CRUSADERS END QLD REDS’ SUPER RUGBY SEASON

A wobbly scrum has cost an audacious Queensland Reds in their Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final defeat to the Crusaders. The hosts prevailed 37-15 in Christchurch on Friday night, ending a Reds season crippled by constant key injuries that contributed to a 0-6 record against New Zealand teams. But the Crusaders were made

TEAM PREVIEW: MOANA PASIFIKA

Last season: New entrant Home ground: Mt Smart Stadium Coach: Aaron Mauger Captain: Sekope Kepu RETURNING STAR Sekope Kepu shapes as a cornerstone of the Moana Pasifika pack. With 110 Test caps for Australia, and 141 appearances for the Waratahs in Super Rugby across 12 seasons, backed by European experience with Bordeaux

TEAM PREVIEW: THE HIGHLANDERS

Last season:  Beaten finalists in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, fourth in Super Rugby Aotearoa Home ground: Forsyth Barr Stadium Coach: Tony Brown Captain: James Lentjes Gains: Gareth Evans, Andrew Makalio, Marty Banks, Mosese Dawai, Rhys Marshall, Josh Timu, Sean Withy, Saula Ma'u, Max Hicks, Sam Caird Losses: Josh Ioane, Ash Dixon, Siate Tokolahi, Kazuki Himeno, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Michael

TEAM PREVIEW: QUEENSLAND REDS

The Reds are out to add further silverware to their cabinet after a breakthrough 2021 campaign. In front of the largest crowd for an Australian domestic game in nearly 20 years, Brad Thorn’s side pulled off a last-minute victory over the Brumbies to bring the Reds their first title since 2011. However, a