DHL Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley, Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge, and Christchurch NZ CEO Ali Adams came together for a press conference on Sunday evening to reflect on the weekend.
Mesley says he was incredibly pleased, and thanked Christchurch NZ and the Crusaders for working alongside the competition to bring Super Round to life.
"We had high hopes, but we didn't expect the success of the weekend. We are absolutely thrilled with what has unfolded over this weekend with three sell-outs, an amazing atmosphere in this wonderful new stadium, and to see all the different coloured jerseys and fans from all teams, including the Western Force... was just wonderful. And to see fans out before the event, all through town with full bars and restaurants has just been fantastic."
Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge didn't hold back his view on the weekend, and whether Super Round should happen again in 2027 in Ōtautahi.
"Scribe said to me after his show on Friday... How many events do you know like this? How many stadiums do you know like this? Not many, if any."
High Five
Try of the Round: Dallas McLeod’s second for the Crusaders in their 35-20 win against the NSW Waratahs on Friday night was hard to stop. A perfect cross-kick by Taha Kemara was gathered in flight by Dom Gardiner. He made a storming run down the right wing before offloading to McLeod, who stepped the fullback.
Tackle of the Round: Debutant and Chiefs fullback Isaac Hutchinson runs down Fijian Drua halfback Frank Lomani to save a certain try. The former St Bede’s College and New Zealand Under-20’s product, twice went within inches of scoring himself with sabre-like thrusts. Hutchinson has recently recovered from tearing his ACL, MCL, and both meniscus, leading to a harrowing assessment from the surgeon. “He said it looked like I'd been in a car crash,” Hutchinson recalled. “It was not great to hear, but I was confident he knew what he was doing and that he could fix me.” Highlanders tighthead prop Saula Ma'u also made a crushing shot in their 27-17 victory over Moana Pasifika.
Player of the Round: Hard to top Fehi Fineanganofo and his four tries for the Hurricanes.
Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa was also an absolute titan for Moana Pasifika, topping their tackles and carries count all season, he was on fire against the Highlanders. Semisi was born and raised in Mangere, Auckland and is of Tongan and Samoan heritage. He made his professional rugby breakthrough in Southland via the Otago Boys’ High School First XV between 2018 and 2020. Struggling to crack the Otago senior system, he moved to Invercargill and debuted for the Stags in the NPC in a 15-15 draw against Northland in 2023. The explosive loose forward played 295 minutes in his first season and nearly doubled that in 2024, which caught the eye of Moana Pasifika. With his ferocious approach, he made 13 appearances for Moana Pasifika in DHL Super Rugby Pacific 2025, playing 943 minutes, the most on the team. He scored seven tries, including touchdowns in the wins over the Hurricanes (40-31), NSW Waratahs (45-28), and Fijian Drua (34-15). He led DHL Super Rugby Pacific in carries (205) and was named Moana Pasifika Rookie of the Year and Best Defensive Player, making 137 of 150 possible tackles.
Sunday Hybrids: Crusaders winger turned openside Leicester Fainga'anuku wasn’t the only hybrid player on display. Highlanders halfback Adam Lennox started his NPC career at fullback for Taranaki, then moved into halfback, but also occasionally covered wing. He reprised that role against Moana Pasifika, with halfback Folau Fakatava replacing winger Xavier Tito-Harris in the second half. Lennox scored the Highlanders’ third try running down a well-placed grubber from returning fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens in the 58th minute. Adam’s father, Guy Lennox, played 110 games for Whanganui. Adam won an NPC Premiership with Taranaki in 2023.
After just six appearances in three years for the Hurricanes, Daniel Sinkinson has found his feet at the Chiefs. The Waikato winger, who’s scored 19 tries in 32 games for the Mooolos, has been elevated from the wider training group and thrived, scoring tries in consecutive matches. Sinkinson is a converted openside flanker. While he may lack the raw size of Leicester Fainga'anuku, it is potentially another string to his bow.
Sunday Fan Takes
Ian: “Bring a Sevens tournament here. It would be next level.”
Susan: “The average ratepayer has paid $86 through general rates over the past two years, with costs expected to peak in 2028 at $168, then decrease by roughly $5 annually. Is it worth it? Hell yes. A huge asset for the city. Bring on Six60.”
Rod: “With respect to Melbourne, this is why Super Round needs to be played in a rugby city.”
James: “Brisket and Cheddar from Smoky T’s, you’re kidding me.”
Brendon: “Stitch up,” when describing the penalty conceded by Fraser McReight that lost the Reds their game against the Blues.
Dan Carter Kicks For Cash
Double Rugby World Cup winner Dan Carter, alongside Black Fern Charmaine Smith, Torrell Tafa and Dan Rankin, raised $50,000 for UNICEF to help provide clean water to those in the Pacific during a half-time Every Drop Challenge. In three minutes, they kicked more than 25 rugby balls over inflatable posts into a giant bucket. Every successful drop unlocked a $1,000 donation.
Carter scored 1,708 points in 141 games (101 wins) for the Crusaders. He won Super Rugby titles in 2005, 2006 and 2008. The most points Carter scored in a Crusaders game was 28 in a 53-17 win over the Cheetahs in 2006. He scored 20 or more points 13 times in a single game for the Crusaders. That season, he established a single-season record of 221 points for the Crusaders.
During the stadium's opening, Carter tested the field with a successful kick at goal from the 22m line, proving he still has it.
Carter's dad, Neville, also held the ribbon as Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and Arahura Araitia-Tau (Historian Te Maire Tau’s granddaughter) officially opened the stadium.
Carter, 44, recently played alongside his father and uncles John, David, Dennis and Phil, plus his cousin William, in Southbridge’s golden oldies match on Easter Sunday to mark the club’s 150th jubilee. Carter previously returned to play for his home club in 2020, winning the Ellesmere competition final. He is a life member of the club.
