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RNZ News
a day ago
- General
- RNZ News
All Blacks watch: Who pressed their case in the last round
Rieko Ioane, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele'a. Photo: PHOTOSPORT The final weekend of Super Rugby Pacific had fireworks on and off the field, but it also certainly threw up a few interesting All Black talking points. Scott Robertson's initial 36-man squad is named on 23 June, a very high number of players so there is plenty of room for some outside the box selection thinking. Also, it's worth noting that last year, Robertson just went ahead and included a whole bunch of players that weren't named regardless, having them join as essentially an extended training squad. So there's certainly a lifeline given how high the attrition rate will be across 14 upcoming tests. Here's a look at who pressed their cases over the weekend: The Blues celebrate with Rieko Ioane during the Blues v Waratahs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Eden Park, Auckland. Photo: Blake Armstrong /ActionPress This one would've felt pretty sweet for Ioane, who has been under an awful lot of scrutiny ever since he moved in from the wing to centre. Yes, the Waratahs were horrible, but the main thing here was his connection with Beauden Barrett in all of his three tries in the 46-6 win . Two were off well weighted kicks and good chases, with the other being a move that Ioane instigated and finished himself. Just to remind us of what else he brings, Ioane got involved in the funniest rugby Instagram blow up since his Johnny Sexton troll job-masterpiece last year. Ethan de Groot in action during the Rugby World Cup 2023 final between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The Highlanders went down fighting in their last game of the season and a lot of that was due to their co-captain. De Groot had his best game of the season, and it couldn't have come at a better time as his place in the All Blacks started to come under threat all the way back on last year's northern tour. He has a big job on his hands to get ahead of Tamaiti Williams, but there is room in the extended prop rotation if Robertson favours experience over youth. Peter Umaga-Jensen of the Hurricanes celebrates his try. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / The one-test All Black reminded everyone just why he got that call up with a stunning display against Moana Pasifika on Saturday night, It's fair to say Umaga-Jensen's never done anything wrong in his career, it's more been a case of having so many strong midfielders in the mix. In fact, he wasn't even expected to start much this Super Rugby Pacific season season due to the emergence of Riley Higgins. But now, with Anton Lienert-Brown out injured, he offers the most like-for-like replacement value when Robertson weighs up what he wants. Umaga-Jensen's case is also boosted by the fact that he's in a Hurricanes team that is timing their run to perfection. Crusaders Sevu Reece kicks a drop goal against the Brumbies. Photo: Mark Evans/ActionPress First half drop goals probably aren't going to be in the plan for the test season. However, while Reece's sweetly hit strike might have seemed a bit rash considering the Crusaders were 30 metres out and the probability of winning a penalty and attacking lineout were high, it was eventually the difference between winning and losing. But this isn't just about that or the fact that he benefitted from a blown call later in the game, Reece's workrate proved to be very effective against a tough Brumbies side that plays the most test-match style rugby of any opponent in the competition. Tupou Vaa'i scores. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress OK, so Vaa'i is in no danger of missing selection after being one of the All Blacks' best last year. This is more about what his three-try performance against the Highlanders might do to shape his role in the test side - specifically his open field work that reminded everyone that he was originally seen as a blindside that can play lock and what that versatility will do to shape the overall loose forward makeup. Vaa'i's pace may well see him as a genuine part of a wider gameplan rather than an emergency replacement, which in turn means Robertson might not need as many loosies in the squad. Dalton Papali'i against the Drua. Photo: Kirk Corrie/ActionPress Someone needs to fill the third loose forward spot alongside Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi and Papali'i put in a very good display for consideration against the Waratahs. Just what numbers the trio wear on their backs might not matter, but while Du'Plessis Kirifi had another monster game that ended with him literally soaked in his own blood, Papali'i also sent a reminder out that he's far from ready to give up his test spot. Mark Tele'a. Photo: photosport Yes, Tele'a has signed overseas next year and the Blues' form has meant it's been easy to presume he'll be looking forward to the NPC rather than test duty. But this would be a massive disservice to Tele'a, who was outstanding against England at Twickenham in November and was one of the All Blacks' best on that tour. His two tries against the Waratahs showcased again just how dangerous he is; besides, he wouldn't be the only player heading to the departure lounge that Robertson has capped anyway.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Waratahs play the long game after missing Super finals
