Lock Andy Haden Key Player in AB History
All Blacks lock Andy Haden, who “was an exceptionally talented, intelligent and resilient lock, among the best in the world in his era,” has died in Auckland, aged 69. The Japan Times has published an…
Tag Archives: Rugby
Coach George Simpkins Took Rugby to China
New Zealander George Simpkin, Hong Kong’s former head coach and HKRU technical director, who played a major role in the overall development of rugby in China and Asia, has died aged 77, the South…
New Zealand’s Best Coaches All Have One Unheralded Skill In Common
Exceptional technical skills, an in-depth understanding of the sport and astute strategic knowledge are table-stakes for New Zealand rugby coaches at all levels of the game. What sets the truly accomplished coaches apart from…
Rugby Australia’s Raelene Castle on Equality
In a perfect world there would be no need for this conversation and the role women play in sport would not be addressed as a separate issue, “but we’re still about 10 years away…
Academic George Cawkwell Lived Life to the Full
Auckland-born George Cawkwell, “who has died aged 99, was Scotland’s oldest rugby international having won one cap against France. He was also a distinguished academic, author and teacher in the field of ancient Greek…
Teacher Jimmy Orange Mentors Kids Through Rugby
Fountain Gate Secondary College in Melbourne, Australia never thought it would be putting up rugby posts, at least not until New Zealand-born teacher Jimmy Orange came along. Orange went through a school system where rugby…
How Rugby Helped Jared James In Japan
For a Japanese national, the question of why a person from the West would come to Japan is a fascinating one, so much so that there’s even a TV show about it: You wa…
Colin Meads, Revered New Zealand Rugby Star
“Colin Meads, one of New Zealand’s greatest and most revered rugby players, died on Sunday in Te Kuiti, New Zealand, his hometown. He was 81,” writes Huw Richards in an obituary published in the…
Kieran Read Makes His Mark as All Blacks Captain
“Kieran Read spent a long time learning from Richie McCaw but he always knew he would have to do things his own way if he was to make his mark as All Blacks skipper…
Chiefs Channel Emotional Loss Of Sione Lauaki To Take Out Brisbane Tens Title
“The Chiefs have overcome the emotional loss of former star Sione Lauaki and an injury-ravaged final to take out the inaugural Brisbane Tens with a 12-5 victory over the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium,” writes…
Richie McCaw Honored with Order of New Zealand
All Blacks legend Richie McCaw has received New Zealand’s top civil honor – the Order of New Zealand (ONZ), which recognizes “outstanding service” to the country and is restricted to 20 living members at…
Wellington Sevens 3D Art Work Time Lapse
A talented New Zealand artist does an amazing 3D art work in recognition of the Wellington Sevens Rugby Tournament. Footage by stuff.co.nz.
New Zealand Top Women’s World Rankings
New Zealand’s Black Ferns have been ranked #1 on the first rankings for women’s Test rugby. “It’s a positive step for one of the fastest growing team sports in the world, as it brings parity…
Jonah Lomu: Rugby Superstar Melded Power and Speed
“Jonah Lomu, whose size, strength and speed made him one of rugby’s most fearsome wings, a record-setting, nearly unstoppable scorer for the All Blacks” has died aged 40, writes Bruce Weber in an obituary…
All Blacks Legend Jonah Lomu Dies
Former New Zealand rugby star and All Blacks Legend Jonah Lomu has passed away in Auckland today, aged 40. “We’re lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah’s family”, said…
New Zealand’s Haka – “the World’s Most Perfect Act of Nationalism”
The New Zealand haka – “a traditional Maori dance, a sequence of foot-stomping, tongue-wagging and violent gesticulation, accompanied by deep, rhythmic chanting “is an intimidating sight for any opponent”, writes Ishaan Tharoor for The…
Steve Hansen Backs Sonny Bill Williams
“Victory over Argentina already leaves New Zealand overwhelming favourites to top Pool C, with Namibia, Georgia and Tonga hardly expected to trouble the defending champions”, reports an article in The Belfast Telegraph. All…
Force Of Black – Adidas Rugby
Our fans. Our culture. Our history. Everything we stand for. Prepare for the might of the almighty All Blacks!
