Rugby

McCaw taking it one less painful step at a time

RICHARD KNOWLER IN AUCKLAND - © Fairfax NZ News

Richie McCaw's interviewers changed but the questions didn't.

Crusaders' Tony Thorpe heads to Brumbies

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

Crusaders manager Tony Thorpe has switched to the Brumbies.

Tom Taylor eyes his first Super Rugby cap

RICHARD KNOWLER IN AUCKLAND - © Fairfax NZ News

Tom Taylor will be hoping to get noticed more at Eden Park next Friday night than he did at Rainbow's End yesterday.

Franchises in battle for hearts and minds

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

It is not just rugby's dancing girls who are dusting off their pom-poms.

Referees tackle sticky breakdown area

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

Super referees are talking tough again.

Mission accomplished: one down

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

Robbie Fruean was the only casualty during the Crusaders' 19-8 victory over the Hurricanes in their hit-and-run mission on Saturday.

Crusaders' field day

TOBY ROBSON IN MANGATAINOKA - © Fairfax NZ News

The setting was unusual for Super Rugby even if the result was no surprise.

Food bill hit family

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

Braeden Whitelock says he shipped his four sons to boarding school because they were chewing a massive hole in the family budget.

Argentina trip to chase third rugby cup win

When Argentina's Club El Nacional sought support for an international rugby tournament 13 years ago, the High School Old Boys Rugby Football Club was the only overseas invitee to declare its interest.

Former sevens star steps up for Longest Day

Dallas Seymour had an excellent excuse to behave himself at the Wellington rugby sevens last weekend.

Ticket price hike rejected by Crusaders

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

The financially crippled Crusaders have refused to lift ticket prices.

Crusaders, All Blacks miss Laureus Awards

The All Blacks and Crusaders were overlooked when the Laureus Award winners were unveiled in London.

Crotty shaping up to replace SBW

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

A 47-19 win and maybe some puzzles have already been solved for Todd Blackadder.

Relaxed West Coast vibe contributes to the fun

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

Forced to abort two trips to the West Coast last year because of nature's tantrums, the Crusaders finally reached their objective this week.

Bleyendaal eyes Crusaders No 10 berth

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

Tyler Bleyendaal has a chance to land the first punch in the fight for the Crusaders No 10 jersey tonight.

Crusader ticket details clouded

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

With less than two months until their first Super match at the new Addington site, the Crusaders are yet to finalise ticket prices and details.

No resting on laurels for cup winner Read

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

It was while he was tending his barbecue that the achievement of winning the World Cup finally hit Kieran Read.

World Cup stars on hold for Crusaders

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

Ben Franks may be the sole World Cup gold medallist on show as the Crusaders ease into their season against the Highlanders.

Cron to rejoin All Blacks

Canterbury's Mike Cron has been wooed back to the All Blacks management team as a forwards coach.

Whitelock's Crusade a one-off feat

Crusaders ironman George Whitelock doubts anyone will repeat his feat of playing every match.

Crusaders seek game in break

The Crusaders want to organise a game against an NZ franchise during Super 15 competition break.

Stadium transforming into league of its own

Rugby League Park is being transformed into Christchurch Stadium.

Kidwell talks tackles with Crusaders

TONY SMITH - © Fairfax NZ News

The Crusaders took a few tackling tips from a good Canterbury man yesterday – Melbourne Storm assistant-coach David Kidwell.

All Blacks playing cricket to help teacher

RACHEL YOUNG - © Fairfax NZ News

Five All Blacks will will join other sporting personalities in a cricket match to raise funds for teacher Steve Hart.

Yet another home game away for Crusaders

OPINION: You've got to feel sorry for rugby boss Hamish Riach.

Coaches manage the tests and rests

Training sacrificed

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

Allowing his All Blacks to bunk trainings is one way Todd Blackadder will appease national coach Steve Hansen this year.

Crusaders eye up McLean Park at Nelson's expense

RICHARD KNOWLER - © Fairfax NZ News

Nelson is expected to miss out on a Super match this season with Napier likely to be chosen to host the Crusaders and Chiefs match on March 9.

Richie McCaw to miss opening Super Rugby games

The most famous foot in New Zealand is on the mend but Richie McCaw will miss "at least the first few" Super Rugby games.

Zac Guildford says he's learnt his lesson

Zac Guildford says staying sober for a year is going to be hard, but he knows it's a must.

Crusaders prepare for 2012 season

Crusaders put through their paces

The Crusaders have welcomed back their World Cup-winning All Blacks.

Injuries vex Canty on tournament eve

Canterbury rugby sevens coach Chris Neill is counting the cost of some untimely casualties.

All Black Ali Williams ties the knot

All Black Ali Williams has married long-time partner Casey Green near Queenstown.

Crusaders are just magic

Sports writer Tony Smith analyses New Zealand's sporting year and presents his champions for 2011.

Crusaders first home game up in the air

TONY SMITH - © Fairfax NZ News

The Tasman Rugby Union has already offered to host the Crusaders' first home game of 2012 in Nelson and Timaru could also be an option.

Canterbury to the fore again

TONY SMITH - © Fairfax NZ News

Aussie McLean will be appointed to the All Blacks coaching staff today, completing "Canterbury's" domination of the positions of power in NZ rugby.

Crusaders' return to Park delayed

GEOFF LONGLEY - © Fairfax NZ News

The Crusaders have had to delay their return to playing again in Christchurch next year until their second Super rugby match of the season.

Long wait over for head coach Steve Hansen

TONY SMITH - © Fairfax NZ News

Anyone doubting Steve Hansen's head coach credentials should ask one of his old Canterbury charges how he rocketed red-and-black rugby to a new level.

Epic New Zealand rugby year acknowledged

The All Blacks and Crusaders have been nominated for the world's elite sporting awards.

No Sir for Richie McCaw - for now

All Black Richie McCaw has turned down a knighthood. + Crusaders, All Blacks nominated

Steve Hansen expected to be named ABs coach

Steve Hansen from Canterbury is expected to be named the new All Blacks coach succeeding Graham Henry today.

Crusaders target top fitness in five weeks

Christmas will be a lot more enjoyable this year for Todd Blackadder than it was last year.

Guildford given a last chance

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has pledged total support for Zac Guildford but has warned there is "no second-chance saloon" for the booze-battling All Black.

Crusaders pay for Zac's misconduct

OPINION: The Crusaders shouldn't be bearing the brunt of the Zac Guildford suspension but they're taking one for the team.

Guildford banned from Super Rugby match

All Blacks and Crusaders wing Zac Guildford has been suspended and will miss the opening Super Rugby match in February.

McCaw spills the beans on eye gouge

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has opened up about being eye-gouged.

McCaw keeps open mind on ABs future

Six weeks on and Richie McCaw is still on a high from the All Blacks' World Cup triumph.

Quakes don't register with keen Donnelly

Migrating to earthquake-plagued Christchurch never bothered Tom Donnelly.

Campbell in fight to make NZ Open cut

Michael Campbell has left himself with a mountain to climb today to make the cut while two unknowns lead the New Zealand Open after making a promising start to the tournament at the Clearwater Golf Club yesterday.