Ever the pragmatist, Dan McKellar admits there's no quick fix for his NSW Waratahs after the competition's perennial under-achievers endured a humiliating end to their Super Rugby Pacific season. A record-breaking 46-6 loss to the defending champion Blues on Saturday night left the Waratahs heading to Auckland airport with their tails between their legs and out of the finals for a second straight season. The Waratahs were without a raft of experienced and classy players, including Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, skipper Jake Gordon and flankers Rob Leota and Charlie Gamble. And it showed as two-time world player of the year Beauden Barrett and hat-trick hero Rieke Ioane delivered masterclasses at Eden Park to put the Tahs to the sword. "We're a little bit undermanned and a pretty young group, especially within our backline, and up against some world-class players," McKellar said. "There'll be plenty of learnings for us out of tonight. We were beaten in all areas of the game." Reflecting on the season, which included the club's best start since 2009 with three straight wins, and victories over the benchmark Brumbies and minor premiers the Chiefs, McKellar remained focused on the long game. "We've certainly made progress, and it's how you measure progress," the coach said. "So there's significant change for this, for a new playing group, new coaching group, and a new way of doing things. "There have been a lot of adjustments, and I've got a vision for the organisation, and it's going to take time. "It will take time to make the change that you want to make because you can put Band-Aids on things and come up with quick solutions. "But is that going to set us up for sustainable success? So, there's a lot of work to be done. "I've said many times, there's going to be some good days and there's going to be some tough days - and today was another tough one." The Waratahs' exit leaves the Brumbies and Queensland Reds to fly the Australian flag in the finals. The fifth-placed Reds travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders on Friday night, before the third-placed Brumbies host the fourth-placed Hurricanes in Canberra on Saturday. The Chiefs are home to the sixth-placed Blues in Waikato on Saturday night. The three winners plus the highest-ranked losing team will advance to the semi-finals.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Waratahs' Super Rugby finals hopes crushed in ugly thrashing by Blues
The NSW Waratahs' season of promise has ended in despair with an ugly, record-breaking 46-6 Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Blues in Auckland. The Waratahs needed to defeat the defending champions for the first time at Eden Park in 16 years to keep their finals hopes alive. Instead, Dan McKellar's depleted side copped a seven-tries-to-nil drubbing at New Zealand rugby's burial ground on Saturday. For the opening half an hour, a famous victory looked possible - until the wheels fell off in a sorry, anticlimactic conclusion to what had been the Waratahs' best start to a Super campaign since 2009. But a disastrous, coach-killing four-minute lapse before the interval ultimately cruelled the dreamy visitors before the Blues ran amok with four tries in a second-half clinic. Despite being without injured stars Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, skipper Jake Gordon and flankers Rob Leota and Charlie Gamble, the Waratahs were right in the must-win game for both sides after rookie flyhalf Jack Bowen slotted a 34th-minute penalty goal to reduce the deficit to four points. Playing with spirit, as they should with their season on the line, the Tahs had winger Andrew Kellaway and rookie scrumhalf Teddy Wilson to thank for desperate try-saving tackles to stay in the contest. But a Bowen blunder, when he slipped and failed to find touch for a clearing kick, and a touch of magic from two-time world player of the player Beauden Barrett blew the game wide open for the Blues in a twinkling. Two tries in three minutes to brilliant centre Rieko Ioane, the second after the halftime siren when Waratahs opposite Henry O'Donnell couldn't handle a probing kick from Barrett near halfway, suddenly extended the Blues' tenuous lead from 10-6 to 24-6. There was no coming back for the Waratahs when fullback Corey Evans strolled over untouched shortly after the break to extend the Blues' lead to 31-6. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion The Blues' sixth try, to hooker Ricky Riccitelli, was more than academic. It virtually secured a precious bonus point to pile the pressure on Moana Pasifika to produce a similar victory later on Saturday against the Hurricanes in Wellington to deny Vern Cotter's side a place in the finals. The hosts' seventh five-pointer was more significant to Ioane, who equalled All Blacks great Doug Howlett's Blues try-scoring record with 55 after beating three Waratahs defenders to another menacing Barrett kick. The Blues' biggest-ever victory margin over the Waratahs did not look likely when Bowen's two first-half penalties almost wiped out Mark Tele'a's 11th-minute try and then Ioane's first strike off a deft AJ Lam grubber. But an hour later and the Blues were anxiously awaiting their finals fate, needing the fourth-placed Hurricanes to deny Moana an unlikely bonus-point triumph away in the NZ capital to push the title-holders through to the play-offs.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific live updates: Blues v Waratahs
