Even with a barely tolerable 50% win ratio, Ian Foster’s All Blacks gain a pass mark in the books of most fair-minded critics. Most, although the so-called ‘brutal fans’ might still struggle with the overall results of 2020. Saturday’s victory over Argentina has pushed the team just into the pass category. Not a strong season, […] READ MORE
When these two sides clash, the Māori All Blacks v Moana Pasifika fixture on December 5 is going to be both a nod to cultural heritage of indigenous rugby culture in New Zealand, as well as one more reward for rugby fans who have had a ‘less than satisfactory year’ [thanks to Covid]. The colours […] READ MORE
Leading Women’s International rugby teams have awaited confirmation of pools for the 2021 Rugby World Cup draw, and World Rugby confirmed those on Friday, November 20. In a presentation in Auckland that included New Zealand past and present players, World Rugby confirmed the groupings and drew balls representing teams that will contest in the three […] READ MORE
All remaining Autumn Nations Cup fixtures for Fiji have been cancelled, as the unfit Fijian squad succumb to Covid-19 positive tests. And with those cancelled fixtures, all hope for Fijian rugby’s great rise to new heights has been unfairly cut short. With a majority of the group now showing positive Coronavirus results, head coach Vern […] READ MORE
With a week’s worth of 2020 Super Rugby announcements, it seems that NZR and Rugby Australia for fully aligned for all planned competitions. Beginning with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announcing the return of Super Rugby Aotearoa, and followed immediately by Rugby Australia reaffirming their own 2021 Super Rugby Australia version would be played in a […] READ MORE
After the final siren blew time, Pablo Matera was standing proudly after leading his 2020 Los Pumas side to a famous, first-ever win over the All Blacks. More than famous. More like heartfelt, and with all the passion and intent which Argentina has shown in 30 attempts previously to defeat New Zealand. Yet at Bankwest […] READ MORE
With an uprising defeat of the All Blacks, the Wallabies Tri Nations win has rejuvenated a contest that had appeared to be unassailable. Their 40 point turnaround, from the record 38-point margin loss a week ago, was a superb reaction. The swing in favour of the Wallabies was caused by a positive response from the […] READ MORE
If changes made to the All Blacks squad named ahead of the Tri-Nations test are to allow for player rotation, that is one thing. If not then it must be for experimentation’s sake. That, in itself, is not an alien tactic for rugby teams. The Wallabies are themselves experimenting to a degree, yet the situations […] READ MORE
Prized as highly as the Webb Ellis Cup, the Bledisloe Cup was secured [yet again] in Sydney, as the All Blacks defeated the Wallabies 5-43. Playing on hostile ground, it was hyped as a test in the balance. Pundits had more confidence in the Australian team holding their ground on home soil. Holding off a […] READ MORE
The Six Nations and the Tri Nations are being played simultaneously for the first time ever, due to the adaptation to scheduling which rugby has made for Covid-19. Less a coincidence than a rare event that is unlikely to reoccur. With the 2021 Six Nations scheduled for its more regular window of February and March […] READ MORE