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Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Blues on the edge as Super Rugby playoff race goes down to the wire
SYDNEY, May 29 (Reuters) - The most competitive Super Rugby season for many years goes down to the wire this weekend when three teams, including the defending champion Auckland Blues, battle it out for the last remaining playoff spot. The final order of the top three in the standings will only be decided on Friday night when the table-topping Waikato Chiefs visit the Otago Highlanders and the Canterbury Crusaders and ACT Brumbies, who are second and third, clash in Canberra. The top two are guaranteed home advantage in the first two weeks of the knockouts and table positions carry extra importance this year with the highest-ranked losers in the first playoff round going through to the semi-finals. The Brumbies host the 12-times champion Crusaders knowing that victory would make them the first Australian team to finish in the top two since 2015 and could still secure them top spot if the Chiefs slip up against the bottom-ranked Highlanders. "We know that if we can finish top two ... it would put you in a better position to get to the final," said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham, who has overseen semi-final exits on the road in the last two seasons. "The Crusaders are very dangerous with their scrum and their maul. They're kind of what you'd expect to see from teams at top of the competition, good all round." Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio returns from injury to run the Brumbies backline but crucially they will be without their totemic tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa because of a calf injury. The Wellington Hurricanes and Queensland Reds in fourth and fifth are already assured of post-season play, leaving Moana Pasifika and the New South Wales Waratahs vying with the Blues for the last place. The Blues have improved since their poor start to the season but they will need to beat the Waratahs in Saturday's early game and hope the Hurricanes down Moana later in the day to sneak into the playoffs. Moana, who are level on points with the Blues, were thrashed 85-7 by the Chiefs last week and face another in-form New Zealand team in the Hurricanes, who are unbeaten in their last five games. Ardie Savea, the Moana skipper, and his brother Julian, who plays at inside centre, can be assured of putting in whole-hearted efforts against their former club as they look for another first in what has been the team's breakout season. A bonus point win in Wellington will earn Moana the playoff spot because they will have more wins than the Blues, the first of the tiebreak criteria. The Waratahs, who trail the Blues and Moana by two points, have the most daunting path to the playoffs, not least because they have won only once at Auckland's Eden Park in the 30 seasons of Super Rugby.
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Blues on the edge as Super Rugby playoff race goes down to the wire
SYDNEY (Reuters) - The most competitive Super Rugby season for many years goes down to the wire this weekend when three teams, including the defending champion Auckland Blues, battle it out for the last remaining playoff spot. The final order of the top three in the standings will only be decided on Friday night when the table-topping Waikato Chiefs visit the Otago Highlanders and the Canterbury Crusaders and ACT Brumbies, who are second and third, clash in Canberra. The top two are guaranteed home advantage in the first two weeks of the knockouts and table positions carry extra importance this year with the highest-ranked losers in the first playoff round going through to the semi-finals. The Brumbies host the 12-times champion Crusaders knowing that victory would make them the first Australian team to finish in the top two since 2015 and could still secure them top spot if the Chiefs slip up against the bottom-ranked Highlanders. "We know that if we can finish top two ... it would put you in a better position to get to the final," said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham, who has overseen semi-final exits on the road in the last two seasons. "The Crusaders are very dangerous with their scrum and their maul. They're kind of what you'd expect to see from teams at top of the competition, good all round." Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio returns from injury to run the Brumbies backline but crucially they will be without their totemic tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa because of a calf injury. The Wellington Hurricanes and Queensland Reds in fourth and fifth are already assured of post-season play, leaving Moana Pasifika and the New South Wales Waratahs vying with the Blues for the last place. The Blues have improved since their poor start to the season but they will need to beat the Waratahs in Saturday's early game and hope the Hurricanes down Moana later in the day to sneak into the playoffs. Moana, who are level on points with the Blues, were thrashed 85-7 by the Chiefs last week and face another in-form New Zealand team in the Hurricanes, who are unbeaten in their last five games. Ardie Savea, the Moana skipper, and his brother Julian, who plays at inside centre, can be assured of putting in whole-hearted efforts against their former club as they look for another first in what has been the team's breakout season. A bonus point win in Wellington will earn Moana the playoff spot because they will have more wins than the Blues, the first of the tiebreak criteria. The Waratahs, who trail the Blues and Moana by two points, have the most daunting path to the playoffs, not least because they have won only once at Auckland's Eden Park in the 30 seasons of Super Rugby. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Blues on the edge as Super Rugby playoff race goes down to the wire
