Super Rugby

New Zealand's leg of DHL Super Rugby Pacific reaches a mid-season peak with the Crusaders and Blues playing a minor final in Christchurch on Good Friday.

The intensity and physicality of these New Zealand teams playing eight or nine games in a row is hugely physical. "A team beats you, and that makes their season. They challenge you there, they challenge the ref around the breakdown and keep pushing the limits. "They were superb around the breakdown. Robertson had no qualms about using the rolling lineout maul that has been the source of discussion this week. It's a beautiful thing when these things come together on Easter Friday," he said.

Clock in the red as they set the lineout, and a double knock will bring an end to this one! 80'. Openside ball off the base and out to Moorby who ...

For all their early pressure, the Hurricanes couldn't get through again and it was Moana Pasifika who scored next through blood-bin replacement Mike Curry. In open play, Moana Pasifika had some strong periods of defence and thwarted some promising Hurricanes attacks. Moana Pasifika have struggled with their discipline this season, often finding themselves on the wrong side of the penalty count and struggling to defend against the attacking positions they give up.

The siren goes as the Hurricanes have a lineout. There's a double knock-on though, and that'll be fulltime. 80 mins. Hurricanes scrum ...

The 41-point drubbing snaps a three-match losing streak and amends the surprise golden point extra-time defeat the Hurricanes suffered against the new expansion ...

Moana Pasifika 12 (Tries to Michael Curry and Alex McRobbie; conversion to Christian Leali’ifano) Both teams have a four-day turnaround, with Moana Pasifika travelling to Hamilton to face the Chiefs on Saturday just hours before the Hurricanes take on the Highlanders in Dunedin. Hurricanes thump Moana Pasifika to avenge for shock loss in eight-try rout

The Canes may have dismantled Moana Pasifika up front, but it was a home wing who did the most damage.

They were aspects of the game that will come in handy indeed as they look to make a late run up the standings. They compete every game they play and their willingness to engage, to be physical, and to put their bodies on the line cannot be faulted. It was an impressive effort from the Hurricanes as they snapped a three-game losing streak to secure their third victory of the season. His footwork, his strength and, of course, his turn of speed were all at a high level, and would have earned some big ticks in the coaches’ notebooks. Goosen scored one of them (with a nice finish in space) and ran for a monster 105 metres over the first 40 minutes as he tore up the Moana defence with eight defenders beaten and four clean breaks on just seven carries. And it was not Rayasi who has been a bit-part player for the Canes all season, and might just stay that way after an indifferent display in this one.

Hurricane 53. Pacific Ocean 12. Vulnerabilities will always be exploited at the top level. Beating Super Rugby Pacific newcomers 53-12 was a lesson the ...

Moana Pasifika has struggled with his discipline this season, often finding himself on the wrong side of the penalty count and struggling to defend against the attacking positions he leaves. This was the case against stormtroopers over and over again in the loss of the Highlanders over the weekend. The home side enjoyed an 11–6 penalty count, and made the most of those opportunities, with five of their eight attempts being the direct result of a penalty, whether it was from a lineout drive or TJ Pernera hitting his sights.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Hurricanes scored eight tries to two to overrun Moana Pasifika 53-12 in a catch-up match in Super Rugby Pacific on ...

Alex Fidow scored the Hurricanes’ first try after only two minutes but Moana Pasifika hit back with a try to Michael Curry. Moana Pasifika beat the Hurricanes 24-19 in their first meeting of the season but were not able to repeat that performance against a more clinical Hurricanes team. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Hurricanes scored eight tries to two to overrun Moana Pasifika 53-12 in a catch-up match in Super Rugby Pacific on Tuesday.

The Hurricanes have overwhelmed Moana Pasifika 53-12 in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Wellington.