All Blacks Depart for England to Defend Their Title
The All Blacks have departed for England on Thursday hoping for a number of firsts: “To become the first team to defend the Rugby World Cup, the first New Zealand team to win the…
New Plymouth Boys High Scool Haka
Hundreds of New Plymouth Boys High School students recently banded together to perform the famous haka war dance that would send chills down the spine of the most hardened…
THE SBW Breakdown
All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams talks about what inspired him to be the player he is.
Richie McCaw Most Powerful in Rugby Union
Richie McCaw, “arguably the greatest All Black of all time”, has been named the most powerful person in the “50 Most Powerful People in Rugby Union” ranking by The Daily Telegraph. “The flanker’s…
Super Rugby Moments: Hits of the Season
SKY TV presents the hits of the season during the Super Rugby. Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional men’s rugby union football competition in the Southern Hemisphere.
Rugby Remembers Anzacs in the True Spirit of Their Sacrifice
The rugby community paid tributes to the Anzacs, who had lost their lives during World War One over the course of the Anzac weekend. On Friday, April 24 at Waikato Stadium, the Ode was read, The…
The Ground We Won – Trailer
The Ground We Won is a highly authentic, slice of life film about the challenges and joys of manhood, as seen through the rites and rituals of a rural…
Greatest Uniforms in Sports, No. 5: New Zealand All Blacks
“Aggressiveness, intimidation, honour, respect, courage, war—embodied in one uniform. And it only needs one colour to say it all” is how Arden Zwelling describes the New Zealand All Blacks uniform in an article for…
All Blacks Reign Supreme Over England
The All Blacks gained a fifth consecutive win over England, after the home side led 14-11 at half time. But the English side made error upon error and suffered a long, slow black death in…
All Blacks Rugby Match Draws Record Crowd in Chicago
Saturday’s landmark rugby game at Soldier Field, Chicago, saw the All Blacks play the USA Eagles in front of a sell-out crowd of 61,500 – the largest to witness rugby in the United States. Both…
Rugby’s Rising US Popularity Helped by All Blacks
The match between the All Blacks and USA Eagles marked the largest-ever audience for an international rugby contest on American soil; signaling the sport’s growing U.S. popularity. “People do really like watching rugby in America,”…
Meanwhile in…New Zealand – “Conversion”
Watch 1 of 3 Air New Zealand web series “Meanwhile in…New Zealand”. In this episode, is about New Zealand’s love for rugby and skiing so Air NZ built some…
Te Iwi Kiwi vs. Kangaroos
Watch the fierce Haka by the Te Iwi Kiwis at the New Zealand Rugby League, ANZAC Test 2014. The New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) is the governing body for…
Taniela Tupou – Hat-trick
Take a look at the amazing video of schoolboy rugby internet sensation Daniel Taniela (Nella) Tupou prop for Sacred Heart as he scores 3 tries in their win over…
Ireland v New Zealand 2013
The All Blacks have remained unbeaten this season, but only just. Scoring in the final moments of the game, the All Blacks needed two attempts at the conversion to…
Welsh to Kiwi: Protect us from the Tongans
The old canard about dangerous and illegal play by Polynesians is getting another airing in the British press ahead of Wales’s match against Tonga at the weekend. Assistant coach Shaun Edwards, who as a…
All Black Greatness to be Tested
The mantle of greatness hangs easily around this year’s unbeaten All Blacks as they prepare for a tour of Japan, France, Britain and Ireland. Not that you would know it from the demeanour and…
SBW: Maybe, No, Yes
The first question, impolitely rhetorical, was WTF? The answer to the second question – will the Kiwis still want him? – will be decided today. Sonny Bill Williams has flip-flopped. Again. After keeping the…
“Bleeding” Park Reveals All Blacks’ True Worth
Apparently the English think New Zealanders can teach them a thing or two. Who knew? Of course, the thing or two is about rugby but even so. In the wake of the All Blacks’…
Foiled By Fourth Best
New Zealand, the world’s No 1-ranked side, was defeated by England 38-21 at Twickenham, bringing the All Blacks’ unbeaten run of 20 back-to-back wins to an end. It was England’s first win over New…
Farewell to a Favourite
Sir Wilson Whineray, who captained the All Blacks 67 times between 1957 and 1965, has died in Auckland, aged 77. Judged by renowned rugby writer Terry McLean as the greatest of All Blacks captains,…
Women Enter Sevens Fold
The success of New Zealand’s rugby teams will create high expectations on the country’s women as they embark on the first International Rugby Board (IRB) women’s sevens world series in November, coach Sean Horan…
Chiefs Haka After Winning Super Rugby
The Chiefs perform a haka after winning the 2012 Super Rugby final at Waikato Stadium.
