Latest news with #Christchurch
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Chiefs star Quinn Tupaea aims for Super Rugby Pacific title, All Blacks recall
HOLD FOR FRIDAY Quinn Tupaea was just a youngster, when the Chiefs won back-to-back titles in 2012-13. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final Crusaders v Chiefs Kickoff: 7,05pm Saturday, 18 June Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Live blog updates on RNZ Quinn Tupaea was a Chiefs fan before he was a player and he'd like nothing more than to help the franchise win another Super Rugby title. Twelve years have passed since they last lifted the trophy and they've suffered the heartbreak of defeat in the past two finals. They take on the Crusaders in Saturday night's title decider in Christchurch, where the hosts have never lost a playoff game . The Chiefs finished as top qualifiers for the post-season and midfielder Tupaea played a big role in their success, scoring several tries and making big defensive plays for his side. He said winning a Super Rugby title would be a career highlight. "That's the dream, that's the goal," Tupaea said. "Born in bred in Hamilton, I grew up a Chiefs fan, so to bring a championship to the city and to this region would mean the world to myself and this team." He was just a youngster, when the Chiefs won back-to-back titles in 2012-13, but Tupaea, 26, remembers them well. "I was 12 and 13," he said. "I was at those finals, sat in the family zone on the left side of the stadium and have some great memories with my family. "Looking back on it now, that's the feeling I want to bring to our fans and win a championship for our region. "There's been a lot of heartbreak for our fans the last 4-5 years, not getting over the line. We have very passionate fans and we get great crowds every week, so to bring the title to Hamilton for our fans, that would mean a lot." Tupaea's form in the Chiefs midfield has been impressive this season, but he's quick to credit his team for helping him produce consistent performances. "I've been showing up to work every day, wanting to get better, and my success this year has been on the back of of a successful team as well," he said. "It's a lot easier to play behind a good pack, and good nine and 10 [halfback and first-five] combo." "I'm enjoying my rugby and pretty happy." Quinn Tupaea's Super Rugby Pacific form may earn him an All Blacks recall. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Tupaea's played so well, he could earn an All Blacks recall on Monday, when the squad to play France in three tests in July is named. He hasn't featured for the All Blacks since 2022, when he suffered a serious knee injury against the Wallabies. While firmly focused on the task at hand with the Chiefs, he doesn't conceal his desire to return to the national side. "I would obviously like to get recalled into the [All Blacks] squad," Tupaea said. "It's a goal I set myself every year. "It's a place I want to be playing and it's the team I want to be in - it's a no-brainer. I'd like to hear my name called on Monday." Before then, the Chiefs must overcome history and end the Crusaders 31-match unbeaten run in home playoffs to win Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final. Tupaea said that would make victory all the sweeter. "That's it - 31 and one, thank you very much!" Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Washington Post
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Super Rugby final: the Chiefs take on the Crusaders' unbeaten home playoff record
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Chiefs are aiming to send head coach Clayton McMillan out on a winning note when they face the Crusaders on Saturday in the Super Rugby Pacific final . McMillan will leave New Zealand after the final to coach Munster in Ireland. He has guided the Hamilton- based Chiefs to the final in each of the last three seasons but doesn't yet have a title to show for it. The Chiefs have made the pace throughout the season, finishing in first place at the end of the regular season. They stumbled in the first round of playoffs, losing to the Auckland-based Blues, but returned in the semifinals as the highest-ranked loser. The Chiefs beat the Canberra-based Brumbies 37-17 in last weekend's semis and now take on the Crusaders, a franchise with a daunting 31-0 record in home playoffs since Super Rugby began in 1996. They have named an unchanged starting 15 for the final, which includes 10 All Blacks. There are two changes on the bench, where All Blacks prop Aiden Ross and winger Etene Nanai-Seturo return to add more experience. 'We've built real continuity across the season and that will serve us well in Christchurch,' McMillan said. 'The Crusaders have proven time and again that they know how to lift in finals footy. 