Super Rugby Aotearoa Final Result.

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

Mitre 10 Cup Week 10 Teams

Counties Manukau v Southland, 7pm Friday, November 13, Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

Counties Manukau: 

 1-Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2-Donald Maka, 3-Suetena Asomua, 4-Matiaha Martin, 5-Potu Leavasa, 6-Sam Slade, 7-Alamanda Motuga, 8-Viliame Taulani, 9-Cameron Roigard, 10-Jason Robertson, 11-Sione Fifita, 12-Orbyn Leger (capt), 13-Sione Molia, 14-Kirisi Kuridrani, 15-Etene Nanai-Seturo

Reserves: 16-Zuriel Togiatama, 17-Clinton Malolua, 18-Conan O’Donnell, 19-Viliame Rarasea, 20-Dylan Leckner, 21-Jonathan Taumateine, 22-Luteru Laulala, 23-Kalione Hala.

Southland: 

1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Greg Pleasants-Tate, 3-Siate Tokolahi, 4-Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 5-Mike McKee, 6-Charles Alaimalo, 7-Matt James, 8-Tony Lamborn (c), 9-Logan Crowley, 10-Scott Eade, 11-Tevita Latu, 12-Raymond Nu'u, 13-Isaac Te Tamaki, 14-Amanaki Nicole, 15-Rory Van Vugt

Reserves: 16-Telemaitoga Tuapati, 17-Joseph Walsh, 18-Chris Apoua, 19-Raymond Tatafu, 20-Jacob Coghlan, 21-Liam Howley, 22-Greg Dyer, 23-Jaye Thompson

Northland v Waikato, 2pm Saturday, November 14, Kaikohe RFC

Waikato: 

1-Ollie Norris, 2-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3-Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4-James Thompson, 5-Samipeni Finau, 6-Hamilton Burr, 7-Luke Jacobson, 8-Liam Messam, 9-Xavier Roe, 10-Beaudein Waaka, 11-Valynce Te Whare, 12-Louis Rogers, 13-Quinn Tupaea, 14-Gideon Wrampling, 15-Bailyn Sullivan

Reserves: Sekope Lopeti-Moli, 17-Rob Cobb, 18-Sefo Kautai,19-Adam Thomson, 20- Simon Parker, 21-Cortez Ratima, 22-Matty Lansdown, 23-Liam Coombes-Fabling 

Wellington v Manawatu, 2pm Saturday, November 14, Sky Stadium, Wellington

Wellington: 

1-Xavier Numia, 2-James O'Reilly, 3-Alex Fidow, 4-Vaea Fifita, 5-James Blackwell 6-Caleb Delany, 7-Mateaki Kafatolu, 8-Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 9- Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 10-Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11-Pepesana Patafilo, 12-Julian Savea, 13-Billy Proctor, 14-Wes Goosen, 15-Trent Renata

Reserves: 16-Tyrone Thompson, 17-Morgan Poi, 18-Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 19-Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20-Sam Smith, 21-Connor Collins, 22-Vince Aso, 23-Connor Garden-Bachop

Otago v Tasman, 4:30pm Saturday, November 14, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Otago: 

1-Jamie Mackintosh, 2-Ricky Jackson, 3-Josh Hohneck, 4-Jack Regan, 5-Will Tucker, 6-Charles Elton, 7-Slade McDowell, 8-Nasi Manu, 9-Kayne Hammington, 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Jona Nareki, 12-Sio Tomkinson, 13-Michael Collins, 14-Freedom Vahaakolo, 15-Vilimoni Koroi

Reserves: 16-Henry Bell, 17-Sef Fa'agase, 18-Hisa Sasagi, 19-Josh Hill, 20-Dylan Nel, 21-James Arscott, 22-Mitchell Scott, 23-Sean Withy

Tasman: 

1-Ryan Coxon, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Isaac Salmon, 4-Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 5-Quinten Strange, 6-Hugh Renton, 7-Sione Havili, 8-Taina Fox-Matamua, 9-Finlay Christie, 10-Mitch Hunt, 11-Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12-Tim O'Malley, 13-Fetuli Paea, 14-Mark Telea, 15-David Havili

