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Finals footy
Canterbury has won what could be the final Air New Zealand Cup 28–20 against
Wellington in Christchurch. Two tries to Colin Slade helped Canterbury to an 18–3
half-time lead and that deficit proved too big to overcome for Jamie Joseph's
side, despite their improved showing in the second half which saw them reduce
the gap to 25–20 with five minutes to go. Canterbury captain George Whitelock
said the plan had been to put their opponents under pressure early. "We'd
talked all week about starting well and putting a lot of pressure on them and
get that self-doubt into their mind," Whitelock said. "We put a bit of
pressure on ourselves but that's finals footy. Wellington came back really
strong and showed what a classy side they are. They wanted it pretty badly but
we wanted it more." The New Zealand Rugby Union meets on December 13 to
decide the fate of the championship.
(7 November 2009)
Candid in Cork
Doug Howlett, 30, who is based in Cork having signed with Munster in 2008, is
profiled in the Irish Times which discusses the Northern Hemisphere team,
his family and whether he'll return to New Zealand when his contract ends
mid-2010. It must have been a change coming here after having such celebrity
status back home asks reporter Gráinne Faller. Howlett grimaces slightly.
"When you become an All Black, nothing changes, you know? It's everybody
else that changes," he says. "I just kept doing what I'd been doing
since I was a kid, but because they're such a followed team, everyone knows how
you performed at the weekend and it's documented in the news. You lose a little
bit of privacy, but that's sort of the way with any sport, really." Life
after rugby is inevitably on his mind. He has already set up the Doug Howlett
Outreach Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged children who show
promise in rugby or netball to achieve their potential.
(13 June 2009)
Rugby's poster boy
All Black fly-half Dan Carter, who recently made number 11 on American network
E! Entertainment channel's list of the 25 Sexiest Men of the World, this week
also featured in CNN's Talk Asia series. Profiled on the CNN site, Carter is
described as "New Zealand's unstoppable rugby machine... on course to be
the country's top points scorer." "Playing as number 10, Carter is the
All Blacks' creative talisman and the one player that can catch the eye with his
skill and control a match with his reading of the game. Carter will make new
records by becoming the best paid player in club rugby. He's set to earn an
estimated $50,000 per game, which in a sport that lags far behind football or
American sports in terms of finance is big money." Carter heads to France
for a six-month contract at the Perpignan club after the current All Black tour
of the UK.
(9 November 2008)
Onward and upward
All Black coach Graeme Henry meditates on his young squad's Tri-Nations win,
their potential, and "the vexed issue" of Experimental Law Variations
in an interview with The Independent's Peter Bills. This is probably
Henry's greatest triumph as All Blacks coach and one to store away in the locker
marked 'Achievements'. To have held onto the Tri-Nations title for a fourth
successive year whilst building a new team was meritorious. "There have
been some fabulous spectacles in the Tri-Nations with the ball in play much more
than under the old laws," Henry said. "Our players certainly enjoyed
the ELVs in the end and they undoubtedly helped the game in this part of the
world as a spectacle. So the northern hemisphere needs to be patient." The
progress made by some of the new All Blacks this year also doesn't escape his
attention. "I have huge respect for the players. [In Dunedin] we were faced
with a sudden death situation; we had to win three games in a row against the
other two best sides in the world. To do it was pretty special and it's a huge
feather in the cap of rugby development in this country."
(23 September 2008)
Two down, one to go
The All Blacks have completed the final leg of their World Cup build-up by
retaining both the Bledisloe
and TriNations trophies, with a 26-12 defeat of the Wallabies at Eden Park on
Saturday. "It's great playing in these real pressure games where
everything's riding on the line," said star first five-eighth Daniel
Carter, who kicked seven from seven penalties in the match. "I love these
occasions and like to lift for these games especially [but] we can't sit back
and be happy with how we're playing." The All Blacks remain odds-on
favourites to win the World Cup, a feat they haven't achieved in 20 years
despite being consistently ranked the world's number one side. All Black legend Zinzan
Brooke sees the task at hand as difficult but doable. "I am a lot more
comfortable with the squad New Zealand are taking to this World Cup than the
last one," he wrote in what will be a regular online column for the BBC.
"It has better players, better organisation, a good chemistry within the
team, and they have been performing for the last two or three years." The
final 30-man All Black World
Cup squad will be named on August 14.
(22 July 2007)
Japan nets All Black great
Former All Black John Kirwan has signed a two-year contract to coach Japan's
national rugby team. Kirwan will lead the side in its World Cup efforts this
year, with plans to hone 60 elite players down to a World Cup squad during the
Pacific Nations Cup in June. "We are determined to do our best to win all
the matches in the World Cup," he says. Kirwan played in Japan's top league
for the final three seasons of his career and recently wrapped up a coaching
spell with Italy's national side.
(9 January 2007)
Kiwis fly in Wellington
Putting a week of controversy behind them, the Kiwi rugby league team put the
English away in emphatic style over the weekend 34-4 at Wellington's Stadium.
The result puts pressure on England, who must now win their final pool game
against the World Champion Australians to deny the Kiwis a place in the
Tri-Nations grand final. Confidence is high in the Kiwi camp following their
win, with the team already booked in to a Sydney hotel in anticipation of what
they hope will be an Australian victory, and a lifeline for the defence of their
Tri-Nations title. According to Kiwi coach Brian McClennan, Reuben Wiki and his
boys will be "blowing up green and gold balloons, getting streamers and
putting them around the room and cheering for the Aussies".
(11 November 2006)
Former AB and famous father
Former All Black Brian
Fitzpatrick has died aged 75. A sturdily built five eigthths, Fitzpatrick
was a strong runner and tackler. He made two tours with All Black sides in the
early 1950s, playing in three tests and 19 other first-class matches for NZ.
Terry McLean, who covered Fitzpatrick's last tour, rated him the best tackler in
the team. Fitzpatrick also played for Victoria University, New Zealand
Universities, Wellington and Auckland. Brian Fitzpatrick's son, Sean, is the
most capped All Black in history.
