Latest news with #GeorgeBower
The Advertiser
18 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Williams back for Crusaders, O'Connor to start on bench
All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has been recalled to the Canterbury Crusaders team for Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch against an unchanged Waikato Chiefs side. The powerful tighthead missed last week's semi-final win over the Auckland Blues because of a knee problem but returns to join Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell in the front row, forcing George Bower back to the bench. "Tamaiti is ready to go, he was on the cusp of being ready last week but it's the blessing of having a great squad," coach Rob Penney said. "George Bower has done an amazing job and he's unlucky not to be starting but Tamaiti has got himself back into selection and he's going to get the opportunity." James O'Connor has been named on the bench for Crusaders in what will be his last appearance for the club. The ex-Queensland Red and Wallaby is set to sign in Europe next year. Winger Chay Fihaki has been ruled out of the match by concussion so Macca Springer, who scored five tries in one game against the Western Force earlier this season, comes in on the left wing with Sevu Reece moving to the right. "Macca has been training hard behind the scenes. You always say to your players 'an opportunity will come, be ready'. Now it's come and he's ready," Penney added. For the Chiefs, All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown has not recovered from a collar bone injury so Daniel Rona will again partner Quinn Tupaea in the midfield outside Damian McKenzie. The visitors will field their first-choice back row of Wallace Sititi, skipper Luke Jacobson and Samipeni Finau for what is likely to be a titanic clash up front. "We've built real continuity across the season, and that will serve us well in Christchurch," said Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan, who will take charge of the team for the final time on Saturday. "The Crusaders have proven time and again that they know how to lift in finals footy. They're clinical, composed and proud of their home record. We're ready for a good final fight." The Chiefs have finished runners-up for the last two seasons and will need to hand the Crusaders a first loss in 32 Christchurch playoffs going back to 1998 to win their first Super Rugby title since 2013. "History is history, it is what it is and we're not even thinking about that," said Penney. "We're just thinking about the contest ahead of us which is really exciting." All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has been recalled to the Canterbury Crusaders team for Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch against an unchanged Waikato Chiefs side. The powerful tighthead missed last week's semi-final win over the Auckland Blues because of a knee problem but returns to join Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell in the front row, forcing George Bower back to the bench. "Tamaiti is ready to go, he was on the cusp of being ready last week but it's the blessing of having a great squad," coach Rob Penney said. "George Bower has done an amazing job and he's unlucky not to be starting but Tamaiti has got himself back into selection and he's going to get the opportunity." James O'Connor has been named on the bench for Crusaders in what will be his last appearance for the club. The ex-Queensland Red and Wallaby is set to sign in Europe next year. Winger Chay Fihaki has been ruled out of the match by concussion so Macca Springer, who scored five tries in one game against the Western Force earlier this season, comes in on the left wing with Sevu Reece moving to the right. "Macca has been training hard behind the scenes. You always say to your players 'an opportunity will come, be ready'. Now it's come and he's ready," Penney added. For the Chiefs, All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown has not recovered from a collar bone injury so Daniel Rona will again partner Quinn Tupaea in the midfield outside Damian McKenzie. The visitors will field their first-choice back row of Wallace Sititi, skipper Luke Jacobson and Samipeni Finau for what is likely to be a titanic clash up front. "We've built real continuity across the season, and that will serve us well in Christchurch," said Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan, who will take charge of the team for the final time on Saturday. "The Crusaders have proven time and again that they know how to lift in finals footy. They're clinical, composed and proud of their home record. We're ready for a good final fight." The Chiefs have finished runners-up for the last two seasons and will need to hand the Crusaders a first loss in 32 Christchurch playoffs going back to 1998 to win their first Super Rugby title since 2013. "History is history, it is what it is and we're not even thinking about that," said Penney. "We're just thinking about the contest ahead of us which is really exciting." All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has been recalled to the Canterbury Crusaders team for Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch against an unchanged Waikato Chiefs side. The powerful tighthead missed last week's semi-final win over the Auckland Blues because of a knee problem but returns to join Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell in the front row, forcing George Bower back to the bench. "Tamaiti is ready to go, he was on the cusp of being ready last week but it's the blessing of having a great squad," coach Rob Penney said. "George Bower has done an amazing job and he's unlucky not to be starting but Tamaiti has got himself back into selection and he's going to get the opportunity." James O'Connor has been named on the bench for Crusaders in what will be his last appearance for the club. The ex-Queensland Red and Wallaby is set to sign in Europe next year. Winger Chay Fihaki has been ruled out of the match by concussion so Macca Springer, who scored five tries in one game against the Western Force earlier this season, comes in on the left wing with Sevu Reece moving to the right. "Macca has been training hard behind the scenes. You always say to your players 'an opportunity will come, be ready'. Now it's come and he's ready," Penney added. For the Chiefs, All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown has not recovered from a collar bone injury so Daniel Rona will again partner Quinn Tupaea in the midfield outside Damian McKenzie. The visitors will field their first-choice back row of Wallace Sititi, skipper Luke Jacobson and Samipeni Finau for what is likely to be a titanic clash up front. "We've built real continuity across the season, and that will serve us well in Christchurch," said Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan, who will take charge of the team for the final time on Saturday. "The Crusaders have proven time and again that they know how to lift in finals footy. They're clinical, composed and proud of their home record. We're ready for a good final fight." The Chiefs have finished runners-up for the last two seasons and will need to hand the Crusaders a first loss in 32 Christchurch playoffs going back to 1998 to win their first Super Rugby title since 2013. "History is history, it is what it is and we're not even thinking about that," said Penney. "We're just thinking about the contest ahead of us which is really exciting."
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Williams back for Crusaders, O'Connor to start on bench
All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has been recalled to the Canterbury Crusaders team for Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch against an unchanged Waikato Chiefs side. The powerful tighthead missed last week's semi-final win over the Auckland Blues because of a knee problem but returns to join Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell in the front row, forcing George Bower back to the bench. "Tamaiti is ready to go, he was on the cusp of being ready last week but it's the blessing of having a great squad," coach Rob Penney said. "George Bower has done an amazing job and he's unlucky not to be starting but Tamaiti has got himself back into selection and he's going to get the opportunity." James O'Connor has been named on the bench for Crusaders in what will be his last appearance for the club. The ex-Queensland Red and Wallaby is set to sign in Europe next year. Winger Chay Fihaki has been ruled out of the match by concussion so Macca Springer, who scored five tries in one game against the Western Force earlier this season, comes in on the left wing with Sevu Reece moving to the right. "Macca has been training hard behind the scenes. You always say to your players 'an opportunity will come, be ready'. Now it's come and he's ready," Penney added. For the Chiefs, All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown has not recovered from a collar bone injury so Daniel Rona will again partner Quinn Tupaea in the midfield outside Damian McKenzie. The visitors will field their first-choice back row of Wallace Sititi, skipper Luke Jacobson and Samipeni Finau for what is likely to be a titanic clash up front. "We've built real continuity across the season, and that will serve us well in Christchurch," said Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan, who will take charge of the team for the final time on Saturday. "The Crusaders have proven time and again that they know how to lift in finals footy. They're clinical, composed and proud of their home record. We're ready for a good final fight." The Chiefs have finished runners-up for the last two seasons and will need to hand the Crusaders a first loss in 32 Christchurch playoffs going back to 1998 to win their first Super Rugby title since 2013. "History is history, it is what it is and we're not even thinking about that," said Penney. "We're just thinking about the contest ahead of us which is really exciting."
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Williams back for Crusaders, Chiefs unchanged for Super Rugby final
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Ireland v New Zealand - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - November 8, 2024 New Zealand's Tamaiti Williams in action with Ireland's Bundee Aki REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne/File Photo (Reuters) -All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has been recalled to the Canterbury Crusaders team for Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch against an unchanged Waikato Chiefs side. The powerful tighthead missed last week's semi-final win over the Auckland Blues because of a knee problem but returns to join Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell in the front row, forcing George Bower back to the bench. "Tamaiti is ready to go, he was on the cusp of being ready last week but it's the blessing of having a great squad," coach Rob Penney said. "George Bower has done an amazing job and he's unlucky not to be starting but Tamaiti has got himself back into selection and he's going to get the opportunity." Winger Chay Fihaki has been ruled out of the match by concussion so Macca Springer, who scored five tries in one game against the Western Force earlier this season, comes in on the left wing with Sevu Reece moving to the right. "Macca has been training hard behind the scenes. You always say to your players 'an opportunity will come, be ready'. Now it's come and he's ready," Penney added. For the Chiefs, All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown has not recovered from a collar bone injury so Daniel Rona will again partner Quinn Tupaea in the midfield outside Damian McKenzie. The visitors will field their first-choice back row of Wallace Sititi, skipper Luke Jacobson and Samipeni Finau for what is likely to be a titanic clash up front. "We've built real continuity across the season, and that will serve us well in Christchurch," said Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan, who will take charge of the team for the final time on Saturday. "The Crusaders have proven time and again that they know how to lift in finals footy. They're clinical, composed, and proud of their home record. We're ready for a good final fight." The Chiefs have finished runners-up for the last two seasons and will need to hand the Crusaders a first loss in 32 Christchurch playoffs going back to 1998 to win their first Super Rugby title since 2013. "History is history, it is what it is and we're not even thinking about that," said Penney. "We're just thinking about the contest ahead of us which is really exciting." (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Crusaders v Blues Super Rugby semifinal live updates