Reserves: 16-Quentin MacDonald, 17-Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 18-Samuel Matenga, 19-Mahonri Ngakuru, 20-Anton Segner, 21-Dwayne Polataivao, 22-Kieron Fonotia, 23-Tim Fainga'anuku

Bay of Plenty v North Harbour, 2pm Sunday, November 15, Tauranga Domain

Taranaki v Hawkes Bay, 2pm Sunday, November 15, TET Stadium, New Plymouth

Canterbury c Auckland, 4:30pm Sunday, November 15, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

Super Rugby Aotearoa Week 9 & 10 Results

Week Nine Results:

Hurricanes: 31  Chiefs: 18   (Halftime 12-3)

Hurricanes: 
Tries: Umaga-Jensen (2), Coles, Van Wyk, Proctor, Conversions:  J. Barrett (3)

Chiefs:
Tries: Wainui, Slater, Penalties: McKenzie (2), Conversion: McKenzie

Chiefs finished Aoteroa round winless.

Crusaders: 32  Highlanders: 22   (Halftime 13-17)

Crusaders: 
Tries: Mo’unga, Bridge (2), Ennor, Penalties: Mo’unga (2), Conversions: Mo’unga (3)

Highlanders:
Tries: Frizell, Nareki, Collins, Penalty: J. Ioane, Conversions: J. Ioane (2)

Crusaders win Aotearoa Super Rugby round.


Week Ten Results:

Highlanders:
Tries: Punivai, Dixon, Collins, Penalty try, Hunt, Penalty: Ioane, Conversions: Ioane 3, Hunt

Hurricanes:
Tries: Aso, Booth, Umaga-Jensen, Conversions: J Barrett 3

Blues v Crusaders match cancelled due to Auckland Covid lockdown

Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Seven & Eight Results

Week Seven Results: 

Crusaders: 32  Hurricanes:34  (Half Time 17-21)

Crusaders: 
Tries: Mo’unga, Bridge, Strange, Reece. Penalties: Mo’unga (2), Conversions: Mo’unga (3)

Hurricanes:
Tries: Goosen (2), Umaga-Jensen, Penalties: J. Barrett (5), Conversions: J. Barrett (2)

Blues:21  Chiefs: 17  (Half Time 14-7)

Blues: 
Tries: Duffie, Tuipulotu, Christie, Conversions: B. Barrett (3)

Chiefs:
Tries – Boshier, Lienert-Brown, Penalty: McKenzie, Conversions: McKenzie (2)


Week Eight Results:

Chiefs: 19  Crusaders: 32  (Half Time 10-17)

Chiefs: 
Tries – Boshier, Penalties: McKenzie (4), Conversion: McKenzie

Crusaders
Tries: Sanders, Jordan, Taylor, Reece, Fainga’anuku, Penalty: Mo’unga, Conversions: Mo’unga (2)


Highlanders: 21  Blues: 32  (Half Time 16-24)

Highlanders:
Tries: Dixon, Frizell, Penalties: J. Ioane (3), Conversions: J. Ioane

Blues:
Tries: A. Ioane, Christie (2), Faiane, Tu’ungafasi, Penalties: B. Barrett, Conversions: B. Barrett (2)

Round Seven Super Rugby Aotearoa Teams Named

Blues v Chiefs, Eden Park Auckland, Sunday 26 July, 3.35pm

Blues: 15 Matt Duffie, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Blake Gibson, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu ©, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Alex Hodgman.

Reserves: 16 Luteru Tolai, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19 Josh Goodhue, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Otere Black or Emoni Narawa, 23 Harry Plummer

Chiefs:
1. Reuben O’Neill 2. Bradley Slater 3. Nepo Laulala 4. Tupou Vaa’i 5. Mitchell Brown 6. Lachlan Boshier 7. Sam Cane © 8. Pita Gus Sowakula 9. Brad Weber 10. Kaleb Trask 11.Solomon Alaimalo 12. Alex Nankivell 13. Anton Lienert-Brown 14. Sean Wainui 15. Damian McKenzie

Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Ross Geldenhuys, Adam Thomson, Mitchell Karpik, Lisati Milo-Harris, Aaron Cruden, Quinn Tupaea

Crusaders v Hurricanes, Orangetheory Stadium Christchurch, Saturday 25 July, 7.05pm