(2 October 2006)
All Blacks 7, Opposition 0
The All Blacks remain undefeated in 2006 having secured both Bledisloe and
Tri-Nations trophies after a ferocious Eden Park test against Australia on 19
August. The victory puts Graham Henry's team on the verge of breaking a record
that has stood for 36 years. For five unparalleled years the likes of Brian
Lochore, Kel Tremain, Ken Gray, Colin Meads, Ian Kirkpatrick, Fergie McCormick,
Chris Laidlaw and Earle Kirton reigned supreme, unbeaten from 1965-70. No All
Blacks team - until now - has come close rivalling this record. For a period in
the late-1980s New Zealand was unbeaten in 23 games, but that stretch featured
win sequences of 12 and 10, interrupted by a 19-19 draw against Australia. The
current All Blacks is on a winning run of 14 tests. If they can win their two
upcoming matches against the Springboks they will be on 16 wins, one test away
from what was considered an unreachable mark.
(21 August 2006)
End of one era, beginning of another
All Black captain Tana Umaga has officially retired from the game aged 34, with
a stellar career behind him. "Already he has been admitted by his
countrymen into the exclusive band of great NZ captains, along with Colin Meads,
Sean Fitzpatrick…and the first All Blacks skipper, Dave Gallaher," says
the Observer. "The contrasting emotions that the [O'Driscoll spear tackle]
episode inspired in the rugby world placed him out on an edge where few find
themselves and from where fewer still return in triumph." In addition to 74
Tests and 37 tries, Umaga was the first ever NZ player to be awarded the
prestigious Pierre de Coubertin trophy for fair play. Family friend Ken Laban
and former All Black and race relations conciliator Chris Laidlaw credit Umaga
as changing the face of New Zealand rugby in a profile on the Captain on stuff.co.nz.
"People see a Samoan player and they typecast him as rough and ready to
rumble - they don't see them in the captaincy or a leadership role," says
Laban. "People don't see a lot of our people in the boardroom. They see
them on the factory floor, they see them carrying the ball up and making the
tackle but they rarely see them leading the team out and speaking on behalf of
the country. That's the legacy I reckon Graham Henry and Tana are going to leave
behind."
(15 January 2006)
All Black domination
The All Blacks have continued their domination of their Northern hemisphere tour
with a 23-19 victory over England. Easy victories over Wales and Ireland were
useful opportunities for trying out new playing combinations, but the Twickenham
match proved to be a true test for the All Blacks who played their best side
with the exception of Ritchie McCaw who was a late withdrawal. The All Blacks'
forward pack stood strong against a highly rated English front row fresh from an
annihilation of the Wallabies. With three All Blacks sent to the sin-bin, the
side was one man down for a full 23 minutes in the final stages. With the Scotland match firmly in their
sights New Zealand are now within a game of repeating their northern hemisphere
Grand Slam of 1978.
(20 November 2005)
Rugby fever reaches new heights
The All Blacks demolished the British and Irish Lions in three straight Tests,
in one of the most highly anticipated rugby tours of recent years. The hype both
at home and in the UK was spectacular, with thousands of Lions supporters making
the trip Down Under for the series. Reuters ran a sequence of articles on the
history of Lions tours in NZ and the BBC set up a
weblog for Lions and All Blacks fans to share their experiences of the tour
online. Planet
Rugby published an unofficial set of awards, including Player of the
Series (All Black Daniel Carter), Match of the Tour (NZ Maori’s first ever win
over the Lions), and Best Crowd Signage ('Will exchange wife for Test tickets' -
sighted in the stands of the Westpac Stadium during the Wellington match).
(May-July 2005)
One step at a time
Jonah Lomu is making a strong recovery
from his July kidney transplant and has already named next year’s rugby sevens
world cup as his comeback date. “That's great news because sevens can provide
him with the perfect avenue back to top-class rugby,” says sevens coach Gordon
Tietjens. “The special environment in the NZ sevens side would be good for him.
No-one would put any pressure on him - we'd support him.” Lomu’s
long-term goal is to play for the All Blacks in the 2007 World Cup in
France.
(12 September 2004)
Junior All Blacks victorious
Ireland was “forced to acknowledge New
Zealand's continuing supremacy” at the IRB U-21 World Championships in Scotland,
going down 47-19 to the junior All Blacks. NZ’s stellar performance included a
hat-trick of tries by flanker Tony Koonwaiyou.
(28 June 2004)
Jonah, His Story
Rugby icon Jonah Lomu is back in the news thanks to the release of his
highly-anticipated autobiography, Jonah My Story. The Age praises
the “simple yet emotionally taut language” Lomu uses to portray his rise from
troubled and abused youth to international superstar. Belfast Telegraph
reviewer Peter Sharkey compares Lomu at the 1995 World Cup to Viv Richards, Mike
Tyson, and Muhammed Ali at the peak of their achievements – “sporting greats at
their ruthless best.”
(May
-
June 2004)
Home turf win
NZ cruised to the top of the
International Rugby Sevens table with a resounding 33-15 win over Fiji in the
Wellington series final. Matua Parkinson, who had assumed the captaincy due to
the unavailability of both Karl Te Nana and Eric Rush, went for a simple and
effective game plan: "We
just had to get hold of the ball and keep hold of it." NZ ran in 5 tries to
Fiji's 3, with Brad Fleming scoring the winning two in the final minutes of the
match.
(8 February 2004)
Kiwis tie down Kangeroos
The Kiwis convincingly defeated the
Australian Kangeroos with a rousing 30-16 victory in a rugby league test at
North Harbour Stadium in Auckland. Led by the hat-trick of tries by Clinton
Toopi (a trans-Tasman record) and another two to Vinnie Anderson the Kiwis
reversed a 48-6 loss earlier in the season. Shell-shocked Australian players, on
the eve of a tour to Great Britain, admitted they had been handed a king-sized
"reality check." Phil Gould: "All honours must go to New
Zealand".
(19 October 2003)
It's a black-out
SMH:
"they [the Wallabies] simply cannot beat the All Blacks". The All Blacks join England as World Cup favourites after winning both the
Tri-Nations' Trophy and and Bledisloe
Cup, making it two out of three thus far in 03. John Mitchell's side remained unbeaten in both
competitions, and racked up two record victories over South Africa (52-16) and
Australia (50-21) in the process. The Bledisloe Cup win against Australia was
the first since 1997 (a cup difficult to wrench off the holders under current
two-game format because the winner needs to win both matches home and away) and caused "a quite untypical rapture" amidst the
All Black ranks. Said
captain, Reuben Thorne; "After a long wait we were desperate to get it
back. It took everything we had." The match was the centenary
of All Black test rugby and also the 100th Bledisloe Cup match. For the
record in the period 1903-2003, the AB's have won 269 games,
lost 87, and drawn 17 - one of the most consistently impressive histories in
international sport.
