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Rugby

Rugby News Today Live: Wallabies overcome the Flying Fijians following a four-point win by 21-18 in Newcastle

by Sports Benches July 6, 2025

In Harry Wilson we trust! He’s usually an 8 but scored a 10/10 performance – very paramount of him steering that ship while able to outmuscle Fiji’s scrambled defense and raw pace in attack mode combined.

Same again please come July 19 at Suncorp as it depends on how they stay on the front foot & not lose momentum.

Then Nick Frost is another one always up for a battle on the second row 4, who doesn’t disappoint at every contestable play, and now he needs their support so he can bring that three-match series home v the Lions and maybe Rugby’s coming home….to the Green and Gold.

And 2020 Olympic 7s Gold Medalist Jiuta Wainiqolo sent a huge message with his ferocious pace on the left where Fiji found a way back in the winner’s circle (hello to Mick Byrne), they just need to be careful next time both late subs & ball retention.

All in all, it was a lucky escape by the Wallabies as yes we will accept the four-point win over the Flying Fijians, who frustrated us at times with running rugby written all over it likewise with the opponent’s Rugby Sevens program.

But if we imagine the same kind of picture with the Lions instead of Fiji, sometimes they need to up their game when it comes to staying on the front foot more often.

Wallabies so fortunate Fiji lost the plot so they can correct themselves but not like this when they’ve also made handling errors of their own when they better sharpen and flatten up on top of the defense Waratahs has built with oozed pressure last night despite the odd 10 point loss v Lions.

You can’t win games without a full force attack as better to take advantage of it by using every turn of the pitch along with expansive phases. That doesn’t mean Wallabies should lose confidence, end of.

The final score was Wallabies 21-18 Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

As the Wallabies turn their attention to Game 1 of the three-match Lions series come Saturday July 19, there’s still more Lions stuff to prepare for come mid-week against ACT Brumbies in Canberra followed by a combined Australian and NZ side next Saturday night at Adelaide Oval.

These games are only on Stan Sport & speaking of Stan, it seems they’ve actually acquired the rights to air Premier League Soccer after all following an announcement at the start of this week.

They’ve reached an agreement with Optus to inherit most of the rights Optus has currently got on their sports channel including the PL & FA Cup where Optus Sport will be no more come August 1.

We wish Optus all the best since they want to focus primarily on their communications/internet business while there’s more good things to come from Stan Sport ahead of the new PL season to start.

July 6, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Grand Final: Crusaders back on top following four-point arm wrestle v Chiefs in Christchurch

by Sports Benches June 21, 2025

Now this and that is championship-winning stuff from the Crusaders back where they belong as the leading and most successful Super Rugby team in history like it was before and they’ve done that once again to finish the 2025 season.

There’s Fletcher Newell stepping up big time for nearly the whole 80 when these front rowers usually play half the time who put in a mammoth effort from the ruck to defense plus mauls and scrum time.

Plus, credit to Rivez Reihana (former Chief) with the extra points as the frontline 10 both flattening up attack v the scrambled Chiefs blocks & his conversion kicking game also paramount to a T.

Special mention to Crusaders legend Sevu Reece with his undeniable commitment to the grand halls of this dynasty along with his all-action play from both wings.

And the towering Tupou Vaai on the Chiefs second row 5 did his best to outmuscle & steal against the Crusaders when this 80 minute final was about one huge arm wrestle where one gets the winning arm and other the runner-up one. It’s unfortunate they couldn’t take advantage to get past a one-point deficit that became a four-point loss in the end when Chiefs didn’t offer much creativity and running rugby unlike Crusaders.

So there you have it, a four point difference separating the minor premiers Chiefs and champions-elect Crusaders by 16-12 at the Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch – at least for the final time when it comes to hosting finals.

Still be a couple of more games expected to play at the same place during the first half season in 2026 before the new 30,000 Te Kaha venue is ready for Crusaders to take centre stage from here.

After 83 games across the 2025 season for the 30th time, Super Rugby is now done and dusted as we turn our attention to the 2nd half International Tests & club rugby portion…including a new four-week third-tier comp called Super Rugby AUS.

What’s exciting to come soon enough is the British and Irish Lions coming here for nine games over the next 6 weeks – 3 from the Wallabies plus the rest being our Super Rugby of four and one-off teams.

