Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 31st July 2007
When fans think of game breaking players, they generally think of silky fly halves controlling the tempo or of speedy wingers sprinting down the flanks - but winning the World Cup will require a rugged lock in the engine room as well.
Posted in All Blacks, Australia, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, opinion, rugby | 1 Comment »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 30th July 2007
When the All Black selectors named their World Cup squad a week ago, they left one place open for prop Greg Somerville to prove his fitness - and last weekend’s outing showed he is on the right track.
Posted in Air New Zealand Cup, All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 28th July 2007
The Rugby World Cup is just six weeks away and fans everywhere are making their picks for who will bring bome the William Webb Ellis trophy, but the road to glory is a tough one.
Posted in All Blacks, Australia, England, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 26th July 2007
The Air New Zealand Cup got under way with a Thursday night clash between last year’s champions Waikato and last year’s wooden spooners Manawatu in Palmeston North. The champs proved too good, romping away with a 41-15 victory.
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Posted in Air New Zealand Cup, New Zealand, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 25th July 2007
Looking back at the past five World Cups, a pattern among the winning teams emerges, and if that pattern continues this year the play of just one man could decide the winner.
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Posted in All Blacks, Australia, England, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 24th July 2007
As Rugby World Cup 2007 draws ever closer and fans wonder which stars will shine and which stars will fall in France, why not take a nostalgic look back at the players who shone at the previous five World Cups?
Posted in All Blacks, Australia, England, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, opinion, rugby | 3 Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 23rd July 2007
Despite being consistently ranked the best team in the world, the All Blacks have been unable to win the Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament back in 1987. While this year’s team has a very strong chance, New Zealand fans have seen this before only to have their hopes dashed.
Posted in All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 22nd July 2007
The All Blacks’ performance in their victory against Australia on Saturday night was not without its flaws, but it showed that the team is on the right track to peak at the World Cup in France.
Posted in All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, opinion, rugby | 1 Comment »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 22nd July 2007
Coach Graham Henry has named 29 players for his World Cup squad with one player to be added before 14 August.
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Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 21st July 2007
The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup and the 2007 Tri-Nations title after a 26-12 win over the Wallabies in Auckland. While New Zealand were patchy initially, they shifted up a gear after the break putting in a dominant second half.
Posted in All Blacks, Australia, New Zealand, Tri-Nations, rugby | No Comments »