Super 14 rugby season under way this weekend...

The southern hemisphere SANZA professional Super 14 rugby season commenced last evening and this morning NZ time.

The five NZ and four Australian franchises played off against each other, while the South Africans did the same back in the republic.

The seven times champions Crusaders from the top of the South Island and Canterbury narrowly but decisive beat the Chiefs from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty area. Anew coach in Todd Blackadder for the champs; long time coach Robbie deans now coaches the Australian Wallabies test side.

The Brumbies from ACT won a close encounter with the southern men of Otago/Southland. The Waratahs from NSW dealt to the central Hurricanes, and the northern Blues finished off the West Australian Force in Perth.

Not such a great birthday result at the Wellington Sevens party...

Not such a great result at the Wellington Sevens rugby party for the host team.

The spectators performed admirably in their variety of dress-ups and dress-downs. It was an exciting and colourful display in the stands. Wellington has always had a great party atmosphere in the ten years the New Zealand Sevens tournament has been played at Westpac Stadium in Wellington City.

On the field there were many upsets during the opening day, including the Welsh defeat of NZ in the opening game. The Kiwis were pretty underwhelming in that game, showing an unprecedented lack of self discipline. Fiji and season competition leaders, South Africa were also beaten by lesser teams.

New Zealand beat South Africa narrowly in the quarter finals and Argentina in the semis.

In the finals New Zealand had England on the ropes but couldn't finish them off. England scored in the final seconds to deny New Zealand their seemingly inevitable victory. A number of injured players didn't help the Kiwis cause, including skipper DJ Forbes playing the final with stress fractures in his leg with the aid of pain killers. But sport is about the players who make it onto the field, not those who could have or may have! Congratulations to England for their second half performance.