Super Rugby

All Blacks skipper Read faces back surgery

Wellington - Muslimchronicle

All Blacks captain Kieran Read will miss the start of next year's Super Rugby season as he undergoes surgery to fix a back problem, the Canterbury Crusaders said Wednesday. The reigning Super Rugby champions said Read would have an operation Saturday on a prolapsed disc, which normally requires four months' recovery. The injury dogged Read during the All Blacks' recentRead more

Australia's Castle shatters rugby union glass ceiling

Sydney - Muslimchronicle

Raelene Castle shattered the glass ceiling Tuesday by becoming Rugby Australia's new chief executive, making her the first woman to oversee the sport anywhere in the world. She takes over from Bill Pulver, who quit in the fallout from Western Force being axed from Super Rugby. Castle, a former boss of Netball New Zealand, has been tasked with unifying the sport afterRead more

O'Neill bemoans penalty call after World Cup heartbreak

MELBOURNE - Muslimchronicle

The Australian conference's struggles in Super Rugby has alarm bells ringing Down Under, where media pundits have condemned the nation's lack of playing depth in a World Cup year. Four of Australia's teams, including the reigning champion New South Wales Waratahs, are mired in the bottom six of the 15-team southern hemisphere competition halfway through the season. The fifth, Canberra-basedRead more

Stormers beat Brumbies to third Super finals spot

Brisbane - Muslimchronicle

South Africa's Western Stormers clinched third spot in the Super Rugby's finals series with a smashing win over Japan's Sunwolves as ACT Brumbies lost their chance following a last-gasp loss this weekend. The Stormers overpowered the hapless Sunwolves 52-15 in Cape Town to beat the Brumbies to third place on the overall standings as the winners of Africa 1 conferenceRead more

Waikato Chiefs told to shape up for Super Rugby clash with Bulls

Wellington - ArabToday

The Waikato Chiefs have been told to get their act together for their Super Rugby clash with the Northern Bulls after an unconvincing win over the struggling Melbourne Rebels. Coach Dave Rennie read the riot act to the two-time champions after they needed a late burst to overcome Australia's bottom-placed team in their last outing. "There were some carefully chosenRead more

Hurricanes brace for 'brutal' Super Rugby Chiefs derby

Wellington - AFP

Defending champions Wellington Hurricanes are relishing the prospect of "brutal" clash with the Waikato Chiefs on Friday in what will be their first real test of the Super rugby season. "It's going to be a real scrap," Hurricanes assistant coach Richard Watt said of the showdown between the only two sides to take maximum points from the first two rounds.Read more

Minnows chance to impress before Super Rugby cull talks

Wellington - Arab Today

Defending champions Wellington Hurricanes prepare to unleash their big guns this weekend but the pressure is on Super Rugby's lesser lights amid talk of slimming down the 18-team competition. Governing body SANZAAR meet next week to discuss how to tackle Super Rugby's unwieldy conference structure, exhausting travel schedules and lopsided contests which are now sprawled across 17 time zones andRead more

Super Rugby has plenty to tackle in 2017

Wellington - ArabToday

A new Super Rugby season kicks off this week with bosses pledging to tackle its unwieldy conference structure, exhausting travel schedules and lopsided contests. There will be a first fixture in Samoa in June, meaning the 2017 Super Rugby season will now straddle 17 time zones and four continents. The competition will retain the much-criticised four conference format, while tweakingRead more

Former All Blacks forward Lauaki dies aged 35

Wellington - Arab Today

Tributes have been pouring in for former All Black Sione Lauaki after it was announced that the retired New Zealand forward had died overnight at the age of 35. The cause of death was not immediately revealed but the Tonga-born Lauaki had been diagnosed with heart and kidney problems in 2012. "The thoughts of everyone are with the family of Sione Lauaki.Read more

Wallabies star Pocock gets two-match ban

Sydney - Arab Today

Wallabies star David Pocock will miss two Super Rugby matches for the ACT Brumbies after being banned by the SANZAAR Judiciary on Tuesday. Pocock pleaded guilty to grasping the neck of Waikato Chiefs No.8 Michael Leitch during the match won by the Chiefs 48-23 in Canberra on Saturday. Pocock was suspended up to April 24. "Having conducted a detailed reviewRead more