Blues on the edge as Super Rugby playoff race goes down to the wire SYDNEY - The most competitive Super Rugby season for many years goes down to the wire this weekend when three teams, including the defending champion Auckland Blues, battle it out for the last remaining playoff spot. The final order of the top three in the standings will only be decided on Friday night when the table-topping Waikato Chiefs visit the Otago Highlanders and the Canterbury Crusaders and ACT Brumbies, who are second and third, clash in Canberra. The top two are guaranteed home advantage in the first two weeks of the knockouts and table positions carry extra importance this year with the highest-ranked losers in the first playoff round going through to the semi-finals. The Brumbies host the 12-times champion Crusaders knowing that victory would make them the first Australian team to finish in the top two since 2015 and could still secure them top spot if the Chiefs slip up against the bottom-ranked Highlanders. "We know that if we can finish top two ... it would put you in a better position to get to the final," said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham, who has overseen semi-final exits on the road in the last two seasons. "The Crusaders are very dangerous with their scrum and their maul. They're kind of what you'd expect to see from teams at top of the competition, good all round." Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio returns from injury to run the Brumbies backline but crucially they will be without their totemic tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa because of a calf injury. The Wellington Hurricanes and Queensland Reds in fourth and fifth are already assured of post-season play, leaving Moana Pasifika and the New South Wales Waratahs vying with the Blues for the last place. The Blues have improved since their poor start to the season but they will need to beat the Waratahs in Saturday's early game and hope the Hurricanes down Moana later in the day to sneak into the playoffs. Moana, who are level on points with the Blues, were thrashed 85-7 by the Chiefs last week and face another in-form New Zealand team in the Hurricanes, who are unbeaten in their last five games. Ardie Savea, the Moana skipper, and his brother Julian, who plays at inside centre, can be assured of putting in whole-hearted efforts against their former club as they look for another first in what has been the team's breakout season. A bonus point win in Wellington will earn Moana the playoff spot because they will have more wins than the Blues, the first of the tiebreak criteria. The Waratahs, who trail the Blues and Moana by two points, have the most daunting path to the playoffs, not least because they have won only once at Auckland's Eden Park in the 30 seasons of Super Rugby. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Evergreen prop Slipper signs on for another year in Super Rugby
SYDNEY, May 27 (Reuters) - Wallabies prop James Slipper has signed a one-year contract extension with the ACT Brumbies that is likely to see him become the most-capped Super Rugby player in the competition's history. The 35-year-old loosehead, who is already the most capped Australian test player with 143 caps, has played 195 Super Rugby matches since making his debut for the Queensland Reds in 2010. That leaves him seven appearances short of the existing record held by All Blacks and Canterbury Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett, a mark he is likely to surpass next season. "When there was an option on the table of playing another season for the Brumbies, I couldn't say no," Slipper said in a press statement. "My body is still good and I feel the fittest that I have done in a long time. I feel like I am still playing at a high level and contributing to the team. As long as I can do that, I will keep giving my all for the Brumbies." The Brumbies take on the Canterbury Crusaders in the final round of the Super Rugby season in Canberra on Friday looking to lock up a top-two spot in the standings and home advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs. "Slipps is the ultimate professional, with an incredible work ethic. He is a world-class player who continues to deliver for us season after season," Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said. "He has taken his form to another level this campaign, he has been outstanding. His set-piece, defence, carrying and leadership have proved important for the team." Slipper's versatility in being able to play on both sides of the front row means he is also very much in the frame to play in the test series against the British & Irish Lions in July and August. He played all three Lions tests off the bench in 2013 and is one of a small number of Wallabies veterans hoping to match George Smith (2001 and 2013) by taking on the tourists in two separate series.
CNA
6 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Evergreen prop Slipper signs on for another year in Super Rugby
SYDNEY : Wallabies prop James Slipper has signed a one-year contract extension with the ACT Brumbies that is likely to see him become the most-capped Super Rugby player in the competition's history. The 35-year-old loosehead, who is already the most capped Australian test player with 143 caps, has played 195 Super Rugby matches since making his debut for the Queensland Reds in 2010. That leaves him seven appearances short of the existing record held by All Blacks and Canterbury Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett, a mark he is likely to surpass next season. "When there was an option on the table of playing another season for the Brumbies, I couldn't say no," Slipper said in a press statement. "My body is still good and I feel the fittest that I have done in a long time. I feel like I am still playing at a high level and contributing to the team. As long as I can do that, I will keep giving my all for the Brumbies." The Brumbies take on the Canterbury Crusaders in the final round of the Super Rugby season in Canberra on Friday looking to lock up a top-two spot in the standings and home advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs. "Slipps is the ultimate professional, with an incredible work ethic. He is a world-class player who continues to deliver for us season after season," Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said. "He has taken his form to another level this campaign, he has been outstanding. His set-piece, defence, carrying and leadership have proved important for the team." Slipper's versatility in being able to play on both sides of the front row means he is also very much in the frame to play in the test series against the British & Irish Lions in July and August. He played all three Lions tests off the bench in 2013 and is one of a small number of Wallabies veterans hoping to match George Smith (2001 and 2013) by taking on the tourists in two separate series.
