Hawke’s Bay club rugby: Napier Pirate and Taradale dominate Maddison Trophy clashes
Club Rugby in Hawke’s Bay continues to excite week in and week out. This time it was highlighted by two shutout performances, with Taradale putting on a show against Napier Technical 40-12 and Napier Pirate putting in a dominant shift against Napier Old Boys Marist (NOBM) on their club day 48-28. You like close nailbiters? We had that too, with Hastings managing to edge past Havelock 20-12.Taradale got off to a hot start, coming out focused and composed piling on 5 tries in the first half. Tim...
June 16, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Semi Final Crusaders v Blues 21 - 14 Loss
The Blues delivered another Super Rugby classic in a brutal semi final clash against the Crusaders but fell just short, losing 21-14 in Christchurch.The Blues started hot, showing plenty of attacking intent with Beauden Barrett trying to implement his tactical kicking game early.AJ Lam’s clever nudge earned the Blues their first red zone opportunity with a five metre scrum.The Blues were patient, sending one off runners towards the line drawing in the Crusaders defenders. Space opened on the r...
June 16, 2025Hawke’s Bay club rugby: Luck of the draw as Napier Old Boys Marist and Hastings collide
After a week off for King’s Birthday, club rugby returned with a bang as the Maddison Trophy resumed with three massive contests.Napier Old Boys Marist (NOBM) and Hastings played out another epic battle in their rivalry.It was a true game of two halves as NOBM fought back from a 24–7 halftime deficit, but despite their second-half surge, the match ended in a thrilling draw.It took 16 minutes for the scoring to begin, with Hastings taking an early lead.They were camped in the 22 and the forwa...
June 9, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final Chiefs v Blues 19 - 20 Win
In a breathtaking Qualifying Final clash, the Blues edged the top-seeded Chiefs 20-19 at FMG Stadium, keeping their championship dream alive in dramatic fashion.It was a win built on grit, guts, and relentless defence. The opening half was a fierce contest. The Chiefs opened the scoring inside two minutes with a penalty, but Beauden Barrett quickly answered to level things up at 3-3.From there, it was all about resistance. The Blues spent much of the half under siege, defending their line with t...
June 9, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Round Sixteen Blues v Waratahs 46 - 6 Win
In their most important game of the season, the Blues thumped the Waratahs 46-6 to lock in a spot in the Super Rugby Qualifying Finals.The Blues absorbed early pressure as the Waratahs started with ball in hand, defending valliantly not giving the visitors an inch.When the moment came to strike, the Blues didnt miss. Caleb Clarke surged through a gap on halfway, linking up with Rieko Ioane who was stopped just short. The ball was worked left, then back right, where AJ Lam floated a wide ball for...
June 2, 2025Hawke’s Bay club rugby: Havelock North keep their form going as Maddison Trophy begins
The Maddison Trophy kicked off in dramatic fashion with Havelock North pulling off a second consecutive comeback, this time to beat Napier Pirate 35-31.After toppling competition heavyweights Taradale in the final round of the Nash Cup, confidence was high that Havelock North could carry that momentum into the new round but they didn’t start with it.The opening exchanges were a real arm wrestle, with both teams working hard to settle into the contest.Pirate were first to strike after a turnove...
May 26, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Round Fourteen Moana Pasifika v Blues 27 - 21 Loss
The Blues fought to the very end, but it wasn’t to be as Moana Pasifika claimed a 27-21 win at North Harbour Stadium. Moana controlled the early possession and territory, but strong defensive work from the Blues kept them at bay. A penalty gave the home side the first points of the match, but it was the Blues who struck first in the try column. A lineout maul inside the 22 got rolling, and though Ricky Riccitelli was held up just short, the referee awarded a penalt...
May 19, 2025Hawke’s Bay club rugby: Taradale win crucial Nash Cup clash
Saturday afternoon was a great showcase of premier club rugby in Hawke’s Bay as Taradale edged Napier Old Boys Marist 22–17 in a fiercely contested Nash Cup clash at Tareha Reserve.A win in their final-round game will be enough for unbeaten Taradale to tuck the cup away for another year.A bonus point for Marist puts them three-points back and ready to strike if the defending champs have a wobble against Havelock North.The opening quarter was a real arm wrestle, with both sides enjoying oppor...
