The Auckland Blues and Canterbury Crusaders will attempt to become the first teams since 1999 to win Super Rugby semifinals on foreign soil.
The Blues and injury-ravaged Waratahs are due to launch Super Rugby’s extended play-offs series 78 days before the Rugby World Cup begins.
The Queensland Reds and the Stormers will have to lie in wait for the two survivors of this weekend’s first Super Rugby play-offs round.
The NZ Rugby Union signed Daniel Carter to a new four-year contract on Wednesday, ensuring the star flyhalf will continue to play for the All Blacks.
The Auckland Blues maintained their lead atop the Super 15 rugby standings with a 17-10 win over the Wellington Hurricanes on Saturday.
Auckland Blues beat the Wellington Hurricanes 17-11 in Super 15 rugby on Friday.
The impact of injuries will be heavily felt in the Super 15 tournament as teams with the ability to replace key players are favoured in matches.
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/ 23 February 2011
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is hopeful that Rugby World Cup matches to be played in Christchurch will go ahead as planned later this year.
A powerful earthquake struck New Zealand’s already-bruised city of Christchurch on Tuesday, collapsing buildings and burying vehicles under debris.
The Springboks have promised a sharply improved performance in the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday.