Latest news with #RubenLove
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks talk up Hamilton before tonight's test against France
The French rugby team might have snubbed Hamilton, but the All Blacks were full of praise for the city before tonight's test against 'Les Bleus'. France have never played a test match in Hamilton and more than 25,000 fans are expected to fill the stands. Last week, they caused a stir with their decision to go to Auckland after the Wellington test , staying there before the series finale against the All Blacks down State Highway 1. The All Blacks have been in the city all week though, training on local fields and enjoying the city. Coach Scott Robertson said it was obvious they were in "rugby country". "You walk down the street, everyone's so passionate," he said. "They love this team, so it's great to be here." All Blacks coach Scott Robertson loves being back in 'The Tron'. Photo: Kerry Marshall/ Midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown offered a local menu plan for fans who wanted to "eat like an All Black". "Go to Hamilton East, go over to Made, Reggie's Pizza - you can't beat it," he said. "Get a gelato on the way out, you'll be happy." Lienert-Brown plays for the local Chiefs Super Rugby team and said his usual order was a Classic Margherita. Anton Lienert-Brown dispensed dining advice for visitors to Hamilton. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ Fullback Ruben Love wasn't so familiar with the city, but had warm memories of the wider region. "I was here in 2022 for the Māori All Blacks and we went out to Ngāruawāhia," he said. "I think it's just out of Hamilton and we went to the pa there [Tūrangawaewae Marae] to visit the Kīngitanga. "That was pretty special, I'll never forget that." FMG Stadium Waikato director Ben Slatter said ticketholders should aim to arrive early. "With a soldout crowd expected, arriving early is essential - you won't want to miss the haka or kickoff." Mayor Paula Southgate said the city was thrilled to host the game. "It's a truly historic moment," she said. "Whether you're at the meet and greet, in the stands or watching from home, it's going to be an unforgettable weekend." Local hotels, restaurants and retailers were bracing for a weekend of record foot traffic. "Big games like this bring incredible energy and major economic impact," Southgate said. "Last time the All Blacks played here, we saw more than 8500 bed nights and $1.7 million in tourism spend - a huge boost for our local businesses and economy." Tonight's clash marks the final of the three New Zealand tests, with the All Blacks already clinching the series with victory in the first two. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
7 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
‘I don't feel any pressure' - Ruben Love on All Blacks call up
All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 19 July FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog updates on RNZ Ruben Love's youthful confidence couldn't have been displayed any better when he was asked about the potential pressure of his selection for Saturday night's test against France. Love will start at fullback, but with Beauden Barrett out injured, stands as the only backup at first five for the All Blacks, despite only having played one test. "I'm 24 and I don't feel any pressure," said Love at the team naming press conference. "When you're training and competing against Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, you gain a lot of confidence just being around them, talking to them off the field and training with them on it. So there's no reason for me not to feel confident." Love made his solitary test appearance off the bench, coming on and scoring two tries in the last 10 minutes in last year's comfortable win over Japan. However, he had been in the All Blacks set up all year, initially brought in as injury cover in the first squad of the season. Ruben Love Photo: Christopher Jue/ActionPress "I've been in this environment all of last year, learned of the great coaches and the great players. And this week, I've got experienced wingers, I've got Anton (Lienert-Brown) inside me. "So yeah, I'm going to go out there, play my game and make my opportunities come." Love is also coming off an exceptional season for the Hurricanes, in which his switch from fullback to first five played no small part in the side's dramatic form reversal. They lifted themselves to eight straight wins, and while they ended up losing their play-off to the Brumbies, they proved that the future looks bright for the admittedly long-suffering franchise. Hurricanes Ruben Love scores during the Super Rugby Pacific match, Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress "Understanding all the plays, how we want to play the game," is how Love describes the mastery of both positions. "And where both first five and full back fit in. So the way I can gather all the confidence that I need is just preparing in both roles. So in training, getting 10 and 15 and just making sure that, if the moment comes that I'm just ready to do both all the same." Love will most likely find himself at first receiver a few times anyway, especially on the counterattack opportunities that the All Blacks will look to create off messy ball. Barrett revealed post-match in Wellington that the kicking strategy was designed to create a bouncing, contestable ball that could create attacking situations, which Love will hope to read and make the most of off first phase. "I feel like I'm good at giving players confidence as well," he said. "I'm vocal on the field. I've got a never-say-no attitude, so I just want to be a great teammate, be reliable." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Reuters
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
All Blacks coach Robertson gives Love a chance against France
