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
Tag: Steve Hansen
All Blacks team named, as RWC rest days apply new pressures
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
All Blacks Intent and Attitude 100% right after Tonga test match win
The All Blacks intent was always going to be known. During their last pre-RWC test match outing on Saturday, it was always about squad development, demonstrating what the side was capable of, and about improving the side’s intent and attitude. Now that the outcome is known; a 92-7 victory over Tonga, the intent ‘to score […] READ MORE
Speed and Mobility, the key to All Blacks RWC squad
Examining the 31 names that make-up the All Blacks RWC squad (Rugby World Cup) you sense that this 2019 side has been selected to maximize their ‘speed and mobility’ in a bid to win an unprecedented back-to-back-to-back World Championships. Although that ultimate goal is over two months away, the beginning of the 2019 Rugby World […] READ MORE
AB’s must ‘Roll the Dice’ in Bledisloe Cup decider
After a hefty defeat at the hands of the Wallabies in Perth, the All Blacks have decided to ‘Roll the Dice’ in team selections for their home test in Auckland on August 17. The crucial Bledisloe Cup decider will have so much more riding on it, considering Rugby World Cup form, rankings and self-confidence levels. […] READ MORE
Test Match rewards shared in Round Two draw
A game that was too close to call, and which in the end, was a stalemate. With the Test Match rewards shared in The Rugby Championship Round Two draw, both New Zealand and South Africa will find ‘good and bad news’ in the outcome. Video highlights only show some of the points scoring moments of this […] READ MORE
Wellington rematch for New Zealand v South Africa
With the assumption that Round One selection and planning policy by the two leading Southern Hemisphere rugby teams disproven, it all leads to a much more tantalizing fixture that will be the ‘Wellington rematch’ when fans prepare for New Zealand v South Africa on Saturday. A rematch due to the location and recent history. In 2018, […] READ MORE
Who ‘wants’ to win the 2019 Rugby Championship
Not to ask a redundant question but, the 2019 Rugby Championship appears to be the one that most of the competing SANZAAR nations are not entirely focused on. Not a case of which team will win, more so a ‘who wants to win’ this year’s schedule. From the feedback and interviews with the leading nations […] READ MORE
First full week for All Blacks Rugby Championship squad
After the group announcement was made on Tuesday last week, this will be the first full week of training for the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad. Days after the 2019 Super Rugby final has been decided, the countries rugby-mindset has now turned 100% onto the team’s goals ahead. Steve Hansen was the spokesperson last week, […] READ MORE
New Shirt; New Squad; New Goals for 2019 All Blacks
In revealing their new shirt for the Rugby World Cup on Monday, with the 2019 All Blacks new squad about to be announced on Tuesday, new goals are being chosen by the World Champions. Goals that could see them re-write the record books. Already the first rugby team to win back-to-back World Cups, the 2019 […] READ MORE