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
Due to the 7 day Covid-19 lockdown that Melbourne has gone into this week, the match between the Highlanders and Rebels scheduled to be played in Queenstown has been transferred to Leichardt Oval in Sydney on Sunday.
Hurricanes v Force, Friday 28 May, 7.05pm, McLean Park, Napier
Hurricanes:
1: Xavier Numia 2: Asafo Aumua 3: Tyrel Lomax 4: Isaia Walker-Leawere 5: Scott Scrafton 6: Reed Prinsep (c) 7: Du’Plessis Kirifi 8: Gareth Evans 9: Luke Campbell 10: Orbyn Leger 11: Salesi Rayasi 12: Ngani Laumape 13: Peter Umaga-Jensen 14: Wes Goosen 15: Jordie Barrett
Reserves: Ricky Riccitell, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, James Blackwell, Ardie Savea, Cameron Roigard, Billy Proctor, Vince Aso
Force:
1: Tom Robertson 2: Andrew Ready 3: Santiago Medrano 4: Jeremy Thrush 5: Sitaleki Timani 6: Fergus Lee-Warner 7: Kane Koteka 8: Tim Anstee 9: Tomas Cubelli 10: Domingon Miotti 11: Jordan Olowofela 12: Kyle Godwin (c) 13: Richard Kahui 14: Toni Pulu 15: Rob Kearney
Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Jack McGregor, Tevita Kuridrani.
Waratahs v Crusaders, Saturday 29 May, 5.05pm, WIN Stadium, Sydney
Waratahs:
1: Angus Bell 2: David Porecki 3: Harry Johnson-Holmes 4: Jeremy Williams 5: Jack Whetton 6: Lachlan Swinton 7: Jack Dempsey 8: Will Harris 9: Jake Gordon (c) 10: Ben Donaldson 11: Alex Newsome 12: Lalakai Foketi 13: Izaia Perese 14: Jack Maddocks 15: Will Harrison
Reserves: 16: Joe Cotton 17: Tetera Faulkner 18: Darcy Breen 19: Sam Caird 20: Carlo Tizzano 21: Jack Grant 22: Tepai Moeroa 23: Mark Nawaqanitawase
Crusaders:
1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor (vc) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Quinten Strange 5. Scott Barrett (c) 6. Whetukamokamo Douglas 7. Sione Havili Talitui 8. Cullen Grace 9. Mitchell Drummond 10. Richie Mo'unga 11. Leicester Fainga'anuku 12. Dallas McLeod 13. Braydon Ennor 14. Sevu Reece 15. Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Nathan Vella* 17. Tamaiti Williams 18. Oliver Jager 19. Samuel Whitelock 20. Mitchell Dunshea 21. Bryn Hall 22. Fergus Burke 23. Manasa Mataele
Blues v Brumbies, Saturday 29 May, 7.15pm, Eden Park, Auckland
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 Dalton Papalii, 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 Alex Hodgman, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Mark Telea.
Brumbies:
1. Scott Sio 2. Connal McInerney 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) 4. Darcy Swain 5. Nick Frost 6. Rob Valetini 7.Tom Cusack 8. Henry Stowers 9. Nic White 10. Noah Lolesio 11. Tom Wright 12. Irae Simone
13. Len Ikitau 14. Solomone Kata 15. Tom Banks
Reserves: 16. Folau Fainga'a 17. Harry Lloyd 18. Sefo Kautai 19. Tom Hooper 20. Luke Reimer 21. Ryan Lonergan 22. Bayley Kuenzle 23. Mack Hansen
Reds v Chiefs, Saturday 29 May, 9.45pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Reds:
1. Feao Fotuaika 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa 3. Taniela Tupou 4. Ryan Smith 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 6. Angus Scott-Young 7. Liam Wright 8. Harry Wilson 9. Tate McDermott 10. James O’Connor 11. Filipo Daugunu 12. Isaac Henry 13. Hunter Paisami 14. Suliasi Vunivalu 15. Bryce Hegarty
Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser 17. Dane Zander 18. Zane Nonggorr 19. Seru Uru 20. Fraser McReight 21. Kalani Thomas 22. Hamish Stewart 23. Ilaisa Droasese
Chiefs:
1: Aidan Ross 2: Bradley Slater 3: Angus Ta’avao 4: Mitchell Brown 5: Tupou Vaa’i 6: Pita Gus Sowakula 7: Lachlan Boshier 8: Luke Jacobson 9: Brad Weber (c) 10: Damian McKenzie 11: Chase Tiatia 12:Alex Nankivell 13: Anton Lienert-Brown 14: Bailyn Sullivan 15: Kaleb Trask
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Reuben O’Neill, Sione Mafileo, Zane Kapeli, Liam Messam, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Shaun Stevenson
Highlanders v Rebels, Sunday 30 May, 5pm NZT, Leichardt Oval, Sydney
Highlanders:
1. Ethan De Groot 2. Liam Coltman 3. Siate Tokolahi 4. Pari Pari Parkinson 5. Josh Dickson 6. Shannon Frizell 7. James Lentjes 8. Hugh Renton 9. Aaron Smith (cc) 10. Mitch Hunt 11. Jona Nareki 12. Scott Gregory 13. Michael Collins 14. Patelesio Tomkinson 15. Josh Ioane
Reserves: 16. Ash Dixon (cc) 17. Ayden Johnstone 18. Jeff Thwaites 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit 20. Kazuki Himeno 21. Kayne Hammington 22. Ngatugnane Punivai 23: Billy Harmon
Rebels: TBC
For the second week in a row the New Zealand sides have beaten all their Australian opposition in Round Two of the 2021Trans-Tasman Super Rugby Competition.
Hurricanes: 35
Tries: Julian Savea 2, Billy Proctor, Wes Goosen, Asafo Aumua, Conversions: Jordie Barrett 5
Rebels: 13
Tries: Michael Wells, Campbell Magnay, Penalty: Matt Toomua
Force: 15
Tries: Tomas Cubelli, Angus Wagner, Conversion: Domingo Miotti, Penalty: Miotti
Highlanders: 25
Tries: Jona Nareki, Ayden Johnstone, Scott Gregory 2, Conversion: Mitchell Hunt, Penalty: Hunt
Blues: 48
Tries: Bryce Heem 3, Tom Robinson, Kurt Eklund, Rieko Ioane, penalty try, Conversions: Otere Black 4, Penalty: Black
Waratahs: 21
Tries: Angus Bell, Jake Gordon, Dave Porecki, Conversions: Will Harrison 3
Chiefs: 40
Tries: Luke Jacobson 2, Tupou Vaa'i, Damian McKenzie, Alex Nankiville, Anton Lienert-Brown, Conversions: McKenzie 5
Brumbies: 19
Tries: Len Ikitau, Bayley Kuenzle, Rob Valetini, Conversions: Noah Lolesio 2
Reds: 28
Tries: Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Suliasi Vunivalu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Penalties: James O'Connor 4
Crusaders: 63
Tries: Richie Mo'unga 3, Sevu Reece 2, Cullen Grace, Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, penalty try, Conversions: Mo'unga 8
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
