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Key match-ups kick off Super 14 in NZ |
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Written by Site Admin
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Wednesday, 31 January 2007 |
 Key match-ups kick off Rebel Sport Super 14 in NZ Doug Howlett and Caleb Ralph chase try-scoring record
It’s considered the toughest regional rugby competition in the world – and this year’s opening weekend in the Rebel Sport Super 14 doesn’t get much harder for the New Zealand teams.
The Blues host the 2006 champion Crusaders in Auckland this Friday 2 February, while the Chiefs will host the Brumbies in Hamilton on Saturday night. The Highlanders play away to 2006 surprise package the Western Force in Perth on Friday night while the Hurricanes are away to the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night. Both matches were close-fought affairs last year.
“It’s an exciting start to a big rugby year for New Zealand and what a match-up to kick off the season – the Blues playing the Crusaders,” New Zealand Rugby Union Regional Tournament Director Neil Sorensen said.
There are a number of interesting questions for New Zealand fans to ponder ahead of the competition, Mr Sorensen said.
“Will the Hurricanes and Crusaders carry on their 2006 Rebel Sport Super 14 success? Can the Chiefs and Blues build on the good Air New Zealand Cup performances of their Provincial Union teams? And how will the Highlanders fare with their predominantly locally-developed squad? All will be revealed over the coming weeks.”
Mr Sorensen said while the 22 All Blacks on the conditioning programme will return to the Rebel Sport Super 14 next month, it was important to note that 23 All Blacks from 2006, as well as a number of established Super 14 stars, were playing from the start of the competition.
“Throw in all the new guys who made a name for themselves in the Air New Zealand Cup and we have got five talented sides ready to show their stuff. I think the number of new players in the New Zealand franchises reflects the depth of talent currently in New Zealand, which bodes well for the future of the game here,” he added.
Meanwhile, Blues winger Doug Howlett and his Crusaders rival Caleb Ralph will ignite a long-standing try-scoring rivalry this year. Both have scored 53 tries in the competition and are third-equal on the all-time try-scoring list behind former Brumbies player Joe Roff (57) and the Hurricanes’ Christian Cullen (56). Hurricanes veteran Tana Umaga is also in the race, sitting on 45 tries.
Howlett and Crusader Leon MacDonald also look set to also become the latest Super 14 centurions this year. Howlett has played 93 matches, while MacDonald has played 96. If Howlett plays in all matches from this weekend, he is due to reach 100 games against the Waratahs on Friday 23 March in Round 8. If MacDonald, who is on the conditioning programme, plays in all games from Round 8, he will reach the milestone on Saturday 14 April in the Crusaders’ Round 11 match against the Highlanders.
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