Latest news with #VernCotter
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Super Rugby playoffs: No calculators required for defending champion Blues
Blues head coach Vern Cotter during a Blues Super Rugby Pacific training session at Alexandra Park in Auckland. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / / Photosport Ltd Chiefs v Blues Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 7 June FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport While the Super Rugby playoff picture appears complicated, it's a very simple equation for the Blues. The new finals format is introduced this weekend, which features a second life for one 'lucky loser.' However, there will be no such reprieve for the defending champions. No calculators required; win and progress, or lose and it's 'better luck next year'. "The weight is off the shoulders. We have qualified. It's 80 minutes of rugby. It's pretty straightforward," said Blues coach Vern Cotter. The Blues have arguably the toughest task of all sides this weekend, heading down the highway to meet a rampant Chiefs side. "It hasn't been an easy season. But we love this time of year, this is what we are in this game for, to be able to challenge for trophies. The objective is clear, it's a knockout game, we need to win to move forward." The quarter-final may see the final appearances in blue for the departing Mark Tele'a, Harry Plummer, Ricky Riccitelli, and Adrian Choat, however there will be no focus on farewells. "That was last week . Now it's just about playoffs and winning." While it's been a poor campaign from the Blues, squeaking into the top six at the expense of a Moana Pasifika side which ran out of gas, Cotter has seen a positive trend from his side in the past month, which most recently included a 46-6 drubbing of the Waratahs to secure their finals berth. "It's all about timing, you've just got to get there, and this is the time you front. As much as the team has been criticised, it has held tough." Rieko Ioane with Blues head coach Vern Cotter. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has made a surprise selection for the quarter, opting to shift 2024 breakout sensation Wallace Sititi to the bench. "That's representative of the depth they have, if we start well, we will we have to finish well because they are a team that can turn things around at any moment, and their bench has been big for them this year." One area of vulnerability for the Chiefs may be their midfield, with incumbents Anton Lienert-Brown and Quinn Tupaea both sidelined with injury. Conversely, Blues centre Reiko Ioane responded to weeks of criticism for poor performances with a hat-trick in the Waratahs rout. "We have gone into play-off mode now."
RNZ News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
'Just another game': Blues play down Moana rivalry
Photo: RNZ Blues vs Moana 7.05pm Saturday May 17 North Harbour Stadium Live blog updates on RNZ They may be in a more comfortable position on the table, but Blues coach Vern Cotter is far from relaxed. "I'm sleeping worse!" His side resumes their cross-city rivalry with Moana Pasifika this Saturday, albeit with the added factor of Albany. It's been a short, and one sided rivalry between the two Auckland franchises, the Blues having won all five previous games, most recently a pretty comfortable 36-17 win at Eden Park. While Moana have shown they grow another leg in front of their North Shore faithful, Cotter remains unfazed. "We're on the bus and just over the bridge, so that's another field, it's a rectangle and we're just talking about how we can play the best we can against a good team." As well as the venue, Cotter is also continuing to play down the rivalry. "It's just another game. It's just business as usual, whether it's a travel week or home week, but it's getting towards the end of the season and it's an important game for us. Whether it's Moana or any other team, it's an important game and we want to perform well. We want to be able to string things together and be better than we were last week." A threat the Blues are unable to ignore, however, is that of Moana skipper Ardie Savea, Cotter noting they will need to shut him down at ruck time. "That's where he is active and that's where he gets turnovers, so just make sure that we shut him down and other players. But it's not just one thing. They have got good players all over and they've had a bye, so we're very conscious of the fact that the game will probably start hard and fast and we may have to weather a storm and stay focused and locked in. Discipline will be key in this game. Absolutely key." Coming in off back to back wins for the first time in 2025, Cotter feels his side has finally rediscovered its winning formula, shrugging off criticism that it's a very un-fan-friendly style. "I think the Blue's way is coming back and I think there's a bit of confidence with that as well. When the Chief's do it, everyone says it's powerful and direct and when we do it, it's boring. So it's just a narrative, isn't it?" As uncomplicated as their on field tactics may be, Cotter's plan for the remainder of the season is even less so. "Just winning, winning first and foremost. Winning." 2022 March 29 Go Media Stadium Blues 32-19 Moana Pasifika April 2 Eden Park Blues 46-16 Moana Pasifika 2023 May 6 Eden Park Blues 31-30 Moana Pasifika 2024 March 30 Eden Park Blues 47-8 Moana Pasifika 2025 April 12 Eden Park Blues 36-17 Moana Pasifika Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hamilton Spectator
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Must-win matches shake up the playoffs race in Super Rugby Pacific
