Blues players celebrate Beauden Barrett's successful extra-time penalty which helped them beat the Reds at Te Kaha Stadium.

Analysis: Wildly successful 'super round' gives rugby the boost it needs

Christchurch turned it on this weekend and provided a public relations win for the game at just the right time, writes Patrick McKendry.

3:38pm

Crusaders wing Dallas McLeod breaks away against the Waratahs at Te Kaha Stadium.

Crusaders re-discover mojo at just the right time against Waratahs

Determined to open their reign at their new stadium in the right way, the inconsistent Crusaders found a little magic at Te Kaha.

Fri, Apr 24

The inside of Te Kaha Stadium - perfectly manicured grass and the gaurantee of a good seat.

Christchurch's new stadium - a warm, dry, noisy prize for a resilient city

The Crusaders' new home has the potential to be the noisiest sporting arena in New Zealand, as 1News sports writer Patrick McKendry discovers.

Fri, Apr 24

7:28

Leicester Fainga'anuku on the charge for the Crusaders.

All Blacks midfielder set for new loose forward role at Crusaders

Leicester Fainga'anuku will make his starting debut in the pack for the Crusaders as they open this weekend's "Super Round" at their new Te Kaha stadium.

Wed, Apr 22

The Chiefs' players including Damian McKenzie, celebrate their extra-time victory over the Hurricanes at Waikato Stadium.

Analysis: McKenzie survives close call as Chiefs take top spot

The Chiefs No.10 starred again against the Hurricanes but a risky decision at the end of regulation time could have backfired, writes Patrick McKendry.

Sun, Apr 19

A camera operator is left unemployed during the recent power cut at North Harbour Stadium.

Stadium power cut another blow to Moana Pasifika's aspirations

North Harbour Stadium's recent electricity failure does not reflect well on Super Rugby Pacific and was the latest in a series of setbacks for Moana.

Thu, Apr 2

March 2026
Tupou Vaa'i and the Chiefs react to conceding a try to the Brumbies in Canberra.

All Black's knee injury adds more pain to Chiefs' defeat

Tupou Vaa'i and two of his teammates have left the Chiefs' squad in Australia a week early following a dispiriting loss in Canberra.

Sun, Mar 22

Match officials, from left, Todd Petrie, Ben O' Keeffe and Maggie Cogger-Orr look at the big screen during the Blues v Chiefs match in round one.

'Frustration': Do Super Rugby officials have breakdown blindness?

Analysis: Suspicions remain – despite denials – that the ruck area is being refereed more leniently in Super Rugby, writes Patrick McKendry.

Fri, Mar 20

Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga pictured before his team's loss to the Blues at Eden Park.

Tana Umaga confirms approach to help coach All Blacks

The Moana Pasifika head coach distanced himself from a 1News report last week but was more forthcoming at Eden Park today.

Sun, Mar 15

Codemeru Vai celebrates his try for the Blues against Moana Pasifika at Eden Park.

Blues coolly close out victory as Moana Pasifika see red

Moana struggle with their discipline against rivals before head coach Tana Umaga drops big All Blacks hint.

Sun, Mar 15

Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga.

'They don't want us here' - Tana Umaga lashes out at rivals Blues

The Moana Pasifika head coach has distanced himself from a story linking him to the All Blacks but had a lot more to say about his former franchise.

Thu, Mar 12

Beauden Barrett talks to Blues coach Vern Cotter after a pre-season game in January.

'Happy it's over' - Beauden Barrett on All Blacks' coaching drama

Dave Rennie's appointment gets the thumbs up from the Blues and All Blacks playmaker, who says he will soon be in talks with the new boss.

Wed, Mar 11

New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie pictured at his announcement alongside chairman David Kirk.

'100 analysis clips': How Dave Rennie won over All Blacks' interview panel

The depth of the new All Blacks head coach's preparation for the top job has been revealed.

Mon, Mar 9

Beauden Barrett makes a break for the Blues against the Crusaders at Eden Park.

Analysis: Barrett pulls strings for Blues as Crusaders self-destruct

Beauden Barrett's quality in his first game back helped expose the Crusaders at Eden Park, writes sports reporter Patrick McKendry.

Mon, Mar 9

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, left, faces the media alongside NZ Rugby chairman David Kirk.

Analysis: The three coaches in frame to help Rennie at the All Blacks

The new All Blacks head coach says he will surround himself with "quality people". 1News sports writer Patrick McKendry looks at Dave Rennie's options.

Thu, Mar 5

7:29

Dave Rennie poses at NZ Rugby headquarters in Auckland after his first press conference as All Blacks head coach.

Optimism reigns as new All Blacks coach Rennie makes a splash

Yes, the All Blacks can win the World Cup, he says. And, yes, he can see only positives in his new team's gruelling tour of South Africa in August.

Wed, Mar 4

3:38

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie

Dave Rennie named new All Blacks coach: 'Understand the expectations'

Rennie replaces Scott Robertson, who lost the job earlier this year.

Wed, Mar 4

Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie.

New All Blacks head coach likely to be announced this week

The news will be welcome for All Blacks staff and assistant coaches, with many of them on tenterhooks following Scott Robertson's dismissal.

Mon, Mar 2

Crusaders fullback Will Jordan tackles Chiefs wing Leroy Carter in the dying seconds at Waikato Stadium.

Analysis: Crusaders' win over Chiefs a blast from the past

The Crusaders recovered from a poor start to beat their rivals in a game notable for its spite and counter-attacking ambition, writes Patrick McKendry.

Sun, Mar 1

February 2026
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney.

'The worm will turn' - Penney backs Crusaders to break early slump

The Crusaders coach called the final moments of his team's loss to the Brumbies "embarrassing", but was more philosophical a couple of days later.

Tue, Feb 24

Joseph Parker starts his ring walk before his fight against Fabio Wardley at London's O2 Arena.

'Worst nightmare' – trainer on Joseph Parker's failed drugs test

Andy Lee speaks out as New Zealand heavyweight boxer Parker appeals a process which remains shrouded in secrecy.

Mon, Feb 23

Crusaders replacement Leicester Fainga'anuku charges for the line during his team's defeat to the Brumbies.

Brumbies enjoy historic victory over clueless Crusaders

The men from Canberra scored eight tries in thrashing the Crusaders in Christchurch - the first time they have won in the city since 2000.

Sun, Feb 22

The three Barrett brothers, from left, Beauden, Scott and Jordie, pictured after the All Blacks' win over the Wallabies at Eden Park last year.

Analysis: Barrett brothers on the brink of a big year for All Blacks

A year out from the World Cup, Beauden, Scott and Jordie are under pressure to prove themselves all over again, writes Patrick McKendry.

Thu, Feb 19

Cortez Ratima runs in for what turned out to be the winning try for the Chiefs against the Blues at Eden Park.

Analysis: Rare Ratima quality enough for Chiefs to pip Blues

1News writer Patrick McKendry runs the rule over Super Rugby Pacific's opening round which featured a mixture of performances.

Sun, Feb 15

Players representing every Super Rugby Pacific team pictured at the season's official launch in Auckland recently.

Analysis: NZ Rugby's impossible Super Rugby dilemma

An open and exciting club competition is not the best preparation for the All Blacks, and the gulf to Test rugby is growing, writes Patrick McKendry.

Thu, Feb 12