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RNZ News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final: what we learned and what it means for the All Blacks
Rob Penney with the Super Rugby trophy. Photo: John Davidson / All Black squad naming Midday, Monday 23 June Coastal Rugby Club, Taranaki Live blog updates on RNZ Analysis: Turns out last year was just a blip for the Crusaders. Quite a significant blip, to be fair, one that deviated from common events but very much snapped back to normal when the side lifted the Super Rugby Pacific trophy after their tense 16-12 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night. The only difference was that it was the first Crusaders trophy lift in quite a while that didn't involve breakdancing, but it's unlikely anyone's holding that against Rob Penney. Last year he was almost out of a job , now he's one of only three current head coaches in the competition who can claim they've won it. Penney's story of the last 18 months is a fascinating one, but it's his to tell when he chooses. Right now there's plenty to digest from the final and competition as a whole: Noah Hotham of the Crusaders kicks during the Super Rugby Pacific Final. Photo: John Davidson / No one was surprised when the first instinct of the Crusaders and Chiefs was to boot the ball high, long and often in the final. That's because as soon as the play-offs started everyone started to shut down all the expansive play that had been such a big part of the competition's regeneration at the start of the season. Obviously, the dipping temperatures played their part but it was the ultimately heightened risk that saw the offloads reduced, while real estate on the field became as valuable as it is in real life. The upshot of this is that it's been the perfect workout before the test season starts. The All Blacks will likely be reverting to a stripped down style once things get close, so the fresh experience of having everything come down to a couple of key second half moments is vitally useful. The Crusaders kept both the Blues and Chiefs scoreless in the second halves of the semi and final. You'd be hard pressed to find any team that does that in any game and loses. Fletcher Newell of the Crusaders celebrates after winning a penalty during the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final. Photo:All the attention was on Tamaiti Williams and how his knee would hold up and while the big man certainly played his part, the real Crusaders hero was on the other side of the front row. For the second weekend in a row, Fletcher Newell started and finished the game - a phenomenal effort for a tighthead prop. The entire Crusaders pack can take a bow though, as their effort in the 72nd minute to win the only points of the second half was not only crucial in the context of the game, but a culmination of a fantastic effort overall. The All Black scrum was one of the major success stories last season, so it'll be no surprise at all when Newell's name once again gets read out on Monday's squad announcement. A dejected Quinn Tupaea of the Chiefs after losing the Super Rugby Pacific Final. Photo: John Davidson / Quinn Tupaea's big comeback season included a very good performance in the final, despite having little to work with due to the committed Crusaders defence. Was it enough to get him named in the initial squad? Other honourable mentions should go to Luke Jacobson, who typically threw himself into everything, Shaun Stevenson in his last game for the Chiefs, and Tupou Vaa'i, who has been outstanding all year. Clayton McMillan and Tupou Vaa'i of the Chiefs. Photo: John Davidson / While Penney can now bask from the top of the mountain after being in the darkest valley, where does this leave Clayton McMillan? The Chiefs are now in Buffalo Bills territory in terms of how fans now regard them, especially considering many were ready to engrave their names on the trophy after only a few rounds earlier this year. McMillan now leaves to coach Munster, a role and overseas experience he fully deserves after dragging the corpse of what Warren Gatland had left of the Chiefs into a side that has been able to almost win a title three years in a row. Key word being 'almost' though. Will this count against him when he presumably returns to New Zealand at some stage to try and become the next All Black coach?