Crusaders: 1. Joe Moody 2. Codie Taylor © 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Samuel Whitelock 5. Mitchell Dunshea 6. Tom Sanders 7. Tom Christie 8. Whetukamokamo Douglas (vc) 9. Bryn Hall 10. Richie Mo’unga 11. George Bridge 12. Jack Goodhue (vc) 13. Fetuli Paea 14. Sevu Reece 15. Will Jordan

Reserves: 16. Andrew Makalio 17. George Bower 18. Oliver Jager 19. Quinten Strange 20. Sione Havili 21. Mitchell Drummond 22. Brett Cameron 23. Leicester Fainga’anuku

Hurricanes: 1. Fraser Armstrong 2. Asafo Aumua 3. Tyrel Lomax 4. James Blackwell 5. Scott Scrafton 6. Reed Prinsep 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi 8. Ardie Savea 9. TJ Perenara © 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop 11. Ben Lam 12. Ngani Laumape 13. Peter Umaga-Jensen 14. Wes Goosen 15. Jordie Barrett

Reserves: 16. Ricky Riccitelli 17. Tevita Mafileo 18. Alex Fidow 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere 20. Vaea Fifita 21. Jamie Booth 22. Vince Aso 23. Chase Tiatia

Super Rugby Results 2020 Week Three To Six

Week Three Results:

Score: Blues: 27 Highlanders: 24 (Halftime 22-10)

Blues: Tries: Clarke, Papalii (2), R. Ioane, Penalty: Black, Conversions: Black (2)

Highlanders: Tries: Dixon, Hunt, Frizell. Penalties: Hunt (2), Conversions: Hunt (3)


Score: Crusaders: 18  Chiefs: 13 (Halftime 10-3)

Crusaders: Tries: Jordan (2), Penalties: Mo’unga (2), Conversion: Mo’unga

Chiefs: Try: Wainui, Penalties: McKenzie (2), Conversion: McKenzie


Week Four Results:

Score: Highlanders: 20 Crusaders: 40 (Halftime 17-14)

Highlanders: Tries: Frizell, Punivai, Penalties: Hunt (2), Conversions: Hunt (2)

Crusaders: Tries: Jordan (2), Christie (2), Reece, Penalties: Mo’unga (3), Conversions: Mo’unga (3)


Score: Chiefs: 18  Hurricanes: 25 (Halftime 3-20)

Chiefs: Tries: Penalty try, Boshier, Penalties: McKenzie (2)

Hurricanes: Tries: Van Wyk (2), Kirifi, Penalties: J. Barrett (2), Conversions: J. Barrett (2)


Week Five Results:

Final Score: Crusaders: 26  Blues: 15 (Halftime 6-7)

Crusaders: Tries: Drummond, Jordan, Penalties: Mo’unga (4), Conversions: Mo’unga (2)

Blues: Tries:  Telea, R. Ioane, Penalty: Black, Conversion: Black

Score: Hurricanes: 17  Highlanders: 11  (Halftime 12-0)

Hurricanes: Tries: Perenara, Van Wyk, Flanders, Conversions: J. Barrett

Highlanders: Try: A. Smith, Penalties: M. Hunt (2)


Week Six Results: 

Score: Hurricanes: 29  Blues: 27  (Halftime 15-15)

Hurricanes: Tries: Laumape, Prinsep, Coles, Aumua, Penalty: J. Barrett, Conversions: J. Barrett (3)

Blues: Tries B. Barrett, Papali’i, A. Ioane, Eklund, Penalty: Black, Conversions: Black, B. Barrett


Score: Chiefs: 31 Highlanders: 33   (Halftime 24-7)

Chiefs: Tries: Boshier, Lienert-Brown, Slater (2), Penalty: McKenzie, Conversions: McKenzie (4)

Highlanders: Tries: Mikaele-Tu’u, Hunt, A. Smith, Nareki, Tomkinson, Conversions: Hunt (4)

Super Rugby Results Aotearoa Round Two

Round two of the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition has seen the Blues beat the Chiefs 24-12 in Hamilton, and the Crusaders beat the Hurricanes 39-25 in Wellington.