All Black Across the Board
New Zealand Maori and the national men’s sevens team will be rebranded and known as the Maori All Blacks and All Blacks Sevens, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has said, with a change…
Sevens Title Won at Twickenham
New Zealand have retained their Sevens World Series title, ending the season with a third-place spot at the London Sevens to finish on 167 Series points, six ahead of closest rivals Fiji. A record…
Ultimate Legend Remembered
Rugby legend Fred “The Needle” Allen – who at age 92 was the oldest living All Black and one of the rare group of players to have both played in and coached the national…
Life Spent Winning
Former All Blacks captain and New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Christchurch-born Jock Hobbs, has died of cancer in Wellington, aged 52. Hobbs played 21 Tests for the All Blacks as an openside flanker between…
Matchless Legend Remembered
Former All Blacks lock Richard “Tiny” White, regarded as New Zealand’s finest rugby players in his position, has died in Gisborne aged 86. White played 30 matches, including 23 consecutive tests for New Zealand…
Pumas Sign Henry
Sir Graham Henry has signed with the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) as a part-time consultant with a particular view to improve coaching at Argentina’s high performance centres. The World Cup-winning coach will help fine…
Invaluable Coaching Insights
World Cup-winning All Black coach Graham Henry, 65, has signed a part-time contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) to help develop New Zealand’s coaching talent. Henry had been interested in working for…
Rugby Rules In North Carolina
New Zealander Geoffrey Maw, who lives in North Carolina’s Elizabeth City, is starting a rugby club for high school-age players in Elizabeth City and Pasquotank and Perquimans Counties. Maw — a real estate agent…
Playing Egg-Ball In France
“Like many of his contemporaries, Blair Stewart is a valuable commodity: a New Zealand rugby player,” Tadhg Peavoy writes in a profile of Christchurch-born Stewart, 28, for RTÉ Sports. “Stewart began his career playing…
All Hands on the Webb Ellis
“Twenty-four years of Rugby World Cup pain and misery melted away for New Zealand” on 23 October with the All Blacks beating the French 8-7 in a nail-biting final at Eden Park. “It was…
Wowing the Wallabies
All Black legend Jonah Lomu surprised Australia’s players by dropping in on a training session ahead of their World Cup third place victory match against Wales. Auckland-born Lomu, 36, who was recently discharged from…
Immense Contribution to NZ
Opera singer, sports administrator and Southern Opera founder Chris Doig has died in Christchurch, aged 62. Former New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive and member of the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) board, Doig…
Understanding Sporting Passion
Award-winning Wellington-born filmmaker Julian Shaw’s “emotive” 211 documentary Cup of Dreams is recommended to Australians so they may gain some insights on how the All Blacks can be beaten in the Rugby World Cup….
American Underdogs Join In
“With the zest notable to rugby players on and off the field, the Americans are delighted to be heading to the home of the All Blacks, with their Maori in-your-face war dance, the Haka,”…
Glad to be Red
New Zealand-born forward Jeremy Kyne will play a backup role for the Canadian side at this year’s Rugby World Cup. Canada is extremely well stocked in the back row and he beat out some…
