Video from the archives, it’s the opening match of the 1999 Super 12 tournament, with eventual champions Canterbury Crusaders taking on the Waikato Chiefs.

Current Super Rugby coaches Mark Hammett and Todd Blackadder both feature, as well as commentator Justin Marshall and current test referee Glen Jackson. Jonah Lomu, a Chief that season, was sadly absent but there are 22 current or future test All Blacks on display, as well as former Fijian captain Greg Smith, Dutch international Nick Holten, Tongan prop David Briggs, and Manu Samoans Afato So’oalo and Dylan Mika, the latter of whom would play for the All Blacks later that year. Of those, 13 would represent New Zealand in the World Cup later that year, along with Smith and So’oalo for their countries.

It’s from a VHS source, the first of many to come, so the quality isn’t perfect but it’s watchable. The commentators are the venerable trio of Grant Nisbett, Greg Cooper, and the always colourful Murray Mexted. Stats below are as of that day.

CRUSADERS vs CHIEFS
Friday, February 26, 1999, Christchurch

Referee: Paul Honiss (NZRU)
Assistants: Neville McAlister (NZRU) & Glenn Wahlstrom (NZRU)