Daniel Carter scored 25 points, atoning for a costly error in the opening minute with a perfect kicking record on Saturday to give New Zealand a 35-17 win over South Africa in a Tri-Nations rugby Test. South Africa’s humiliating 49-0 loss to Australia last weekend faded to dim memory when scrumhalf Fourie du Preez put the Springboks ahead after 20 seconds with a try from his charge down of Carter’s casual clearing kick
The Wellington Hurricanes fanned their weak hopes of a home semifinal in the Super 14 when they beat the Queensland Reds 26-22 on Friday in the opening match of the 13th round. The Reds scored three tries to two and were the better team, but lost for the ninth time this season.
The Canterbury Crusaders endured an anxious mid-race pitstop in rugby union’s Super 14 on the weekend, sitting idle as New South Wales and Wellington passed them and the ACT Brumbies closed in on them from behind. The Brumbies’ thrilling 28-26 win over the Waikato Chiefs on Saturday, inspired by a man-of-the-match performance from captain Stirling Mortlock, helped them consolidate fourth place and move within four points of the Crusaders.
The Wellington Hurricanes return from overseas to confront a South African opponent on home turf on Friday at the start of the seventh round of rugby union’s Super 14. In the absence of the competition leaders, the Canterbury Crusaders — who have a bye — the Hurricanes have the chance to move into first place if they can dispatch the Sharks.
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/ 22 December 2005
The 2005 season was a black one for world rugby: All Black. New Zealand’s famous All Blacks reaffirmed their pre-eminence on the 15-a-side code’s pecking order in the manner and location in which their supremacy began 100 years ago.
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/ 19 November 2005
Newspapers reacted with predictable elation on Saturday to New Zealand’s successful bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup, calling the International Rugby Board decision ”as welcome as it is surprising”. ”It was the best of news for a proud little nation,” the New Zealand Herald said, echoing sentiment that New Zealand’s selection ahead of Japan and South Africa was a victory for the little guy.
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/ 18 November 2005
New Zealand promised ”a tournament based on traditional rugby values” and stunned observers when it won the rights to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup. A promise of government support ”both moral and financial” and a campaign that turned New Zealand’s diminutive size into an asset clinched the tournament for New Zealand.
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/ 22 October 2005
New Zealand’s reputation as a nation obsessed with rugby was enhanced by figures released by the New Zealand Rugby Union which show both television and live audiences are increasing. The figures, compiled by the survey company AC Nielsen, contradict anecdotal evidence that attendances at major matches are declining and that television audiences have been saturated by an oversupply of live games.
The New Zealand cricket team departed on Monday for Africa to prepare for its August series in Zimbabwe as lawmakers continued to press for the cancellation of the tour. The parliamentary Green Party said it is not too late for the New Zealand government to intervene.
The New Zealand cricket team departed on Monday for Africa to prepare for its August series in Zimbabwe as lawmakers continued to press for the cancellation of the tour. The Parliamentary Green Party, which has rallied opposition to the tour in protest at human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, said it was not too late for the New Zealand government to intervene.