Latest news with #SuperRugbyPacificQualifyingFinal
1News
a day ago
- Sport
- 1News
Crusaders steamroll Reds in the rain to earn home semifinal
The Crusaders are hard to beat at home at the best of times but they go to a different level in the playoffs – their 32-12 victory over the Reds tonight in a rainy and cold Christchurch preserving their perfect record in Super Rugby's post-season. It means they have earned a home semifinal next weekend against either the Brumbies or Hurricanes, who will play in Canberra tonight. The Chiefs play the Blues in Hamilton earlier tonight in the other playoff match. The Crusaders' record in home playoffs now reads 30 from 30 and the foundations were once again laid by a dominant pack which nullified the visitors' set piece, earning five scrum penalties in total – three in the first half. Throw in the Crusaders' line speed on defence and a willingness to attack the Reds' breakdown, and it was truly one-way traffic in the first half, the red and blacks going ahead through close-range tries from lock Scott Barrett and prop Tamaiti Williams. Christian Lio-Willie of the Crusaders is tackled by Lachie Anderson of the Reds during the Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final (Source: Photosport) ADVERTISEMENT Williams burrowed over despite receiving treatment from a knee injury and it was an issue that forced him from the field in the first half and will raise concerns not only for Crusaders head coach Rob Penney but also his All Blacks' counterpart Scott Robertson. The big loosehead was a dominant force before his departure and Robertson will be eager to name him in his first Test squad of the year on June 23. The fact that Williams could continue after treatment may be a good sign but Penney indicated more will be known about the extent of the problem during the week. The Reds were having their own issues in terms of the casualty ward, with first-five Tom Lynagh going off for a head injury assessment, which he failed, after clashing heads with Crusaders wing Sevu Reece in a tackle. It was clearly accidental but penalties, and even cards, have been given for less. As it was, the Reds were finding it tough enough and the Crusaders should have been ahead by more than their 12-0 advantage at the end of the half but for a mistake by replacement James O'Connor, a first-five who played 68 games for the Reds, who kicked the ball dead from a penalty when going for the corner with time almost up. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen of the Reds and Ryan Smith of the Reds drive the maul during the Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final. (Source: Photosport) The Reds, who made only one memorable line break in the first half, were up against it from the re-start, with the Crusaders pinning them in their half, and halfback Noah Hotham was the first to make them pay with an excellent re-gather to dive over under pressure. First-five Rivez Reihana, back from passing his own HIA, pushed his side further ahead with a long range penalty before the Crusaders' first serious discipline issue of the match: a high tackle by the otherwise impressive flanker Ethan Blackadder from a defensive lineout. ADVERTISEMENT The visitors immediately capitalised with a try from the lineout drive for replacement hooker Josh Nasser and Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, the two talented Wallabies loose forwards, then combined for an excellent try for McReight to give the scoreboard some respectability. There was still time for replacement halfback Kyle Preston to intercept a desperate Reds pass for a try in the corner for the home side. John Bryant of the Reds during the Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final (Source: Photosport) This was always going to be a difficult evening for a Reds team who lost in Christchurch during the regular season and who appeared to be flummoxed by the conditions. They were too passive in the contact and played too narrowly – perfect for a Crusaders team attempting to make up for their woeful season last year. All the Crusaders' forwards - Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Blackadder, Tom Christie and Christian Lio-Willie played with a sense of purpose that suggests they will be very hard to beat again next Saturday. Will Jordan also looked extremely assured at fullback after his return from a knee injury. ADVERTISEMENT Crusaders 32 (Scott Barrett, Tamaiti Williams, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Kyle Preston tries; Rivez Reihana 2 cons, pen) Reds 12 (Josh Nasser, Fraser McReight tries, Filipo Dungunu con) Halftime: 12-0
Scoop
3 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Blues Named For Qualifying Final Against Chiefs
EMBARGOED UNTIL 4PM June 4, 2025 Blues named for Qualifying Final against Chiefs The Blues have named a near unchanged side to go up against the Chiefs in their Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final in Hamilton on Saturday night. After a dominant win against the Waratahs to earn a spot in the finals, the Blues are ready to lift their game to another level against the top-of-the-table Chiefs. There's just one change to the starting XV with Adrian Choat coming in at blindside flanker for Anton Segner who will provide impact off the bench. The game will be a special occasion for hooker Ricky Riccitelli who will run out in his 50th match for the Blues. Despite the Chiefs narrowly winning the last clash 32-31 in Round 5, a lot has changed since the two sides last met. The Blues have won three of their last four games and held opponents to six points or fewer in two of their last three. The Chiefs (22.8 points conceded) and Blues (23.6 points) are the two best defensive teams in the competition, setting the stage for a physical contest. Head coach Vern Cotter said he was looking forward to the challenge of finals rugby. 'We've built some good momentum over the past few weeks. Our guys are well connected and know what we want to achieve as a group,' he said. 'Finals rugby is a clean slate, and it comes down to preparing and executing well. We are certainly up for the fight and looking forward to the opportunity ahead of us. 'We need our Blues fans behind us for this one and hope to see plenty of them in the crowd cheering us on.'
