Page 3 - James Lay News Today

Sky Super Rugby Transtasman: Blues coach Leon MacDonald misses training ahead of Rebels clash in Melbourne 13 May, 2021 02:50 AM 5 minutes to read NZ Herald Focus Sports Cheree Kinnear gives everything you need to know ahead of Super Rugby Transtasman. Video / NZ Herald NZ Herald Focus Sports Cheree Kinnear gives everything you need to know ahead of Super Rugby Transtasman. Video / NZ Herald Liam Napier is a sports writer for NZMELiam.Napier@nzherald.co.nz Leon MacDonalds absence from training ...

Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa: Blues beat under-strength Chiefs in dead-rubber finale 1 May, 2021 09:15 AM 5 minutes to read Blues hooker Kurt Eklund scored the games opening try. Photo / Photosport Blues 39 Chiefs 19 The Chiefs five-match unbeaten run is over. Not that it matters in the context of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season, or was unexpected after they made 21 changes ahead of next weeks final. In fact, Saturdays loss to the Blues only enhanced Chiefs coach Clayton McMillans confidence of pot...

Highlanders win out against the Blues, who pick up a red card late on. The Blues’ road home in Super Rugby Aotearoa just got even more precipitous with the predictable suspension of their All Blacks prop Alex Hodgman for the rest of the competition. Hodgman on Monday copped a three-week suspension from the Sanzaar judiciary on the back of his red card in Friday’s Super Rugby Aotearoa defeat to the Highlanders in Dunedin. The 27-year-old, who got his first All Blacks callup in 2020, had be...

App users click here for latest updates. Blues 32 Highlanders 17 Highlanders (Dixon, Fakatava tries; Ioane 2 conversions, penalty goal) Full time 77th minute - The game is turning scrappy with both sides throwing their subs on and throwing the ball around. Garden-Bachop breaks again down the wing but knocks is on in contact.  At the scrum, the Blues dominate and win a penalty on halfway.  72nd minute -  TRY HIGHLANDERS to Folau Fakatava From the lineout five metres out and the rolling maul g...

Sam Darry will make his Super Rugby debut for the Blues on Sunday in their home opener. The easy option for Sam Darry would have been to stay exactly where he was, in a familiar home city, surrounded by family and friends, immersed in a proven Crusaders rugby development system and just wait for his chances to eventually roll around. But, like the proverbial salmon swimming against the current, the 20-year-old Dunedin-born Cantabrian decided to take the less travelled route and jump off the fa...

Leon MacDonald includes rookie lock Sam Darry as surprise starter to face Highlanders on Sunday.

Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021: The Hurricanes lack of a formidable tight five is unforgivable 1 Mar, 2021 09:00 PM 4 minutes to read Sky Sport Super Rugby Aotearoa stars share their challenges of 2020 and whats ahead for an exciting new season. Video / Sky Sport Sky Sport Super Rugby Aotearoa stars share their challenges of 2020 and whats ahead for an exciting new season. Video / Sky Sport NZ Herald OPINON: Saturday spoke volumes for Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara. To have achieved so much at ...

App users click here for latest updates Hurricanes 16 Blues 31 Blues (Papalii, Carke, Perofeta, Ioane tries; Black 4 conversion, 1 penalty) Full time 80 mins - The Hurricanes have one final opportunity to attack on their own 22. After seven phases the attack comes to nothing and the Blues grab first blood.  77 mins - TRY BLUES to Rieko Ioane The Hurricanes go for a risky crossfield kick which Barrett and Umaga-Jensen make a meal of. It falls to Ioane who sprints 60m to seal the deal. Black co...

There are promising signs for the Blues' second Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign.

Hannah Peters/Getty Images Patrick Tuipulotu and the Blues have big ambitions in 2021, but as always will have to get past the Crusaders first. Leon MacDonald gets them. A lot. You know the people, rushing up to him at the supermarket, or the café, or in the street, full of hope and excitement, proclaiming: “This is our year.” The Blues coach tends to smile and nod reassuringly. He loves the optimism as much as he treasures the support. Who is he to point out how tough that pathway is and...