The Crusaders have edged ahead in the race for home advantage in the playoffs and on tonight’s evidence no opponent will anticipate a trip to Christchurch.
The fourth-place Crusaders will play the third-place Blues in the key match of the 12th round of Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday which might also be a focus of a wider debate about the state of rugby itself.
John Mitchell will leave his position as defense coach for Japan’s men’s team after the Rugby World Cup to take over as head coach of England’s women’s team.
World Cup fever gripped the nation as the Black Ferns captured the World Cup on home soil last year. New Zealand Rugby hopes to replicate similar scenes when it hosts the world’s premier international women’s rugby teams in October.