By Roger Childs
France secured the Six Nations championship with a flourish — and quashed England’s hopes by ultimately overpowering a dogged Scotland in Paris. –Tom English, BBC Sport A Very Close Six Nations Competition
Going into the final round of the 2025 championship three teams could have won it. France, Ireland and England had each won three matches out of four, and bonus points – awarded to a team scoring four tries or more – would be crucial. Many years ago Six Nations rugby matches were often incredibly boring as teams focused on kicking penalties and there was limited running rugby New Zealand style, to entertain the spectators. The bonus point system has encouraged running rugby and try scoring.
Six Nations winners in 2023 and 2024 Ireland, blew their chances when they were held 22–17 by the Azzurri in Rome, so there was no bonus point for the Irish. England then inflicted a nineteenth consecutive defeat on the hapless Welsh 68-14 and comfortably qualified for a bonus point with ten tries. This meant the French needed a bonus point win over Scotland to take the Championship. No problem – France scored four tries in beating the Scots and created a record of 30 for the tournament in which each team plays five matches.
One of their tries was scored by speedy winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey giving him a total of 8 for the competition which equals the record.
Meanwhile back in Super Rugby
The game of the fifth round was between last year’s champions, the Blues, and this season’s leaders the Chiefs. Not surprisingly it was close, and it took a brilliant end–to–end try finished off by All Black halfback Cortex Ratima near the posts to give the home team a 32–26 lead. The Blues hammered away at the Chief’s line in the last few minutes and eventually Reiko Ioane scored in the corner after an excellent crosskick by Stephen Perofeta. A successful conversion by Xave Taele would have given the Auckland-based franchise the win, but incredibly he hit the right post and the ball bounced in field.
It was pleasing to see former All Black Samisoni Tuake’iaho back as hooker for the home team in the second half, and he was his usual hard running, accurate-throwing self.
It was an even test and both sides scored excellent tries featuring speedy running, creative passing and fancy footwork. The usual suspects Damian McKenzie, Mark Tele’a, Tupou Vaa’i and Cortez Ratima all scored. The Blues actually score five tries to four by the home team. The win keeps the Chiefs at the top of the table while the Blues with only one win, languish in ninth.
The Highlands – Hurricanes fixture under the roof in Dunedin was also a close one. Early in the second half Highlander winger Caleb Tangitau intercepted a wild Hurricanes pass and ran 90 metres to score. With the Canes leading 20-18 after 80 minutes, home team fullback Sam Gilbert had the chance to win the match for the home team with a drop kick but it went wide.
For the winners, captain Du’Plessis Kirifi had an excellent match winning a number of turnovers and running strongly in the open. He must be featuring in the plans of the All Black selectors.
Some big wins
Across the Tasman, the Reds easily beat the previously unbeaten Waratahs 35-15 and the Brumbies at home prevailed 38-21 over the Fijian Drua. Down in Christchurch the Crusaders were narrowly ahead 20-18 against the Force at half time, then it was all Macca Springer and Seevu Reece. Springer, the left winger from Tasman, equaled the Super Rugby record for a match by scoring five tries – three of them in ten minutes in the second half. Seevu Reece scored three. This was the key factor in the eventual 55-33 win.
The Crusaders seem to be on a roll and lie second on the table after languishing near the bottom for most of last year. Having a number of topline players back from injury has been a big help in improving their fortunes.
There is still a long way to go, however, after five rounds the Chiefs lead with 18 points followed by the Crusaders, Reds and Brumbies on 14.