March 09, 2026

#hakinakina: Big Weekend Across Rugby, League, Shearing and Manu Competition

Dale Husband Posted On March 9, 2026

Dale Husband #hakinakina: Big Weekend Across Rugby, League, Shearing and Manu Competition

It has been a busy weekend across the sporting world, with standout performances in rugby, rugby league, traditional rural sports and the growing manu competition scene.

In Super Rugby, the Blues delivered a strong performance at Eden Park, defeating the Crusaders 29-13 in a match highlighted by a hat-trick from All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke. The Auckland side started fast, scoring early and building a commanding lead before halftime. Clarke crossed twice in the opening minutes as the Blues surged ahead, eventually sealing the match with his third try in the second half. The victory helped the Blues regain momentum after a difficult start to their campaign.

Elsewhere in Super Rugby, the Chiefs overpowered Moana Pasifika in a high-scoring contest that showcased attacking rugby from both teams, with the Chiefs ultimately proving too strong.

Across the Tasman in rugby league, the New Zealand Warriors made a powerful start to their 2026 NRL campaign, defeating the Sydney Roosters 42-18 at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. The Warriors dominated early, scoring four tries to one in the first half to take a commanding 22-6 lead into the break. The momentum continued after halftime as the home side maintained control to secure a convincing opening-round victory.

In international rugby, Scotland stunned France in one of the most dramatic matches of the Six Nations championship. The high-scoring result blew the title race wide open heading into the final round of the competition, with several teams now still in contention for the championship.

Meanwhile, Aotearoa celebrated success in the shearing sheds, claiming a historic treble at the World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships. New Zealand became the first nation to win all three team titles at the global event, reinforcing the country’s long-standing dominance in one of the traditional sports of rural communities.

Back on home soil, excitement is building for the Z Manu World Champs Grand Final, with athletes across the country competing for the final spots in the event. Regional qualifiers have been taking place throughout the summer as competitors aim to secure their place in the championship showdown, which celebrates the art of the manu splash.

Together the results capped off a weekend that reflected the diversity of sport across Aotearoa – from international rugby and rugby league to rural competitions and uniquely Kiwi traditions played out in pools and waterfronts around the country.