SupeRugby 2024...

[Gumboot]

Didn't see that coming.

[Kiwias]

Force leading Reds 40 - 19 with less than 20 mins left

[Gumboot]

Injured first five-eighth Fergus Burke, 24, has been linked with English club Saracens, with Crusaders coach Rob Penney saying a statement is imminent...

Burke, who was expected to be the Crusaders' starting No 10 until he injured his Achilles tendon last year, appears set to join Saracens because England five-eighth Owen Farrell will play his club rugby in France next season.

Dang.

[Guy Smiley]

shit

[Gumboot]

Saders vs Chiefs kicking off in Christchurch shortly.

Both sides are fielding inexperienced halfback pairings - the match-up between Hotham/Hohepa and Roe/Jacomb will be interesting.

[Enzedder]

Saders vs Chiefs kicking off in Christchurch shortly.

Both sides are fielding inexperienced halfback pairings - the match-up between Hotham/Hohepa and Roe/Jacomb will be interesting.

That's an interesting battle - I have a feeling that the two packs will be relatively even, perhaps in the Sadists favour in the loosies, and that should give them reasonable bases to work from

[Gumboot]

Hope Josh Jacomb has a good Supe debut. He was terrific for the Naki in the last NPC.

[Kiwias]

Fihaki scores the opening try after a delightful grubber kick by Hotham.

[Kiwias]

Welcome home, McNicholl.

[Enzedder]

The ball is squirting out of the rucks due to Crusaders arms - bloody hell ref.

Try Sadists after another turnover

[Kiwias]

I love seeing Grace in this form

[Kiwias]

The ball is squirting out of the rucks due to Crusaders arms - bloody hell ref.

Try Sadists after another turnover

Didn't take long

[Kiwias]

Chiefs are great at that sort of organised chaos on attack

[Kiwias]

Hope Josh Jacomb has a good Supe debut. He was terrific for the Naki in the last NPC.

He is looking bloody good.

[Kiwias]

Still trying too often for the last miracle pass but are definitely bringing Aumua into the game far more than in earlier games.

[Kiwias]

Good guys leading 22 - 12 at ht. Three tries to two.

[Gumboot]

Good guys leading 22 - 12 at ht. Three tries to two.

Much better from the Saders. A ten-point lead in a game like this is nothing to be sneezed at.

[Kiwias]

Good guys leading 22 - 12 at ht. Three tries to two.

Much better from the Saders. A ten-point lead in a game like this is nothing to be sneezed at.

Fuck me. What a try by the hooker!!!

[Guy Smiley]

George Bell

[Kiwias]

There is a sense of purpose in the Crusaders play we have hardly seen this season

[Guy Smiley]

There is a sense of purpose in the Crusaders play we have hardly seen this season

The contrast to last week's game and that frustrating adherence to a short lineout that wasn't working is really surprising. Didn't expect to see this and it's encouraging... maybe a bit of zest to the Saders play going forwards.

Hohepa is looking good

[Kiwias]

There is a sense of purpose in the Crusaders play we have hardly seen this season

The contrast to last week's game and that frustrating adherence to a short lineout that wasn't working is really surprising. Didn't expect to see this and it's encouraging... maybe a bit of zest to the Saders play going forwards.

Hohepa is looking good

Some hard and direct tackling there, forcing the turnover. Chiefs may regret not taking the points

[Kiwias]

WOnderful intercept by Johnny Mac and we jump to a 34 - 19 lead

[Guy Smiley]

This game has everything

[Kiwias]

This game has everything

Yep, I really liked ALB's try from a very sweet short pass putting him into the gap

[Kiwias]

Hotham is having a damned good game, mixing it up well

[Kiwias]

Bloody Chiefs won't lie down and die.

[Guy Smiley]

Bloody Chiefs won't lie down and die.

Saders need to settle it down a bit, they're trying too much.

Quality game from two good sides

[Kiwias]

Bloody Chiefs won't lie down and die.

Saders need to settle it down a bit, they're trying too much.

Quality game from two good sides

The frantic pace and broken game suit the Chiefs more than us.

[Kiwias]

I was just going to comment that we haven't got any turnovers at the tackle/ruck and Christie shouts "Hold my beer!!!"

[Kiwias]

The Boys are Back!!!!!! What an absolute stonker of a match by both sides.

[Guy Smiley]

Bloody Chiefs won't lie down and die.

Saders need to settle it down a bit, they're trying too much.

Quality game from two good sides

The frantic pace and broken game suit the Chiefs more than us.

You were saying?

[Gumboot]

Good game. Well done, Saders.

Hotham's rapid down the blindside. Bell's try was a beauty. Great to see McNicholl having a gallop again.

[Kiwias]

Saders need to settle it down a bit, they're trying too much.

Quality game from two good sides

The frantic pace and broken game suit the Chiefs more than us.

You were saying?

[Guy Smiley]

Hannah is a revelation, excellent two weeks in a row.

I like how Hohepa has settled into his role after a dusty start. Hotham is the business, that's great to see. I guess the really good thing to see is some younger, no name players stepping up and doing well.

[Flockwitt]

That was some gritty stuff by the Crusaders. Determined rugby at its best. A joy to watch.

[Kiwias]

That was some gritty stuff by the Crusaders. Determined rugby at its best. A joy to watch.

It definitely was not a case of the Chiefs playing badly at all. A great game all arouind

[Sandstorm]

Rebels scrum is great, their lineout is utter dogshit!

[Sandstorm]

Rebs win a nail-biter at the end!

[Gumboot]

Moana Pasifika vs Blues just about to kick off at Eden Park...