Latest news with #CamRoigard
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Hurricanes shatter Moana dreams and send Blues into Super Rugby playoffs
Ereatara Enari of the Hurricanes, 2025. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / The Hurricanes shattered Moana Pasifika's dreams of a maiden Super Rugby Pacific playoff campaign with a crushing 64-12 victory on Saturday that sent the defending champion Blues into next week's quarter-finals instead. The Hurricanes cemented fourth place in the final standings and will travel to Canberra next Saturday to play the ACT Brumbies, while the Blues, who earlier beat the New South Wales Waratahs 46-6, will visit the table-topping Chiefs. In the other playoff, the 12-times champion Crusaders will host Queensland Reds, who concluded the regular season on Saturday night with a 52-7 win over Fijian Drua on the back of four first-half tries from winger Lachie Anderson. Moana had hoped to be there too on the back of a breakout season but even redoubtable skipper Ardie Savea was unable to inspire them to the bonus-point victory they needed to edge out the Blues and claim the sixth and last playoff spot. Number eight Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa gave Moana the perfect start at Wellington Stadium with a try after six minutes but Hurricanes were 14-7 up before a quarter of an hour had expired. Hooker Jacob Devery went over on the back of a rolling maul before flanker Devan Flanders showed his footballing skills with a chip and chase for the second try. Savea grabbed a couple of turnovers but it only delayed the inevitable as Hurricanes scrumhalf Cam Roigard went over from an intercept and centre Peter Umaga-Jensen rampaged through the Moana defence to give the home side a 28-7 halftime lead. Umaga-Jensen barged over for his second try 10 minutes after the break before Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Billy Proctor, Ereatara Enari and Tjay Clarke completed the 10-try rout. "Really pleasing, not only that we got the result, but that we played the way we did going into the finals," said Hurricanes co-captain Du'Plessis Kirifi. "From next week on, you've got to just start again. Start again and go hard." Savea, who scored a consolation try against his old team in the 65th minute off a catch-and-drive, expressed his pride in what Moana had achieved this year. "We're not satisfied," he said. "Our goal was to win the thing and make top six, but that wasn't meant to be." Blues fullback Corey Evans scores a try, 2025. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The Blues earlier ended the slender post-season hopes of the Waratahs by running in seven tries in a bonus-point victory at Eden Park to extend their winning streak over the Sydney-based club to 11 matches. Centre Rieko Ioane scored a hat-trick and winger Mark Tele'a two tries on the back of an attack skilfully marshalled by their fellow All Black Beauden Barrett as the Blues gave the Waratahs a lesson in clinical finishing. "We just wanted to play shackle-free and have some fun and I think we did that tonight," said Ioane, who joined Doug Howlett as the Blues' all time leading try-scorer with 55. "We knew how crucial the bonus point was, and to hold them to no tries was awesome." On Friday, the Chiefs locked up top spot in the standings and home advantage throughout the playoffs with a 41-21 victory over the Highlanders and the Crusaders beat the Brumbies 33-31 to win the shootout for second. -Reuters
RNZ News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
‘The boys didn't drop our heads' – Canes bringing the belief back
If nothing else, the Hurricanes' dramatic 24-20 win over the Highlanders showed just how fine the margins are this Super Rugby Pacific season. The match was essentially decided on a crooked lineout throw, with the Highlanders gifting the home side the ball as time slipped away, which the Hurricanes eventually turned into a try for the outstanding Cam Roigard. It's worth remembering this was a Highlanders team that is struggling to avoid coming last, but this was still the second game between the two sides this year that's been decided on the last play of the game. For Roigard, it was another very assured performance while everything around him was literally falling apart. The Hurricanes' injury toll was almost maxed out at halftime, with both starting wingers and Brayden Iose all leaving the field injured. Cam Roigard scores a try during the Hurricanes v Highlanders, Super Rugby Pacific match, Sky Stadium, Wellington. Photo: Marty Melville/Actionpress "You know it's pretty cool score in front of a lot of fans, yeah I was pretty pumped up," said Roigard post-match. "It was good that the boys didn't drop our heads, didn't give up. We created an opportunity by competing in that lineout, which ultimately was the difference between us winning and losing. "How we responded to that was great for us moving forward because there are going to be moments like that when the game's only going to get closer and tougher - especially if we make the finals." The game also marked a successful return to action for Brett Cameron, who found himself on the field earlier than expected thanks to the backline reshuffle. It also meant he was one of three natural first fives on the field, alongside starting 10 Ruben Love and converted fullback Callum Harkin. Brett Cameron, left, is tackled by Thomas Umaga-Jensen during the Hurricanes v Highlanders, Super Rugby Pacific match, Sky Stadium, Wellington. Photo: Marty Melville/Actionpress "I felt like I had a decent amount of rugby under my belt before today," said Cameron, who had turned out in two club games over the last fortnight. "It would've been probably ideal was coming off the bench for a few minutes today, but obviously we had a few dings early in that first half. But it was good to get a decent stint in." Cameron has made an earlier than expected recovery from a serious knee injury, so now will compete with Love for the starting first five position. "It's just credit to our medical staff, they're unbelievable. They create a bit of a culture with the boys in terms of wanting to get back in and work hard to get back early. I guess it shows like how much we love this team and, it's awesome to get back early." The win means the Hurricanes now sit fifth, three points ahead of the Blues and two behind the Reds, who they meet next Friday in Brisbane.