(July-August 2003)
Alone he stands
Christian Cullen's signing to Irish side
Munster after his exclusion from the 2003 All Black squad has created
controversy at home and disbelief abroad. One person happy with the outcome is
Munster rugby boss, Alan Gaffney, who goes into hyperbolic overdrive when
describing his famous import. "[Cullen is] probably the most important and
biggest signing ever made by any team in European rugby history […] His
signing is just a fantastic thing not just for Munster, but for all rugby
supporters in the northern hemisphere. Quite simply, he is an icon of the world
game."
(6 August 2003)
Paddy meets his match
Paddy O'Brien became New Zealand's most capped referee in Test rugby after
officiating at the Six Nations game between Wales and France in Paris. The match
marked O'Brien's 27th Test and 181st first class game. O'Brien: "To be the
most capped Test referee in New Zealand rugby history is something which I am
going to take a lot of pride out of."
(28 March 2003)
Sevens
heaven for home-crowd
NZ's rugby sevens team
delighted a 32,000-strong crowd in Wellington, beating England 38-26 to win
their first home series in four years. NZ now lead the 11-leg International
Sevens series with 68 points, followed by Fiji and England on 56 and 46
respectively.
(9 February 2003)
Rugby as it should be
Former All Black captain Ian
Kirkpatrick was a guest of honour at the 30th anniversary of 1973's legendary
NZ vs. Barbarians match. Dubbed "rugby's Mona Lisa," the Barbarians'
victory is viewed by many as the most thrilling game ever played. The London
Hilton ceremony brought together over 900 rugby enthusiasts, including the
surviving members of both teams.
(25 January 2003)
Pinetree chews the fat
"If you want a snapshot of the way rugby used to be, there is no more
impressive monument to the past than Colin Meads, a man as straight as he was
hard." The Observer talks rugby, film, and controversy with the man
we call Pinetree, the 64-year old legend who "still looks capable of
sticking his head in a scrum." Meads pronounces on everything from touch
judges ("interfering") to his blokeish modesty at recently being voted the greatest
player of all time ("a judgment he accepts with the utmost
reluctance.").
(10 November 2002)
Sevens heaven
Kiwi dominance
impresses at Manchester where they prove themselves masters of the form:
"New Zealand dominate seven-a-side rugby the way that Lance Armstrong lords
it over cycling, Tiger Woods bestrides the world of golf and Ian Thorpe rules
water like a modern Poseidon clad in daft goggles and size 14 flip-flops."
Matt Dawson: "they had the edge
when it mattered".
(4 August 2002)
Will they be drinking
their tea out of saucers?
From Wellington to Wagga
Wagga it's Bledislode
time again. The All Blacks come to July's Tri-Nation series against Australia and South
Africa with a string of wins under their belts, some less than convincing.
They'd better win warns Zinzan. Mitchell's mob head to the business end of the season with victories over
tourists Italy and Ireland, followed by a 68-18 defeat of Fiji at Wellington's
Westpac Trust Stadium.
(June - July 2002)
Munster monster of ABs makes Top-10 Sporting Shocks
Irish club side Munster's shut-out 12-0 defeat of the 1978 All Blacks
proclaimed by Observer Sport Monthly as the tenth greatest shock in
sport's history. Munster playwright James Breen (Alone
It Stands - about the events surrounding the match) describes
Munster's proudest day as "the last great folk memory."
(7 April 2002)
All blue
Former Kiwi rugby player centre Tony Marsh" a major force" in French rugby's resurgence
in this years Six Nations tournament as the French take the Grand Slam for the
first time since 1988.
(5 April 2002)
The Milligan side-step
Revered and irreverent icon of comedy ex-Goon and Bad Jelly author Spike
Milligan passed away on 26 Feb. A huge rugby fan with many NZ connections, he
never got his biggest rugby wish: to have Willie John McBride lead Ireland to
victory over the ABs at Landsdowne Rd. Milligan once wrote in The Telegraph
of an attempt to fell All Black captain Ian Kirkpatrick, "I drunkenly
charged the great man with my pathetic attempt at a crash tackle. I was
concussed for about four months but Kirkpatrick just went on drinking his
Guinness before inquiring after my health. What a man! Granite! No wonder they
never lose."
(27 February 2002)
Toddy
the Scotsman
Edinburgh rugby eagerly
awaits the presence of Canterbury's finest.
(17 September 2001)
The lion doesn't sleep tonight
'If you must know, I woke up at two o'clock. My mind was racing. I tried to read
for a bit, dropped off and woke again at four thirty. Mind racing again."
Lions coach kiwi Graham Henry lets on that the pressure told.
(15 July 2001)
Pinetree speaks
Colin Meads on touch
judges: "Boy do
they give you a gut ache. Last year when there was a bit of a fight in a test
match a touch judge ran on the field to break it up. Hell, in our day he would
have been discreetly knocked over and told he doesn't belong there."
(22 May 2001)
Doubtful honour
Big Norm Hewitt's in-yer-face rendition of the All Black haka and English hooker Richard 'Cocky' Cockerill's
gracious eyeball-to-eyeball acceptance makes the Guardian's list of the "top-ten sporting feuds".
(8 April 2001)
Pinetree growl
"Colin Meads, the grim, great New Zealand lock, was once asked why
British and Irish forwards were inferior to those produced by the southern
hemisphere - especially the forbidding, beetle-browed men produced by New
Zealand. "Too many sweatbands, not enough sweat," he growled."
(25 March 2001)
Hakaed out?
Has over-exposure taken the edge off the AB's haka?
(16 January 2001)
Awards of Merit
Controversial clergyman and academic Lloyd Geering carried off the highest
honour in the New Years' list, Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of
Merit. Colin "Pinetree" Meads, All Black 1957-71 and all-time greatest
AB, is one of five Distinguished Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
(31 December 2000)
Tumeke Te Nana
Karl Te Nana picked up Man of the Tournament and R10 000 after New Zealand's
winning sevens effort in Durban.
(20 November 2000)
Cullen
a keeper
Christian Cullen has resisted overseas contracts to concentrate
on winning the World Cup for New Zealand in 2003 (which will be held in
Australia and New
Zealand). "The World Cup is the only thing I haven't won for
New Zealand, so I'd really love to do that" says the speedy full-back.
(10 October 2000)
As good as it gets? Back in black!
"The jagged edge is back to New Zealand's game, the legal violence of
execution beneath the blades of the All Black harvester." writes the Sydney
Morning Herald. We couldn't have said it better. Shell-shocked Aussie
captain John Eales: "I doubt if there's ever been a better or more
remarkable game of rugby ever played."
