Waratahs

Axed Waratahs coach lands role with Crusaders as Robertson's successor

In a development sure to raise eyebrows, Penney has won the plum role as successor to the All Blacks-bound Scott Robertson despite two underwhelming stints at the Waratahs and Shining Arcs in Japan.

The 59-year-old Cantabrian was unveiled as coach of the 11-times Super kings and reigning titleholders on Tuesday.

His appointment completes one of the great coaching comebacks.

Blues sweating on fitness of Perofeta and Laulala

Fullback Perofeta was feeling his shoulder while Laulala incurred a calf problem during the 55-21 win at Eden Park on Saturday.

Coach Leon Macdonald is hoping the damage isn't too serious.

"Both look relatively significant," he told journalists.

"Stevey felt his shoulder move a little bit so we need to get a scan on that. I think he's done something to that shoulder in the past so he'll be sweating on that.

"And Nepo's calf doesn't look 100 percent great as well."

Chiefs remain unbeaten in Super Rugby

Reuters reports the Chiefs had to work hard against a Waratahs side who fought hard but dropped to 1-4 for the season after a try from first-five Bryn Gatland and two from winger Emoni Narawa got the visitors across the line.

Despite failing to claim a bonus point, the Chiefs opened up a six point lead over the Brumbies at the top of the standings with the reigning champion Crusaders lurking in third place a further two points back pending the weekend matches.

"It was a real arm-wrestle," Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane said.

Returning star Beale to play fullback at Tahs

Beale is back in Australia for a fourth stint at the Waratahs in a major boost to his Wallabies chances, after previously being subject to rules capping the number of players able to be selected from international clubs.

He played inside centre, fullback and off the bench in his most recent season with French Top 14 outfit Racing 92 and has a wealth of experience as a five-eighth, including for the Wallabies.

Chiefs down Waratahs to reach Super Rugby semis

The Waikato side ran in five tries in Hamilton, leading 27-10 halftime, before pulling away late in the second half.

Weber and number eight Pita Gus Sowakula crossed in the final quarter to snuff out any chance of a comeback from the visitors.

Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick was happy with his side's outstanding peformance.

"That was just a great Chiefs' pack performance," Retallick said.

"We knew the Waratahs led the statistics around the ruck and the breakdown so we knew we had to be tough there."

Waratahs unable to identify spectator who abused Hurricane

The 25-year-old, whose father is Samoan, raised his middle finger at the crowd after the Hurricanes' 22-18 win and said it was in reaction to racial slurs.

"I love when the crowds are hyped and throw chat from the stands. But there's a line and just because you're in the crowd doesn't give you the right to talk about my mother or my race," Kirifi wrote on social media.

"Abuse from the sideline is part of our job, and it's a part I personally love - however, this doesn't justify racial slurs or comments about my family."

Crusaders left lamenting slow start, red card in upset defeat

The New South Wales side held on for a 24-21 victory in Sydney on Saturday night, handing the Crusaders their second defeat in three matches.

Trailing 14-0 after just 12 minutes, and 17-0 at halftime, the visitors rallied in the second half to close the gap to only three points going into the final quarter.

However a red card to Crusaders lock Hamish Dalzell for a high tackle on Wallabies captain Michael Hooper in the 68th minute gave the home side a one-man advantage.

Fijiana Drua confirms side for Super W Grand Final

The Drua are aiming to finish the season unbeaten after their dominant victory over the defending champion Brumbies.

"We want the best players, the players who are injury free and that is what the selection is based on," Fijiana Drua coach Senirusi Seruvakula said.

Once again the side will be captained by Bitla Tawake who plays tighthead prop for the final.

"All these girls are ready for the final, we have a strong mobile pack and our backline is the same backline," Seruvakula said.

Crusaders extend Waratahs losing record

The loss was the Waratahs' 11th in a row this year and leaves them one defeat short of equaling Melbourne Rebels' record 12-game losing streak for an Australian team in Super Rugby.

Eight different players scored tries for the Crusaders while Richie Mo'unga kicked 14 points as Scott Robertson's side moved back to within a point of the Hurricanes.

The New Zealanders took an early lead through Mitchell Drummond's eighth minute try, but the kicking of Will Harrison kept the Waratahs in touch and the Crusaders were made to work for the win.

NZ teams go unbeaten in round one of Super Rugby trans-Tasman

Domingo Miotti missed a chance to see the Western Force to a home win over the Chiefs in Perth as they went down 20-19 while Noah Lolesio missed a similar last-gasp chance to earn the ACT Brumbies a draw with the Crusaders in Christchurch, handing the New Zealanders a 31-29 win.

The Blues, meanwhile, pulverised the Melbourne Rebels 50-3.

The trio of New Zealand wins added to Friday's success for the Highlanders, who outmuscled Australian champions Queensland Reds, and the Hurricanes, who beat the New South Wales Waratahs.