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Otago Daily Times
06-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Une nuit fantastique
Dunedin businesses say it was their "busiest day of the year" when the All Blacks came to town on Saturday. A sold-out crowd of 28,532 filled the stands at Forsyth Barr Stadium to watch the All Blacks test against France, the team battling to fend off a plucky French side before winning 31-27. There was a hush among the crowd when the All Blacks first performed the haka, beneath a spotlight courtesy of last year's lighting upgrade to the stadium. All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor led the haka with a new māripi, a traditional Māori weapon or tool that was specially carved for them. Otago forwards Fabian Holland and Christian Lio-Willie also made promising debuts. The Craic Irish Tavern co-owner Claire Grenfell said Saturday was, for them, "definitely the busiest day of the year". "The rugby crowd's always a fun crowd. You generally get very little trouble and there was a really good contingent of French supporters, which really added to the atmosphere." Major events such as test matches were "a real lifeline" and "absolutely vital" for the city's hospitality sector, she said. Christchurch's $683 million One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha is scheduled to open in April, with concerns Dunedin could lose out on hosting another All Blacks test next year once completed. Ms Grenfell said it would definitely hurt if Dunedin did not host another test match in 2026, but had faith in the Dunedin stadium's reputation. "I realise Christchurch getting their stadium online is a potential sort of threat to that. "Hopefully Dunedin's had a really good long track record of delivering on events and having a great atmosphere in town as well, which is really key." Brew Bar co-owner Mark Fraser said they filled up with patrons pretty quickly from Saturday lunch onwards. It was "absolutely chocker". "Obviously, busiest day of the year for us. "Friday was good, but Saturday was unbelievable." The business also hosted a separate activation in the Octagon, which went "incredibly well", Mr Fraser said. It reached capacity of almost 400 patrons not long after 3pm. Events such as Saturday's test were "crucial to the hospitality scene", he said. "[Saturday] is a perfect example of how well Dunedin does do big events ... from a financial point of view, it would be a bitter pill to swallow if we didn't get one." Dunedin Venues chief executive Paul Doorn said it was a great night and he was "captivated" by the game. It was his first All Blacks test since taking up the reins of the stadium, and was "a big step up from Highlanders games". "As expected, a lot of hot chips consumed, a lot of pies eaten, and a lot of people enjoyed themselves from a hospitality perspective." Mr Doorn said they were working with New Zealand Rugby on the test schedule for the next two years and another venue, such as Christchurch's new stadium, created additional competition. "Am I fearful of it? Not at all." When events came to Dunedin, the "whole city gets behind it", he said. "Doing an event under a roof like that means you are completely weatherproofed and the quality of the product gets to shine on the field. "And ultimately, the All Blacks continue to have a lot of success at Dunedin. "From our perspective, if you're New Zealand Rugby trying to weigh up your options — not just Christchurch or Dunedin, but options across New Zealand — I think we had our very best foot forward last night. "I'm sure that will hold us in good stead for games into the future." A police spokesman said no incidents were reported on Saturday night.
NZ Herald
05-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v France: Live updates from the first test in Dunedin
For live commentary of this weekend's All Blacks v France test, go to Newstalk ZB, GOLD SPORT or iHeartRadio. All the action as the All Blacks clash with France in Dunedin. Load more All Blacks v France line-ups All Blacks side: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan. Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie France side: 1 Giorgi Beria, 2 Gaetan Barlot, 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Hugo Auradou, 5 Tyler Duguid, 6 Alexandre Fischer, 7 Killian Tixeront, 8 Mickael Guillard, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 10 Joris Segonds, 11 Gabin Villière, 12 Gael Fickou (c), 13 Emilien Gailleton, 14 Tom Spring, 15. Theo Attissogbe. Reserves: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Paul Mallez, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Jacobus van Tonder, 22 Baptiste Jauneau, 23 Antoine Hastoy All Blacks v France - What happened last time? The last time the two sides met was during last year's Northern Tour, with France edging out a 30-29 victory. It was a performance that offered so much promise but deteriorated to a deflating defeat in Paris for the All Blacks. Returning to the scene of the 2023 World Cup final loss, the All Blacks carried momentum and confidence from victories over England and Ireland to summon a supremely dominant first half and leave France there for the taking. The All Blacks weren't helped by several perplexing decisions from Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli – and one baffling TMO decision for a neck roll from replacement prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi – but so, too, were they their own worst enemies with multiple errors proving costly. Following wins in 2023 and in 2021, France have recorded three victories in succession over the All Blacks. Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.
