The Blues have taken out the Trans-Tasman Super Rugby final for 2021 with a 23-15 win over the Highlanders, to get their first title in 18 years.
Tries: Mark Telea, Blake Gibson, Conversions: Otere Black, Harry Plummer, Penalties: Plummer 2, Black
Highlanders: 15
Penalties: Mitch Hunt 4, Josh Ioane
New Zealand sides have won all five matches against their Australian opposition in round one of the 2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition.
Highlanders: 40
Tries: Scott Gregory, Ash Dixon 2, Palelei Tomkinson, Liam Coltman, Ngatugnane Punivai, Conversions: Mitch Hunt 5
Reds: 19
Tries: Kalani Thomas, Suliasi Vunivalu 2, Conversions: James O'Connor, Bryce Hegarty
Waratahs: 48
Tries: Harry Johnson-Holmes 2, Alex Newsome, Angus Bell, Jake Gordon, Lachlan Swinton, Jack Maddocks, Conversions: Ben Donaldson 5, Penalty: Donaldson
Hurricanes: 64
Tries: Julian Savea 2, Billy Proctor 2, Jordie Barrett, Dane Coles, Brayden Iose, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Pepesana Patafilo, Asafo Aumua, Conversions: Barrett 7
Crusaders: 31
Tries: Ethan Blackadder, Richie Mo'unga, David Havili, Brendon O'Connor, Cullen Grace, Conversions: Mo'unga 3
Brumbies: 29
Tries: Scott Sio, Irae Simone, Tom Banks, Rob Valetini, Conversions: Noah Lolesio 3, Penalty: Lolesio
Rebels: 3
Penalty: Matt To'omua
Blues: 50
Tries: Hoskins Sotutu 2, Akira Ioane 2, Tom Robinson, AJ Lam, Conversions: Otere Black 2, Harry Plummer 2, Penalties: Black 3, Zarn Sullivan
Force: 19
Tries: Penalty try, Richard Kahui, Domingo Miotti, Conversion: Miotti
Chiefs: 20
Tries: Alex Nankivell, Nathan Harris, Jonah Lowe, Conversion: Damian McKenzie, Penalty: McKenzie
Highlanders v Reds, Friday 14 May, 7.05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium
Highlanders:
1. Ayden Johnstone 2. Ash Dixon (cc) 3. Siate Tokolahi 4. Pari Pari Parkinson 5. Josh Dickson 6. Hugh Renton 7. Billy Harmon 8. Kazuki Himeno 9. Aaron Smith (cc) 10. Mitch Hunt 11. Jona Nareki 12. Scott Gregory 13. Michael Collins 14. Patelesio Tomkinson 15. Sam Gilbert
Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman 17. Ethan De Groot 18. Josh Hohneck 19. Bryn Evans 20. James Lentjes 21. Kayne Hammington 22. Tim O’Malley 23. Ngatugnane Punivai
Reds:
1. Dane Zander 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa 3. Feao Fotuaika 4. Ryan Smith 5. Angus Blyth 6. Angus Scott-Young 7. Liam Wright (cc) 8. Seru Uru 9. Kalani Thomas 10. James O’Connor (cc)11. Jock Campbell 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Josh Flook 14. Filipo Daugunu 15. Bryce Hegarty
Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser 17. Harry Hoopert 18. Taniela Tupou 19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 20. Fraser McReight 21. Moses Sorovi 22. Isaac Henry 23. Suliasi Vunivalu
Waratahs v Hurricanes, Friday 14 May, 9.45pm, Sydney Cricket Ground
Waratahs:
1: Angus Bell 2: David Porecki 3: Harry Johnson-Holmes 4: Hugh Sinclair 5: Max Douglas 6: Lachlan Swinton 7: Charlie Gamble 8: Will Harris 9: Jake Gordon (c) 10: Ben Donaldson 11: Mark Nawaqanitawase 12: Lalakai Foketi 13: Izaia Perese 14: Alex Newsome 15: Jack Maddocks
Reserves: 16: Joe Cotton 17: Te Tera Faulkner 18: Darcy Breen 19: Jeremy Williams 20: Carlo Tizzano 21: Jack Grant 22: Will Harrison 23: Tepai Moeroa
Hurricanes:
1: Xavier Numia 2: Dane Coles (c) 3: Alex Fidow 4: James Blackwell 5: Isaia Walker-Leawere 5: Reed Prinsep 7: Du’Plessis Kirifi 8: Devan Flanders 9: Luke Campbell 10: Ruben Love 11: Salesi Rayasi 12: Peter Umaga-Jensen 13: Billy Proctor 14: Julian Savea 15: Jordie Barrett
