Patrick McKendry

Senior Sports Reporter at 1News

Senior sports reporter 1News digital. Ex chief rugby writer NZ Herald. Auckland, NZ. [email protected]

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Articles

Crusaders fight back to break Chiefs' hearts again in Super Rugby final

1 week ago | 1news.co.nz | Patrick McKendry

There were moments at the start of this pulsating grand final in Christchurch when, after the Crusaders conceded two scrum penalties and then a try, even the most ardent red and black fan must have wondered whether this was the year when the record would break. First came the scrum comeback, with prop Fletcher Newell finding his feet in every sense and then winning two penalties himself, then the points foothold via Codie Taylor’s try in the left corner in response to George Dyer’s opener.
Live: Crusaders v Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific grand final

1 week ago | 1news.co.nz | Patrick McKendry

Follow live updates as the Crusaders host the Chiefs at the Apollo Projects Stadium from 7pm. The Chiefs are in the final for the third straight year, while the Crusaders are looking to win the crown back.
'Body on the line' - Tamaiti Williams' surprise grand final recovery

1 week ago | 1news.co.nz | Patrick McKendry

Tamaiti Williams has made a surprise recovery from a knee injury and has been named to start for the Crusaders in their Super Rugby Pacific grand final against the Chiefs in Christchurch. Williams suffered what is understood to be a minor meniscal injury in the Crusaders’ qualifier victory over the Reds which forced him from the field and prevented him from playing in last weekend’s hard-fought semifinal win over the Blues.
'I've loved my time here' - O'Connor prepares for Crusaders' swansong

1 week ago | 1news.co.nz | Patrick McKendry

Crusaders first-five James O’Connor has confirmed that Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific grand final against the Chiefs will be his last game for the red and blacks. The former Wallabies player has been linked with Leicester in England, but, while he would not confirm that, O’Connor did say today that he won’t be staying in Christchurch. “It will be my last game for the Crusaders,” he said. “It’s been an awesome journey. It was only planned for one season, that one moment.
'Quiet revolution' - the finals edge which favours the Crusaders

1 week ago | 1news.co.nz | Patrick McKendry

Analysis: The red and blacks have home advantage against the Chiefs but also a belief in a vastly improved defensive system, writes Patrick McKendry. There were moments during the finale to the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Pacific semifinal victory over the Blues in Christchurch when the visitors seemed more likely to score than not – just as they did in their win over the Chiefs the previous week.
'No fear' - Chiefs coach's last hurrah against Crusaders

1 week ago | 1news.co.nz | Patrick McKendry

Clayton McMillan says his Chiefs team will travel to Christchurch for their Super Rugby Pacific grand final against the Crusaders without any fear after winning their semifinal against the Brumbies last night.
Crusaders hold off Blues to extend streak in semifinal thriller

2 weeks ago | 1news.co.nz | Patrick McKendry

They have done it again. The Crusaders have extended their Super Rugby home playoffs record to 31-0 with a thrilling 21-14 victory over the Blues after defending their line for the final five minutes-plus. It means the red and blacks have qualified for a home final next weekend against either the Chiefs or the Brumbies, who will play in Hamilton tomorrow, after scoring 21 unanswered points against a Blues side which got to within a hair’s breadth from forcing the match into extra-time tonight.
'A bloody hard thing to win' - McMillan, Chiefs on Super Rugby brink

2 weeks ago | 1news.co.nz | Patrick McKendry

The Chiefs will be hoping their close rivals the Blues beat the Crusaders in Super Rugby’s first semifinal of the weekend so they potentially qualify for a home final. But neither head coach Clayton McMillan nor playmaker Damian McKenzie could bring themselves to state that publicly today, both saying they will be interested observers of the match in Christchurch tomorrow night before their home semifinal against the Brumbies on Saturday. "I’ll definitely be watching," McMillan said today.
'Heavy pressure': Blues coach puts spotlight on Crusaders' record

2 weeks ago | 1news.co.nz | Patrick McKendry

Blues coach Vern Cotter has drawn attention to the Crusaders’ remarkable 30-match unbeaten run in Super Rugby home playoff matches, saying the record will bring its own "heavy" pressure. The defending champion Blues will play the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday night in the first semifinal and will travel with the confidence of a team in winning form under a coach prepared to fire a few subtle psychological digs along the way.
'Best team in the comp' - Chiefs out to prove point after Blues shock

2 weeks ago | 1news.co.nz | Patrick McKendry

After blowing a 19-6 lead against the Blues, the Chiefs - now the No.2 Super Rugby seeds - are on a mission to prove they are the best and most consistent team in the competition. Their previous top ranking ensured they received a second life and are in the semifinals regardless of their 20-19 defeat at the weekend. They face the Brumbies at Waikato Stadium on Saturday night – but their failure to put away their rivals from up State Highway 1, the sixth seeds heading into the playoffs, will sting.