'They're clinical, composed and proud of their home record. We're ready for a good final fight.' The Chiefs beat the Crusaders twice during the regular season, once last year and twice in 2023. 'We don't have any fear about going down to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders,' McMillan said. 'We're one team that's had our fair share of success down there. 'We know it's not going to be easy. They've got a formidable record and are a quality team.' The Chiefs players are determined after reaching the championship match in each of the last two seasons to take the next step and to win the title for the first time since 2013. 'Do it for (McMillan),' All Blacks flyhalf Damian McKenzie said. 'Do it for the region. Do it for our fans and our families. 'The support we've had throughout the year has been amazing. We've been disappointed in the last few years where we haven't quite been able to win a final. So it's not only just doing it for guys who are leaving, it's also for guys who have been here in the past.' The Crusaders will try to win the Super Rugby title for the 13th time. They won the title in seven straight seasons under Scott Robertson but slumped last year, winning only four matches under new head coach Rob Penney. Crusaders management ignored pressure to replace Penney at the end of last season and that decision has been vindicated with another final appearance. The Crusaders scrum is a major strength and will be bolstered on Saturday by the return of All Blacks loosehead prop Tamaiti Williams, who missed the 21-14 semifinal win over the Blues . Winger Chay Fihaki is sidelined with a concussion and will be replaced by Macca Springer, who will play on the left wing, Sevu Reece on the right. Penney said the club's past record will have no part in the final. 'History is history ... we're not even thinking about that,' he said. 'We're just thinking about the contest ahead of us. We're at home in front of our people and it's going to be such a magic occasion.' ___ AP rugby:
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Super Rugby final: the Chiefs take on the Crusaders' unbeaten home playoff record
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Chiefs are aiming to send head coach Clayton McMillan out on a winning note when they face the Crusaders on Saturday in the Super Rugby Pacific final. McMillan will leave New Zealand after the final to coach Munster in Ireland. He has guided the Hamilton- based Chiefs to the final in each of the last three seasons but doesn't yet have a title to show for it. Advertisement The Chiefs have made the pace throughout the season, finishing in first place at the end of the regular season. They stumbled in the first round of playoffs, losing to the Auckland-based Blues, but returned in the semifinals as the highest-ranked loser. The Chiefs beat the Canberra-based Brumbies 37-17 in last weekend's semis and now take on the Crusaders, a franchise with a daunting 31-0 record in home playoffs since Super Rugby began in 1996. They have named an unchanged starting 15 for the final, which includes 10 All Blacks. There are two changes on the bench, where All Blacks prop Aiden Ross and winger Etene Nanai-Seturo return to add more experience. 'We've built real continuity across the season and that will serve us well in Christchurch,' McMillan said. 'The Crusaders have proven time and again that they know how to lift in finals footy. Advertisement "They're clinical, composed and proud of their home record. We're ready for a good final fight.' The Chiefs beat the Crusaders twice during the regular season, once last year and twice in 2023. 'We don't have any fear about going down to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders,' McMillan said. 'We're one team that's had our fair share of success down there. 'We know it's not going to be easy. They've got a formidable record and are a quality team.' The Chiefs players are determined after reaching the championship match in each of the last two seasons to take the next step and to win the title for the first time since 2013. Advertisement 'Do it for (McMillan),' All Blacks flyhalf Damian McKenzie said. 'Do it for the region. Do it for our fans and our families. 'The support we've had throughout the year has been amazing. We've been disappointed in the last few years where we haven't quite been able to win a final. So it's not only just doing it for guys who are leaving, it's also for guys who have been here in the past.' The Crusaders will try to win the Super Rugby title for the 13th time. They won the title in seven straight seasons under Scott Robertson but slumped last year, winning only four matches under new head coach Rob Penney. Crusaders management ignored pressure to replace Penney at the end of last season and that decision has been vindicated with another final appearance. Advertisement The Crusaders scrum is a major strength and will be bolstered on Saturday by the return of All Blacks loosehead prop Tamaiti Williams, who missed the 21-14 semifinal win over the Blues. Winger Chay Fihaki is sidelined with a concussion and will be replaced by Macca Springer, who will play on the left wing, Sevu Reece on the right. Penney said the club's past record will have no part in the final. 'History is history ... we're not even thinking about that,' he said. 'We're just thinking about the contest ahead of us. We're at home in front of our people and it's going to be such a magic occasion.' ___ AP rugby:
Associated Press
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Super Rugby final: the Chiefs take on the Crusaders' unbeaten home playoff record
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Chiefs are aiming to send head coach Clayton McMillan out on a winning note when they face the Crusaders on Saturday in the Super Rugby Pacific final. McMillan will leave New Zealand after the final to coach Munster in Ireland. He has guided the Hamilton- based Chiefs to the final in each of the last three seasons but doesn't yet have a title to show for it. The Chiefs have made the pace throughout the season, finishing in first place at the end of the regular season. They stumbled in the first round of playoffs, losing to the Auckland-based Blues, but returned in the semifinals as the highest-ranked loser. The Chiefs beat the Canberra-based Brumbies 37-17 in last weekend's semis and now take on the Crusaders, a franchise with a daunting 31-0 record in home playoffs since Super Rugby began in 1996. They have named an unchanged starting 15 for the final, which includes 10 All Blacks. There are two changes on the bench, where All Blacks prop Aiden Ross and winger Etene Nanai-Seturo return to add more experience. 'We've built real continuity across the season and that will serve us well in Christchurch,' McMillan said. 'The Crusaders have proven time and again that they know how to lift in finals footy. 'They're clinical, composed and proud of their home record. We're ready for a good final fight.' The Chiefs beat the Crusaders twice during the regular season, once last year and twice in 2023. 'We don't have any fear about going down to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders,' McMillan said. 'We're one team that's had our fair share of success down there. 'We know it's not going to be easy. They've got a formidable record and are a quality team.' The Chiefs players are determined after reaching the championship match in each of the last two seasons to take the next step and to win the title for the first time since 2013. 'Do it for (McMillan),' All Blacks flyhalf Damian McKenzie said. 'Do it for the region. Do it for our fans and our families. 'The support we've had throughout the year has been amazing. We've been disappointed in the last few years where we haven't quite been able to win a final. So it's not only just doing it for guys who are leaving, it's also for guys who have been here in the past.' The Crusaders will try to win the Super Rugby title for the 13th time. They won the title in seven straight seasons under Scott Robertson but slumped last year, winning only four matches under new head coach Rob Penney. Crusaders management ignored pressure to replace Penney at the end of last season and that decision has been vindicated with another final appearance. The Crusaders scrum is a major strength and will be bolstered on Saturday by the return of All Blacks loosehead prop Tamaiti Williams, who missed the 21-14 semifinal win over the Blues. Winger Chay Fihaki is sidelined with a concussion and will be replaced by Macca Springer, who will play on the left wing, Sevu Reece on the right. Penney said the club's past record will have no part in the final. 'History is history ... we're not even thinking about that,' he said. 'We're just thinking about the contest ahead of us. We're at home in front of our people and it's going to be such a magic occasion.' ___ AP rugby:
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- RNZ News
Smoke from plane at Christchurch Airport, fluid leak suspected
Christchurch Airport (file photo). Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Firefighters have been called to Christchurch Airport after a cargo plane on the tarmac began billowing smoke from its undercarriage. Fire and Emergency shift manager Lyn Crosson said crews responded shortly before 9am on Friday. She said there was no fire on board the Boeing 737, and it was thought a fluid leak onto the plane's brakes was responsible. A spokesperson at Christchurch Airport confirmed there were no passengers on board at the time. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
