All Blacks Beat Fiji In San Diego

The All Blacks have made it three from three to start 2024 after beating Fiji 47-5 in San Diego. The All Blacks had made numerous changes to the side that last beat England, with halfback Cortez Ratima, hooker George Bell and centre Billy Proctor scoring tries. 

The All Blacks next match is against Argentina on Saturday 10th August in Wellington for the start of the Lepovitan-D Rugby Championship 

New Zealand: 47

Tries: Caleb Clarke, Cortez Ratima, Billy Proctor, Ardie Savea, Sevu Reece, Ethan de Groot, George Bell, Conversions: Damian McKenzie 6

Fiji: 5

Try: Vilimoni Botitu

All Blacks Named For Second England Test

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his squad for the second test against England this Saturday 7.05pm. There is only one change to the starting 15 with Finlay Christie replacing TJ Perenara due to a leg injury, with uncapped Chiefs player Cortez Ratima coming onto the reserves bench. 

1.    Ethan De Groot
2.    Codie Taylor
3.    Tyrel Lomax
4.    Scott Barrett (c)
5.    Patrick Tuipulotu
6.    Samipeni Finau
7.    Dalton Papali’i
8.    Ardie Savea (vc)
9.    Finlay Christie
10.  Damian McKenzie
11.  Mark Tele’a
12.  Jordie Barrett (vc)
13.  Rieko Ioane
14.  Sevu Reece
15.  Stephen Perofeta
 
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Tupou Vaa’i
20. Luke Jacobson
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Beauden Barrett 

Narrow Victory For All Blacks Over England

The All Blacks have had a narrow 16-15 win against England in Dunedin on Saturday for their first match under new coach Scott Robertson. As expected it was a close game with the scores tied 10-10 at half time after the All Blacks scored two unconverted tries to England's one. To add to the pressure late in the match, first five Damian McKenzie was stopped having a late penalty shot after the referee said he had taken more than a minute to start his kick. The All Blacks were then forced to defend the remaining minute of the match to hold out England. The second test against England takes place this Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland with kick off 7.05pm.

New Zealand: 16

Tries: Sevu Reece, Ardie Savea, Penalties: Damian McKenzie 2

England: 15

Tries: Chandler Cunningham-South, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Conversion: Marcus Smith, Penalty: Smith

All Blacks Named For First 2024 Test Against England

New All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his first side to face England this Saturday 7.05pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Robertson has bought in TJ Perenara at halfback while Finlay Christie is in the reserves, with Stephen Perofeta at fullback ahead of Beauden Barrett who is also in the reserves. There is a strong look to the forwards with De Groot, Taylor and Lomax in the front row, and Tuipulotu joining captain Scott Barrett at lock. Luke Jacobson is in the reserves to cover loose forward, with Ethan Blackadder missing out on the match 23.

All Blacks:

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Patrick Tuipulotu, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Ardie Savea (vc), 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Damian McKenzie, 
11. Mark Tele’a, 12. Jordie Barrett (vc), 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta.

Reserves:

16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Luke Jacobson, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Beauden Barrett

Blues Win Super Rugby Final

The Blues have beaten the Chiefs 41-10 to win the Super Rugby title for 2024, and their first for 21 years. Blues winger Caleb Clarke scored three tries and first five Harry Plummer had a 100% kicking rate in the match.

Blues: 41 

Tries: Clarke 3, Lam, A. Ioane, Conversions: Plummer 5, Penalties: Plummer 2

Chiefs: 10 

Try: Parker, Conversion: McKenzie, Penalty: McKenzie

Super Rugby Semi-Final Results

Blues: 34 

Tries: Lam, Riccitelli, Darry, Clarke, Sotutu, Conversions: Plummer 3, Penalty: Plummer

Brumbies 20 

Tries: Valetini, Reimer, Conversions: Lolesio 2, Penalties: Lolesio 2

Chiefs: 30 

Tries: Finau, Ratima, Rona, Conversions: McKenzie 3, Penalties: McKenzie 3

Hurricane: 19

Tries: Lakai, Cameron, Proctor, Conversions: Cameron 2

Teams For Super Rugby Final, Eden Park, Saturday 7.05pm

Chiefs: 

Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson (c), Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Jimmy Tupou, George Dyer, Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Ross. 

Reserves: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona.

Blues: 

Stephen Perofeta, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Akira Ioane, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. 

Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Bryce Heem, Cole Forbes.

Super Rugby Round Fifteen Results

Crusaders: 43 v Moana Pasifika: 10

Reds: 27 v Waratahs: 26

Drua: 40 v Rebels: 19

Hurricanes: 41 v Highlanders: 14

Blues: 31 v Chiefs: 17

Brumbies: 24 v Force: 19