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Mitchell, Brayden Iose, Jonathan Taumateine, Orbyn Leger, Pepesana Patafilo
Crusaders v Brumbies, Saturday 15 May, 7.05pm, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Crusaders: 1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor (c) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Mitchell Dunshea 5. Samuel Whitelock 6. Ethan Blackadder 7. Tom Sanders 8. Cullen Grace 9. Bryn Hall 10. Richie Mo'unga 11. Leicester Fainga'anuku 12. David Havili 13. Braydon Ennor 14. Manasa Mataele 15. George Bridge
Reserves: 16. Brodie McAlister 17. Tamaiti Williams 18. Oliver Jager 19. Scott Barrett 20. Brendon O'Connor 21. Ereatara Enari 22. Fergus Burke 23. Sevu Reece
Brumbies: 1. Scott Sio 2. Folau Fainga'a 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) 4. Darcy Swain 5. Nick Frost 6. Henry Stowers 7. Rory Scott 8. Rob Valetini 9. Ryan Lonergan 10. Noah Lolesio 11. Tom Wright 12. Irae Simone 13. Len Ikitau 14. Solomone Kata15. Tom Banks
Reserves: 16. Lachlan Lonergan 17. Harry Lloyd 18. Tom Ross 19. Tom Hooper 20. Luke Reimer 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa 22. Reesjan Pasitoa 23. Mack Hansen
Rebels v Blues, Saturday 15 May, 9.45pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Rebels: 1: Cameron Orr 2: Jordan Uelese 3: Cabous Eloff 4: Rob Leota 5: Ross Haylett-Petty 6: Josh Kemeny 7: Richard Hardwick 8: Michael Wells 9: Joe Powell, 10: Matt To'omua, 11: Marika Koroibete 12: Campbell Magnay, 13: Stacey Ili 14: Frank Lomani 15: Tom Pincus
Reserves: James Hanson, Matt Gibbon, Lucio Sordoni, Steve Cummins, Michael Icely, James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Lachie Anderson
Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 AJ Lam, 10 Otere Black, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Adrian Choat, 6 Tom Robinson (c), 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Reserves: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jacob Pierce, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Mark Telea.
Force v Chiefs, Saturday 15 May, 11.55pm, HBF Park, Perth
Force: 1: Tom Robertson 2: Feleti Kaitu'u 3: Santiago Medrano 4: Jeremy Thrush 5: Fergus Lee-Warner 6: Tim Anstee 7: Kane Koteka 8: Brynard Stander 9: Tomas Cubelli 10: Jake McIntyre 11: Jordan Olowofela 12: Henry Taefu 13: Kyle Godwin (c) 14: Richard Kahui 15: Rob Kearney
Reserves: Andrew Ready, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Ollie Callan, Ian Prior, Domingo Miotti, Jake Strachan
Chiefs: 1: Aidan Ross 2: Nathan Harris 3: Angus Ta’avao 4: Josh Lord 5: Tupou Vaa’i 6: Pita Gus Sowakula 7: Lachlan Boshier 8: Luke Jacobson 9: Brad Weber 10: Damian McKenzie 11: Jonah Lowe 12: Alex Nankivell 13: Anton Lienert-Brown 14: Shaun Stevenson 15: Chase Tiatia
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Joe Apikotoa, Zane Kapeli, Liam Messam, Xavier Roe, Bryn Gatland, Bailyn Sullivan
The Crusaders have beaten the Chiefs 24-13 to take out the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa final in Christchurch. The win makes it the fifth consecutive Super Rugby title for the Crusaders, although it has only played New Zealand sides in the final for the last two years because of Covid-19 restrictions. The Crusaders had to overcome the sin-binning of both hooker Codie Taylor, and winger Sevu Reece, with the boot of first-five Richie Mo'unga putting them clear late in the second half.
All of the New Zealand Super Rugby sides will now take part in a trans-Tasman competition with the Australian sides after border restrictions were lifted between Australia and New Zealand. The first match will be between the Highlanders and Queensland Reds at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium at 7.05pm on Friday 14 May.
Crusaders: 24
Tries: Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Conversion: Richie Mo'unga, Penalties: Mo'unga 3, Dropped Goal: Mo'unga
Chiefs: 13
Try: Damian McKenzie, Conversion: McKenzie, Penalties: McKenzie 2
Highlanders: 35
Tries: Kazuki Himeno, Josh Ioane, Ngatungane Punivai, Jona Nareki, Michael Collins, Conversions: Josh Ioane 2, Penalty: Ioane
Blues: 29
Tries: Jonathan Ruru, Rieko Ioane, Nepo Laulala, Hoskins Sotutu, Conversions: Otere Black 3, Penalty: Black
Chiefs: 26
Tries: Lachlan Boshier, Jonah Lowe, Conversions: Damian McKenzie 2, Penalties: McKenzie 4
Crusaders: 25
Tries: Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan, Codie Taylor, Conversions: Richie Mo’unga 2, Penalties: Mo’unga 2
Highlanders: 33
Tries: Billy Harmon, Michael Collins, Connor Garden-Bachop, Conversions: Mitch Hunt 3, Penalties: Hunt 4.
Crusaders: 12
Tries: Codie Taylor, David Havili, Conversion: Richie Mo’unga
Blues : 27
Tries: TJ Faiane, Mark Telea, Penalty Try, Conversions: Otere Black 2, Penalties: Black 2
Hurricanes: 17
Try: Reed Prinsep, Penalties: Jordie Barrett 4
Chiefs :15
Tries: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Damien McKenzie, Conversion: McKenzie, Penalty: McKenzie
Blues: 12
Tries: Akira Ioane, Tom Robinson, Conversion: Otere Black
Hurricanes: 30
Tries: Jordie Barrett 3, Conversions: Barrett 3, Penalties: Barrett 3
Highlanders: 19
Tries: Bryn Evans, Connor Garden-Bachop, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Conversions: Josh Ioane 2
The Chiefs have beaten the Hurricanes 35-29 in Wellington on Saturday night, to end a 11-match losing streak. The Chiefs trailed 26-7 at halftime after Hurricanes winger Salesi Rayasi scored two tries, as well as Ricky Riccitelli and Luke Campbell. The Chiefs fought back after halftime with replacement and former Hurricane Chase Tiatia scoring in the 57th minute. From the re-start the Chiefs moved the ball down the field, with halfback Brad Weber scoring, and the Chiefs were in again shortly after when Naitoa Ah Kuoi drove over from a lineout. Jordie Barrett then kicked a penalty for a 29-28 lead, but it was the Chiefs who had the final say with a try to Luke Jacobson.
Chiefs: 35
Tries: Kaleb Trask, Chase Tiatia, Brad Weber, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Luke Jacobson, Conversions: Damian McKenzie 5.
Hurricanes: 29
Tries: Salesi Rayasi 2, Luke Campbell, Ricky Riccitelli, Conversions: Jordie Barrett 3, Penalty: Barrett
The Crusaders continued on their winning ways with a 43-27 win over the Blues at Eden Park on Sunday. Crusaders first five-eighths Richie Mo'unga scored 28 points for the visitors, and the Blues discipline didn't help through periods of the match. Blues hooker Kurt Eklund has received a three match ban for an illegal flip in a tackle on Crusaders winger Sevu Reece, while prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi has also been cited for a hit on Scott Barrett in a ruck.
