CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — The defending champion Crusaders will stay in the playoff race in Super Rugby Pacific at least for another day after a 43-10, bonus-point win over Moana Pasifika on Friday. After Taylor and backrower Ethan Blackadder scored through forward power in the first half, veteran center Ryan Crotty scored just before halftime in what will be his …
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — The defending champion Crusaders kept their playoff chances alive with the upset of the season Saturday, beating the Auckland-based Blues 29-27 in Super Rugby Pacific. The win could lift them as high as ninth, within reach of the top-eight playoff zone, ahead of their last regular-season match against Moana Pasifika. The emotion was heightened because Kepu …
SYDNEY — Will Harrison kicked a dropped goal in the fifth minute of golden point extra time Friday to give the New South Wales Waratahs a 43-40 win over the Crusaders in an extraordinary Super Rugby match which featured 12 lead changes. “It’s special to close out this one tonight.” Friday’s match began in extraordinary fashion with a try to …
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Over the last seven weeks and both through his presence and absence, flyhalf Damian McKenzie has proved he is indispensable to the Hamilton-based Chiefs as they chase a third title in Super Rugby Pacific. McKenzie returned Friday and led the Chiefs to a 68-10 win over Moana Pasifika, the club’s largest winning margin in Super Rugby. …
HAMILTON, New Zealand — Former All Blacks winger Julian Savea became the all-time leading try-scoring in Super Rugby but in a losing cause Friday as Moana Pasifika were defeated 29-23 by the Melbourne Rebels. Savea scored his 61st career try in the 49th minute as part of a rally which saw Moana Pasifika come back from 19-3 down to take …
