Principals fight ‘unethical' boys school-only rugby competition

A dispute over school boy rugby is kicking off; with claims a proposed new competition is discriminatory and could lead to an arms race where colleges aggressively recruit top players to the detriment of the game. A collective of South Island boys' schools confirmed they're looking to launch a new first XV competition as part of wider efforts to improve educational outcomes for young men. Dozens of other principals are rallying against the plan. Darfield High School principal Andy England spoke to Lisa Owen.
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RNZ News

5 hours ago

RNZ News

Super Rugby Pacific final: Crusaders look for 15th title in sold-out match

Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor says the team has reflected on their last meeting with their fellow finalists, admitting it was "embarrassing" to be overturned in front of their ardent supporters. Having claimed victory in both regular season clashes, the Chiefs will head into Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific grand final with some assurance, despite their opponents' unblemished home record in the post-season. After recording a comfortable win during their second round game in Hamilton, the Chiefs sounded off their title credentials with a 35-19 victory in Christchurch last month. This is after the visitors quelled a 16-point deficit with 32 unanswered points, 25 of them scored during a dominant second half display. But Taylor suggested playoff rugby is a different proposition altogether, a point the Chiefs should be wary of after falling short in the last two finals. "It's a final mate, anything can happen," he said. "We're well aware of the results that have happened this year, similar to a couple of years ago during that round-robin. "We know they can apply pressure through all facets of their game and they're bloody good at it. It's up to us to put them under pressure with our game." Similarly, the Chiefs earned bragging rights during the 2023 regular season, only for the Crusaders to lift the trophy yet again following a 25-20 win in the Hamilton decider. Last month's loss at home did sting, resulting in some much needed soul searching, Taylor said. "We had to really look at ourselves. It was quite embarrassing to be honest," he said. "They showed us how to turn up the heat, and front up in the collision. We started looking for opportunities and not creating them. "They just got a roll on. They're a great team at being able to expose you through that middle part of the 80 minutes." A Crusaders huddle on Thursday ahead of the match on Saturday. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon One thing that should buoy the hosts is their spotless record in Christchurch during the playoffs. Dating back to their semi-final win over the Sharks back in 1998, the Crusaders have won all 31 of their home post-season games. This sequence also includes victories in all seven Super Rugby finals that have been played in Christchurch. (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2018, 2019, 2021) "It's a proud record to have but we're not thinking about that this week," Taylor said. Another matter Taylor is paying little heed to - or would have been had they been permitted - was those cowbells. The All Black rake said he was unbothered by the clattering of opposing fans. "I say bring 'em. Who cares, it's a final," he said. "They were up there going hard two years ago. If we're worried about cowbells, then our head's not in the right space." "It's a final mate, anything can happen," Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor says. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Saturday's Super Rugby final could mark the ultimate redemption story for head coach Rob Penney. He endured a rocky campaign in his first season in charge after the departure of championship-winning coach Scott Robertson was elevated to national honours. The Crusaders would struggle to live up to their archetypal top-rate standards in 2024, exacerbated by a never-ending injury toll and the exodus of several experienced campaigners. After four wins and 10 losses, the Crusaders would ultimately finish in ninth spot, missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years. It led to an independent review of the season, before Crusaders' officials later confirmed that Penney would see out the final year of his two year contract. Assistant coach James Marshall said he was delighted for Penney. "The criticism on him was so harsh last year. It was such small margins that decided a lot of those games," he said. "Somehow he's gone from the worst coach in the world to one of the best and you just see the margins in the game." The changing fortunes for the Christchurch-based franchise has been underlined by 11 wins during the regular season this year, and three defeats. "He's probably not getting the rewards he deserves at the moment, everyone's been pretty quiet," Marshall said. "But he deserves every bit of credit he gets." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Run It Straight organisers criticised by coroner

RNZ News

5 hours ago

RNZ News

Run It Straight organisers criticised by coroner

Run It organisers have come under criticism from a coroner who said it should not be considered a sport. Bruce Hesketh has slated the competition as a perilous activity that makes no attempt to mitigate head injury. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.

RNZ News

5 hours ago

RNZ News