On a cold and wet Saturday night in Hamilton, the Blues beat the Chiefs at home for the first time since 2011.
The Chiefs dominated early possession and territory, but they had only managed a solitary penalty by the 12th minute. It was after the Damian McKenzie penalty that the Blues struck back from the restart with Hoskins Sotutu scoring beside the posts, with Otere Black adding the conversion.
Midway through the half the Blues had conceded eight penalties to the Chiefs one, and McKenzies penalty kicks kept the Chiefs in the match, trailing 10-9 at halftime.
The second half saw both side kicking for territory in the wet match, and McKenzie and Black trading penalty kicks.
It was not until the late in the match that the Blues scored their second try, with winger Mark Telea finishing off an attacking move.

Chiefs: 12 

Penalties: McKenzie (4)

Blues: 24

Tries:  Sotutu, Talea, Penalties: Black (2), B. Barrett, Conversion: Black, Drop: B. Barrett

The Crusaders played their first match in the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition and it resulted in a 39-25 win over the Hurricanes in Wellington.
The Crusaders scored an early try to wing Sevu Reece in just the second minute of the match with Richie Mo'unga kicking the conversion.
The Hurricanes kicked a penalty in the 7th minute toget on the board, but it was the Crusaders extending their lead in the 14th minute with a second try to centre Braydon Ennor.
The Hurricanes had leveled the scores 12-12 by the 31st minute with two penalties and a drop kick to first five Jackson Garden-Bachop.
The Crusaders scored their third try to second five Jack Goodhue, with the conversion extending the lead to 19-12, but it was 19-15 at halftime after Garden-Bachop added another penalty.
The Hurricanes reduced the gap to 19-18 after Goodhue was sin-binned, but Mo'unga kicked two penalties to put up 25-18.
The Hurricanes then scored their first try to replacement Asafo Aumua, and Garden Bachop's sideline conversion tied the scores 25-25.
The Crusaders then added a further two tries in the last ten minutes to Mo'unga and replacement David Havili.

Hurricanes: 25

Try: Aumua, Penalties: Garden-Bachop (5), Conversion: Garden-Bachop, Drop: Garden-Bachop

Crusaders: 39

Tries – Reece, Ennor, Goodhue, Mo’unga, Havili, Penalties: Mo’unga (2), Conversions: Mo’unga (4)

Super Rugby Aotearoa Results Round One 2020

The results for the first round of Super Rugby Aotearoa 2020 from 13-14 June are as follows.

Highlanders v Chiefs, Dunedin, Saturday 13 June.

The Highlanders have defeated the Chiefs 28-27 after a late 78th minute dropped goal from Bryn Gatland, son of Chiefs coach Warren.
The Highlanders had scored three tries to the Chiefs two, and led 22-16 at half time after tries to second five Patelesio Tomkinson and hooker Ash Dixon. Chiefs fullback Damian McKenzie had kicked two early penalties to keep them in contact, while winger Sean Wainui scored a try to narrow the gap. The sin-binning of Highlander fullback Vilimoni Koroi in the 32nd minute saw McKenzie add another penalty before a late first half try to number eight Marino Mikaele Tu’u pushed the Highlanders to a six point half time lead.
The second half saw first five Mitch Hunt extend the lead for the Highlanders with a penalty, but they lost another to the sin-bin with Jona Nareki taking out McKenzie in the air.
A try to centre Anton Lienert-Brown brought the Chiefs to within a point of the Highlanders, but McKenzie missed the conversion. In the 77th minute McKenzie put the Chiefs in front with a dropped goal, but it was Gatland with the winner when the Highlanders worked there way to the Chiefs 22 from the restart.

Highlanders: 
Tries: A. Dixon, Tomkinson, Mikaele Tu’u, Penalties:  Hunt (2), Conversion: Hunt (2), Drop: Gatland
Cards: Koroi (Yellow, 32′), Nareki (Yellow, 61′)

Chiefs:
Tries: Wainui, Lienert-Brown, Penalties: McKenzie (4), Conversion: McKenzie, Drop: McKenzie

Blues v Hurricanes, Auckland, Sunday 14 June.