Beauden Barrett in action for the Blues against the Waratahs. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Both these teams face sudden death, as they fight it out for the last playoff spot in Super Rugby Pacific. The winners here face a nervous wait to see how Moana Pasifika go in their match against the Hurricanes in Wellington. Kickoff is at 4.35pm NZT. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Corey Evans Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Cole Forbes Waratahs: 1. Angus Bell, 2. David Porecki, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Miles Amatosero, 6. Hugh Sinclair, 7. Jamie Adamson, 8. Langi Gleeson, 9. Teddy Wilson, 10. Jack Bowen, 11. Triston Reilly, 12. Joey Walton, 13. Henry O'Donnell, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Lawson Creighton Bench: 16. Mahe Vailanu, 17. Tom Lambert, 18. Daniel Botha, 19. Ben Grant, 20. Leafi Talataina, 21. Jack Grant, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Darby Lancaster
RNZ News
4 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Blues v Waratahs: what you need to know
Blues v Waratahs Kick-off: 4:35pm Saturday 31 May Eden Park, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport It's all on the line at Eden Park, as the Blues and Tahs play what is effectively an elimination match one week before the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs begin properly. Whoever wins this one will be glued to tonight's game between the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika in Wellington, which will decide their fate. Whoever loses sees their season end. The Blues are coming off a bye and a loss to Moana Pasifika a fortnight ago, while the Tahs had a miraculous extra time win over the Force last weekend. READ: what every teams needs to do in the final round of Super Rugby Pacific Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Corey Evans Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Cole Forbes Waratahs: 1. Angus Bell, 2. David Porecki, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Miles Amatosero, 6. Hugh Sinclair, 7. Jamie Adamson, 8. Langi Gleeson, 9. Teddy Wilson, 10. Jack Bowen, 11. Triston Reilly, 12. Joey Walton, 13. Henry O'Donnell, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Lawson Creighton Bench: 16. Mahe Vailanu, 17. Tom Lambert, 18. Daniel Botha, 19. Ben Grant, 20. Leafi Talataina, 21. Jack Grant, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Darby Lancaster Blues halfback Finlay Christie gets a pass off to AJ Lam in the Super Rugby Pacific Final at Eden Park on 18 June 2022. Photo: Photosport Only one major change for the Blues, with Finlay Christie starting at halfback in place of Taufa Funaki, Sam Nock comes onto the bench. Otherwise the only other thing of note is that if the Blues lose, it'll be the last time ever on the field for Ricky Riccitelli, Mark Tele'a, Adrian Choat and Harry Plummer, all are leaving in the off season. Taniela Tupou joining the Waratahs camp for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. Photo: WARATAHS Photo: Waratahs The Tahs have stuck with the young inside back pairing of Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen, who will be looking to free up exciting wingers Triston Reilly and Andrew Kellaway. Lawson Creighton stays at fullback, up front Tanielu Tupou returns back to the city where he made his name as a schoolboy sensation for Sacred Heart College. Beauden Barrett. Photo: Brett Phibbs / The Blues have won their last 10 Super Rugby Pacific matches against the NSW Waratahs by an average margin of 13.4 points per game. An 11th straight win against them would make it their outright most wins against any single opponent in competition history. The Waratahs won their most recent Super Rugby Pacific match outside New South Wales (def. Western Force 22-17) and are aiming for consecutive wins outside their home state for the first time since May 2022. Beauden Barrett has made 117 kicks in play in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, the most of any player in the competition. "We've looked at the way the play with the ball, how they put you under pressure. They're a good team, we're certainly not underestimating them…they know that they've got an opportunity, both teams will be up for it." - Blues coach Vern Cotter. "Most teams are difficult to beat at home. But Eden Park, it's not like it is a tough place to play. It's a nice stadium and we play in plenty of those. And the Brumbies showed early in the year that it [winning] is possible." - Waratahs coach Dan McKellar. Blues 12 - 10 Waratahs These teams haven't actually played each other for ages, the last time being way back in round four last year. But on the evidence of this dirge-fest, that's probably a good thing - tries to Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Zarn Sullivan, along with a lot of kicking a scrums, were enough to get past a Waratahs team that was on their way to a well-deserved last placed finish. The Waratahs are coming in with a bit of momentum and have been provided with a blueprint from the Brumbies of how to beat the Blues at home. However, you get the feeling that if the Blues simply revert to type and have Beauden Barrett drill the ball downfield, they'll be able to grind out a workmanlike but important win.