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — In a weekend of must-win matches in Super Rugby Pacific, some teams achieved and others stumbled in the six-team playoffs race. The defending champion Blues were at the top of the must-win category, having begun to lose touch with sixth place when they were beaten a week ago by the Queensland Reds . It was the seventh loss of the season for the Auckland-based team. They had to win Friday against the sixth-place Western Force, and they did 40-19 in a match which was closer than the margin indicated. The Blues' victory depended a great deal on their scrum dominance. The win lifted the Blues to sixth while the Perth-based Force dropped to seventh, based on points differential. Coach 'Stern' Vern Cotter had made clear his displeasure after the Blues' loss to the Reds left their season dangling by a thread with matches remaining against the Force, the Fijian Drua in Fiji, Moana Pasifika and the New South Wales Waratahs. 'It's never really nice when your coach is questioning your attitude,' Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu said. 'But I think that's what we needed — a bit of a wake-up call.' The Wellington-based Hurricanes needed to back up last week's performance against the Canberra-based Brumbies, when they became the first New Zealand team to win in Australia this season. That win lifted them into the top six but into a very tight struggle to hold onto a playoffs place. They produced another upset, beating the top of the table Chiefs 35-17 with the help of four second half tries by winger Bailyn Sullivan who replaced Kini Naholo at halftime. Naholo who has scored eight tries this season suffered a serious knee injury. The Hurricanes moved up to fifth place after Round 12, four points ahead of the Blues, with matches remaining the Highlanders, the Crusaders and Moana Pasifika. The Chiefs remained atop the standings in a points tie with the Christchurch-based Crusaders who couldn't take advantage of the Chiefs' loss because of a weekend bye. The Brumbies stayed in third place after a 40-17 win over the Waratahs, who dropped to eighth place, still only a point out of sixth. The Queensland Reds stayed in fourth, despite an upset 36-33 loss to the Fijian Drua. Hometown Heroes The Fijian Drua maintained an outstanding home record when they beat the fourth-placed Reds in Suva on Saturday. The win echoed the Drua's 41-17 win over the Reds in 2023 and 28-19 win in 2024 . So far this season the Drua have won three of five home matches but haven't yet managed to win away from home and are at the bottom of the table. Over the last three years, the Drua have had 19 home matches and won 14. That includes victories over the Crusaders, Waratahs and Melbourne Force. But the Reds especially have struggled in Fiji. The Drua sealed their win with a 79th minute try on Saturday to replacement Isikeli Rabitu, dealing a blow to the Reds in their first match since their head coach Les Kiss was named to succeed Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach . Beale is back Former Wallabies utility Kurtley Beale scored a try to mark his return to rugby after a 10 months break, for the Western Force against the Blues. The 36-year-old Beale didn't shirk contact in his first match since sustaining a ruptured Achilles in a Sydney club game. He played at fullback and turned in a solid 72 minutes before being substituted. Beale had a number of neat touches before crossing in the left corner for a second-half try. 'It's good to be back but disappointed in the end,' he said. 'The game's changing. It's getting fitter, faster, stronger. 'But I enjoy the challenge. I love the unpredictability of the game.' ___ AP rugby:
Winnipeg Free Press
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Must-win matches shake up the playoffs race in Super Rugby Pacific
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — In a weekend of must-win matches in Super Rugby Pacific, some teams achieved and others stumbled in the six-team playoffs race. The defending champion Blues were at the top of the must-win category, having begun to lose touch with sixth place when they were beaten a week ago by the Queensland Reds. It was the seventh loss of the season for the Auckland-based team. They had to win Friday against the sixth-place Western Force, and they did 40-19 in a match which was closer than the margin indicated. The Blues' victory depended a great deal on their scrum dominance. The win lifted the Blues to sixth while the Perth-based Force dropped to seventh, based on points differential. Coach 'Stern' Vern Cotter had made clear his displeasure after the Blues' loss to the Reds left their season dangling by a thread with matches remaining against the Force, the Fijian Drua in Fiji, Moana Pasifika and the New South Wales Waratahs. 'It's never really nice when your coach is questioning your attitude,' Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu said. 