After suffering two Tri-Nations losses in a row, the All Blacks now find themselves under siege from the media and rugby public, all because it seems that nothing has changed since that fateful October evening in Cardiff last year.

Read the rest of this entry »

The much vilified rotation policy of 2007 was intended to build depth for the All Blacks, but with injuries to two key forwards, it would seem the talent pool isn’t as deep as we thought.

Read the rest of this entry »

As an aspiring rugby journalist I sometimes write a story based on my opinion about the game, but I am always careful to back up that opinion with some facts, sometimes taking quotes directly from the law book, other times I present a rounded argument. But some of the inflammatory garbage that gets printed by our major newspapers makes me wonder if dropping a literary incendiary grenade and heading for the hills is what journalism is about.

Read the rest of this entry »

In a nation where rugby is king, it is simply baffling how many people do not know the laws of the game but in New Zealand, ignorance seems to be no hurdle to voicing your opinion. What makes it worse, is when those in the media exhibit that same ignorance.

Read the rest of this entry »

After just four weeks of the experimental laws, the Super 14 is showing that they produce a faster and more action packed game. But the Northern Hemisphere seem reluctant to adopt them, perhaps stuck in a style of rugby from 30 years ago.

Read the rest of this entry »

Just four short months after the Rugby World Cup, the turnabout in form for some teams is nothing short of miraculous. With one round left in the competition Hamish McBrearty wonders who these men in white or red really are.

Read the rest of this entry »

Over this round of Super 14 there have been a few instances of foul play, some of which have gone unpunished, others have not been punished enough. Given the mine field of inconsistency from the officials, it’s about time rugby administrators gave the referees firm guidelines to deal with foul play.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bringing back my old “Aw Ref” column, which takes a weekly in-depth look at at controversial or misunderstood refereeing decisions. The week we look at the performance of Bryce Lawrence, who controlled his 100th first class fixture when the Highlanders hosted the Hurricanes, and seemed to be a bit confused about the intention of the new experimental laws.

Read the rest of this entry »

The New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions have announced that there will be a fourth test in this year’s Bledisloe Cup series to be played in Hong Kong on November 1. International rugby may be crying out for a number of things, but another trans-Tasman clash certainly isn’t one of them.

Read the rest of this entry »