Crusaders v Chiefs: Smart mouthguards under fire ahead of Super Rugby Pacific final
Smart mouthguards have come under the spotlight again ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific final after Ethan Blackadder was mistakenly sent from the field during the Crusaders' 21-14 semifinal win over the Blues.
The mouthguards, compulsory in training and matches, were introduced ahead of the 2024 season by World Rugby,
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RNZ News
9 hours ago
- RNZ News
Fans get up close and personal with Crusaders heroes
A hero's welcome has greeted the triumphant Crusaders having restored their Super Rugby supremacy . Hundreds of fans gathered in central Christchurch on Monday to revel in the side's celebrations, less than 48 hours after the side clinched the title for the 15th time. The Crusaders were once again crowned Super Rugby champions, edging the Chiefs 16-12 in Saturday's grand final at Apollo Projects Stadium. Chanting, red and black flags and the familiar ascent of "Conquest of Paradise" coloured the atmosphere as rabid fans got up close and personal with their heroes and the silverware. Celebrations on Cashel Street were also fittingly in full sight of construction of the franchise's forthcoming new home One New Zealand Stadium, also known as Te Kaha. The new multi-use arena is due to open in April. Photo: RNZ/Nathan McKinnon High school teachers Milika Faitotonu and Poe Kairua, both family members of former Crusaders linchpin Richie Mo'unga, were one of the earliest patrons gathered on Cashel Street. Faitotonu said the Crusaders' "spirit and culture" set them apart from other sporting teams. "As [David Havili] said it's the families, the culture. We are a whānau and a family, and family is very important. "It just took a year for Penney to establish that relationship with the boys." The pair said they could not wait to attend games at the new stadium after enduring the wintry clime in Addington for many years. "I think moving from Apollo over to One New Zealand... I think that was the best send-off we could've had, not just for the Crusader fans, but for the whole community," Kairua said. "It takes Christchurch city to get behind the boys and make them a success." Mayor Phil Mauger playfully paid tribute to the squad during formalities. He said he was pleased with the team had won the final as he would have "had to put a hold on the stadium". Crusaders and All Blacks halfback Noah Hotham told RNZ the turnout was "amazing". "Any time we can connect with our fans, our home, it's an awesome time, very special. "You see from last year how much scrutiny we went through, how people started talking about the downfall of the Crusaders. To see how we've come back from that and learned from our mistakes last year, it makes it so much more satisfying." Photo: RNZ/Nathan McKinnon Midfielder Dallas McLeod admitted some of the squad were "slowly recovering" from big post-match celebrations. "We've had a good couple of days with the boys celebrating it so it's been good." The squad had goals at the beginning of the campaign, namely turning things around following last year's ninth-placed finish, McLeod said. "Having Davey (David Havili) as the leader this year has been awesome, driving that alongside the rest of the leaders in the team. So having that goal at the start and working hard to get it done is very cool." It was a double celebration for several Crusaders players, with seven of the squad named in the All Blacks squad earlier in the day for next month's test series against France. Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie was also named in the squad as injury cover for loose forward Luke Jacobsen.
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Celebrations continue after Crusaders win
The celebrations are continuing in red and black country following the Crusaders Super Rugby triumph at the weekend. Crowds are gathering in central Christchurch this afternoon to catch a glimpse of the players with the Super Rugby trophy, back in their hands after a forgettable 2024 season. Reporter Adam Burns spoke to Lisa Owen. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- RNZ News
All Blacks squad selection: Winners and losers
Analysis - Scott Robertson has named 33 players today but a lot of the talk in the aftermath has been about the ones that he didn't. Here's a first up analysis of the squad, who missed out and what it all means. You have to feel for Ethan Blackadder. He's certainly done nothing wrong other than get injured unfortunately far too often, but even then he put in a gigantic shift in the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs for the Crusaders. His loss is very much Samipeni Finau's gain, with the Chiefs blindside retaining his spot and the confidence of the coaching staff that is fair to say isn't widely shared in the public. Dalton Papali'i is another player who really hasn't been given a comfortable ride, but that's more to do with selection. Ironically Sam Cane leaving has probably shut the door a bit on Papali'I, as now Ardie Savea is free to move back into openside and give Robertson options around who he wants to be backing up that group. That's where Finau's size is a crucial factor in his selection, with the All Blacks clearly on the lookout for as big a body as possible. Things will get interesting when Simon Parker is fit and available for selection. The one group in the All Blacks that was probably the easiest to pick still threw up a talking point. Brodie McAlister certainly deserves a spot in the All Blacks after a move to the Chiefs paid off, but really then what was the point of investing time and effort last year into George Bell? Ollie Norris' call up is far more straightforward, it really feels like this was a coin flip between him and Josh Fusitu'a in the propping rotation. Like McAlister, this is just reward for Norris after a really strong season. No surprise at all though that Fabian Holland has made it, though. Even if he hadn't been o n the radar for the last two seasons, Sam Darry's injury meant that the All Blacks needed another big man regardless. Du'Plessis Kirifi (L) of the Hurricanes celebrates a try. Photo: Photosport You'd have to think 99 times out of 100, a player in Du'Plessis Kirifi's position would've cashed up and left years ago. After being part of the wider squad in 2020, Kirifi fell off the radar pretty fast and now holds the unique honour of being the most capped NPC player in the squad. He now slots into a very interesting loose forwards picture, where his defensive workrate will be seen as a serious addition. Billy Proctor. Photo: Patrick Hoelscher/ActionPress This will be the most contestable area on the field. Billy Proctor simply has to be given more game time this year, will it be in the 13 jersey when the team takes the field in Dunedin? Inside word is that Jordie Barrett is ready to go straight away after his stint in Ireland, which means he will likely start. Timoci Tavatavanawai can play on the wing too, which is where he may well feature first off the bench, however Sevu Reece of New Zealand evades a tackle from Len Ikitau of Australia. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ This is where the bolters were expected but there was no room for Leroy Carter, despite the former All Blacks Sevens player showing the sort of pace that would usually yield a call up. Sevu Reece and Caleb Clarke will continue, although the microscope will be on Reece after his somewhat sluggish end to 2024. The attrition rate will be high. These will certainly not be the only 33 players to pull on an All Black jersey this year, that is for sure. Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Brodie McAlister* Props: Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris*, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi Locks: Scott Barrett (c), Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'I, Fabian Holland* Loose forwards: Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea (vc), Du'Plessis Kirifi*, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson Halfbacks: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Noah Hotham First-five eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett (vc), Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai* Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Ruben Love *uncapped The following players have been named as injury cover for the start of the France series: Christian Lio-Willie for Luke Jacobson, Emoni Narawa for Anton Lienert-Brown Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Stephen Perofeta