The Blues have beaten the Hurricanes 30-20 at Auckland's Eden Park in front of a crowd of 43,000 after holding a narrow 14-13 lead at half time.
Both teams scored three tries each, but it was the boot of first five Otere Black who proved to be the decider with his 15 points.
The Blues struggled with the new offside laws for Super Rugby, and conceded ten penalties to the Hurricanes four in the first half.
The Hurricanes opened the scoring with a penalty to first five Jackson Garden-Bachop, but the Blues hit back with a try to wing Caleb Clarke. Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles was next to score with a try in the corner, but the Blues hit back again with one of their own to second five TJ Faiane.
The Hurricanes then scored a late try to wing Ben Lam, but Garden-Bachop was unable to convert.
The second half saw the Hurricanes concede multiple penalties, with Black kicking three for the Blues in ten minutes. Both sides scored late tries to replacements Dalton Papalii and Jamie Booth to leave the final score 30-20.

Blues 
Tries: Clarke, Faiane, Papalii, Penalties: Black (3), Conversions: Black (3)

Hurricanes
Tries: Coles, Lam, Booth, Penalty: Garden-Bachop, Conversion: Perenara

Super Rugby To Re-Start June 13

The Super Rugby Aotearoa competition will kick-off on Saturday 13 June with the first match between the Chiefs and Highlanders in Dunedin at 5.05pm.

On Sunday 14th, the second match will see the Blues play the Hurricanes in Auckland at 3.05pm.

Each weekend for 10 weeks, there will be both a Saturday and Sunday match with teams playing both home and away games against each other.

Teams will fly to away games on charter flights on the day, and the earlier game times are to allow for the return flights after the match.

The Mitre 10 Cup Premiership and Championship competitions will start on 11 September, with the draw being released at a later date.

Week 1:

13 June: Highlanders v Chiefs, Dunedin 5.05pm

14 June: Blues v Hurricanes, Auckland 3.05pm

Week 2: 

20 June: Chiefs v Blues, Hamilton 5.05pm

21 June: Hurricanes v Crusaders, Wellington 3.05pm

Week 3:

27 June: Blues v Highlanders, Auckland 5.05pm

28 June: Crusaders v Chiefs, Christchurch 3.05pm

Week 4:

4 July: Highlanders v Crusaders, Dunedin 5.05pm

5 July: Chiefs v Hurricanes, Hamilton 3.05pm

Week 5:

11 July: Crusaders v Blues, Christchurch 5.05pm

12 July Hurricanes v Highlanders, Wellington 3.05pm

Week 6:

18 July: Hurricanes v Blues, Wellington 5.05pm

19 July: Chiefs v Highlanders, Hamilton 3.05pm

Week 7:

25 July: Crusaders v Hurricanes, Christchurch 5.05pm

26 July: Blues v Chiefs, Auckland 3.05pm

Week 8:

1 August: Chiefs v Crusaders, Hamilton 5.05pm

2 August: Highlanders v Blues, Dunedin 3.05pm

Week 9:

8 August: Hurricanes v Chiefs, Wellington 5.05pm

9 August: Crusaders v Highlanders, Christchurch 3.05pm

Week 10:

15 August: Highlanders v Hurricanes, Dunedin 5.05pm

16 August: Blues v Crusaders, Auckland 3.05pm

Super Rugby To Restart Under Level 2 In New Zealand

New Zealand Rugby has confirmed Super Rugby will restart when New Zealand drops to Covid-19 alert level 2.
The competition will be called Super Rugby Aotearoa, and will involve the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders.
The competition will be played over a ten week span in which each team plays a home and away game. There will be two matches each weekend, and they will be played in empty stadiums.
When level two is confirmed (expected to be next week) there will be a three or four week gap for teams to start training again, before the competition starts.
Exact times will be announced once level two is confirmed, and also an update on the New Zealand Mitre 10 Cup and Farah Palmer Cup competitions.

Super Rugby Week Two Results

The Highlanders have opened their 2020 Super Rugby season with a 42-20 loss to the Sharks in Dunedin. Both sides traded penalties early in the first half, but it was the Sharks to held a 24 point halftime lead after three tries in 9 minutes. The Highlanders hit back in the second half with two tries, but handling errors didn't help later in the half.