Now the Lions did start their campaign earlier this morning on a one-off match v the Los Pumas in Dublin and they’ve lost by four points there (24-28). Well, it may have been one match but still we can’t take any discounts where a full 80 performance required from the Wallabies would be enough to win at least this prestigious series either way 2-1 or 3-0.

We’ve come from a long way both from a performance-based and commercial standpoint when the Lions only come around once every 12 years and it’s about time the Wallabies make up for it.

No more nightmares of 2023 and more of their rebuild being great that can provide a good next step towards being successful in the 2027 Rugby World Cup…at home.

June 21, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Semi-Final 2: Chiefs rule over Brumbies with their comprehensive win ahead of next Saturday’s Grand Final v Crusaders in Christchurch

by Sports Benches June 14, 2025

Could 2025 be the year of the Chiefs? Ask Damian McKenzie with his outstanding 10 out of 10 performance as always.

He’s not just your usual go-to kicker, he can be massive from his defensive work like preventing 50/22s to try-saving tackles, and can stir up some amazing razzle dazzle creativity too.

If he can help Chiefs win that grand final over Crusaders next weekend, then he can cover himself in all golden glory with team and individual awards written all over it.

Look out Sevu Reece! Emoni Narawa is ready to cause more damage on what is going to be Super Rugby’s own Ford v Ferrari moment from the wide 14.

He’s someone who never stops running and can stun everyone in many cat and mouse games through the gate.

Mind you Chiefs won against them twice so far and will his two-try haul could be the Chiefs coming of hat-tricks this time?

Bring it on.

Brumbies, don’t know what else to say other than falling short off a Grand Final for the fourth straight year.

At least we saw the best of Tom Wright from the back who isn’t afraid to take any prisoners and risks that can reap benefits like the Brumbies did earlier on.

He is someone the Lions would struggle to stop every time Tom hits full turbo.

Again, he has to see numbers and unfortunately there wasn’t much effort going on around him other than just Chiefs shirts where Chiefs deserved that win.

All in all, Chiefs just too good having unleashed and got away with all-out attacking rewards over the only best Australian Super Rugby team by 37-17 at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.

Yes, Brumbies did fire off well on the front foot right from the word go which wasn’t bad or encouraging to see.

They just couldn’t get enough ball while their attack through open play is something Brumbies struggled to grasp that became a touch isolated where Chiefs went on to eat that whole 2nd half pie by far left, right and centre.

Now we have the Crusaders back in the big dance against the consistent grand finalist Chiefs where there can only be one winner at the same time next Saturday in Christchurch.

Will Chiefs finally get their breakthrough since their last triumph back in 2013?

Or will Crusaders reclaim their golden glory that took time & patience to rebuild from scratch?

We shall wait and see as if there can only be one winner, no doubt Crusaders will want to use that grand final as their A-game where they will win by seven points.

June 14, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Season Semi-Final 1: Crusaders hold off Blues last minute last night en route to their home grand final next Saturday in Christchurch

by Sports Benches June 13, 2025

First of all, congrats to the new-look Crusaders on finally able to make their way back to the Grand Final. Everyone has their ups and downs but it doesn’t mean the glory days shouldn’t be completely over and shoutout to Rob Penney on having an excellent set of experienced ones that makes their own youth click.

One of the stalwarts always continue to fly high just like Sevu Reece in full-back Will Jordan who continues to perform amazing stunts that is worthy of A + or an individual Emmy award.

Then who needs Hoskins Sotutu when the current ABs coach Scott Robertson can safely put his faith on No.8 Christian Lio-Willie? He’s got a bit of everything the Blues couldn’t see that coming including defensively and now he will be on his way to something World-Class if he can help Crusaders deliver a trophy next weekend.

Finally on Blues, they may not be able to defend their crown but at least they turned their slow start into a consistent Playoffs side, and no doubt they will continue to reap those rewards if they go bang, bang from the very start to the very finish.

Mark Telea on the right 14 always want to make good use of the ball as if he’s making rocket ships while passing off for numbers left or right. However, Blues just couldn’t find the rhythm in order to capitalise at times and that was that as seen where they fell short in the end.

The final score was Crusaders 21-14 Blues in Christchurch where both teams levelled the scores 14-14 at half-time before the 2nd half was about one physical arm wrestle with both teams up on the ante for that 1st available Grand Final slot and Crusaders in the end stood out tall like it always was before & they’ve done it again.