(17 July 2000)
"Absence of cutting edge" proves Scots undoing
The All Blacks proved the theory and continued with breathtaking conviction
to erase uncomfortable memories when they trounced Scotland 48-14. As Andy Nicol, the Scotland captain remarked later, "that is as ruthless a team as
I have played against."
(2 July 2000)
Kiwi powerhouses overwhelm Aussies to seal women's rugby title
New Zealand strengthened by a
full national side for the first time, thrashed fellow antipodeans 36-10 to win
the Hong Kong Women's Sevens for the second year running yesterday.
(25 March 2000)
Jonah the barbarian: tackled by media frenzy
"Images of him snarling, smiling and sneering as he tore through
defences like a crazy cartoon character were the most memorable of the
tournament and his performance has gone down as one of the the most
almighty in sporting history ... five years on people still peer through
bar doors to catch a glimpse of the man whose status in the sport is
unequalled".
(29 May 2000)
They shoot horses don't they? Crusaders put down the Brumbies
The Canterbury Crusaders beat the ACT Brumbies 20-19 to win the
Super 12 rugby union series for the thrid year running. New Zealand
Teams have now won all five editions of the Super 12 competition, and the
win restored a measure of pride after their disappointing World Cup
campaign.
(29 May 2000)
"The greatest game ever played? This one's the winner"
A world record crowd at Stadium Australia witnessed what was acclaimed as one of
the great test matches. A waltzing Jonah scored the winning try in injury time
in a miraculous end to a thrilling match, "one of the most explosive and
dramatic imaginable ... it's difficult to see how you could have improved on the
drama even if you'd scripted it."
(16 July 2000)
All Black's blunt edge in 95 World
Cup final attributed to poisoning
A former major in the South African Police has backed up claims
that
the All Black team was poisoned on the eve of the 1995 World Cup final, "I
only have the evidence of my eyes but there's no doubt in my mind that it was
deliberate," said Rory Steyn, linking it to a betting syndicate.
(16 June 2000)
Kiwis claim Hong Kong
New Zealand enhanced their reputation as stars of the sevens game with a
crushing victory over the defending champions Fiji in the final of the Hong Kong
Sevens.
(March 2000)
Rugby: Brits gush about
All Blacks
"To watch the
sheer brilliance of New Zealand's opening passage of play against the Wallabies,
and then to have that followed by the marvellous fightback which took Australia
to level pegging—and for that quality to be sustained throughout the second
half—is to understand what rugby can offer."
(02 September 2000)
Jonah and a large fish: a Biblical sports story?
Rugby Superstar Jonah Lomu joins Anna
Kournikova and David Beckham to star in
Adidas global advertising campaign. The ad was shot in New Zealand.
(May 2000)
Superstar Jonah shows that he's got grass-roots
Rugby superstar Jonah Lomu, shows he still knows what the game's all about
in the professional era, and will play for a local club in the Wellington second
division club rugby competition.
(17 May 2000)
Gulf rugby shock
The Arabian Gulf 7s team are rather daunted by the thought of meeting New
Zealand at the World 7s Series. "When I heard the draw I was lost for
words," said Arabian coach Darryl Weir.
(31 October 2000)
Graham Henry first non-British coach of the Lions
Call it post-colonial, call it usurping, but New Zealander Graham Henry
will be charged with giving the British Lions Rugby-Union team a new roar
for their tour of Australia next year. Citing his will to win and his
professionalism as reasons for his selection, ex-Lions centre Scott Gibbs
also believes he will be the right man for the job, because "he hates
the Aussies even more than the Poms do."
(24 June 2000)
On a wing and a prayer
Jonah Lomu, "the world's greatest living
player and rugby's most global individual commodity", turns to the Bible
for inspiration on the rugby field. Says Lomu, "It says there, 'tis greater
to give than receive', so that's what I do when I'm on the pitch. I make sure
that I give a load, then I'm less likely to have to receive any".
(11
December 2001)
Times past
It was fourteen years ago today that Captain Kirk got the boys to play, winning
the inaugural Rugby World Cup at Eden Park.
(20 June 2001)
Founder found
The lost grave of Denis Hoben, founder of the New Zealand Rugby Football
Union, uncovered in Sydney.
(9 June 2001)
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Funding the flagship
"The turf in Auckland's Eden Park stadium is freshly laid and verdant
green, but three floors up, the corporate hospitality suite remains
unfinished," writes the Financial Times' David Fickling.
"Martin Snedden, chief executive of New Zealand's 2011 Rugby World
Cup organising body, steps up to address about 200 members gathered in
business suits, fluorescent jackets and hard hats. 'I think we missed a
huge opportunity when we brought you all up here,' he grins. 'We should
have said the only way back down is to buy your way out with some
corporate sponsorship.' The laughter is good-natured but subdued. A
funding crisis is a rite of passage for any international sporting
tournament. As the flagship venue for next year's event, Eden Park is no
exception. New Zealand, like many other countries, is only slowly emerging
from a deep recession, and beneath the pride over hosting the event, there
is a note of unease in the room. It is typical of New Zealand, and its
profound reverence for its national sport, that borrowing [money] would
seem to matter less if the All Blacks triumph next year."
(10 March 2010)
Getting stuck in
Rotorua-raised Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley, 23, hopes to play for England
in the Six Nations and, according to the Telegraph's Paul Ackford,
"Hartley is a find for England because he plays with a rage that all good
international teams need". "Dog, devil, attitude — call it what you
will — is beyond coaching, and the men who have it are precious. As with all
proper forwards, Hartley wears pain as a badge of pride. 'I love where I play.
I'm heavy and I'm not as fast or as skilful as the backs, so hooker suits me.
What front-rowers are good at is putting their heads where other people won't
and pushing and enjoying the contact side of things, getting their ears
squeezed.' England need to stir themselves for this Six Nations and Hartley
could just be the man wielding the spoon."
(30 January 2010)
Watch out for Laulala
New Zealand centre Casey Laulala, 27, signed with the Cardiff Blues in July,
having turned down Magners League champions Munster. Samoan-born Laulala is
described by many as one of the hardest players to contain in broken-field play
in the New Zealand game and was schooled at Wesley College in Pukekohe — the
same place that helped develop Jonah Lomu. Laulala, who made his debut for New
Zealand against Wales in Cardiff in November 2004, signed off the season Down
Under in Canterbury's 28–20 Air New Zealand Cup win over Wellington in
Christchurch in November. What impact do you think Casey Laulala will have at
the Cardiff Blues? "It was good to leave Canterbury on a high having won
the Air New Zealand Cup but I was ready for a change," he said. "I
wanted a change of lifestyle and living in Europe certainly
appealed."