Highlanders:
Tries: D. Hunt, Nareki, Collins, Penalty: M. Hunt, Conversion: M. Hunt

Sharks:
Tries: J. Venter, Mapimpi (2), Fassi (2), Penalties: Bosch (3), Conversions: Bosch (4)


The Chiefs have beaten the Crusaders 25-15 in Hamilton to claim their second win of the season.
The Crusaders had led 12-8 at halftime after two tries to winger Sevu Reece, while Solomon Alaimalo scored for the home side.
The second half saw the Chiefs score tries to Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Sean Wainui, with a late penalty denying the Crusaders a bonus point.

Chiefs:
Tries: S.Alaimalo, T.Tahuriorangi, S.Wainui, Penalties: A Cruden (2), Conversions: A Cruden (2)

Crusaders:
Tries: S. Reece (2), Penalty: D. Havili, Conversion: D Havili


The Blues have beaten the Waratahs 32-12 at Newcastle after the home side held a 8-7 halftime lead. The second half saw early Blues tries to Joe Marchant and Mark Telea, but a yellow card to Hoskins Sotutu for a high tackle saw the Waratahs strike back with a try to Mark Nawaqanitawase.
The Blues then ran in two late tries to Telea who secured the hat-trick.

Blues:
Tries: B.Gibson, J.Marchant, M.Telea (3), Penalty: S. Perofeta, Conversion: S. Perofeta (2)

Waratahs:
Tries: L.Foketi, M.Nawaqanitawase, Conversion: W. Harrison


The Hurricanes have won their first match of the season with a 26-23 win against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires. The Jaguares held a 10-9 halftime lead and extended it throughout the second half, but two converted tries to the Hurricanes in the final nine minutes saw the visitors get the win.

Hurricanes:
Tries: Fidow, Booth, Penalties: J. Barrett (4), Conversions: Garden-Bachop, Smith

Jaguares:
Tries: Kremer, Creevy,  Penalties: Miotti (3), Conversions: Miotti (2)

Super Rugby Week One Results.

The Chiefs beat the Blues 37-29 in Auckland after trailing by 14 points at halftime.
It wasn't until the 69th minute that they hit the front with a try to Solomon Alaimalo, and a late penalty from Cruden meant no bonus point to the Blues.

Chiefs: 
Tries: Taukeiaho (2), Sowakula, Ross, Alaimalo, Penalty: Cruden, Conversion: Cruden (3), Drop Goal: Cruden

Blues:
Tries: Lamborn, R Ioane (2), Tuínukuafe, Penalty: Plummer, Conversion: Perofeta (3)


The Crusader's had a first up bonus point win 43-25 over the Waratahs, after a 24-6 halftime lead.

Crusaders:
Tries: W. Jordan (2), B Ennor (2), L Faingaanuku, L Romano, Penalty: D Havili, Conversion: D Havili (6)

Waratahs: 
Tries: M. Nawaqanitawase (2), A Newsome, Penalty: W Harrison (2), Conversion: W Harrison


The Hurricanes lost 27-0 to the Stormers in Cape Town to continue a losing streak that dates back to 2006. The Stormers scored three first half tries, and the Hurricanes were not helped in the second half  with two yellow cards.

Stormers:
Tries: Petersen, Kitshoff, Jantjies, Willemse, Penalty: Willemse, Conversions: Willemse (2)

New Zealand Franchises Name Their Super Rugby Squads For 2020

For his 2020 Super Rugby squad Blues coach Leon MacDonald has lost Sonny Bill Williams to the Toronto Super League side, and also Ma'a Nonu and Melani Nanai to overseas sides. He has gained locks James Tucker  from Waikato and Baden Wardlaw from Bay of Plenty, and also retained 26 of his players from last year.

Forwards: Kurt Eklund, Ray Niuia, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Sione Mafileo, Marcel Renata, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Jacob Pierce, Patrick Tuipulotu, Baden Wardlaw, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Tony Lamborn, Dalton Papalii, Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, Tom Robinson, Hoskins Sotutu, James Tucker.

Backs: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Jonathan Ruru, Beauden Barrett, Otere Black, Jack Heighton, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Joe Marchant, Tanielu Tele'a, Caleb Clarke, Matt Duffie, Jordan Hyland, Emoni Narawa, Jared Page, Mark Telea.


