The Super Rugby competition for 2022 has started.
The first New Zealand game saw the Chiefs beat the Highlanders 26-16 in Queenstown.
The Chiefs scored three tries compared to the Highlanders one at the Whakatipu Rugby Club. They outclassed the Highlanders 26-16, with a dominant performance from co-captain Sam Cane who scored the opening try.
In the other Super Rugby game, the Crusaders beat the Hurricanes 42-32 in a high-scoring thriller. Notable in the result were three tries to blockbusting Crusaders outside back Leicester Fainga’anuku, a former New Zealand under-20s player.
Due to Covid, all New Zealand Super Rugby games are being played in Dunedin or Queenstown.
Over the Tasman in the first round of Super Rugby Pacific, the NSW Warratahs dominated with a 40-10 victory over newcomers Fijian Drua. The Fijian side warmed up the crowd in Parramatta with a pre-game war cry.
The Blues and Moana Pasifika both had a bye in the first round.
