If NFL Players Played for USA Rugby, Would All Blacks Still Be King?

The All Blacks have touched down in Chicago ahead of their game against the USA rugby team at Soldier Field this weekend. While the All Blacks will enter the game as comfortable favourites, it will certainly be an experience for them, as well as their American counterparts. It must be refreshing for one thing. Coming from a country where rugby is king and these men are the biggest superstars... 

Taranaki Withstand Comeback to Beat Tasman in ITM Cup Premiership Final

Taranaki had to withstand a ferocious comeback from Tasman en-route to being crowned champions of New Zealand provincial rugby for the first time. Their 36-32 win made them the first non-Super Rugby franchise base to win the title since 1980 and only the ninth team to win the top prize since the NPC’s inception in 1976. It looked like it would be a lopsided result three-quarters of the way through... 

Manawatu Win ITM Cup Championship, Promoted to Premiership

It took a last-minute try to seal the deal as Manawatu won their first major provincial rugby trophy since 1980, winning the ITM Cup Championship division with a 32-24 win over Hawke’s Bay. Hawke’s Bay controlled possession in the final minutes. Trailing by three points, they hammered away at a relentless Manawatu defence. A poorly executed attacking kick, that was never on, eventually... 

Jonah Lomu or Julian Savea, Which All Black Wing Is Better?

As an up-and-comer in New Zealand rugby, Julian Savea had been billed as the second-coming of Jonah Lomu. Like Lomu, Savea is a big, fast, strong running winger, who caught the public’s imagination at a young age. In reality it is hard to compare players from different eras. The game has just changed so much. But that does not stop us from trying.  Current All Black coach, Steve Hansen,... 

Has Dan Carter Played the Final Game of an Illustrious All Black Career?

It is beginning to look increasingly unlikely Dan Carter will ever make it back to the top of his game. After spending more time sidelined with injury than actually playing in recent years, the All Blacks fly-half has picked up another knock in what was his ITM Cup comeback game in the weekend, as per TVNZ.  While it has been suggested that he may indeed play this weekend, it is yet another reminder... 

Conrad Smith Says 2007 All Blacks a Better Team Than 2011, Is He Right?

New Zealand centre Conrad Smith has been a member of two World Cup squads: the 2011 champions and the ill-fated 2007 quarter-finalists. Despite the results of each, he recently claimed that the 2007 team was the better squad of the two. In reality, such comparisons are near impossible. They do, however, make for an interesting debate.  Perhaps Smith is not too far off the truth; the 2007... 

Sonny Bill Williams’ Exemption Shows Hypocrisy of NZRU

Sonny Bill Williams has not even returned to New Zealand rugby yet, but the predictable controversy has begun earlier than expected. In a decision that seems to embody hypocrisy, the NZRU has granted him an exemption, as per the New Zealand Herald. The exemption will allow Williams to go on the All Blacks’ end of year tour without having first played in the ITM Cup at the conclusion of the NRL... 

Richie McCaw Still World Rugby’s Best Openside Flanker

Richie McCaw has been under more scrutiny this year than at any other time in his career. The All Black captain has been one of the most talked about players after the weekend’s draw with Australia, with many pundits claiming that he was outplayed, once again, by his opposite, Michael Hooper. People will see what they want to see, though. To suggest that McCaw‘s performance on Saturday... 

All Blacks Name Strong Team to Play Wallabies in Bledisloe Opener

The All Blacks have named a strong and largely predictable team to take on the Wallabies in the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship opener in Sydney this weekend. It is a team that is close to full strength, with only Tony Woodcock and Dan Carter unavailable through injury. The most notable omission is that of Israel Dagg. He sees his spot taken by the brilliant Ben Smith in what was an inevitable... 

Who Should Be the All Blacks Starting Back 3 for Rugby Championship?

There is currently a logjam in the All Blacks back three. They boast five quality options in Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Charles Piutau and Julian Savea. All would walk into any other international team. But the All Blacks cannot play them all. It is a good problem to have, but no one seems to be able to agree just what the best combination is.  Savea has to be the first player to fill... 

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