Super 14 Rugby Final this weekend at Christchurch's Jade Stadium

The Crusaders won the final agaist the Hurricanes in horrendous conditions; a pea souper blew in from the coast about an hour before kick off and the game was consequently played in foggy conditions on a wet ground.

I have never seen rugby played in such conditions, though the All Blacks played Scotland in similar conditions when winning their first grand-slammer in 1970's, but the fog then was not so widespread- legendary All Black centre, Bruce Robertson just about disappeared when running into the Scots 25 yard line when scoring a try!

Despite the difficulties of the conditions the game was a hard forward slog with both sides kicking four penalties each. Later in the second half a typical Crusaders backline move resulted in recalled All Blacks centre Casey Lalala scoring the games only try.Despite this and the solid Hurricanes defence, the Crusaders always looked like winning, and actually blew two other tries.

Final score Crusaders 19 - 11 winners over the Hurricanes.


The following day 39 players have been selected for the All Blacks games against Ireland ( 24 ) and the starting 15 against Argentina. The NZ Maori side and the Junior All Blacks sides have also been named.

The Crusaders won the final agaist the Hurricanes in horrendous conditions; a pea souper blew in from the coast about an hour before kick off and the game was consequently played in foggy conditions on a wet ground.

I have never seen rugby played in such conditions, though the All Blacks played Scotland in similar conditions when winning their first grand-slammer in 1970's, but the fog then was not so widespread- legendary All Black centre, Bruce Robertson just about disappeared when running into the Scots 25 yard line when scoring a try!

Despite the difficulties of the conditions the game was a hard forward slog with both sides kicking four penalties each. Later in the second half a typical Crusaders backline move resulted in recalled All Blacks centre Casey Lalala scoring the games only try.Despite this and the solid Hurricanes defence, the Crusaders always looked like winning, and actually blew two other tries.

Final score Crusaders 19 - 11 winners over the Hurricanes.


The following day 39 players have been selected for the All Blacks games against Ireland ( 24 ) and the starting 15 against Argentina. The NZ Maori side and the Junior All Blacks sides have also been named.