News24
21-06-2025
- Sport
- News24
15 of the best for Crusaders as Chiefs choke on third consecutive Super Rugby Final attempt
The Crusaders returned to the summit of Super Rugby Pacific, where they've generally belonged, after they beat the Chiefs 16-12 in the grand final in Christchurch. The Chiefs lost a third consecutive final, while the Crusaders, who were disappointing last year, sealed a 15th title. The Crusaders have now won 32 consecutive playoff matches since 1998 when they first hosted a semi-final when they beat the Sharks. For more, please visit News24 Sport's rugby section. The Crusaders edged the Chiefs 16-12 in an intense Super Rugby Pacific final battle in Christchurch on Saturday to claim their 15th title in 30 years of the Southern Hemisphere competition. Hooker Codie Taylor scored a try and Rivez Reihana contributed 11 points from the kicking tee as the most dominant team in Super Rugby history extended their perfect home playoff record to 32 successive matches since 1998. They won the 1998 semi-final against the Sharks 36-32, from where they won the first of their 15 titles with their 20-13 win over the Blues at Eden Park. The Chiefs, who were looking for a first title since 2013, scored first-half tries through George Dyer and Shaun Stevenson but were unable to register a point after the break and fell to defeat in the final for the third straight year. The contest between two New Zealand heavyweights was predicted to be an arm-wrestle and so it proved with big collisions, a ferocious battle at the breakdown and accurate tactical kicking. Crusaders skipper David Havili was sent to the sin bin in the 11th minute for a high tackle on Emoni Narawa and the Chiefs cashed in when prop Dyer crashed over for a converted try. The lead lasted until the 26th minute when All Black Taylor broke off maul on the 22 and raced down the touchline to open the scoring for the Crusaders. Home flyhalf Reihana converted and kicked two penalties in six minutes around the half-hour mark to delight the sellout crowd and open up a 13-7 lead. The Chiefs hit back just before the break when fullback Stevenson went over for a try in the corner but Damian McKenzie failed to nail the conversion from wide out and the Crusaders retained a 13-12 lead at halftime. The physicality was unrelenting in the second half with McKenzie coming in for particular attention from the Crusaders and the slight flyhalf missed a long-range penalty which would have put the Chiefs ahead in the 55th minute. READ | SA Rugby chief Oberholzer pours cold water on White's Bok complaints The Chiefs then held up Christian Lio-Willie over the line to repel the Crusaders after 25 phases of attack to keep the match a one-point affair. McKenzie was caught in possession and stripped of the ball under the posts in the 66th minute but the Crusaders again came away without points as scrumhalf Noah Hotham was penalised for offside. A dominant scrum earned the Crusaders a penalty seven minutes from time and Reihana slotted home the kick to score the first points of the second half and give the home side enough of a cushion to get over the line. The Crusaders have now won 13 full editions of Super Rugby, including three in the last four years, as well as two New Zealand-only versions played in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID pandemic.
