The Southern Hemisphere’s premier club rugby competition is back, with the opening round of 2023 Super Rugby Pacific in the books. The season’s curtain raiser was a New Zealand derby, as the Chiefs secured an impressive 31-10 victory over the reigning champions, the Crusaders.
The exciting competition has received some fan-centric adaptations to the laws, in order to make this year’s Super Rugby the fastest yet. Crusader’s fly half Richie Mo’unga scored the first points of the new season, with a drop goal starting of the socring for the Christchurch side.
Fullback David Havili secured the first try, to extend the Crusaders lead. Despite entering the game as definitive favourites, the Crusaders’ lead was short-lived. Chiefs’ scored back to back tries through their All Blacks forwards Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane, with Damian McKenzie nailing the conversions, preluded by his trademark smile.
Crusaders flanker Ethan Blackadder was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle, which opened up more space for the Chiefs to extend their lead. Centre Alex Nankivell crossed over next, before replacement scrum half Cortez Ratima scored the try of the match. Supporting the line break of Josh Ioane, Ratima exploded onto the off-load inside the Crusaders’ 10m line. He through a side-step to beat debutant Macca Springer, and dive over to score.
The opening Australian contest of the season saw the Brumbies take an away win over the New South Wales Waratahs. This encounter was more closely contested than the New Zealand fixture, with the final score reading 25-31. The opening day of action has certainly set the tone for an exciting competition, set those 6AM alarms and tune in to Sky Sports to catch the matches live.