'But I think that's what we needed — a bit of a wake-up call.' The Wellington-based Hurricanes needed to back up last week's performance against the Canberra-based Brumbies, when they became the first New Zealand team to win in Australia this season. That win lifted them into the top six but into a very tight struggle to hold onto a playoffs place. They produced another upset, beating the top of the table Chiefs 35-17 with the help of four second half tries by winger Bailyn Sullivan who replaced Kini Naholo at halftime. Naholo who has scored eight tries this season suffered a serious knee injury. The Hurricanes moved up to fifth place after Round 12, four points ahead of the Blues, with matches remaining the Highlanders, the Crusaders and Moana Pasifika. The Chiefs remained atop the standings in a points tie with the Christchurch-based Crusaders who couldn't take advantage of the Chiefs' loss because of a weekend bye. The Brumbies stayed in third place after a 40-17 win over the Waratahs, who dropped to eighth place, still only a point out of sixth. The Queensland Reds stayed in fourth, despite an upset 36-33 loss to the Fijian Drua. Hometown Heroes The Fijian Drua maintained an outstanding home record when they beat the fourth-placed Reds in Suva on Saturday. The win echoed the Drua's 41-17 win over the Reds in 2023 and 28-19 win in 2024. So far this season the Drua have won three of five home matches but haven't yet managed to win away from home and are at the bottom of the table. Over the last three years, the Drua have had 19 home matches and won 14. That includes victories over the Crusaders, Waratahs and Melbourne Force. But the Reds especially have struggled in Fiji. The Drua sealed their win with a 79th minute try on Saturday to replacement Isikeli Rabitu, dealing a blow to the Reds in their first match since their head coach Les Kiss was named to succeed Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach. Beale is back Former Wallabies utility Kurtley Beale scored a try to mark his return to rugby after a 10 months break, for the Western Force against the Blues. The 36-year-old Beale didn't shirk contact in his first match since sustaining a ruptured Achilles in a Sydney club game. He played at fullback and turned in a solid 72 minutes before being substituted. Beale had a number of neat touches before crossing in the left corner for a second-half try. 'It's good to be back but disappointed in the end,' he said. 'The game's changing. It's getting fitter, faster, stronger. 'But I enjoy the challenge. I love the unpredictability of the game.' ___ AP rugby:
Fox Sports
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Must-win matches shake up the playoffs race in Super Rugby Pacific
Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — In a weekend of must-win matches in Super Rugby Pacific, some teams achieved and others stumbled in the six-team playoffs race. The defending champion Blues were at the top of the must-win category, having begun to lose touch with sixth place when they were beaten a week ago by the Queensland Reds. It was the seventh loss of the season for the Auckland-based team. They had to win Friday against the sixth-place Western Force, and they did 40-19 in a match which was closer than the margin indicated. The Blues' victory depended a great deal on their scrum dominance. The win lifted the Blues to sixth while the Perth-based Force dropped to seventh, based on points differential. Coach 'Stern' Vern Cotter had made clear his displeasure after the Blues' loss to the Reds left their season dangling by a thread with matches remaining against the Force, the Fijian Drua in Fiji, Moana Pasifika and the New South Wales Waratahs. 'It's never really nice when your coach is questioning your attitude,' Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu said. 'But I think that's what we needed — a bit of a wake-up call." The Wellington-based Hurricanes needed to back up last week's performance against the Canberra-based Brumbies, when they became the first New Zealand team to win in Australia this season. That win lifted them into the top six but into a very tight struggle to hold onto a playoffs place. They produced another upset, beating the top of the table Chiefs 35-17 with the help of four second half tries by winger Bailyn Sullivan who replaced Kini Naholo at halftime. Naholo who has scored eight tries this season suffered a serious knee injury. The Hurricanes moved up to fifth place after Round 12, four points ahead of the Blues, with matches remaining the Highlanders, the Crusaders and Moana Pasifika. The Chiefs remained atop the standings in a points tie with the Christchurch-based Crusaders who couldn't take advantage of the Chiefs' loss because of a weekend bye. The Brumbies stayed in third place after a 40-17 win over the Waratahs, who dropped to eighth place, still only a point out of sixth. The Queensland Reds stayed in fourth, despite an upset 36-33 loss to the Fijian Drua. Hometown Heroes The Fijian Drua maintained an outstanding home record when they beat the fourth-placed Reds in Suva on Saturday. The win echoed the Drua's 41-17 win over the Reds in 2023 and 28-19 win in 2024. So far this season the Drua have won three of five home matches but haven't yet managed to win away from home and are at the bottom of the table. Over the last three years, the Drua have had 19 home matches and won 14. That includes victories over the Crusaders, Waratahs and Melbourne Force. But the Reds especially have struggled in Fiji. The Drua sealed their win with a 79th minute try on Saturday to replacement Isikeli Rabitu, dealing a blow to the Reds in their first match since their head coach Les Kiss was named to succeed Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach. Beale is back Former Wallabies utility Kurtley Beale scored a try to mark his return to rugby after a 10 months break, for the Western Force against the Blues. The 36-year-old Beale didn't shirk contact in his first match since sustaining a ruptured Achilles in a Sydney club game. He played at fullback and turned in a solid 72 minutes before being substituted. Beale had a number of neat touches before crossing in the left corner for a second-half try. 'It's good to be back but disappointed in the end,' he said. 'The game's changing. It's getting fitter, faster, stronger. 'But I enjoy the challenge. I love the unpredictability of the game.' ___ AP rugby: recommended
