News | Rugby
18 Feb 2026 8:05
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  •   Home > News > Sports > Rugby

    Crusaders still without captain Scott Barrett but welcome back Ethan Blackadder and Levi Aumua from injury

    The Crusaders are still without captain Scott Barrett but welcome back Ethan Blackadder and Levi Aumua from injury into the run-on side to face the Blues with prop Tamaiti Williams and midfielder Dallas McLeod on the bench


    Rieko Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu, Mark Tele'a and Patrick Tuipulotu return from a mix of injury and rest to start for the Blues with Stephen Perofeta starting at fullback in his first game back from a shoulder issue.



    Jordie Barrett captains the Hurricanes in Friday's blockbuster match against the unchanged Chiefs in Hamilton, with usual skipper Brad Shields sidelined along with DuPlessis Kirifi.

    SUPER RUGBY COVERAGE WITH HABIT HEALTH. TACKLING ALL YOUR ACHES AND PAINS FROM SPORT AND WORK.

    © 2026 Newstalk ZB, NZCity

     Other Rugby News
     18 Feb: England coach Steve Borthwick's responded to their Six Nations rugby defeat to Scotland by making three changes to his run-on side for Sunday's match with Ireland at Dublin
     17 Feb: Irish rugby to investigate racial abuse towards Test debutant Edwin Edogbo
     17 Feb: A Dunedin man who sent a secretly-recorded sex tape to dozens of rugby mates, has failed to have his conviction quashed
     16 Feb: Blues coach Vern Cotter is applauding Super Rugby for their honesty, but is frustrated at what might have been after the Chiefs were wrongly awarded a try in round one
     16 Feb: Let's go to Livigno... and qualifying for the freeski big air
     15 Feb: Middle distance runner Sam Ruthe has been unable to replicate his stunning mile earlier this month at another indoor event in North Carolina
     15 Feb: Australia have owned the waters off Auckland for a second straight SailGP season
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    England coach Steve Borthwick's responded to their Six Nations rugby defeat to Scotland by making three changes to his run-on side for Sunday's match with Ireland at Dublin More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A sharp rise in food inflation could unfortunately be out of our control More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Harry Styles "felt very alone" the first few times he performed on stage without One Direction 7:57

    Politics:
    Parliament's intervening - after the High Court ruled against the Ministry of Social Development requesting welfare repayments from those receiving back-dated ACC support 7:57

    International:
    Former NASA engineer warns about heat shield on Artemis II moon mission 7:57

    Rugby:
    England coach Steve Borthwick's responded to their Six Nations rugby defeat to Scotland by making three changes to his run-on side for Sunday's match with Ireland at Dublin 7:47

    Law and Order:
    Former Bulldogs winger Matt Utai is in a serious but stable condition after a drive-by shooting in Sydney 7:37

    Entertainment:
    Will Ferrell is desperately wanted for a guest star role on The Simpsons 7:27

    Business:
    A sharp rise in food inflation could unfortunately be out of our control 7:27

    International:
    US military says 11 men killed in strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats 7:27

    Business:
    Dairy prices have risen another 3.6 percent at this morning's latest Global Dairy Trade auction 7:17

    Living & Travel:
    Support for changes to dog control laws following a deadly dog attack in Northland 7:07


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