All the action from Rd 1 of Super Rugby Trans Tasman

The New Zealand sides dominated in the opening round of Super Rugby Trans Tasman.  

The competition kicked off in Dunedin where the Highlanders took on Super Rugby AU champs, the Reds. The Highlanders kept control of the game from the first to the final whistle, posting a 40-19 result. 

Fans were in for a treat in the second game of the round which saw the Waratahs and Hurricanes together amass a total of 112 points in a thrilling match. Final score: 64-48. 

Super Rugby Aotearoa champions, the Crusaders, were very nearly toppled by Super Rugby AU runners-up, the Brumbies, in Christchurch. It was a wonderful contest between two old Super Rugby foes but, ultimately, the Crusaders managed to hang on for the win, 31-29. 

The Rebels were stunned in Melbourne by a fired up Blues outfit who put 50 points on their Australian rivals. The game was fairly competitive in the first half but the Blues cut loose in the second, running in five unanswered tries. 

The round concluded with a 1-point victory for the Chiefs in Perth in a fantastic contest which saw the Force come agonisingly close to posting a victory.