May 12, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Round Thirteen Fijian Drua v Blues 5 - 34 Win
The Blues have kept their finals hopes well and truly alive, with a dominant 34-5 win over the Fijian Drua in Suva.From the opening whistle, the tone was set. The Drua were penalised for offside from the kickoff, gifting the Blues prime field position for their first attacking raid.Ricky Riccitelli looked to have opened the scoring in the fourth minute, but it was pulled back for a knock-on in back play. The Blues stayed on the front foot and Marcel Renata charged over to score putting the Blues...
May 12, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Round Twelve Blues v Western Force 40 - 19 Win
The Blues have kept their season alive with their most dominant showing of the season, beating the Western Force 40-19 on Friday night.The Force came out firing and had early chances, but the Blues’ defensive grit held firm, stopping two likely tries with pressure and forced errors. Once the Blues got some front-foot ball, it didn’t take long to turn momentum into points.A powerful scrum five metres out in the 15th minute set the platform for the opener, with Marcel Renata spotting a gap and...
May 5, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Round Eleven Reds v Blues 35 - 21 Loss
The Blues fought hard but ultimately fell short, losing 35-21 to the Reds in their Anzac Weekend Round clash on Friday night.The Reds came out firing, scoring two early tries to race to a 14-0 lead. The Blues responded with pressure of their own, camping on the Reds’ line for long periods, but couldn’t convert.Kurt Eklund looked to have gotten one back from a lineout drive, only for the try to be ruled out for obstruction. The Blues were held up over the line four times in the first half as ...
April 28, 2025Women’s Super Rugby Champions Final nib Blues v NSW Waratahs 36 - 5 Win
nib Blues make history with trans-Tasman win The nib Blues have made history once again, this time becoming the inaugural Super Rugby Women’s Champions Final winners! In torrential conditions at North Harbour Stadium, our wāhine turned in a dominant performance to beat the Waratahs 36-5 and secure their second trophy of 2025. The opening stages were a fierce arm-wrestle as both sides tested the waters, but it was the nib Blues who struck first. The Waratahs s...
April 21, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Round Ten Crusaders v Blues 25 - 22 Loss
The Blues men delivered a classic in Christchurch but fell agonisingly short in a 25-22 defeat to the Crusaders on Friday night. In a game played in tough conditions, it was a real battle from start to finish, with neither side able to take full control. The Crusaders struck early, crossing inside the opening minutes to take a 7-0 lead. From there, the Blues threw wave after wave at their line, and while Joshua Fusitu’a looked to have scored in the 20th minute, a knock-on in the build-up ...
April 21, 2025Super Rugby Aupiki Final nib Blues v Matatū 26 - 19 Win
The nib Blues are back-to-back champions! Our wāhine showed enormous heart to come from behind and defeat Matatū 26-19 in a thrilling final at Eden Park becoming the first team to win two Super Rugby Aupiki titles.Matatū dominated the opening quarter, camping inside the Blues’ 22 and testing the defensive wall repeatedly. Our wāhine held strong, making 87 tackles in the first 20 minutes, but eventually Matatū broke through twice to take a 12–0 lead.However, as soon as the nib Blues got ...
April 14, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Round Nine Blues v Moana Pasifika 36 - 17 Win
The Blues made a statement on Saturday night, overpowering a confident Moana Pasifika side 36-17 and locking in back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025.It was a dream start for the home side, who were on the front foot early and looking to impose themselves physically. Just three minutes in, the Blues illustrated just that with Ricky Riccitelli crashing over from close range to open the scoring.Then came the play of the game. Moana Pasifika looked to attack from a scrum, but Dalton Papali...
April 14, 2025Super Rugby Aupiki Round Six nib Blues v Hurricanes Poua 49 - 26 Win
It was a successful night on Saturday as the nib Blues picked up an impressive 49-26 win over the Hurricanes Poua, securing a home final and wrapping up a brilliant regular season. Our wāhine started red-hot. Just three minutes in, the ball was shuttled across to the left edge where Taufa Bason charged down the touchline and somehow stayed in play, before slick interplay with Sylvia Brunt saw Bason dot down for her third try in two games. Hurricanes Poua hit back to level the scores, ...
April 7, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Round Eight Blues v Hurricanes 19 - 18 Win
The Blues returned from the bye in style, edging out the Hurricanes 19-18 in a nail-biter to cap off a successful double-header for the club on Saturday night. The opening quarter was a tense arm wrestle, with both sides looking to land the first blow. The Blues defended superbly to repel wave after wave of Hurricanes pressure, even after going down to 14 men in the 14th minute when captain Patrick Tuipulotu was shown yellow for a high shot. Despite being a man down, the Blues ma...