(2 December 2009)
Union purgatory
"If we need any proof that God is a New Zealander," writes The
Australian's Bret Harris, "it is the hell that Wallabies coach Robbie
Deans is going through." "Deans' mortal sin was leaving New Zealand
where he coached the highly successful Crusaders to join forces with the arch
enemy across the Tasman. It is as if Deans has died and gone to hell and his
punishment is to endure seeing the Wallabies put themselves in potentially
match-winning positions against the All Blacks only to have victory taken away.
The All Blacks were in seventh heaven when they came from behind to beat the
Wallabies 32–19 in Tokyo. The Wallabies can get their grand slam tour on track
with a win against England, but Deans will not be freed from his purgatory until
the Wallabies find a way to beat the All Backs — and they need to do it before
the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand."
(3 November 2009)
Tokyo tactics pay off
The All Blacks extended their seven-match unbeaten record over the Wallabies
with a score of 32–19 watched by a crowd of 44,030 at Tokyo's National
Stadium. Dan Carter kicked 22 points to add to tries from Sitiveni Sivivatu and
Conrad Smith on either side of halftime. "It is great to have some
momentum," said All Blacks head coach Graham Henry. "The game as a
spectacle was excellent, and I'm sure the people who watched it will have
enjoyed it. It was outstanding to hear the Japanese people calling out 'All
Blacks, All Blacks,' and to have a game like that and a full house and people
going away with smiles on their faces can only help the game here." The
match was only the second time the Bledisloe Cup has been contested away from
home, following last year's spectacle in Hong Kong.
(1 November 2009)
Pressure for the best
All Black coach Graham Henry has told The Independent that though New
Zealand's national team has a much smaller resource than the majority of
countries, this is what makes his job so interesting and stimulating. "The
hunger among the players and coaching staff ... to succeed ... is as deep as
ever, that's for sure. We probably had another team of injuries this year and
while that is the way it goes sometimes, hopefully it won't be the same next
year," Henry said. Henry insists the All Blacks' targets on their spring
tour to the northern hemisphere will be clearly defined. "We want to play
some decent rugby. We have some big tests ahead of us and it will be highly
competitive. But we want to be proud of the rugby we play, that's the first
thing. Then there is the fact that 2011 is coming up and it's going to be a very
important tour for the players, either to further cement themselves as
candidates for the World Cup squad or play their way out of contention. I think
the New Zealand media expects top class performances from us every time we go
out there. That has got positives and negatives. It puts a lot of pressure on
people but the positives far outweigh the negatives. Pressure brings out the
best in people."
(24 September 2009)
Back to Blacks
World champion Black Ferns will play a rare double-header with the All Blacks
against England at London's Twickenham on November 21 — something Black Ferns
coach Brian Evans believed would inspire his players. "Twickenham has such
great rugby history so it will be fantastic for the Ferns. Also getting the
opportunity to play after the All Blacks versus England test is a great
honour," Evans said. The England women's rugby team are the chief rivals of
the Black Ferns, having played them in the last two women's World Cup finals —
in 2002 and 2006. The Black Ferns won both those finals. The Black Ferns are
playing two Tests against England and one international against England A as
part of their build-up to the 2010 World Cup.
(12 August 2009)
Closing time
The All Blacks head to South Africa for the Tri-Nations Tournament as the best
closers in rugby. In the last five meetings between the All Blacks and the
Springboks, the All Blacks have dominated late in the game, with four wins
coming thanks to try-scoring sprees in the final quarter of those matches.
Backline coach Wayne Smith attributes the All Blacks' strength to their profound
depth. "If you want intensity in a Test match for 80 minutes, you've got to
have 22 players able to contribute. You can't have 16, 17, or 18 because at some
point you're going to lose intensity."
(24 July 2009)
Battle commences
The All Blacks have won their first match in the 2009 Bledisloe Cup and
Tri-Nations series against Australia 22–16 at Auckland's Eden Park. With
skipper Richie McCaw back to lead the way, the All Blacks shrugged off their
indifferent early-season form to come from behind and lay down a marker ahead of
Tests in South Africa in the coming two weekends. All Black Stephen Donald slot
his fourth three-pointer of the night six minutes from time to put the home side
22–16 in front and super defence ensured in the dying minutes that was a close
as the Australians would get. The Sydney Morning Herald's Greg Growden
wrote of the Australian defeat: "The Wallabies showed they are not yet
mentally up to beating the All Blacks on home soil. They are too easily
intimidated. The skills and fitness have improved in the past year but the
killer instinct is not there."
(18 July 2009)
Back for more
Rugby great Jonah Lomu, 34, is to join French third division side Marseille
Vitrolles. And Lomu hopes that, together with fellow new boys Alain Hyardet,
Isitolo Maka, Julian Vulakoro and David Gerard, he can help turn Marseille into
a force to be reckoned with. "Marseille is the second city in France,"
Lomu said. "It should have a great rugby club. Now the club is giving
itself means to fulfil their ambitions." Out of the game for over a year,
Lomu said he is looking forward to passing on his knowledge of the game to the
club's young players. Many believed that Lomu, who has 63 caps for New Zealand,
had retired in 2007, but he claims that thought never crossed his mind.
"Everyone thought that I had stopped my career, but it was a mistake.
"I always feel the need to play and only I will decide when it will be the
end."
(28 June 2009)
All Black nostalgia
Dan Carter is returning to New Zealand from his time playing in Perpignan,
France and in the first of an exclusive two-part interview with The
Independent, Carter "makes an unequivocal statement about a possible
future conflict of emotions between his homeland and a new life in Europe."
"I would say I have a feel for the two of them now. New Zealand can be
difficult at times, but the rewards are so much better. Playing for [France] and
winning competitions still give special pleasures," Carter says.
"Because of the injury, I now want to play again. It's been good here and I
have had a great time but I am ready to return to my Kiwi lifestyle. I'm really
hungry to play again. Playing for the All Blacks is still the most important
thing for me."
(9 June 2009)
Harlequins hero
As Harlequins fly-half , Nick Evans "produced the greatest four minutes of
controlled rugby I have been privileged to see against Stade Français"
according to Times sports columnist Stuart Barnes. Evans next plays on
Sunday in the Heineken Cup semi-finals against Leinster. Had he been the All
Blacks' regular fly-half there would be no Harlequins versus Leinster.
