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
It’s that time of the year again when World Rugby feels festive and announces its nominees for the annual World Rugby Awards. The latest news sees the coach and team line-ups announced. Coach of the Year nominees Rassie Erasmus – South Africa Having left a strong Munster outfit to take over a rather shaky Springboks […] READ MORE
The Rugby World Cup bronze final will be played out between Wales and New Zealand this Friday in what will be the fanfare goodbye for both Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen. However, the final is nothing but a money spinner and goes right against World Rugby’s player welfare needs. The final goodbye for two major […] READ MORE
England cruised to another Rugby World Cup final, shoving Steve Hansen’s men to one side as they went. Disruption was key to the victory and the back row led the charge. Robert Rees takes a look at just where England got it right. England set the tone with selection Eddie Jones could have been forgiven […] READ MORE
If ever there were a classic rugby-rivalry, then you can look at the New Zealand v England fixture as a ‘little brother boxing hard against the big brother’. The colonial outpost taking on the motherland – fought over generations, and being played out at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. In rugby terms, one might think […] READ MORE
With the experiences of past efforts at Rugby World Cups, and a coaching staff who have tasted both defeat and success at them, it makes the All Blacks ready for the Knockout stages of the 2019 tournament. That is by the awareness and familiarity of players and coaches involved, evidence that shows that New Zealand […] READ MORE
The common assumption with rugby followers is that New Zealand rugby teams are never intimidated. Never concerned to the point of second-guessing their preparation. Yet, due to meet Ireland, and without good build-up in their World Cup preparations, could the All Blacks management be nervous? Possibly nervous is not the word. Apprehensive, and in two […] READ MORE
In a key ‘test’ of his recovery from a dislocated shoulder, Brodie Retallick played 30 minutes as New Zealand stormed home against a tougher than expected Namibia, at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Key, due to the importance of Retallick – the Chiefs leader and former World Rugby Player of the Year. Tougher, as Namibia […] READ MORE
Live-action coverage as the All Blacks vs Namibia in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup. Robert Rees brings you all the latest updates. “Main photo credit” Embed from Getty Images READ MORE
The All Blacks team to play Canada has been named, with 16 players ready to make their World Cup debut, in only the defending champions second match. 10 days after #NZLvRSA, it appears that RWC rest days has applied unfamiliar pressure on the All Blacks with assistant coach Ian Foster addressing the pressures of the […] READ MORE