The Hurricanes also started the second half strongly with tries in the first eight minutes to Kianu Kereru-Symes and scrumhalf TJ Perenara. The Hurricanes have scored eight tries to two to overrun Moana Pasifika 53-12 in a catch-up match in Super Rugby Pacific. Alex Fidow scored the Hurricanes' first try after only two minutes but Moana Pasifika hit back with a try to Michael Curry.

The trend continued in the second half, as Moana Pasifika were forced to defend for long periods of the match and struggled to get their hands on the ball.

Replaced Ngakuru in the second half. Was able to recycle the ball quickly and organise his forwards in tight. Looked comfortable in his first start at the back. Still managed to break four tackles and offload the ball twice. It was a special match for Christian, taking over captaincy duties for the game. Was subbed off for running repairs to a nasty gash early in the match. Played the game with plenty of energy, which is remarkable in itself given his workload over the past few weeks. Pole has earned a few starts now since transferring to Moana Pasifika. He went close to scoring in the first half. He is fast becoming a key man in Moana Pasifika’s line-up. Worked hard around the park all night and played out the full 80 minutes. Moana Pasifika managed a try of their own but it was evident that the visiting side lacked urgency and energy. He nabbed a lineout win but missed three tackles of his seven tackles attempted.

The Hurricanes scored eight tries to two to overrun Moana Pasifika 53-12 in a catch-up match in Super Rugby Pacific on Tuesday. Moana Pasifika had three ...

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The Hurricanes have overwhelmed Moana Pasifika 53-12 in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Wellington.

The Hurricanes also started the second half strongly with tries in the first eight minutes to Kianu Kereru-Symes and scrumhalf TJ Perenara. The Hurricanes have scored eight tries to two to overrun Moana Pasifika 53-12 in a catch-up match in Super Rugby Pacific. Alex Fidow scored the Hurricanes' first try after only two minutes but Moana Pasifika hit back with a try to Michael Curry.

The Hurricanes scored eight tries in an impressive performance against Moana Pasifika.

For all their early pressure, the Hurricanes couldn't get through again and it was Moana Pasifika who scored next through blood-bin replacement Mike Curry. In open play, Moana Pasifika had some strong periods of defence and thwarted some promising Hurricanes attacks. Moana Pasifika have struggled with their discipline this season, often finding themselves on the wrong side of the penalty count and struggling to defend against the attacking positions they give up.

The gutsy prop will start for the Blues six days after requiring 28 stitches.

"I tried to pick him up and then saw his face. "You can see the rail marks. "I was next to Ofa when the boot came up," Papalii said.

The Blues will get no tougher litmus test on their progress than the Easter Friday clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (3) 21. Taufa Funaki (3) 17. Jordan Lay (3) 4. Luke Romano (5) The other change is on the wing where AJ Lam has forced a start with his effort off the bench at the weekend. After nine games for the Crusaders, Friday’s clash will bring him within one game of 50 for the Blues. Also included is another former Crusader in Luke Romano who has been a significant contributor on and off the field since joining the Blues this season.

GRAPHIC WARNING: Blues star's head was ripped up but he's going to be back for crunch game against Crusaders on Friday night.

I remember I tried to pick him up, and he looked at me and his whole face [was covered in blood] … but you are not injured on defence. Like elite athletes at their peak, our sports journalists are highly trained in the art of news. “It was in the backline, I was next to him, and he went in for the tackle and the boot came up.

Criticism of rolling mauls certainly aren't coming from the All Blacks' hooker.

Code hopper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will return to action via the bench for the Blues when they face the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.

After making nine appearances for the Crusaders, Friday’s clash will bring Hodgman within one game of 50 for the Blues. There are a couple of changes in the backline with All Black scrum-half Finlay Christie, who was a late withdrawal with a muscle niggle shortly before kick-off against the Chiefs, returning to replace Sam Nock. The other alteration is on the wing where AJ Lam gets a start after shining off the bench on Saturday. There will be plenty of eyes on the experienced Luke Romano, who played in 137 games for the Crusaders before joining the Blues where he has made a big impact on and off the field this year.