Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
With Chelsea Alley now a ‘seasoned campaigner’ for the Black Ferns XVs side, it is a story of recognized talent developing into a supreme talent. Celebrated this week at the New Zealand Rugby, ASB Rugby Awards, Alley was one of many women and men to be highlighted. Given praise in a year like no other yet, […] 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
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
As has happened before, the All Blacks win at Eden Park was both comfortable, and one where a new star was given his first opportunity to shine. Caleb Clarke had his first start with the national team, after debuting from the bench a week earlier. And as the 21-year old demonstrated his monster athletic form, […] READ MORE
All that, as in ‘all that good’ insinuates that the 2020 Wallabies are of vast difference to sides of previous years/eras after just one test. This is after one match so jumping the gun, however, that is how some Australian media and former players are reacting. Speaking of times where the All Blacks aura has […] READ MORE
This first match of the two-game series for the Bledisloe Cup with be played on Kiwi soil between New Zealand and Australia. With that, the return to International rugby has begun. Suitably, the same nation who was the first to restart domestic rugby back in May, New Zealand will host the first of the annual […] READ MORE
In a match that saw Sam Cane concussed, the result was the same as it has been all season, where the luckless Chiefs lose yet again to the Hurricanes. The nominated All Blacks captain was brought down in a collision with a leaping Jordie Barrett. Contact with the taller players hip caused Sam Cane to […] READ MORE
Not that he would ever think so, but after the shift north of former Chiefs captain Charlie Ngatai, and the devastating injury to current skipper Sam Cane, the Chiefs Super Rugby leadership change is a Brodie Retallick benefit. The self effacing team player is not likely to raise his hand for the task, but like the […] READ MORE
Of all the players and management, caught up in the elation of the last-gasp win for the All Blacks over the Springboks, Sam Cane was not one of them. Removed from the International match early, he would later find out that he had fractured a bone in his neck – thus ending his season early. […] READ MORE
In the tackle area, pressure, strength and forces collide. The gladiatorial, most confrontational area of the game where onfield fitness and training technique are tools which players and coaches must fine tune. Over time, an [relatively] new tactic in the breakdown area has evolved; the Neck Roll Tackle. The technique is best executed when a […] READ MORE