The Guardian
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Crusaders pile more misery on Chiefs to win 13th Super Rugby title
The Crusaders are again the kings of Super Rugby Pacific after consigning the Chiefs to a third-straight loss in the title decider. Playing in Christchurch, the Crusaders claimed a 32nd successive play-off home match victory over three decades of Super Rugby as they downed the Chiefs 16-12 in Saturday's final. It is the Crusaders' 13th title in a combined competition while the Chiefs, who were minor premiers, become just the second team in history to lose three straight Super finals, joining the Lions from South Africa (2016-2018). The victory was all the more remarkable given they missed the top eight play-offs in 2024, although they have now won three of the last four titles on offer. 'Where we were at the end of last year, the start of this year we had a mountain to climb,' said Crusaders fullback Will Jordan, who won his seventh Super Rugby title. 'Everyone had to dig deep and it hasn't been easy.' The victory came in a disappointing week for their Australian veteran playmaker James O'Connor, who missed selection for the Wallabies' squad to face Fiji and likely the British and Irish Lions, seeemingly drawing the curtain on his Test career. Used off the bench for most of the season, O'Connor only came on the field to replace rising star Rivez Reihana with just over a minute remaining, having been a a steady contributor since leaving Queensland to take his chances with the Crusaders in 2025. The Crusaders' All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor scored a brilliant try and Reihana contributed 11 points from the kicking tee, including a crucial second-half penalty while his opposite Damian McKenzie missed a 54th minute penalty and a first-half conversion. Hunting their first title since 2013, the Chiefs scored first-half tries through prop George Dyer and fullback Shaun Stevenson but were unable to register a point after the break as the Crusaders' forward and defensive pressure took its toll. The Crusaders have now won 13 full editions of Super Rugby, including three in the last four years, as well as two New Zealand-only versions played in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID pandemic. The final siren sounds at the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final 🤩#SuperRugbyPacific #CRUvCHI #SRPGrandFinal The defeat was a bitter blow for the Chiefs. 'It was a classic final, two great teams going at it and a small margin,' Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson said. 'The Crusaders did really well to win the halfway and play at the right end of the field. 'I felt we had some good attack when we got into their half, we put some good pressure on them but we just didn't play enough footy down there.'
CNA
21-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Crusaders back on top after edging Chiefs in Super Rugby final
The Canterbury Crusaders edged the Waikato Chiefs 16-12 in an intense Super Rugby Pacific final battle in Christchurch on Saturday to claim their 15th title in 30 years of the Southern Hemisphere competition. Hooker Codie Taylor scored a try and Rivez Reihana contributed 11 points from the kicking tee as the most dominant team in Super Rugby history got back to title-winning ways after missing the playoffs last season. "We had a shocking year last year but we're back at the top," said flyhalf Reihana, who was named Player of the Match. "Just so stoked to be a part of this team... lucky we've got some world-class players that we're able to rely on in those crunch moments." The Chiefs, who were looking for a first title since 2013, scored first-half tries through George Dyer and Shaun Stevenson but were unable to register a point after the break and fell to defeat in the final for the third straight year. "I think it was a classic final, two good teams going at it, small margins," said Chiefs skipper Luke Jacobson. "I felt like we had some really good attack when we got into their half. We put some good pressure on them but we just didn't play enough footy down there." The contest between two New Zealand heavyweights was predicted to be an arm-wrestle and so it proved with big collisions, a ferocious battle at the breakdown and accurate tactical kicking. Crusaders skipper David Havili was sent to the sin bin in the 11th minute for a high tackle on Emoni Narawa and the Chiefs cashed in when prop Dyer crashed over for a converted try. The lead lasted until the 26th minute when All Black Taylor broke off maul on the 22 and raced down the touchline to open the scoring for the Crusaders. Home flyhalf Reihana converted and kicked two penalties in six minutes around the half-hour mark to delight the sellout crowd and open up a 13-7 lead. The Chiefs hit back just before the break when fullback Stevenson went over for a try in the corner but Damian McKenzie failed to nail the conversion from wide out and the Crusaders retained a 13-12 lead at halftime. The physicality was unrelenting in the second half with McKenzie coming in for particular attention from the Crusaders and the slight flyhalf missed a long-range penalty which would have put the Chiefs ahead in the 55th minute. The Chiefs then held up Christian Lio-Willie over the line to repel the Crusaders after 25 phases of attack to keep the match a one-point affair. McKenzie was caught in possession and stripped of the ball under the posts in the 66th minute but the Crusaders again came away without points as scrumhalf Noah Hotham was penalised for offside. A dominant scrum earned the Crusaders a penalty seven minutes from time and Reihana slotted home the kick to score the first points of the second half and give his team enough of a cushion to extend their perfect home playoff record to 32 matches. The Crusaders have now won 13 full editions of Super Rugby, including three in the last four years, as well as two New Zealand-only versions played in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID pandemic.