Live updates of the Super Rugby semifinal between the Crusaders and the Blues in Christchurch. To listen to the Alternative Commentary Collective call click here. Crusaders team to face the Blues The Crusaders will be without All Black Tamaiti Williams when they host the Blues on Friday night, with the loosehead prop unavailable due to a knee injury. That sees George Bower move into the starting side in the lone change to the run-on XV. Subsequently, Seb Calder has joined the bench as cover at prop. 'He hasn't been able to make it into this week's group. He obviously copped a bit of a knee bang so he's not in the group,' Crusaders coach Rob Penney said of Williams' unavailability. 'George [Bower] has been magnificent for us. He's had an 80 and a few longer stints on the park so we've got no doubt he'll do a great job.' The only other change also comes on the bench, where Jamie Hannah replaces Tahlor Cahill. Should the Crusaders beat the Blues, they will earn the right to host next week's final in Christchurch. Crusaders: 1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Scott Barrett 5. Antonio Shalfoon 6. Ethan Blackadder 7. Tom Christie 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Rivez Reihana 11. Sevu Reece 12. David Havili (c) 13. Braydon Ennor 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Will Jordan. Bench: 16. George Bell 17. Kershawl Sykes-Martin 18. Seb Calder 19. Jamie Hannah 20. Cullen Grace 21. Kyle Preston 22. James O'Connor 23. Dallas McLeod. Blues team to face the Crusaders The Blues have made just one change to the starting side that beat the Chiefs last weekend, with Zarn Sullivan starting at fullback. That is a straight swap for Corey Evans, who drops out of the match-day 23. 'It's going to be a tough game and we need to be as accurate as possible,' Blues coach Vern Cotter said. 'There's been good clarity this week and the boys are up for it. We're going to enjoy the contest. 'We're putting things together at the right time of the year. The guys know how to win big games and that's our goal again on Friday night.' Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a 2. Ricky Riccitelli 3. Marcel Renata 4. Patrick Tuipulotu 5. Laghlan McWhannell 6. Adrian Choat 7. Dalton Papali'i 8. Hoskins Sotutu 9. Finlay Christie 10. Beauden Barrett 11. Caleb Clarke 12. A.J. Lam 13. Rieko Ioane 14. Mark Tele'a 15. Zarn Sullivan. Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund 17. Jordan Lay 18. Angus Ta'avao 19. Josh Beehre 20. Anton Segner 21. Sam Nock 22. Harry Plummer 23. Cole Forbes.
RNZ News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks watch: Who pressed their case in the play-offs
Josh Fusitu'a, Ruben Love, George Bower, Beauden Barrett. Photo: PHOTOSPORT All Blacks squad announcement 23 June Coastal Rugby Club, Taranaki Live blog updates on RNZ Analysis - We're only two and a half weeks away from the naming of the first All Black squad of the year, so time is running short for those players on the fringes. The die is now cast for anyone in that category from the Hurricanes, as they were knocked out of the play-offs, but still there was enough in this weekend to give Scott Robertson a bit to ponder before we head to Taranaki to learn who will be taking on France in three tests in July. George Bell scores the winner against the Brumbies. Photo: Mark Evans/ActionPress One of the more intriguing 'remember me' performances. Bell had completely dropped off the radar due to injury and the very good form of Ioane Moananu in his place at the Crusaders. However, two very good weeks in a row - including scoring the winning try against the Brumbies - is a reminder that while Bell's call up last year was a surprise, he will most likely be still in Robertson's thinking for this season. Photo: PhotoSport / Martin Hunter Another player to not only come off the bench for the Crusaders but also be part of an incredibly dominant scrum that never even let the Reds get a sniff in Christchurch. Bower hasn't played test rugby since late 2022, leading many to speculate a switch of national allegiance to Fiji, but with this sort of scrummaging form, he may well find himself back in black. His Crusaders connection to Robertson certainly won't hurt either, if experience is needed in an emergency. Beauden Barrett of the Blues tackled by Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Given that the squad naming is taking place at the Barrett family's home club, it's a pretty safe bet all three brothers will be named on 23 June. However, while Scott is obviously starting as captain, there is a slight question mark over what role Jordie and Beauden will initially play in the match day squad. On the evidence of his performance against the Chiefs, it will be a very tough call to leave Beauden out of the starting 10 jersey, given that his tactical kicking in a test-match intensity was the difference between the Blues' advancing to the semi-finals or having their season end then and there. Joshua Fusitu'a. Photo: Aaron Gillions/ActionPress Another prop who played an important set piece role was Fusitu'a, whose momentum lately has included winning the Blues player of the year award. Every set piece in the Blues' victory over the Chiefs was crucial, as it gave the opportunity to garner penalties that Barrett either kicked for goal or converted into large territorial gains. At 24, Fusitu'a has a long career ahead of him, however a call up now would give him ample time to work his way up the propping rotation at a managed pace. Ruben Love. Photo: Andy Radka/ActionPress We all know how good Love's all round game is, especially since his shift to first five this season was a major part in the Hurricanes finally getting their act together. Even though he moved back to fullback to accommodate the returning Brett Cameron, Love was still entrusted with the goal kicking, which he's handled superbly. The All Blacks are blessed with a number of test match quality kickers, but this particular skillset is one that gives Love just that much more of an advantage as a utility player. Daniel Rona. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress While this would fall into the bolter category, a call up for Rona would be justified on his incredibly consistent form this season. Most of the chat has been around a recall for his midfield partner Quinn Tupaea, but Rona's performance in a losing effort against the Blues was the Chiefs' best. There is a lot of traffic jostling to get into the midfield selections, so this may be more of being added to the official depth chart rather than a direct selection in June.