Ironically, had the North Shore-raised former All Black stayed in New Zealand he
would have had a clear run at the No 10 shirt for the rest of this calendar year
with Carter injured. "Yes, Murphy's Law, isn't it? But the first thing I
will say is I have no regrets at all. I did not make the decision lightly and
knew it would pretty much end my involvement with the All Blacks for a while,
which was tough, very tough." Some say practice makes perfect, but a lot of
inspiration and sheer nerve were also required to steer the Londoners to that
epic late win against Stade Français. Evans was the calmest man in the ground,
tucked within the eye of the storm. The great moment of his Harlequins career to
date was that drop goal, the kick that is a neat summation of how Evans the
fly-half has matured and balanced his game. And there is probably nobody
Harlequins would rather have with them. Not even Dan Carter.
(12 April 2009)
Australasian citizenship
Wellington-born David Kirk,
former All Black captain and chief executive of Fairfax, is now an Australian
citizen. Kirk, skipper of the World Cup winners in the inaugural 1987
tournament, confirmed he would always back the All Blacks over the Wallabies.
"It's the All Blacks all the way." He also said his heart still
belonged to New Zealand. "I grew up in New Zealand. My heart, my emotion,
my commitment of course is to New Zealand … There are a lot of similarities
between New Zealanders and Australians. In many ways I think of myself as an
Australasian." Kirk, who has lived in Australia for the past decade, was a
Rhodes Scholar and adviser to former prime minister Jim Bolger. He resigned from
Fairfax in December 2008.
(26 January 2009)
AB supporters take heed
New Zealander and London-based publisher Martin Moodie was “probably one of only 500 in the 26,000 strong crowd” at Limerick’s Thomond Park when the All Blacks played Munster, “ and was honoured to be present at such an event and deeply moved by the respect the Munster crowd showed for the All Blacks, for my country and for the game of rugby.” In an article on the Moodiesan Publishing site
www.thecupiscominghome.com Moodie praises the Irish team’s “dignity and grace”. “When ‘Smokin’ Joe’ scored that heartbreaking, game-breaking try in the 87th minute,” writes Moodie, “Stephen Donald’s resultant conversion attempt, if successful, would have put the All Blacks out of reach of defeat by an even later drop goal or penalty. It was the most crucial of kicks. In almost any other stadium in the world, at least outside Ireland, the booing from the home supporters would have been loud, prolonged and venomous ... When Ireland (especially, but also any other international side) play our teams back home, let’s banish the booing too. Let’s take up the alternative cry of ‘Shhhhh’ and show that at the rugby table of manners, the Irish are not the only diners.”
(19 November 2008)
Te Rauparaha's war cry
The all-Maori team first performed a haka against Surrey in Richmond in 1888
where they, according to the Illustrated London News, "cavorted
about in ostrich-feather capes and tassell'd caps in a device of novelty and
excitement for the sizeable gathering." The all-white first All Blacks
prefaced their immortal 1905 epic against Wales in Cardiff, reported the South
Wales Daily News, "amidst a silence that could almost be felt, the
Colonials stood centre-field and sang their weird war-cry." In the Guardian's
sports blog this week, Frank Keating has queried the relevance of this sporting
war dance writing that "the haka has had its day" and that "an
occasional and once diverting wheeze has long passed its sell-by date." New
Zealand reporter Duncan
Johnstone has a different perspective writing that before the All Blacks
beat Wales 29–9 in Cardiff this week: "The haka was again sensational ...
The entire squad stood locked in an eyeball stare with their rivals for a full
two minutes and referee Jonathan Kaplan tried in vain to budge them for the
kickoff." The All Blacks next play England in London for the final leg of
their UK tour, just one victory away from their third Grand Slam.
(18 November 2008)
Winning ways
Former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick has been asked to take part in a
one-on-one mentoring initiative with a group of young Scotland players.
Fitzpatrick will be linked with Ross Ford, the present Scotland hooker who,
barring injury, is certain to retain his place for the international on November
8, as part of the 'Winning Mentors' programme. The idea is that former union
stars will work with the younger players, helping them to achieve all that they
can in the sport. If the pilot programme in rugby is a success, it will be
rolled out to other sports, with hockey probably next in line. Winning Mentors
manager Scotland and British Isles fly half Gregor Townsend said of those
selected: "It is about passing on their knowledge — and the knowledge we
have within the programme is fantastic." Fitzpatrick is a motivational
speaker and analyst for the BBC and Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.
(28 October 2008)
Wazza's Gallic reinvention
Toulouse No 9, Byron Kelleher says that moving to France was the best thing he
ever did and though he misses the All Blacks, he has opened another chapter in
his life. After 10 years and 59 Test caps, Dunedin-born Kelleher, 31, initially
found it difficult to adapt to the French culture and a foreign language, not to
mention the hangover of the World Cup quarter-final exit to France in Cardiff.
But Kelleher, quick, combative and strong, loves the unstructured style of
French play - instinctive and willing to give it a go. No wonder France have
adopted him as one of their own. Kelleher is one of the most multi-dimensional
characters in world rugby. He does not slow down off the field. Kelleher has set
up the BK9 Foundation, helping French youngsters pursue their sporting dreams
with the likes of Prince Albert of Monaco, Bernard Hinault and Yannick Noah
among the patrons. He has a BK9 clothing range in France and is a partner in
Range Industries, a company that recycles plastic. "My priority is rugby,
but if you do other things it opens your mind, as you meet new people and
discover new things."
(4 October 2008)
Memories of Bledisloe
In 2000, in front of 109,874 spectators jammed into Sydney's Stadium Australia,
Jonah Lomu landed the tenth try in a nerve-racking Bledisloe match beating
Australia 39-35. Swerving in towards his wing opponent, Andrew Walker, drawn
infield in defence, stepping wide again and surging over for the final score of
the game, asked how he felt, Lomu whispered: "Relief more than anything
else. Hopefully, we did the country proud." He did, and also the game. It
was, as the headline writer penned: "The Night Heaven came to Earth."
In 1931, New Zealand's Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, presented the ornate,
metre-high silver trophy for perpetual rugby battles between the Anzac nations.
New Zealand won the first, 20-13.
