The All Blacks retained two of their top young talents on Monday when Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett agreed to stay with the world champions for their Rugby World Cup defence in Japan next year. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said Savea and Barrett signed contract extensions with the All Blacks and Wellington Hurricanes Super Rugby team until the end of …
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Five talking points after Super Rugby’s final round of regular-season games. Is the physicality in the game lessening? Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn and his opposite number Tony Brown both questioned Ed Quirk’s dismissal after the Sunwolves forward was red-carded for a seemingly innocuous challenge in Brisbane. The Sunwolves flanker was sent off for using closed right fist on the …
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Nehe Milner-Skudder has dislocated a shoulder and is set to be out until 2018.
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Warning: the following video may be disturbing for optimistic Lions fans. If his scintillating running, passing and chip kicks weren’t enough, this year Beauden Barrett has unveiled his latest piece of attacking weaponry: the pinpoint, laser-guided cross-kick. As the video below shows, Barrett has learnt how to do the low cross-kick pioneered by Dan Carter, and actually taken it to …
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The Lions tour of New Zealand could be a disaster if the tourists fail to match the All Blacks and the five New Zealand Super 18 sides’ pace, strength and skills. One statistic highlights the daunting challenge in front of Warren Gatland’s men: in nine rounds and 44 games, the five New Zealand Super 18 sides have only lost once …
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Another week, another Hurricanes masterclass. The most lethal backline in world rugby rolled on, putting on 42 unanswered points in the second half to annihilate the Australian conference leaders the Brumbies 56-21. While Beauden Barrett’s red hot form again dominated the headlines, the drumbeat is growing louder to include the two men outside him in the All Black squad: Ngani …
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Every year one or two players in New Zealand rugby produce form so irresistible that they are fast-tracked into the All Blacks. In 2015, it was Nehe Milner-Scudder, and last year young prodigies Damian McKenzie and Rieko Ioane. This year that player may well be Hurricanes midfielder Ngani Laumape. Laumape has been on fire for the talent-laden Hurricanes backline in …
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Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has signed on for another two more years at the Wellington-based franchise. The 58 year-old’s decision to extend his stay at the ‘Canes caps off a memorable week for the team after their 20-3 triumph over the Lions on Friday gave them a first ever Super 18 title. The triumph erases last year’s 14-21 home loss …
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Since May 26th Kiwis all over the country have been in hot debate over many starting positions this June. With the All Blacks’ first test on June 11th against Wales, Steve Hansen and his backroom staff have brought a lot of fresh blood into the team including the highly talented Damian McKenzie along with a potential heir to the throne of …
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Nehe Milner-Skudder was in sensational form for the unbeaten Wellington Hurricanes over the weekend, as they hung on to beat the Western Stormers 25-20 in the Super 15. The star performer was undoubtedly the Hurricanes’ full back Nehe Milner-Skudder who, at just 24 years old, continues to impress. His running game against the Stormers was nothing short of scandalous as he obliterated the …
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