July 17 (Reuters) - Ruben Love will start at fullback in a much-changed lineup as the All Blacks look to complete a 3-0 whitewash of France in the series finale in Hamilton on Saturday. New Zealand coach Scott Robertson made good on his pledge to give everyone in his wider squad a chance, bringing in seven players for their first taste of test rugby this season. Wellington Hurricanes fullback Love gets his second test cap following his debut against Japan last year, while Luke Jacobson will start at number eight in a rejigged back row after recovering from injury. Samipeni Finau replaces the injured Tupou Vaa'i in the number six shirt, while stand-in captain Ardie Savea remains starting openside flanker. Centre Anton Lienert-Brown comes in to the midfield with inside centre Quinn Tupaea, while Sevu Reece has returned to the wing after missing the second test with concussion. Robertson has also shaken up the front row, starting Samisoni Taukei'aho at hooker and Tyrel Lomax at tighthead prop. With Beauden Barrett ruled out with a hand injury, Damian McKenzie will start in the number 10 shirt behind scrumhalf Cortez Ratima. Waikato Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister will hope to debut off the bench at his home stadium. After an unconvincing first-up win in Dunedin, the All Blacks thrashed the French 43-17 in Wellington to seal the series, giving Robertson the luxury to tweak combinations in Hamilton. "These men have earned their place in the team, have trained extremely hard over the last three weeks, and will take their opportunity on Saturday night," Robertson said in a media release on Thursday. Team: 15-Ruben Love, 14-Sevu Reece, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 12-Quinn Tupaea, 11-Rieko Ioane, 10-Damian McKenzie, 9-Cortez Ratima, 8-Luke Jacobson, 7-Ardie Savea (Captain), 6-Samipeni Finau, 5-Fabian Holland, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu (Vice-Captain), 3-Tyrel Lomax, 2-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 1-Ethan de Groot Replacements: 16-Brodie McAlister, 17-George Bower, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Dalton Papali'i, 20-Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21-Noah Hotham, 22-Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23-Will Jordan
eNCA
08-06-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Brumbies join New Zealand heavyweights in Super Rugby semis
CANBERRA - A gutsy ACT Brumbies ensured Australia's presence in the Super Rugby semi-finals with a 35-28 takedown of the in-form Wellington Hurricanes, joining New Zealand heavyweights Auckland Blues, Waikato Chiefs and Canterbury Crusaders. The 'Canes arrived in frigid Canberra unbeaten in six games, but after a fast start they were bossed by the Brumbies' front-rowers who bagged four of their five tries. Their reward is a semi-final next week in Hamilton against the Chiefs, who suffered a last-gasp 20-19 defeat to the defending champion Blues. Despite losing, the Chiefs still advanced to the semis, and kept home advantage, as the highest-seeded loser under a revamped play-off system. The Blues travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders, who opened the elimination round with a 32-12 win over the Queensland Reds on Friday. "It felt good to earn ourselves another week," said Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa, who crossed for a try. "We knew it was probably going to take everything we had. I thought it was a much-improved effort from last time we played them." A fifth-minute try from fullback Ruben Love after a free-flowing move set the 'Canes on their way, but the Brumbies quickly struck back when hooker Billy Pollard finished off a patient trademark rolling maul. They exchanged converted tries again before Pollard put the home side in front for the first time on the cusp of half-time, again crashing over after a rolling maul for a 21-14 advantage. The hosts extended their lead six minutes after the break when Tom Wright combined with Wallabies teammate Rob Valetini to slice open the defence. A determined Hurricanes kept bouncing back, but a further converted Brumbies try from veteran prop James Slipper ultimately sealed the win.
The 42
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Brumbies join New Zealand heavyweights in Super Rugby semis
A GUTSY ACT Brumbies ensured Australia will have one representative in the Super Rugby semi-finals as they beat the in-form Wellington Hurricanes 35-28 on Saturday, joining New Zealand heavyweights Auckland Blues, Waikato Chiefs and Canterbury Crusaders. The 'Canes arrived in frigid Canberra unbeaten in six games, but after a fast start they were bossed by the Brumbies' front-rowers who bagged four of their five tries. Their reward is a semi-final next week in Hamilton against the Chiefs, who suffered a last-gasp 20-19 defeat to the defending champion Blues. Advertisement Despite losing, the Chiefs still advanced to the semis, and kept home advantage, as the highest-seeded loser under a revamped play-off system. The Blues travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders, who opened the elimination round with a 32-12 win over the Queensland Reds on Friday. A fifth-minute try from fullback Ruben Love after a free-flowing move set the 'Canes on their way, but the Brumbies quickly struck back when hooker Billy Pollard finished off a patient trademark rolling maul. They exchanged converted tries again before Pollard put the home side in front for the first time on the cusp of half time, again crashing over after a rolling maul for a 21-14 advantage. The hosts extended their lead six minutes after the break when Tom Wright combined with Wallabies teammate Rob Valetini to slice open the defence. A determined Hurricanes kept bouncing back, but a further converted Brumbies try from veteran prop James Slipper ultimately sealed the win. In Hamilton, Josh Beehre scored a try after the final hooter to keep the Blues' title defence alive. Out-half Beauden Barrett added the extras in a dramatic finish to a game the Chiefs dominated before being over-run by their fast-finishing opponents, who only snuck into the play-offs as the sixth and lowest qualifiers. Both Blues tries came in the final 15 minutes after trailing 19-6. Hooker Kurt Eklund burrowed over to get the Blues back in the contest before another substitute forward, lock Beehre, stretched out in the 82nd minute. – © AFP 2025
