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/ 30 May 2008

Kiwi man convicted of assault with hedgehog

A New Zealand man has been convicted for assaulting a teenager with a hedgehog after asking him if he wanted to "wear a hedgehog helmet". William Singalargh (27) was fined for assault and offensive behaviour by a court in the east coast North Island city of Whakatane after a more serious charge of assault with a weapon — the hedgehog — was dropped.

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/ 29 May 2008

Pack clash key in Super 14 showdown

The Crusaders and Waratahs face off in a classic showdown for the Super 14 rugby crown in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Saturday. ”It’s going to be an epic,” said Crusaders coach Robbie Deans, the most successful coach in the history of Super rugby. In a match laden with All Blacks and Wallabies, Waratahs assistant coach Steve Tuynman sees the final as one for the purists.

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/ 28 May 2008

Motivation no problem for the Crusaders

All Black scrumhalf Andy Ellis says the Crusaders don’t need any external motivation to lift their weary bodies for the Super 14 rugby final against the New South Wales Waratahs in Christchurch on Saturday. ”In finals week, there’s no problem in picking it up and getting excited,” Ellis explained.

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/ 26 May 2008

Young ‘Lomu’ in Aussie-Fiji tug of war

A 20-year-old rugby player compared with All Black great Jonah Lomu has become the subject of a tug of war between his native Fiji and adopted country Australia. The Fiji Times reported on Monday that Fiji-born Ratu Nasiganiyavi, the the cousin of Australia winger Lote Tuqiri, played for Australia under-20 in their 51-12 win over Fiji’s under-20 side on Saturday.

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/ 26 May 2008

All Black hit man Collins quits NZ rugby

All Blacks enforcer Jerry Collins announced his retirement from New Zealand rugby Monday but said he had made no decision on joining the exodus of top players overseas. The announcement had been widely expected, with rumours circulating the 109kg Samoan-born flanker was destined to join the nine other All Blacks from last year’s World Cup who have signed for foreign clubs.