Blues: 27
Tries: Blake Gibson, Kurt Eklund 2, Hoskins Sotutu, Conversions: Otere Black 2, Penalty: Black
Crusaders :43
Tries: Jack Goodhue, Codie Taylor, Richie Mo'unga, Sevu Reece, Conversions: Richie Mo'unga 4, Penalties: Mo'unga 5
Chiefs: 23
Tries: Luke Jacobson, Damian McKenzie, Conversions: McKenzie 2, Penalties: McKenzie 3
Highlanders: 39
Tries: Jonah Nareki 3, Folau Fakatava, Shannon Frizell, Conversions: Josh Ioane 4, Penalties: Ioane 2
Crusaders: 33
Tries: Codie Taylor 2, Richie Mo’unga, Ethan Blackadder, Scott Barrett, Conversions: Mo’unga 3
Hurricanes: 16
Tries: Ricky Riccitelli, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Penalties: Jordie Barrett 2
Super Rugby Aotearoa for 2021 kicked off with wins for both the Crusaders in Dunedin, and Blues in Wellington over the weekend with results below. Due to the Covid level changes this week across New Zealand, the Chiefs v Highlanders match in Hamilton on Friday will have no crowd, while the Crusaders v Hurricanes match in Christchurch has been moved from Saturday to Sunday 4.35pm in the hope that the level will drop back at 6am Sunday allow crowds to attend.
Crusaders: 26
Tries: Codie Taylor, Bryn Hall, Sevu Reece, Brodie McAlister , Conversions: Richie Mo’unga 3
Highlanders: 13
Tries: Shannon Frizell, Connor Garden-Bachop, Penalty: Mitch Hunt
Blues: 31
Tries: Dalton Papalii, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Rieko Ioane, Conversions: Otere Black 4, Penalty: Black
Hurricanes 16
Tries: Asafo Aumua 2, Penalties: Jordie Barrett 2
The 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season kicks off tonight, with the Highlanders hosting the Crusaders at 7.05pm, at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. The second match has the Hurricanes hosting the Blues at Sky Stadium Wellington at 7.05pm on Saturday 28 February.
Highlanders:
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown 2. Ash Dixon (cc) 3. Siate Tokolahi 4. Josh Dickson 5. Jack Regan 6. Shannon Frizell 7. Billy Harmon 8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u 9. Aaron Smith (cc) 10. Mitch Hunt 11. Jona Nareki 12. Patelesio Tomkinson 13. Ngatungane Punivai 14. Connor Garden-Bachop 15. Solomon Alaimalo
Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman 17. Josh Hohneck 18. Jeff Thwaites 19. Bryn Evans 20. Liam Squire 21. Folau Fakatava 22. Josh Ioane 23. Hugh Renton
Crusaders:
1. Joe Moody 2. Codie Taylor (vc) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Scott Barrett © 5. Samuel Whitelock 6. Ethan Blackadder 7. Tom Christie 8. Cullen Grace 9. Bryn Hall 10. Richie Mo’unga 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku 12. Dallas McLeod 13. Jack Goodhue (vc) 14. Sevu Reece 15. Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Brodie McAlister 17. George Bower 18. Fletcher Newell 19. Quinten Strange 20. Sione Havili Talitui 21. Mitchell Drummond 22. Fergus Burke 23. Chay Fihaki
Hurricanes:
1: Fraser Armstrong 2: Asafo Aumua 3: Tyrel Lomax 4: James Blackwell 5: Scott Scrafton 6: Vaea Fifita 7: Ardie Savea (C) 8: Devan Flanders 9: Jonathan Taumateine 10: Jackson Garden-Bachop 11: Julian Savea 12: Ngani Laumape 13: Billy Proctor 14: Wes Goosen 15: Jordie Barrett
Reserves: Ricky Riccitell, Xavier Numia, Alex Fidow, Reed Prinsep, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Luke Campbell, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi
Blues:
1 James Lay 2 Kurt Eklund 3 Nepo Laulala 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (C) 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti 6 Akira Ioane 7 Dalton Papalii 8 Hoskins Sotutu 9 Sam Nock 10 Otere Black 11 Caleb Clarke 12 Harry Plummer 13 Rieko Ioane 14 Mark Telea 15 Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: 16 Luteru Tolai, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Josh Goodhue, 20 Tom Robinson, 21 Adrian Choat, 22 Jonathan Ruru, 23 Tanielu Tele’a.