Now the Crusaders will be back here again as the home Grand Final team next weekend on what is going to be their final game at Apollo Projects Stadium ahead of their move to a 30,000 seater state-of-the-art Te Kaha Stadium next season.

Their next opponent? Chiefs or the lone Australian team from Canberra ACT Brumbies at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.

Chiefs yes are minor premiers but last weekend’s close loss against the now eliminated Blues goes to show they still have work to do. So if they made some little mistakes here and there this could finally be the time for the ACT Brumbies to win a semi-final away from home – something we haven’t seen in a long time.

We will have to find out tonight at 5pm AEST on Stan Sport and 9Gem.

June 13, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Season Qualifying Final: Blues snatch last-minute win v Chiefs who will also stay on as the lucky loser but not so much by Hurricanes to ACT Brumbies

by Sports Benches June 7, 2025

Can you believe it from the Blues? They’re somehow still in it thanks to their last-gasp win over the Chiefs on the Chiefs home front at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.

Hats off to reserve second row Josh Beehre on his staunch defensive and attacking efforts at the centre of tackle that turned into a game-scoring TRY with Beauden Barrett continues to put in some crucial performances including a mix of creative & conversions at the starting 10.

Unlucky from Chiefs who got away with winning penalties but just couldn’t hold on sometimes – more about a physical game than just trying to score big. Look out for quick Daniel Rona on the outside 13 making excellent runs and threats too and Blues didn’t see that coming with Rona causing damage and he’s got another one coming up for next Saturday’s semi-final.

Off to Canberra and the returning tighthead Brumbies 3 Allan Alaalatoa churns in those performances from defense to attack and yet he’s stood tall.

Meanwhile, Andy Muirhead runs rockets on the wide right 14 that the Hurricanes weren’t able to do and what more can you say about him? Just unbelievable from someone who still continues to be ignored by the Wallabies & hopefully him taking on the Lions would surely convince Joe Schmidt to put Andy on the green & gold.

And looking on the Hurricanes when they no longer able to go any further? Their attack looks one-dimensional & don’t forget they defended poorly too with the long game. Gotta say Ruben Love knows how to pull off magic from the back with his hands, running legs and the boot of the tee – it’s a shame things didn’t work out with lost balls & errors here and there.

Now the 2 x semi-final match-up will be a bit like two years ago with the Crusaders v Blues first on Friday and then Chiefs v Brumbies next Saturday in Hamilton.

Nothing much will change and the same will go with Brumbies who will be front and centre once again for fourth straight year.

However, for the Brumbies to try and go one better assuming they advance to the Grand Final, they better dominate those ball retentions by taking advantage of the points that Chiefs would struggle to grasp like we saw earlier tonight v Blues.

They are the only side hang in there hoping to win back a championship that Australian Rugby has long wanted since way back when.

June 7, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Qualifying Final 1: Crusaders win with Reds out of the opening week for another year by 32-12

by Sports Benches June 6, 2025

Looks like the tricks he pulled off was well worth the $$$ by Crusaders 9 Noah Hotham who loves taking on individual challenges that blew everyone away while playing a crucial role with his forwards following their qualifying Final win last night & now they’re semi-finals bound.

Then you got someone clearing those decks on the second row with superior attacking and defensive ground in team captain Scott Barrett and being in sync with a group Crusaders re-built over time is paramount towards playing Finals Footy in the hope of winning trophies again.

Last but not least, tough pill to swallow going into a tough game like this and Reds can’t go any further than the 1st week Finals. But Reds is proud to have someone who used to play in Canterbury had stood out on the blindside six on its own – Joe Brial. He’s a defensive tackler, aggressive basher & all of the above; he’s got the Lions to take on soon also for Reds and gotta say, it’s perfect timing – bring it on.

All in all, Crusaders too good on what has been an A-Game performance over Queensland once again at their own stomping ground in Christchurch by 32-12.

Lots of fireworks being launched by the next group of players including experienced ones, who took a great stand for the sake of the Crusaders DNA, as coach Rob Penney will be delighted with that going into next week’s semi depending on this evening’s results.

Aside from the Reds or even any other Australian Super Rugby side that can just turn up there for an extra week of Rugby, there’s always the Brumbies you can count on who always make the semis but still short of the Grand Final over the last few years. They will have the Hurricanes to face off with later tonight in Canberra.

