Highlanders
Crusaders down Highlanders in Super Rugby Aotearoa opener
The Crusaders scored four tries to two, finishing strongly in a physical clash that kicked off the season at a frantic pace.
Captain Patrick Tuipulotu said the Aucklanders have found a self-confidence that was missing when they were one of the worst-performing New Zealand sides.
Gatland, the acclaimed British and Irish Lions coach and former Wales mentor is now steering the Chiefs who took a 27-25 lead over the Highlanders with five minutes remaining after trailing for most of the second half.
NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said under a worst case scenario Super Rugby teams and the All Blacks would not be able to take the field this year.
The Rebels scored four tries to three, including two intercepts for wing Andrew Kellaway, to post their second win of the season.
The Crusaders scored four first-half tries in front of an ecstatic home crowd, capitalising on some woeful Highlanders defence.
The Sharks defeated the Highlanders 42-20 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday.
Sbu Nkosi has a minor niggle and will miss this game, handing newly-recruited Madosh Tambwe a debut start for the Durban outfit.
This is the second draw in as many weeks for the Pretorias side who drew 22-22 with the Blues last time out.
Regular captain Warren Whiteley continues to struggle with injuries and will sit out the encounter due to a bruised knee.
The Sharks at least gained a losing bonus point to edge ahead of the Bulls and Jaguares in the South Africa group.
Flanker Savea scored two of the Hurricanes' four tries and prevented the Highlanders crossing the line at least once, with his ferocious defence in a frantic match that went down to the wire.
The Highlanders are already missing All Blacks scrum-half Aaron Smith with an ankle injury as they face a tough run including four New Zealand derbies in the next five weeks.
The Blues snapped a three-year losing streak against New Zealand teams as they beat the Highlanders 33-26 on Friday in an emotional Super Rugby encounter a week after the Christchurch attacks.
Both sides scored three tries in blustery Wellington weather, with Ngani Laumape crossing twice for the Hurricanes to make it five in two matches for the All Black centre.
All Black half-back Aaron Smith's late try sealed the win for the Highlanders, who had Sio Tomkinson sent off for a high shot on Brodie Retallick.
Otago Highlanders winger Tevita Nabura has been banned for six weeks for kicking an opponent in the face during the New Zealand side’s Super Rugby defeat to the New South Wales Waratahs last week, the league’s Foul Play Review Committee said on Friday.
Highlanders and All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo has signed a new one-year contract extension with New Zealand Rugby, Highlanders and Taranaki.
The Highlanders beat the Stormers 33-15 in Dunedin on Friday morning, condemning the Cape side to their third successive defeat in this year’s Super Rugby competition.