Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
Reports that circulated the web have been confirmed, as NZR sign Joe Schmidt to join the All Blacks as an Independent Selector from July 2022. It is a coup for the New Zealand union, who have felt extreme examination after a contentious Northern Tour that only produced more questions than answers. With the ability to […] READ MORE
Accomplishing three digits in sport is something to be celebrated. That means for Beauden Barrett 100 test caps makes him the 11th All Black to achieve that statistic, as the New Zealand Black Ferns women’s XV celebrate their 100th Test against the England Red Roses on Sunday. Two distinct moments for an individual and for […] READ MORE
With a fresh All Blacks squad named on Thursday to travel to Perth – albeit missing their Captain and in-form key duo – this side is less prepared for the upcoming ‘long haul’ Test schedule than stakeholders will have wished for. Hurriedly assembled that is. If not under a degree of pressure before departing as […] READ MORE
Win or lose, the reign of an international rugby coach is judged by more than just stakeholders. It’s both a popularity contest and a statement of their talent and intent. Warren Gatland knows that heat well. Over two decades in the kitchen where if ‘the heat is too hot, just grin and bear it mate’. […] READ MORE
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
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
As neither side will be particularly happy with a drawn test match, one side will have a better grasp on how well they played (than the other). Both sides will feel displeased to not take away the advantage in the annual trans-Tasman contest yet, Dave Rennie will feel much better because his side held the […] READ MORE
Will Jordan is one of seven new names announced in the 35-man All Blacks squad. A fresh face yet he has entertained fans for three years in provincial rugby, with ‘the writing on the wall’ for a call to higher honours. Named alongside Caleb Clarke, two men who stamped their report cards for an outstanding […] READ MORE
All week, the anticipation of the North v South match has been building. Player’s have been flying the colours of the province where they made their debut in first-class rugby. It is still a conversation but, the All Blacks selectors chose that criteria, and the players have accepted it. On Saturday night in Wellington, the […] READ MORE