Former Warrior set to start for Hurricanes
Ngani Laumape looks like he will be starting in the Hurricanes' midfield against the Crusaders and the former Warrior says he is up
Ngani Laumape looks like he will be starting in the Hurricanes' midfield against the Crusaders and the former Warrior says he is up
The Crusaders will target the Hurricanes scrum and an untried new midfield combination in Saturday's high stakes contest in Christchurch.
The Crusaders will be feeling good about life again. There's nothing quite like a proper thumping to warm the cockles.
With 75 caps behind him, Sam Whitelock is gaining on Ian Jones (79 tests) as the most capped All Black lock.
The injury-hit Melbourne Rebels will be sweating on a batch of fitness tests later this week as coach Tony McGahan faces the prospect
Friday night's Super Rugby clash between the Chiefs and Crusaders in Suva, Fiji, has been praised as an enormous success, with future games already in the mix.
All the action from the top of the table clash between the Chiefs and Crusaders from Suva in Fiji.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder might have endured a difficult evening after watching his previously table-topping side lose their place.
Given the historical reluctance to play big matches in the Pacific Islands, Friday's Super Rugby match in Suva is welcome progress.
A number of All Blacks return to their Super Rugby teams battered a bruised ahead of this week's returning round.
COMMENT: The selection of Scott Robertson to replace Todd Blackadder as Crusaders head coach from next year will have come as a huge blow to the team's assistant Tabai Matson.
Tabai Matson might look to coach elsewhere after being overlooked in favour of Scott Robertson for the Crusaders job.
Jimmy Tupou and Alex Hodgman will join the Blues on two-year deals.
A police escort can clear traffic but, as the Crusaders have found this week, it also attracts attention.
COMMENT: Watching the Blues play the Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday, the character and promise within Tana Umaga's team was obvious.
The Blues, according to coach Tana Umaga, were tired this week.
The Waratahs had little response to a Crusaders team determined to right the wrongs of their loss in Dunedin.
COMMENT: Nadolo will make a big difference when he returns. He asks so many more questions of the defence.
Join us for a live blog of the tantalising Kiwi derby between the Highlanders and the Crusaders.
WATCH: A truly heavyweight contest - in all senses - finished with the Highlanders beating the Crusaders to join their southern cousins at the top of the table.
COMMENT: It is surely obvious that the lineout drive is increasingly at odds with the kind of contest that the game is intended to promote, writes Bryan Gould.