Super Rugby Pacific: Blues winger Mark Tele'a hit with three-week suspension
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Otago Daily Times
7 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
'I'm stoked': Blackadder sticking with Crusaders
Ethan Blackadder says it wasn't a hard decision to stay with the Canterbury team. Photo: RNZ Former All Black Ethan Blackadder has re-signed with the Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby until 2026. The 30-year-old said it wasn't a hard decision to extend his time in New Zealand and his contract with Canterbury's red and blacks. "I'm sticking round for one more and I'm absolutely rapt. There's no other team I'd rather be playing for; I just love the Crusaders. We've got a real brotherhood here and we're all very close friends, I'm stoked." Blackadder was unlucky to miss out on the first All Blacks squad of the year, named last week. The loose forward was a workhorse in the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs for the Crusaders. After making his All Blacks debut in 2021, Blackadder played 14 tests for New Zealand but injuries have scuppered his opportunities in the black jersey. Since making his debut for the Crusaders in 2018, Blackadder has achieved many milestones, including receiving Crusaders Player of the Year, Champion Crusader of the Year in 2022 and being named as vice-captain for the 2025 season. "It's hard to sum it up, but it means so much to be a part of this team. What the team's done previously, the history behind it and the legacy that's there and the players who have worn the jersey before you - it's a rich history and to be continuing that and enjoying it along the way is really special." Blackadder's re-signing follows another successful Super Rugby Pacific campaign for the Crusaders, who beat the Chiefs in the final last month. "It was such an enjoyable campaign - it had a bit of everything. It wasn't perfect by any means, but we ended up putting ourselves in a position to win it and we managed to do so; it was a campaign I'll never forget."
1News
11 hours ago
- 1News
'Competition needs them' - Savea's hopes for Moana Pasifika
Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea has spoken publicly for the first time about his hope that the franchise continues despite funding issues which have made headlines recently. Savea was outstanding this season – his first for the Auckland-based side after moving north from the Hurricanes – and his inspirational form and leadership helped Moana Pasifika to its highest ever placing of seventh. They were in the playoffs mix until the final round and notched first ever victories over the Highlanders, Blues and Crusaders. They also beat the Hurricanes. But the franchise, supported by New Zealand Rugby, World Rugby, and Pasifika Medical Association Group, which bought the franchise last year, is not on solid ground financially and there are concerns among the rugby community – clearly also held by Savea – that it could struggle to continue. Savea, 31, training with the All Blacks ahead of Saturday's first Test against France in Dunedin, was asked today about the issues surrounding a club that had contributed to what he has described as his most enjoyable season of rugby. ADVERTISEMENT 'You saw what the team did for New Zealand and the people,' Savea said. 'It would be a huge loss if Moana wasn't in any rugby competition. Any competition needs them… we're the Lord's team, we're the people's team.' Savea, who recently announced he would serve a sabbatical in Japan next year and therefore not play Super Rugby in 2026, carried an enormous responsibility at Moana Pasifika over the past eight months or so and the workload told. 'I was tired,' he said. 'I probably didn't realise at the time but I was fatigued. But the heart was full. When the heart and spirit is full it kind of takes over your body… it was nice to take a breath and relax and come back in here and get stuck into it.' Coming back into the All Blacks environment was no hardship, however. 'It's what it demands of you… when the purpose is clear and strong you do everything you can to turn up. We've spent the last couple of days coming together as one and that's what works for me.' Ardie Savea signs autographs after Moana's final match of the season - a loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington. (Source: Photosport) One of the more contentions decisions the selectors must make this week is the make-up of the loose forwards, as well as the identity of their No.10 and the left wing/midfield mix. ADVERTISEMENT With Wallace Sititi out of the series due to an ankle injury and Luke Jacobson set to miss the first Test due to concussion protocols following the Super Rugby Pacific final, Savea, Samipeni Finau and Du'Plessi Kirifi are the only loose forwards available from the original 33-man squad. Christian Lio-Willie and Dalton Papali'i have joined the squad as injury cover and at least one will play in Dunedin. It is possible that the selectors go for Finau, Savea and Kirifi at blindside flanker, No.8 and openside flanker respectively but it's just as possible that they select Lio-Willie as a like-for-like replacement for No.8 Sititi and pick Finau and Savea as flankers. That would leave Kirifi on the bench as an impact player – a role he is likely to fill in the short to medium term. Asked about his willingness to play No.7 after playing there for Moana this year and starting his Test career there, Savea replied: 'I don't have a say do I? Just wherever Razor needs me or where I fit in best for the team… if that's 12 or 13 I'd do my best. 'The loosie roles are quite interchangeable now on the field… it's how collectively as a trio you work together and that's what I want to build as a loose trio with the All Blacks – to be able to connect well and work together." Of Kirifi, with whom he played at the Hurricanes, and Crusader Lio-Willie, Savea said: 'They've played awesome and they're in here for a reason… the All Blacks is a different level and it's on to us to get around each other and best prepare for Test level.' Robertson, who will announce his team on Thursday, may start Beauden Barrett at No.10 ahead of Damian McKenzie, with Rieko Ioane a good chance to start on the left wing, with Billy Proctor at centre.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
‘The Lord's team' - Ardie Savea weighs in on Moana Pasifika situation
All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 5 July Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Live blog updates on RNZ Even though the All Black season is about to kick off this Saturday, the unfolding situation around the future of Moana Pasifika was addressed by this year's most high profile player today. Ardie Savea, who was named Super Rugby Pacific player of the year thanks to an outstanding season, said that "it would be a huge loss" if Moana was to be cut from the competition. "I think it will be a huge loss if Moana wasn't in any rugby competition. I think any competition needs them in," said Savea at the team's home of North Harbour Stadium, where the All Blacks are preparing for the first test against France. "Like I said, we're the Lord's team, we're the people's team. So hopefully, you know, whatever that looks like above my shoulders, it can work out." This week Moana Pasifika owners Pasifika Medical Association Group (PMA) have denied any public funding has gone into the side, while Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) has launched an independent review into allegations of inappropriate use of public funding allocated for Whānau Ora commissioning services. On top of this Sky TV are believed to be close to ending their jersey sponsorship deal and NZ Rugby's projected reduced broadcast deal will likely affect the amount of funding Moana receive. Savea is contracted until the end of the 2027 season, however, has a clause that allows him to spend next season playing overseas. The 96-test loose forward confirmed last month that he would be heading back for another lucrative short term deal at Japanese team Kubota Spears in 2026. Meanwhile, Savea is part of a now very intriguing loose forward picture for the All Blacks. He will certainly start Saturday's season opener, but just who joins him will be interesting. "It's hard because the loosie roles are quite interchangeable now on the field. You know, there's no specific role. t's not about you individually. It's how you collectively as a trio work together," said Savea. Former Hurricanes teammate Du'Plessis Kirifi and impressive Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie are in line to make test debuts, while Samipeni Finau will likely start at blindside, "I played with Dupes for a while at the Canes and Christian, they've played awesome and they're in here for a reason. (But) All Blacks is a different level. So it's up to us to get around each other and best prepare for this level." The expectations are high for the All Blacks to start their campaign off with a big win over a very inexperienced and understrength French team, which was today further hampered with news of an injuries to fullback Cheikh Tiberghien and wing Gabin Villière. However, in typical All Black fashion, Savea said no opponent would be taken lightly. "It's what the jersey demands, and it doesn't matter who you play. You have to go out there and put your best foot forward. That's just the standard we uphold for ourselves."
