Roar Guru
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Used to blog. Now I just roar occasionally! Published Behind the Posts, Best Quotes from Coaches, Captains & Players of RWC2011. (On Amazon)
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Friday evening's Canterbury Crusaders versus Auckland Blues Super Rugby opener at Eden Park will set the temperature for an epic first round. Join us…
In either a brave or an impulsive move only weeks into his tenure at the helm of New Zealand's First XV, Steve Hansen has…
It's hard to believe that in only a matter of weeks, another epic season of Super Rugby gets underway. Not so for the players…
Ian 'Fozzie' Foster has been named able assistant to new All Blacks head coach, Steve Hansen. It is a questionable posting for the former…
Sonny Bill Williams is locked and loaded for the vacant New Zealand heavyweight title, which he’ll contest in February 2012 against Richard Tutaki. I…
What are the chances that All Black assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen will face off against each other at Rugby World Cup…
Whatever respect former NZRU marketing manager Jack Ralston might have had to this point, it has most certainly been obliterated for his unsubstantiated claims…
England's recently retired captain Lewis Moody didn’t need to release a book (Mad Dog: An Englishman) to provide insight into his squad’s shambolic Rugby…
Finally, the long awaited, highly anticipated, excruciatingly frustrated announcement: Sonny Bill Williams has signed for one year with the Waikato Chiefs. The trans-Tasman super…
We didn’t choke. But certainly gagged a little. And for the New Zealand All Blacks, it came down to a single point that separated…
[caption id="attachment_52880" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="France (right) and New Zealand All Blacks scrum during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. AAP Image/AFP, Franck Fife"][/caption]As the All…
Australia: The reason your beloved first XV failed so epically in the Rugby World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks comes down to one…
Kurtley Beale’s torn hamstring stands to cripple Australia’s chances as much as his own for the defining Rugby World Cup semi-final clash against New…
If it weren’t for the impeccable form of Piri Weepu, the All Blacks would be in deep New Zealand made yoghurt right now. Our…
No sooner had England’s ship sunk, and Rugby World Cup squad member Manu Tuilagi felt suddenly compelled to jump dangerously off an Auckland ferry…
Savvy Samoan international Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu is a smart guy. And his tirade of Twitter torpedoes aimed squarely at the IRB have merit. But the…
Dan Carter's unjust extraction from Rugby World Cup 2011 is the fulfillment of Graham Henry’s worst nightmare. And ours, if you’re a Kiwi or…
You sneaky sods! It was a shocking revelation that England’s kicking-coach was switching balls between the tries scored and conversions taken. The transgressions occurred…
First it was Richie McCaw, now Graham Henry is on the cusp of 100 Tests - as head coach, that is. With 99 matches…
All is forgiven. The miserable memories of 2007 erased in one foul swipe of All Blacks awesomeness. For New Zealand’s First XV, this grand…
Weepu’s dropkick partially charged under extreme pressure. Referee Pollock blows full time and the Crusaders claim victory by a single point,. Crusaders 19-18 Blues at full-time.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Blues forwards driving forwards towards the posts… Weepu in the pocket…
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Time almost up. Blues secure lineout through Lowrey…
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Penalty awarded to the Blues metres inside their half. Hobbs kicks to touch for an attacking lineout 10m from goal. Brilliant kick Mr Hobbs.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Blues have ball in hand but minimal go-forward. Crusaders muscling up.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Blues need to unleash their strike-weapons. Possession is everything now.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
4mins remaining. Blues to feed scrum to attack from their own half.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
6mins remaining and still only one point in it. Crusaders 19-18 Blues. Crusaders to feed scrum just inside their half…
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Blues defend stoutly and force a turnover. Momentary break in play to remedy a few knocks. Blues to feed defensive scrum with 11mins of play remaining.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Crusaders coming strong again after Weepu fails to find touch…
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Freaun brought down by Toeava with line beckoning. A try-saver. Crusaders No10 Bleyendaal slots an infringement penalty awarded to restore the Crusaders lead: Crusaders 19-18 Blues with 15mins remaining.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
20mins remaining. Blues 18-16 Crusaders. Blues relieved with a defensive penalty. And a scuffle breaks out with captain Mealamu in the middle of it…
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Scrum collapses and referee Pollock blames the Blues. Bleyendaal’s attempt drops under the crossbar. The Blues to restart from the 22m.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Piri Weepu takes the field for the Blues. Huge cheer. Benson Stanley off.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Hobbs nails the penalty and puts the Blues back in front, Blues 18-16 Crusaders. Weepu is warming up with 25mins of play remaining…
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Blues grind their way down field and earn an attacking penalty. Referee Pollock issues warning to the Crusaders for illegal breakdown tactics. Hobbs lines up another long-range penalty…
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Luke replaces brother Daniel Braid. 27mins of play remaining and the score remains Crusaders 16-15 Blues.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Michael Hobbs lined up a long range penalty (for his standards) and but pushes it to the right. Crusaders ground for 22 dropout.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
It’s a territorial wrestle at the moment. Blues in Crusaders’ territory and trying to keep them there.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Ali Williams featuring strongly with ball in hand and winning the first line-out of the second stanza. Something coach Lam said?
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Hobbs nails the penalty. Crusaders 16-15 Blues. Just the start the Blues needed.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Attacking penalty out front for the Blues. Explosive interplay between Ranger, Wulf and Williams. Hobbs could throw it over…
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Referee Pollock signals time on. Crusaders get second half underway. Blues carry strongly…
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Thoroughly entertaining opener with plenty of enterprise and rigor. The Blues dominated the first quarter but lost their way in the second through lack of accuracy, particularly in the line-outs. So how long till coach Lam brings Weepu into the fray? Second half resumes shortly.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores
Blues captain Keven Mealamu is obviously disappointed in post match commentary not to claim victory for the 30,000 fans in attendance. He blames ill discipline for the lapses. Stellar effort by the travelling southerners who claim the first scalp of the tournament. Crusaders’ patience and mental resolve wins the day again. And they’ll only get stronger.
Blues vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live blog, scores