(26 July 2008)
Lomu in charity match
Rugby World Cup's top try-scorer Jonah Lomu, 33, will play for the International
Select XV in a charity match called, 'Help the Heroes' at Twickenham in
September. The fundraiser will be staged to help with the care and
rehabilitation of British service personnel injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lomu scored 15 tries in the 1995 Cup including a quartet against England in the
1995 semi-final, running over Mike Catt in the process. "As soon as I heard
about the Help for Heroes cause and the game, I knew it was something I wanted
to be a part of," he said, adding: "There are some great names already
signed up to this fixture and I'm really looking forward to being a part of
it." Lomu has recently been training with the New Zealand Warriors.
(15 July 2008)
Juniors bag victory
New Zealand has won the world junior rugby under-20 championships in Swansea,
Wales, beating England 38-3 in a four-try match. The young All Blacks may have
been the overwhelming favourites from the start of the tournament but they did
not expect to win the final with such overwhelming ease. Even with the victory,
New Zealand captain Chris
Smith said there had been a lot of pressure on his team entering the final.
"A lot of preparation went into this, and I'm just so proud, I couldn't be
happier," Smith said. New Zealand are bringing out the worst in England
this month, sweeping all before them this year with some exhilarating,
intelligent rugby.
(23 June 2008)
Deans' ultimate crusade
The Crusaders, who have won more titles than any other team in the franchise,
have claimed another winning this year's Super 14 against the Waratahs and coach
Robbie Deans, who leaves to coach the Wallabies, said it was great to be a part
of the 20-12 victory. Canterbury was fuelled by what captain Richie McCaw called
a "passion" to furnish Deans and retiring players with a final
championship. "It was a deserved victory," Deans said. "The
defence was remarkable. They deserved it and they got it. I'm just stoked for
the blokes. I don't do it they do it." Deans will lead the Wallabies into
the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He is the first ever foreigner to coach Australia, and
players have all been gushing with praise for the quietly-spoken Deans.
Australian wing Digby
Ioane said: "He's an awesome bloke. His knowledge is just great; it's
going to be good for Australia."
(1 June 2008)
Oliver the Oxonian
Former Highlander Anton Oliver, 32, will play the last rugby matches of his
career at Oxford University while he studies for an MSc in Biodiversity,
Environment and Management. Oliver, winner of 55 New Zealand caps at hooker who
was last seen in action for the All Blacks during the World Cup, says he feels
very privileged to be accepted by the University. "I see my time at Oxford
as a clear demarcation in my life, leaving behind a life as a professional
sportsperson for one of academic rigour and thought," he says. "The
chance to play in the Varsity match - which is clearly a unique event in rugby
union - is also very exciting and I see it as a natural way for me to finish my
playing career." Oliver played a record 127 games for the Highlander
franchise.
(12 May 2008)
A diamond in the rough
A little-known NZ rugby book has received critical acclaim in the UK. Inside
French Rugby: Confessions of a Kiwi Mercenary offers an insight into author John
Daniell's experiences as a professional player, and is described as a
"gem off the beaten track" in the Observer. "Daniell
depicts it all with a beautifully understated humour and affection, while still
managing to shake his head in disbelief at some of the excesses of his confreres,"
reads the review. "You may have to delve behind the more prominently
positioned rugby books to find this one, but it will reward you long after the
clamour surrounding the others has drifted away on the wind." Inside
French Rugby is published by Wellington's Awa Press.
(11 November 2007)
Something to Crowe about
Russell Crowe is gradually proving the naysayers wrong as co-owner of the South
Sydney 'Rabbitohs' rugby league club. Crowe and businessman Peter Holmes a Court
took over and privatised the beleaguered club in 2006, sparking numerous
protests from fans and league officials. "What we're doing has never been
done before," said Holmes a Court in the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I still don't know if we're going to be successful. I know this is a crazy
thing to do. It doesn't stack up on any of the numbers my accountant will agree
to as a business deal. But I know this club would not have survived." The SMH
is impressed with the pair's efforts so far: "As anyone at the club who was
there for a nanosecond of the dark days will attest, their influence has been
remarkable."
(30 July 2007)
ANZACs honoured in Acton
The second annual ANZAC Sports Challenge will be held at Twyford Park in
Acton, London, on April 21. The event celebrates NZ and Australia's shared ANZAC
heritage by staging friendly matches across a range of sports codes, including
rugby, touch, Aussie rules, netball and soccer. Non-sporting attractions include
food, beverages and merchandise from home, as well as an array of musical and
cultural performances from both NZ and Australia.
(March 2007)
Home town tribute
A memorial to legendary All Black captain Dave Gallaher is being planned in his
home town of Ramelton, Ireland. The Dave Gallaher Society is proposing the
transformation of a bottle recycling waste ground into a walled garden with
murals, a fountain and a central bronze statue of Gallaher in classic rugby
pose. The society also wants to hold a "twinning" ceremony with
Gallaher's adopted home of Katikati, which is well known in NZ for its extensive
public artwork. Dave Gallaher was born in Ramelton and emigrated to NZ with his
family in 1878. He played 33 matches with the "Originals," so named
because they were the first NZ rugby team to use the All Black name. The
Originals won 32 of their 33 games.
(26 January 2007)
All Blacks depart Europe undefeated
The All Blacks completed their European end-of-year tour with a comprehensive
victory at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, overcoming the Welsh 45-10.
The result, means that the All Blacks finish the 2006 season with 13 wins from
their 14 internationals, their only loss coming against the South Africans in
September during the Tri-Nations. While much of the pre-match commentary focused
on the controversy surrounding the non-performance of the traditional haka, the
All Blacks remained undeterred. For the fourth match in a row in this European
tour, it was the defensive power of the All Blacks that stood out as the key to
their victory. Reporting on the match for The Guardian, Paul Rees observed
"Wales were rushed into making mistakes. New Zealand, as at Twickenham and
in Lyon, absorbed pressure by applying their own and attacked from turnovers
when the defence was disorganised. It was simple, brutal and lethal." In
Scotland, All Black domination of world rugby this season continued, as Ritchie
McCaw was named the IRB player of the year. According to reports by Reuters,
"the fiercely competitive and destructive flanker was at the heart of his
country's Tri-Nations success and victorious European tour". The All Blacks
were named the international team of the year, and Graham Henry awarded coach of
the year. All Black selector Sir Brian Lochore was also honoured at the
ceremony, receiving the Vernon Pugh award for Distinguished Service. The All
Blacks now return home to New Zealand to start planning for their return-trip to
Europe in September 2007, where they will be aiming for another clean-sweep tour
to win back the Webb Ellis Trophy.
