Super Rugby 2016

Hurricanes put hurt aside as final beckons

The Hurricanes host the Johannesburg Lions at Wellington Stadium - the two teams finished one and two on the ladder after the regular season.

After last year's loss at the final hurdle, Shields said it was time to make new history.

"Obviously still not over it but look we've got another opportunity, another chance to do our club proud and hopefully get that first win."

Chiefs thump Stormers

The Chiefs, who outscored the South Africans by eight tries to three, now travel home to meet the top-ranked Hurricanes in Wellington next weekend. The Lions host the Highlanders in the other semi in Johannesburg.

The Chiefs built a 20-point lead by halftime at Newlands as they caught out the hosts with pace and quick movement of the ball.

Woman to officiate in Super Rugby game

She becomes the first woman in the history of Super Rugby to do so.

RNZI reports Perrett, a full-time professional referee, officiated in the women's Rugby World Cup final and was selected as one of Australia's two representatives for the Rio Olympics in August.

Brumbies virtually end Waratahs' Super Rugby finals hopes with 26-20 win

The Brumbies may have ended the New South Wales Waratahs' finals hopes with a hoodoo-busting and bruising 26-20 Super Rugby triumph in Sydney.

An historic tryscoring hat-trick from winger Joe Tomane helped the Brumbies skip 11 points clear of their arch rivals in the Australian conference, after securing their first win at Allianz Stadium in 14 years.

Crusaders beat Blues in Christchurch

The Crusaders scrum was dominant from the outset and led to a penalty try to the hosts as they took a 13-3 half-time lead.

Number eight Kieran Read scored in the 68th minute and first-five Richie Mo'unga dotted down on the stroke of full-time.

Hapless Hurricanes taken to the cleaners in Canberra by ACT Brumbies

Last year's Super Rugby finalists were decidedly second-rate in being beaten 52-10 by the Brumbies at GIO Stadium.

Yes the Brumbies are a fine side and, no, it wouldn't be a shock if they emerged as the best of Australia's franchises this season. But the Hurricanes are meant to be a good team too and their loyal fans would've been entitled to expect more from the team in their first match of 2016.

Questions raised over Blues' match-winning try against Highlanders

Patrick Tuipulotu dived over from close range to push the Blues ahead 31-24 in the 71st minute of the Eden Park season opener, but a possible ruck infringement during the lead-up might mean the visitors were hard done by.