Last weekend was a busy one for New Zealand rugby. First, the Super 14 wrapped up with its all-New Zealand final between the Crusaders and the Hurricanes on Saturday night. Then on Sunday morning, the 39-man squad was named for the All Blacks tests between Ireland and Argentina.

The Super 14 final was played at Jade Stadium in Canterbury, as the top-seeded Crusaders hosted the second-seeded Hurricanes. It was the final that many Super 14 fans had been waiting for and promised to be a great rugby spectacle, as the two most exciting teams in super rugby finally faced each other in the final. For the Crusaders this was their eighth Super Rugby final, while the Hurricanes were appearing in their first Super Rugby final.

However, the visual delight that was anticipated wasn't meant to be. About an hour before kick-off, a thick fog rolled in over the embankment and stands. It was so thick that it was difficult for the players to see from one side of the field to the other.

A few fans left Jade Stadium because they could only see half the game in front of them, while most enjoyed the atmosphere and relied on the stadiums big screen replays to see what was happening away from them. And, once again, experience and home field advantage played a big part, as the Crusaders won 19-12 for their sixth Super Rugby Championship.

On Sunday morning after the Super 14 final, four representative New Zealand rugby teams were named. Two All Black teams were named for their three upcoming tests, two against Ireland at home and one on a visit to Argentina. Richie McCaw had already been named as the All Blacks captain, but in a surprising twist, young Hurricanes flanker Jerry Collins was named captain for the test against Argentina.

A total of 39 players were picked for the Ireland and Argentina tests with the number to be scaled down to 30 for the Phillips Tri Nations tournament.

Players were also named for the New Zealand Maoris and the "Junior All Blacks," which is the fringe All Black team. The New Zealand Maoris are to play in the Churchill Cup tournament in the United States and Canada, while the Junior All Blacks are to play in the inaugural Pacific 5 Nations tournament. Overall the depth of New Zealand rugby is great, and with four representative teams playing at the international level, it will only get deeper.

A busy weekend of rugby promises to bring an exciting international rugby season for New Zealand rugby fans.