Last year she led the White Ferns to their maiden T20 World Cup title in the United Arab Emirates. The 35-year-old holds a number of records including becoming the first cricketer to score five consecutive 50-plus scores in T20's in the 2019/2020 season. The gains that female cricketers have made over the last decade have been extraordinary, given that back in 2014 the most a White Fern could earn was around $25,000 a year. The highest-ranked White Fern, who also plays a full domestic season, has the potential now to earn around $180,000. By the time New Zealand's best female cricketer Amelia Kerr gets paid to play in leagues around the world, including the lucrative WPL in India, she's pulling in half a million dollars a year. Devine said when she started out, she could never have imagined the opportunities which are now on offer in women's cricket. Sophie Devine playing for the White Ferns in 2006. Photo: PHOTOSPORT "It's been unbelievable, even the last five or six years it's gone to a completely another level. I always wished that we would be able to be full-time professionals but to see the money that's available now through some of these franchise competitions and the way that cricket boards around the world are starting to really invest in the women's game. I guess I'm most excited for what the future holds in terms of these youngsters coming through," Devine said. "When I first started playing for the White Ferns in 2006 I thought it was pretty cool that I got a bit of lunch money and things paid for in terms of flights and accommodation. "It's still got a long way to go ...it's part of the journey I think in terms of equal pay and things like that but it's been pretty wild to think about how far it has come." Since the start of the franchise cricket era, top players like Devine have also been sought after in competitions like Australia's Big Bash League and India's WPL. Increased opportunities have led to heavy workloads. "Last year after winning the T20 World Cup, less than 48 hours later we were on a plane to India and playing in a series a couple of days later and the Australian men were in a similar position a couple of years ago as well. "We know that's part of the job and why you get paid what you do ...it's a serious conversation that needs to be had in terms of the scheduling because it's only going to get busier. Hopefully we can manage it so that there are opportunities to allow players to get breaks, particularly young ones. I think of Melie Kerr, who could have another 10-15 year international career and you don't want to see her end her career early because she's burnt out. "Important that players take the opportunity to step away when they need to and not get sucked into the vacuum that can be not just international cricket but franchise cricket as well. You don't want to feel like you're missing out but your mind and body are your tools of your trade so it's a really important conversation that needs to be had." Devine took a two-month break from cricket earlier this year to give her own mind and body a rest, the second time she's taken a break in her career to prioritise her well-being. Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine celebrate last year's World Cup win. Photo: PHOTOSPORT She is excited about joining up with the White Ferns in camp in Christchurch this week, as the side starts its journey towards another pinnacle event, the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India later this year. Pinnacle events excite her as much as they did when she first joined the White Ferns. "Absolutely they do, I guess being a little bit older and wiser it's how do you manage those emotions and energy going into that because those pinnacle events are so big and they seem to roll around every year. I think for me it's about how do I manage my expectations and my energy levels." Sport has been a huge part of Devine's life and admits the thought of retirement scares her a little. "Yes, in all honesty, that's probably something I've been toying with for the last 12 months or so and what does that look like, trying to make that transition as smooth as possible. It's a pretty scary concept for a lot of athletes but I've had fantastic support. It's going to be very different to what I've done for over half of my life, which is travelling the world playing cricket, which I've been very fortunate to do." Devine knows that in retirement she wants to stay involved in sport. "There's so many more opportunities opening up in the women's game whether that's coaching, commentating, being involved in the media side of things. Fingers crossed I can stay involved in some way, I certainly feel I've got a lot to give back."
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett ruled out for season with knee injury
Mitch Barnett ruptured his ACL against Souths on Sunday. Photo: NRL Photos/Photosport NZ Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett will miss the remainder of the NRL season, after suffering a knee injury in their win over South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday. Barnett left the field about halfway through the first half, after falling awkwardly making a tackle, as his right leg buckled underneath him. He tried to hobble back into position, but left the field soon after and never returned. Scans on Monday confirmed he had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and would be sidelined for the remainder of their 2025 campaign. The injury will also rule him out of the State of Origin series, after he was one of the stars of New South Wales victory over Queensland in the opener last Wednesday. More to come... Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