Will this be a dead rubber or not should the Blues defeat the Chiefs also tonight?

If Blues win, either Brumbies or Hurricanes will be the last to get out of a must-win situation, with Chiefs getting that “lucky loser” berth since they came home 1st.

Sure Australia might have been encouraged with the early season progress where no NZ team have won here over the first 10-11 weeks having gone from five teams to four after the Rebels were axed due to financial reasons.

However, then things have largely remained the same downhill since then.

That’s 1-2 things Rugby Australia will have to look in the second half of 2025.

June 6, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Season Round 16 Friday: Chiefs finish regular season on top v Highlanders and Crusaders close out match on time v Brumbies in Canberra

by Sports Benches May 30, 2025

Tupou Vaai’s got power on the Chiefs second row 5 with tries and exceptional ground work while Damian McKenzie at 10 unleashed his need for speed at counter-attacking plays and kicks for goal as well.

Message sent with the three qualifying final games to start next weekend.

Timoci Tavavanawai at 12: a quick thinker, shifter & finisher- not the Highlanders year in 2025 but here to make things count.

Then in Canberra, Crusaders back rowers punched above their weight v Brumbies like starting blindside 6 Ethan Blackadder who did a bit of everything in the first half, and No.8 Christian Lio-Willie pushing and pulling against all stops all game.

Unlucky to Brumbies who didn’t have much ball in the first half when their late bid wasn’t quite enough but Tom Wright from the back always involved that the Crusaders wasn’t able to do on its own.

Chiefs simply unstoppable with their goal-scoring ability that sets the challenge for all over five teams to beat, having collected the regular season honours.

Highlanders, on the other hand, had some great moments that the home fans were proud of for the sake of this last-placed team – lots to look at in the off-season.

Back to Canberra as this Brumbies v Crusaders clash seeks realm like it was last year and many times before. Not saying it was the best of the Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby teams at this time when times have changed.

But still, Crusaders did enough to get over the line off the back of their strong hold forward pack & not so much from the backline, particularly when the loose ones stood out best despite hauling Ethan off.

I guess that’s to protect him who Crusaders need him most next weekend.

Brumbies wished they could have kept Crusaders under water off the back of their restarts that follows up with dominating the last 40 – just needs to work on their consistency and we might as well see the much better version this year.

Now the tables have turned to final round Saturday with three teams still in the hunt for the 6th and final spot:

Moana Pasifika
Blues
NSW Waratahs

This afternoon Tahs will be in Auckland v Blues then at 5pm AEST Moana Pasifika will look to make their first finals appearance in Wellington v Hurricanes.

It’s either Tahs win and Moana lose or Blues win and Moana lose or Moana win either way as long as it’s the win v Canes.

May 30, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Season Round 15 from Saturday: Chiefs too good for Moana Pasifika and Waratahs still alive in Top 6 race following their extra time win over Western Force

by Sports Benches May 27, 2025

Lots of Chiefs players submitted their own Emmy Awards of Super Rugby nominations following a turbocharged Round 15 win v Moana Pasifika.

1️⃣ Can’t enough of Leroy Carter’s hat-trick on the left 11 who loves being front and centre – going into top gear for Finals.

2️⃣ Another hat-trick display this time Cortez Ratima at half-back goes to show why winning the championship will mean beating everyone for the ABs.

3️⃣Not out of the Top 6 just yet and Ardie Savea 7 is one freakish giant who can take them all like he did the other day despite Moana’s heavy defeat – look out Canes!

Looks like we got more by the Waratahs over Force starting with the player behind that winning “Darby” at Super Point.

1️⃣ No need for an intro with Darby Lancaster as the Tahs usual outside backs sprinter & acrobatic specialist on the left.

2️⃣ Reserve 10 Jack Bowen unpacks that dynamic passage passing and wouldn’t mind taking conversions into extra points.

3️⃣ Carlo Tizzano loves scoring tries like he does every time; now may be out of reach for Finals Footy but perfect time now to Force that storm v the B & I Lions.

May 27, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Season, Round 15 of 16: Crusaders lucky escape at the last minute v Highlanders while Hurricanes hold off Queensland Reds in a close high-scoring thriller

by Sports Benches May 23, 2025

What a game it was to open Super Rugby Round 15 of 16 on Friday night across both sides of the Tasman including one Australian side taking part of course.