April 7, 2025Super Rugby Aupiki Round Five nib Blues v Matatū 29 - 37 loss
The nib Blues unbeaten streak of nine games came to an end in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash, falling 37-29 to Matatū in Whangārei on Saturday afternoon. Our wāhine wasted no time making their mark. As Matatū attempted to clear from the kickoff, Jaymie Kolose soared to claim the high ball, with play shifting quickly to the right to find Portia Woodman-Wickliffe who turned on the jets, weaving through defenders to dot down for a 5-0 lead inside the opening two minutes. Matatū r...
March 31, 2025Super Rugby Aupiki Round Four Chiefs Manawa v nib Blues 21 - 36 Win
The nib Blues wāhine continued their dominant start to the season, powering past Chiefs Manawa 36-21 in an emphatic display at FMG Stadium.From the kickoff, the Blues set the tone moving the ball wide straight away, with Sylvia Brunt slicing through before feeding Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who stormed into the 22. A knock-on gave the Blues a scrum, and they wasted no time, spreading it wide for Jaymie Kolose to open the scoring.The forwards then took control. A dominant scrum inside the 22 saw ...
March 24, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Round Six Blues v Crusaders 19 - 42 Loss
The Blues started strong under the lights at Eden Park but couldn’t quite find their rhythm as the Crusaders took control, securing a 19-42 win.It was all Blues early, with the backline looking sharp on attack. The play of the game came in the 4th minute when a slick backline move sent James Mullins bursting through midfield, drawing in defenders before offloading to Dalton Papali’i, who powered over to give the Blues an early 7-0 lead.Stringing together three quick tries to swing momentum t...
March 24, 2025Super Rugby Aupiki Round Three Matatū v nib Blues 7 - 28 Win
The nib Blues wāhine started strong, showing their physicality early with dominant carries and relentless defence. Their patience paid off in the 24th minute when Sylvia Brunt broke through after a well-executed midfield scrum move, dotting down to open the scoring. Brunt was at it again soon after, latching onto an offload to grab her second try and extend the lead. The Matatū responded quickly, narrowing the gap to 14-7 at halftime.The second half saw the nib Blues turn up the tempo. A stunn...
March 17, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Round Five Chiefs v Blues 32 - 31 Loss
Saturday night’s clash between the Blues and Chiefs was another epic battle, picking up where they left off in their opening Super Rugby Pacific encounter. The Blues pushed the competition leaders to the limit but ultimately fell just short, losing 32-31 in a match that had spectators on the edge of their seats.The Chiefs struck first with a try in the corner and a penalty goal. With the Blues getting off the mark in the 32nd minute after sustained pressure inside the 22 when AJ Lam finished o...
March 17, 2025Super Rugby Aupiki Round Two nib Blues v Chiefs Manawa 24 - 22 Win
The Blues wāhine set the stage, overcoming early adversity after being reduced to 13 players midway through the first half. Despite trailing 12-0 after 30 minutes, they showed grit and determination to grind out a dramatic win on home soil.On the stroke of half-time, they finally got on the board. Katelyn Vaha’akolo burst down the right side of the field from opposition territory, weaving through defenders and bobbing inside and out to score a fantastic individual try.The nib Blues kept their...
March 10, 2025Super Rugby Pacific Round Four Blues v Brumbies 20 - 21 Loss
The Blues backed up the wāhine gritty performance with a nail-biter against the Brumbies, but despite a strong start, they couldn’t hold on as the visitors clawed their way back to snatch a 21-20 win at Eden Park, the first in 12 years.The Blues were on fire early, with Beauden Barrett looking at home in his prized first-five jersey for the first time this season. He was asking plenty of questions of the Brumbies' defence and facilitating the Blues' attack. His brilliance was rewarded with a ...
March 10, 2025DSRHB multi sports day empowers disabled athletes in Hawke’s Bay
A sports day for disabled people held in Hawke’s Bay at the weekend has been hailed as a “powerful example” of how sport can be inclusive.The Disability Sport and Recreation Hawke’s Bay (DSRHB) Multi Sports Day, held on Saturday brought together disabled people from across the region, highlighting the power of sport to break down barriers, build confidence, and foster friendships, the organisation said.Participants had the opportunity to try a variety of sports in a s...
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