Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
In a game that some claimed to be a waste of time it took the All Blacks leadership group 40 minutes to prove that age is no barrier to success. With a combined age of 163 years, the group of five All Blacks leadership failed to show their age. Along with a committed squad of […] READ MORE
By and large the referees – since the opening round of matches – have implemented the new head contact directives released by World Rugby, to the letter. Last Word on Rugby’s resident referee Scott MacLean looks at the decisions to date at the Rugby World Cup (RWC) and how/why they might have come to their […] READ MORE
Some players leaving New Zealand Rugby, can grab headlines for all the wrong reasons. But Julian Savea has seen the writing on the wall, to leave space for the next tier of players to move into his place. And that is an issue NZR have to deal with constantly. READ MORE
When head coach Scott Robertson speaks of Matt Todd, he is glowing of the players resolve. Robertson has said that Matt Todd volunteered for ‘active duty’. And like a soldier, the Crusader loose forward knows that his team need him in the trenches this weekend. The ‘game of the weekend’ – no disrespect to the 6 […] READ MORE
In the above video, New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen was forced to make a late change to All Blacks selection, with an injury-forced change to his starting XV. With the Bledisloe Cup Test just over one day away, Matt Todd has been replaced by Ardie Savea. Hansen, speaking to media after the All Blacks […] READ MORE
If all those elements come together, after the All Black selectors make subtle changes for ARGvNZL, then The 2017 Rugby Championship title is one step closer for the current World Champions. READ MORE
On a cold and misty night in Christchurch; the Crusaders managed to maintain their unbeaten run by winning a scrappy game against the Hurricanes. Ending 20-12, just a single try was scored in a match that went well against the script of almost every prediction. The Hurricanes were poor, well below the level of what […] READ MORE
Plenty of intrigue surrounds this traditional South Africa v New Zealand (RSAvNZL) Rugby Championship battle in Durban. Teams at either end of the rugby-spectrum: the All Blacks claiming the Championship (TRC) and the Springboks with only two wins. READ MORE
Sam Cane will miss the rest of the The Rugby Championship after suffering a hamstring injury during the match against Argentina last weekend. READ MORE
Michael Pulman is a contributor for Last Word On Rugby and writes regular content with a New Zealand focus. Beginning as a blogger on his own and through various other platforms, Mike has gone on to become a genuine sports reporter, covering NZ Rugby and all competitions domestic, and Internationally, as well as Cricket.