But still, Crusaders lucky to walk away unscathed v Highlanders (15-12) while Hurricanes locked out the threatening Reds in silence away from home (27-31).

Also, there was a women’s Pacific 4 International match with the Wallaroos this time hosting Canada prior to the Reds v Hurricanes curtain raiser. Unfortunately, that didn’t go too well with Canada being oh too good and the final score was 7-44.

With the Highlanders now lost 10 out of 13 in Season 2025, safe to say their chances to reach Top 6 definitely out of reach. They’ve got the Chiefs next Friday which will be extremely difficult even if an unexpected win would put the season early to bed.

Crusaders also return on top of the table as a result of their win along with the Hurricanes just leapfrogged Reds for 4th that will no doubt shift their full attention towards Finals Footy.

Now the race continues tomorrow on Super Saturday where Moana Pasifika will want to solidify their Top 6 extended chance v Chiefs and so does Waratahs but only if they can beat Western Force that could give them one last golden shot v the Blues.

Top 3 players from both Crusaders v Highlanders and Reds v Hurricanes

Just can’t get enough of the Crusaders tough No.3 tight prop Tamaiti Williams off the back of his tries and tough tackling; same with team-mate Tom Christie on the open 7 who always contributes at every turn like he did last week v Waratahs – they finished well physically like no other.

Then there’s Timoci Tavatavanawai making a huge effort on the inside Highlanders 12 where they had their own moments but shame their “kick to comes” weren’t good – oh, they were also hesitant & being a touch isolated in return.

Meanwhile in Brisbane, outside Hurricanes 13 Billy Proctor beautifully executed his ball carries so he knows they can score tries including for himself – and look out, Fehi Fineanganofo stirs up a surprise with his tricky pace and finishing on the left 11.

At last, Harry Wilson is back as the Reds first-choice 8 where he’s got the build-up base and leadership to funnel into tries especially on the expansive (2nd half) – unlucky though with missing bits and pieces being filled in by the Hurricanes.

May 23, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

Rugby News, Brumbies took advantage of the Reds handling errors & so does Wallaroos over USA all happening on the one chilly night in Canberra

by Sports Benches May 17, 2025

Brumbies has just topped the Super Rugby table ahead of the two best NZ teams in this competition Chiefs and Crusaders thanks to their win against the other best team in Australia – Queensland Reds.

Both teams fought hard where they had to share the lead going into the break by 7-7 all but all of the other 40 towards the finish belongs to Brumbies hands down.

The way Reds slip up from ill-discipline to being willy nilly when trying to convert their attack into points allowed Brumbies to snatch the next few tries and that was something the Reds weren’t able to do by 24-14.

We also had a women’s test match as part of the Pacific Four series at the same GIO Stadium in Canberra with the Wallaroos and USA Eagles. USA weren’t bad other than some poorly timed errors with Hope Rogers cashing in a hat-trick of tries past the in-goal. However, expansive & positive rugby from the Wallaroos elevated them to the front row in cruise control by 27-19.

Top 3 players from Brumbies v Reds and Wallaroos v USA

Glad to hear that Tom “Tommy Turbo” Wright turbocharged his Brumbies attack where running rugby was in play on the front foot especially in the 2nd half. With Joe Schmidt watching on-site once again, here’s hoping Ryan Lonergan gets his chance to take on the Lions – he can do a bit of everything off the expansive and can also provide some handy kicking extras.

Reds, meanwhile, good in defense but not so much putting things together at times in attack, with Fraser McReight continuing to put in those hard yards. A good Finals run would surely help Joe choose Fraser over Tizzano with competition heating up for the Wallabies starting open No.7 shirt.

Going back earlier with the Wallaroos v USA, Ash Marsters also on the 7 continues to be at her best like it was off the bench v Black Ferns last week + Charlotte Caslick with her pace and little cross kicks gave us every reason why she wants to play at the World Cup later this year in England.

And on the Eagles, Hope Rogers’ hat-trick of tries at loosehead 1 lights up their confidence along the way. Bummer they made the wrong calls where Wallaroos took great care of the ball than USA, that’s all I can say & also shoutout to IIona Maher who has been everywhere from helping USA achieve Olympic bronze in the 7s last year in Paris to ABC’s DWTS.

May 17, 2025 0 comment