Page 24 - Billy Harmon News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

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 famous red and black rugby production line to come north to seek opportunity. It is fair to say the e...

McMillan, speaking ahead of his first match as a Super Rugby coach, was anticipating his counterpart Brown to make changes, though, and Fakatava’s elevation has been raised by the Highlanders coach in pre-season. Ioane’s promotion from the bench sees Mitchell Hunt move from first-five to fullback. “One thing we know about Browny, you might think something, but he’s likely to do something completely different,” McMillan said this week. “Our challenge is to expect the unexpected. I guess they are under pressure to play [Fakatava] down there, aren’t they? Otherwise, he might end...

Highlanders Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith says plans are already in place for him to make it through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Highlanders fans still labouring under the misapprehension that Mitch Hunt was an Aaron Mauger/Crusaders old boys selection last year promptly need to reassess that view. New head coach Tony Brown also admires Hunt and his selection at No 15 against the Chiefs on Friday shows that Hunt's communication and leadership abilities continue to be a valued currency within the Highlanders, even if he doesn't always get the plaudits from outside the camp. Joe Allison/Ge...

App users click here for latest updates Highlanders 13 Crusaders 26 Crusaders (Taylor, Hall, Reece, McAlister tries; Mo'unga 3 conversion) Full time Click here for a full match wrap and highlights.  80+1 mins - The home side have one final attack deep inside the Crusaders 22. Ioane goes for the cross-field kick and its pin-point but Liam Squire knocks it on with the goal line at his mercy and that'll be full time.  80 mins - YELLOW CARD CRUSADERS -to Scott Barrett The Highlanders are throwing the ball around as the siren goes. Nareki throws the ball in-field and Barrett tackles Fakatava wi...

Himeno will then go into a two-week isolation period but will be ready to get stuck into full training with the Highlanders on February 22. Securing a visa for Himeno is a boost for the Highlanders as there were fears that Covid-19 could scupper his arrival. Clark said the franchise used a third-party organisation to gain Himeno's visa, and their track record with other overseas players had helped that process. “With our Pacific Island players pretty much every year we're getting critical worker visas for them and the same organisation did it for Himeno," Clark said. “From our perspe...