Monday, August 7, 2023

All Blacks Win Second Bledisloe Cup Match

The All Blacks have beaten Australia 23-20 in Dunedin on Saturday after a late penalty from Richie Mo'unga. Trailing 17-3 at half time, the All Blacks struck back with tries from winger Shaun Stevenson and flanker Samipeni Finau in the second half, and put together a much better defensive effort. A knee injury to lock Brodie Retallick in the first half forcing him from the field, was one of the biggest concerns ahead of the Rugby World Cup squad naming, giving coach Ian Foster plenty to worry over.


New Zealand All Blacks: 23

Tries: Shaun Stevenson, Samipeni Finau, Conversions: Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga, Penalties: McKenzie, Mo'unga 2

Australia: 20

Tries: Marika Koroibete, Tom Hooper, Conversions: Carter Gordon 2, Penalties: Gordon, Quade Cooper

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

All Blacks Named For Second Bledisloe Match

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side for the second Bledisloe Cup match at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday 2.35pm.

After beating Australia 38-7 last week in Melbourne, Foster has made several changes to the starting side, with captain Sam Cane returning from a neck injury suffered against Argentina, and wing Shaun Stevenson and flanker Samipeni Finau making their All Black debut's. In the backs, Will Jordan will start at fullback, Damian McKenzie is back at first five, and Leicester Fainga’anuku returns from injury on the other wing. In the forwards prop Tamaiti Williams gets his first start, while uncapped midfielder Dallas McLeod comes into the reserves.


New Zealand All Blacks: 

Will Jordan, Shaun Stevenson, Braydon Ennor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (capt), Samipeni Finau, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams. 

Reserves: 
Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Dallas McLeod


Australian Wallabies: 
Andrew Kellaway, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Carter Gordon, Tate McDermott (capt), Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper, Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Pone Fa'amausili, David Porecki, Angus Bell. 

Reserves: 

Jordan Uelese, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Will Skelton, Rob Leota, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Izaia Perese

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

All Blacks Named To Face Australia

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday night. In the only change to the previous South Africa test, number eight Ardie Savea will captain the side after Sam Cane was ruled out with a neck injury, and has been replaced by Dalton Papali’i, with Luke Jacobson coming into the reserves. Other changes in the reserves see Ofa Tu'ungafasi replace prop Tamaiti Williams, lock Sam Whitelock returns from injury in place of Tupou Vaa'i, halfback Cam Roigard replaces Finlay Christie, and midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown returns from suspension in place of Braydon Ennor.


All Blacks: 

Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea (captain), Dalton Papali’i, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. 

Reserves: 

Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Sam Whitelock, Luke Jacobson, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Farah Palmer Cup Round One Results

The 2023 Farah Palmer Cup has kicked off with three matches played in the Premiership division. 


Hawke’s Bay Tui: 32 

Tries: Kahlia Awa, Tee Aiolupotea, Teilah Ferguson, Leah Tuhi, Conversions: Krysten Cottrell 3, Penalties: Cottrell 2 

Auckland Storm: 31 

Tries: Melanie Puckett, Princess Elliot, Angelica Mekemeke Vahai, Mizuho Kataoka, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Conversions: France Bloomfield, Sophie Fisher 2


Canterbury: 58 

Tries: Karla Wright-Akeli 2, Marcelle Parkes 2, Atlanta Lolohea 2, Winnie Palamo, Martha Mataele, Hayley Hutana, Keighley Simpson, Conversions: Hutana 4

Wellington Pride: 29 

Tries: Justine McGregor 3,Siaiga Filipo, Angelica Schwenke, Conversions: Arene Landon-Lane 2


Waikato: 50 

Tries: Merania Pararone 2, Chantae Wilson-Jenkins 2, Chyna Hohepa, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Lela Ieremia, Conversions: Samantha Wood con, 3 pen, Ariana Bayler 2, 

Bay of Plenty Volcanix: 0

All Blacks XV Win In Japan

The All Blacks XV have finished their short tour of Japan unbeaten with a 41-27 win over their test side. Centre Billy Proctor featured with four tries, three of which were scored the first half. 


All Blacks XV: 41 

Tries: Billy Proctor 4, Stephen Perofeta, AJ Lam tries; Perofeta 4 con, pen) 

Japan: 27 

Tries: Kotaro Matsushima, Semisi Masirewa 2 tries; Lee Seung-Sin 2 pen, 2 con) HT: 29-13

Blacks Ferns Defeat USA With 14 Players

The Black Ferns have rebounded to beat USA 39-17 after the early shock of having halfback Iritana Hohaia sent off in the second minute after an accidental head clash. The Black Ferns trailed 17-5 at half time after also having Liana Mikaele-Tu’u sin-binned late in the half and dropping back to 13 players. The second half saw a few replacement players added to the Black Ferns, with five tries scored amid a stronger defensive effort.


Black Ferns: 39 

Tries: Grace Gago, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Pip Love, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Ruahei Demant, Amy du Plessis, Conversions: RenĂ©e Holmes 3, Conversion: Holmes 

USA: 17 

Tries: Paluvava’u Freda Tafuna, Rachel Johnson, Conversions: McKenzie Hawkins 2, Penalty: Hawkins

All Blacks Win Against South Africa

The All Blacks have continued their winning ways after defeating South Africa 35-20 at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday night. The All Blacks started fast with first half tries to Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell and led 20-3 at half time. South Africa struck back in the second half reducing the gap but New Zealand extended the lead with further tires to Will Jordan and Richi Mo'unga. The All Blacks play Australia next in the Rugby Championship in Melbourne on 29th July.

New Zealand: 35

Tries: Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell, Will Jordan, Richi Mo'unga, Conversions: Mo'unga 3, Penalties: Mo'unga 2  

South Africa: 20 

Tries: Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, Kwagga Smith, Conversion: Kolbe, Penalty: Faf de Klerk