Rugby

Blues get their swagger back, for 40 minutes at least

Marc Hinton The Melbourne Rebels were unable to snap their depressing trend of late losses when they fell to the Blues 36-32 in their Super Rugby clash on Saturday night.

Blues midfielder latest star in trouble

Marc Hinton Talented Blues midfielder Francis Saili has become the latest New Zealand professional rugby player to face the courts as a result of his actions away from the game.

Battle-scarred Braid leads rejuvenated Blues' charge

Marc Hinton The battered grille betrays the fact the preceding two victories have not been quite the cakewalks some have portrayed them as.

Coach welcomes week off after opening loss

Marc Hinton IT SOUNDS bizarre, but Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is glad he's got a bye just one week into the new Super Rugby season to address a growing list of issues that confront him.

Blues blow away Hurricanes in biggest shock so far

Marc Hinton JOHN KIRWAN promised Blues fans something to be proud of, and promptly delivered in Wellington on Saturday night as his men posted the first big upset of the Super Rugby season.

Rugby

Smith erases black mark in style

Marc Hinton FROM the doghouse to the penthouse, Aaron Smith ended his Test match week significantly better than the way he started it.

Rugby

Efficient Chiefs cruise past Lions

Marc Hinton Moneyball, the Hollywood types would brand it. Picking players based on stats to produce results. Down in Chiefs country they just call it winning rugby.

Rugby

Highlanders engage Gear to grind out tough victory despite clocking off early

Marc Hinton The Highlanders put the financial woes of the Otago rugby union to one side with a superb 27-24 win over the Crusaders in their Super Rugby match in Dunedin on Saturday.

Rugby

Odds shorten on Williams's return to NRL as he snubs rugby backer

Marc Hinton ALL BLACKS star Sonny Bill Williams has given another indication he will return to the NRL by refusing to extend his relationship with New Zealand rugby's biggest sponsor.

Match report

Champagne Blacks flatten France

Marc Hinton AUCKLAND: Tres bon. No, no, make that tres magnifique. The All Blacks celebrated their captain's special night the best way they know - by expressing themselves on the rugby field as only they can.