Losing Super 12 start for New Zealand sides

THE big guns of New Zealand rugby were way off target in the opening round of the Super 12 competition, but new All Black coach Graham Henry believes it is early days in the competition and there is no need to panic.

Last year’s finalists, the Auckland Blues and Canterbury Crusaders, were comprehensively beaten by the ACT Brumbies and New South Wales Waratahs, while the Wellington Hurricanes, semi-finalists in 2003, went down to the Waikato Chiefs.

The Crusaders were embarrassed in front of their home crowd, going down 43-19 to the Waratahs.

Their pack may have contained seven All Blacks, but they were clearly outplayed by the Australian unit, while the Waratahs backs punched holes in the flimsy Canterbury defence at an alarming rate.

The NZRU, meanwhile has appointed a former field hockey international as the new All Blacks manager.

Darren Shand, 38, who has been the manager of the Crusaders in recent seasons, represented New Zealand hockey at under-23 level. There were more than 50 applicants for the New Zealand manager’s position, with former All Blacks Andy Dalton and Andy Haden in the final three.