New Chiefs and former Wales coach Warren Gatland has lost All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick to the Kobelco Steelers in Japan for the year, but has former Chief and All Black Aaron Cruden returning from France. Gatland has nine new faces, including Kini Naholo from Taranaki, Quinn Tupaea from Waikato, Wellington lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Otago No 8 Dylan Nel, Taranaki halfback Lisati Milo-Harris and Bay of Plenty first-five Kaleb Trask.

Forwards: Nathan Harris, Bradley Slater, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ryan Coxon, Nepo Laulala, Atunaisa Moli, Reuben O'Neill, Aidan Ross, Angus Ta'avao, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tyler Ardron, Michael Allardice, Laghlan McWhannell, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Karpik, Dylan Nel.

Backs: Lisati Milo-Harris, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden, Tiaan Falcon, Damian McKenzie, Kaleb Trask, Orbyn Leger, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tumua Manu, Alex Nankivell, Bailyn Sullivan, Solomon Alaimalo, Sam McNicol, Kini Naholo, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Quinn Tupaea, Sean Wainui.


Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has lost first five Beauden Barrett to the Blues, and lock Sam Lousi to the Scarlets and prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen to Wasps. They have signed South African midfield/wing Kobus Van Wyk who has previously played for both the Sharks and Stormers, as well as adding Scott Scrafton from the Blues and Tyrel Lomax from the Highlanders. Wellington Lions coach Chris Gibbes has also been added as an assistant coach to work with the forwards.

Forwards: Pouri Rakete-Stones, Fraser Armstrong, Alex Fidow, Tyrel Lomax, Ben May, Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli, James Blackwell, Kane Le'aupepe, Liam Mitchell, Scott Scrafton, Isaia Walker-Leawere Vaea Fifita, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Murphy Taramai, Devan Flanders, Gareth Evans.

Backs: TJ Perenara, Jamie Booth, Jonathan Taumateine, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fletcher Smith, Ngani Laumape, Vince Aso, Billy Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Danny Toala, Kobus van Wyk, Wes Goosen, Ben Lam, Jonah Lowe, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, James Marshall, Chase Tiatia.


Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has named All Blacks lock Scott Barrett as captain of the 2020 side, following the departure of Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Ryan Crotty, Tim Bateman, Matt Todd and Jordan Taufua. Lock Sam Whitelock has also taken a sabbatical to Japan for the Super Rugby season, but the Crusaders have gained Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, Tom Christie, George Bower, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili, Brodie McAlister, Ethan Roots, Isi Tuungafasi, Fergus Burke, Inga Finau, and Fetuli Paea.

Forwards: Michael Alaalatoa, Harry Allan, Scott Barrett (c), Ethan Blackadder, George Bower, Tom Christie, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitchell Dunshea, Cullen Grace, Billy Harmon, Sione Havili, Oliver Jager, Andrew Makalio, Brodie McAlister, Joe Moody, Luke Romano, Ethan Roots, Tom Sanders, Quinten Strange, Codie Taylor, Isi Tuungafasi.

Backs: George Bridge, Fergus Burke, Brett Cameron, Mitchell Drummond, Ere Enari, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Faingaanuku, Inga Finau, Jack Goodhue, Bryn Hall, David Havili, Will Jordan, Manasa Mataele, Dallas McLeod, Richie Mo'unga, Fetuli Paea, Sevu Reece. 

Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has added 15 new faces to his side after the overseas departure of  Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Marty Banks, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock, Elliot Dixon and Jackson Hemopo. Players added are Otago hooker Ricky Jackson, Bay of Plenty prop Jeff Thwaites, Southland prop Ethan de Groot, former Queensland Reds wing Chris Kuridrani and Southland lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit.

Forwards:

Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Ricky Jackson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Jeff Thwaites, Ethan De Groot, Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Jack Whetton, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, James Lentjes, Dillon Hunt, Marino Mikaele Tu'u, Shannon Frizell, Sione Misiloi, Zane Kapeli, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Jesse Parete

Backs:
Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Folau Fakatava, Bryn Gatland, Josh Ioane, Mitch Hunt, Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Scott Gregory, Ngane Punivai, Jona Nareki, Tevita Nabura, Josh McKay, Michael Collins, Chris Kuridrani, Connor Garden-Bachop