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
X Factor legend dies aged 64 after working closely with Simon Cowell for eight years on hit show
AN X Factor legend has passed away aged 64 after working closely with Simon Cowell on the show for eight years. Bodyguard Tony Adkins - known as Big Tony - died on Easter Sunday while on a rugby tour, a family member confirmed on social media. 2 2 Sharing a photo of Tony, his cousin wrote: "It is with great sadness my family would like to announce that my Cousin Big Tony, Simon Cowell 's ex bodyguard, passed away on Easter Sunday while on a Rugby Tour. "He was a loveable Rogue and will be missed very much, RIP Big T." Hammersmith and Fulham RFC also paid tribute to Tony with a statement on its website. It read: "It is with immense sadness that the club pays tribute to a true gent and great Hammer, Tony Adkins, who passed away whilst on tour with the Club in Poland on Easter Sunday." Viewers will remember dealing with upset contestants on The X Factor, often being forced to remove them from the audition room when things didn't go their way. After his time working for Simon and the show came to an end, he revealed what his former famous boss is really like. He told the Mirror: "Simon was so laid-back and a very nice guy. "He was generous, too. Whenever the show finished - and at Christmas - you'd get an envelope as a thank you. The last one I got had £700 stuffed in it." Tony continued: "He's a very private person. He doesn't give much away. You never see him drunk or out of control. "Simon is vain - he does his hair all the time. "If there are five breaks in filming then Simon will do his hair five times." He added: "And I think he has about 20 identical T-shirts. I remember once he had a hole in one, so he just reached into a bag and pulled out another from a big pile."
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Yahoo
5 of the best spring walks in and around Watford – fancy some fresh air?
After a busy working week and trying to keep on top of everyday life, blowing the cobwebs away and clearing your mind can sound quite appealing, especially in springtime. Getting out of the house for some fresh air is one way that is bound to make you feel better, as well as taking in all the plants and flowers that are starting to appear ahead of the warmer months. Whether you want to discover your new favourite picnic spot or find a different pathway to walk the dog with, there is plenty to explore in and around Watford. Here are some of the best walks in the area, according to AllTrails. Length: 7.4km Estimated time of completion: 1 hour 52 minutes This moderate walk takes on average 1 hour 52 minutes across a circular trail reaching 7.4km. Popular for camping, hiking, walking, biking or birding, many enjoy the solitude it offers during quiet times of the day. The trail is open all year round and all dogs are welcome, however, they must be kept on a lead at all times. One local who recently went on the walk shared: "Sooo many bluebells this time of year! Quite busy on a weekend. Low to zero mud but some uneven terrain." Length: 5.6km Estimated time of completion: 1 hour 49 minutes This moderately challenging route is perfect for running, walking and hiking and it's open all year round where dogs are welcomed off lead in some areas. Taking you through Munden Estate and along River Colne, the trail starts from the Timberlake Car Park, heading around the Rugby Club and joining the Colne Valley Cycle Route, leading out along the edge of woodland and the Munden Estate. One local who did the walk for themselves said: "Nice scenery but part of the trail is along the road, be prepared for the mud and you can hear the motorway in the background but I'm glad we did it!" Length: 30.1km Estimated time of completion: 8 hours and 23 minutes The Cassiobury Park to Flaunden is one of the hardest walks on the list, with a 30.1km circular trail that takes around 8 hours and 23 minutes to finish. It's popular for biking, running and walking and you're unlikely to meet anyone along the way. The countryside walk takes you through farmland and woodlands as well as areas including Dolly's Wood, the River Chess, Flaunden Grove, Lower Plantation, Woodmans Wood and more. "Think it's listed as hard because it's so long. We did this in 7 hours, including a 30-minute break and found it challenging in length but overall really enjoyable." Length: 4.5km Estimated time of completion: 1 hour 5 minutes Oxhey Woods is said to be an easy route that's ideal for hiking, mountain biking and running where you are unlikely to meet others, dogs are also welcome on the route but must be kept on a lead. Described by AllTrails as a "fantastic choice for a memorable experience in nature", the walk has a mixed terrain. Along the route there are a variety of tree types and some small animals, however, it can get muddy at certain times of the year. One walker said: "You can follow the blue 'long walk' markings. Extremely muddy in a lot of places so pick appropriate footwear!" Length: 5.1km Estimated time of completion: 1 hour 18 minutes The more simple walk of Cassiobury Park Circular is great for a short but peaceful break from the every day to day tasks. Recommended Reading: At a length of 5.1km, the trail takes on average 1 hour 18 minutes to complete and is popular for walking, running and birding. You'll be able to follow the Grand Union Canal and the River Gade for a length before exploring the rest of the park. One recent explorer said: "This is a nice gentle walk that takes you through a woods and then a parkland setting. Not too difficult and paths throughout, although in wetter conditions I imagine parts of the route may be underwater."