RNZ News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Super Rugby: Cam Roigard try steals win for Hurricanes over Highlanders
Cam Roigard scores a try during the Hurricanes v Highlanders, Super Rugby Pacific match, Sky Stadium, Wellington. Photo: Marty Melville/Actionpress The Hurricanes are making a late charge for the play-offs, so this game is crucial to keep them in the top six. Meanwhile the Highlanders are just trying to save face and avoid coming last. Kick-off is at 7:05pm NZT. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Hurricanes : 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Zach Gallagher, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Ngatungane Punivai, 12. Riley Higgins, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Callum Harkin Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Will Tucker, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Brett Cameron, 23. Fatafehi Fineanganofo Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 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. Jona Nareki, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13. Tanielu Tele'a, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Oliver Haig, 20. Michael Loft, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Cameron Millar, 23. Thomas Umaga-Jensen
RNZ News
04-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rare All Blacks jersey to be auctioned
All Black Cam Roigard celebrates after scoring a try with All Blacks Peter Lakai, Beauden Barrett and Wallace Sititi during All Blacks v France Northern Tour match on 16 November. Photo: Supplied / Bob Martin The sale of a rare All Blacks jersey will help New Zealand's living war veterans, the president of the Returned and Services' Association (RSA) says. When the All Blacks played France last November, they honoured veterans by wearing an RSA poppy embroidered onto their jersey as part of the Remembrance Test - to honour those New Zealanders who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country. One of the tops - a white version of the national jersey to differentiate from France's dark blue - was gifted to the RSA. It is now up for auction. National president and former All Black Sir Wayne Shelford said it was "heartwarming" to receive the jersey, which was signed by the 2024 squad and coach Scott Robertson. "It's a great honour... to be given one of those jerseys to auction off. The All Blacks themselves realise that by wearing the poppy they're helping our veterans out, which is awesome. "Pulling on the black jersey is incredibly emotional for any player, but having that mark of respect for veterans embroidered on the sleeve takes it to another level. The poppy is worn to honour the fallen, but this gift from the All Blacks will now allow us to provide more support to our living veterans." He said there were probably between 13,000 to 16,000 living veterans who had taken part in wars since World War II. Many had ongoing issues they needed support with, such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or just simply getting older, he added. Shelford called the jersey a "true collector's item" as the jerseys were only made for the test played against France on. No supporters jerseys were produced or made available for sale. The jersey was on Trade Me, and the auction would close at 7.45pm on Wednesday, 7 May. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hurricanes take try-scoring frenzy over Fijian Drua
All Blacks scrumhalf Cam Roigard has helped the Hurricanes to their first Super Rugby Pacific victory, taking a thrilling win over a wasteful Fijian Drua outfit. Roigard failed to stamp his authority on their first-round match, with the Hurricanes falling to the Crusaders. But the No.9 set up three tries and scored one of his own among 11 for the day to bank an important 38-34 result at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday. Roigard helped open the scoring after 38 seconds when he darted 20 metres from the back of the ruck before off-loading to flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi. But in a sign of things to come the Drua, who were pipped by the ACT Brumbies in round one, hit back in the sixth minute, with Iliesa Junior Ratuva catching the Hurricanes defence short out wide. The scoreboard continued to tick over with the Fijians ahead 22-19 at halftime, helped by some poor discipline by the home side with both Kirifi and Will Tucker yellow-carded. Offload city 😮💨How many passes can you count before the try?#SuperRugbyPacific #HURvDRU — Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) February 22, 2025 The Drua could have been further in front but flanker Meli Derenalagi threw a wild pass that went metres forward with the tryline beckoning. Minutes later flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula then launched an unnecessarily long cut-out pass to Taniela Rakuro, with the winger ruled to have put his hand on the dead-ball line as he grounded the ball. The islanders pushed the lead out to 27-19 with lock Isoa Nasilasila at the end of some quick hands but then Roigard played his hand in the 58th minute, sniping through a hole for a one-point ball game. The Hurricanes hit the lead after 67 minutes with centre Bailyn Sullivan running onto a long Roigard pass but it was short-lived with the bold Drua scoring off a long five metre line-out to regain the lead 34-31. With five minutes remaining, the visitors spilt the restart and the Hurricanes pounced, with Riley Hohepa bursting through the defence before finding Godfrey for the match-winner. Co-captain Kirifi praised his team's defence, holding the Drua out for 18 phases after fulltime to secure the victory, but 12 penalties let his team down. HUUUUUGE shift from Cam Roigard 👏#SuperRugbyPacific #HURvDRU — Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) February 22, 2025 "It was probably a pretty fair summary of the game," the flanker said. "Not gonna lie, quite disappointing, in the early parts of that game. "We played our best rugby in the last 10 minutes, and we challenged ourselves to show a little bit of maturity once we got a lead there. "Our biggest setback today was our discipline, and that's myself included - that was really putting us on the back foot and giving them more opportunities than we needed to." After falling to a four-point loss to Brumbies in Suva last round, Drua skipper Frank Lomani was left disappointed again. "We brought physicality but it was disappointing that we couldn't finish the game," he said. "We had them in the last minute but just our execution ... the Hurricanes have been a quality side for a number of years and small moments like that, they take the opportunity so we've got to be better."