(29 November 2006)
One for the true fan
In the era of selling Britney Spears' used chewing gum on eBay, Adidas has
released a limited edition All Blacks poster containing DNA
samples from every member of the national team. According to Chris Waugh of
Adidas NZ, the appropriately titled Bonded by Blood poster "[reflects] the
depth of support All Blacks fans give to their team. Adidas believes rugby is an
essential part of NZ's DNA and we wanted to show how the players and their
supporters are inextricably linked - how supporting the All Blacks is in our
blood." The DNA was taken from sterilised blood samples donated by the
players.
(24 June 2006)
Home turf heroics
NZ went to the top of the IRB Rugby Sevens table after their third straight
victory in the Wellington tournament. The Kiwis beat Argentina 31-7, giving them
52 points in total, ahead of traditional rivals Fiji on 44. In December
NZ won the South African leg at Outeniqua Park Stadium, beating Fiji 33-19. The
next tournament takes place in LA.
(5 February 2005)
Six out of six Sevens
NZ claimed its sixth successive IRB Sevens World Series victory, ahead of the
final leg of the competition in France. By the end of the London Sevens
tournament in June, NZ had enough overall points to stand clear of any other
competitor.
(6 June 2005)
Ooh ah Umaga!
A Rugby Heaven feature charts
Tana Umaga’s meteoric rise from early flirtations with rugby league to becoming
the All Black’s first Pacific Island captain. “Bob Marley would have seen
another rebel in Tana Umaga, a fellow Rastaman, dreadlocks swinging, face
leathered, hawk eyes glinting […] Umaga does not have to carry a guitar or
thunder political campaigns for freedom from oppression through reggae concerts
as did the Jamaican. He conducts more muscular campaigns, through mesmerising
feats of hand and foot, through deed and sweat rather than song and ganja haze.”
(7 August 2004)
AB's win "by strangulation"
The All Blacks beat Australia 16-7 in
miserable Wellington conditions to retain the Bledisloe Cup for the first time
in seven years. Guardian: "For
all the major effect the elements had in ruining this contest as a free-flowing
spectacle, it was still as dominant a display of forward power as has been seen
by the All Blacks in a decade. The Wallabies got close on the scoreboard but
nowhere else."
(17 July 2004)
All Blacks 3-0 start for
2004
Two crushing
wins over England and a scratchy performance against Argentina started the
Graham Henry-coached, Tana Umaga-led 2004 All Blacks. Coverage from The
Independent on the victories at Carisbrook, Eden
Park and Hamilton
Next matches are against the Pacific Islanders at Albany on 10 July, Australia
at Wellington on 17 July and South Africa at Christchurch on 24 July.
(29 June 2004)
Black day for ABs
After starting as promising co-favourites the All Blacks finished a
disappointing third in the 2003 World Cup being knocked out in the semi-finals 22-10
by a more professional and committed Wallaby performance. England defeated
Australia 20-17 in an utterly memorable final. Solace for Kiwi fans facing
another 4 years of hurt: the Aussie fans weren't expecting it either and the
ABs have again fallen victim to another of rugby's greatest
upset wins. "It's
only a game". Lock Chris Jack, breakaway Richie McCaw, and the speedy back three of Joe
Rokocoko, Doug Howlett and Mils Muliaina made the tournament Fantastic
XV. "Don't lose sight of the fact that this New Zealand team are the
ones who have set
the standard for world rugby this year. They are a very, very good
side." Wallaby coach Eddie Jones (who at least nurses an empty trophy cabinet
through the off-season)
(15 November 2003)
Robin Williams: "I realised I could fall out of Jonah's nose ..."
Jonah Lomu has announced his withdrawal from this year’s NPC competition, and
has given up any hope of making the 2003 World Cup squad. The most famed of wingers has
experienced foot and calf muscle problems as a result of his dialysis treatment.
In Peter Fitzsimons' SMH
column Robin Williams recalls his encounter with the taro-fuelled combine
harvester: "It is so freakin' brutal. I met Jonah Lomu. I never knew how
huge he was. I felt like a peasant in a Godzilla movie. Quickly! Tell the other
villagers! We go now! I realised I could fall out of Jonah's nose, and he
wouldn't even know."
(18 September 2003)
Fast and furious Springbok safari
The All Blacks thrashed South Africa 52 - 16 in the Tri-Nations opener in the
high velt fortress of Loftus Versfeld. It was South Africa's worst
home defeat with the ABs producing a fine display of getting-it-wide running
rugby based around a sturdy forward platform. In a complete performance they ran
in seven tries to South Africa's one, including a brace each to wings Doug
Howlett (above) and Joe Rocokoko.
(20 July 2003)
NZ rugby the winner on the day
The Auckland Blues emerged victorious in a NZ dominated Super 12
competition. The ACT Brumbies were the only non-NZ team to scrape into the
semi-finals.
The final
saw Auckland beat defending champions the Canterbury Crusaders 21-17. Southern
Hemisphere domination didn't immediately translate globally though, as the ABs
were beaten 15-13 by a resilient
England on 14th June in the World Cup year season opener. In the subsequent
weeks they picked up victories over the Welsh (55-3) and French (31-23).
(24 May 2003)
Captain Kirk at the helm
Former All Blacks captain, David Kirk, has been appointed chief executive of
troubled Australian publishing company PMP. Chairman Graham Reaney believes the
ex-Rhodes scholar and governmental advisor has what it takes to turn PMP's
fortunes around: "He has a strong track record of growing shareholder value
by driving change throughout all levels of a business."
(11 February 2003)
Golden boy
In a rare coup for a Kiwi,
Warrior Stacey Jones has been awarded rugby league's top honour: the Golden
Boot. The trophy represents the sports media's pick for best player in the
world. Andrew Johns, Golden Boot winner of the past two years, had nothing but
praise for his rival: "It's not really his strengths - it's his weaknesses,
he doesn't really have any these days."
(20 December 2002)
All Black mana enhanced
"Playing New Zealand means battling against the myths, legends and history
of the All Blacks. In this professional era the aggression, determination and
sheer ferociousness of the New Zealand game make them so hard to beat."
English coach Clive Woodward: "The All Blacks are still the glamour team, the
Brazil of rugby". In the IRPA Awards openside Richie McCaw was named
newcomer of the year and the All Blacks were voted team of the year. Outstanding
winger Doug Howlett and impressive flanker Marty Holah made World
XV's after the matches.
(2002)
Tri-nations champions
The All Blacks positioned themselves to take the Tri-nations title for the first
time since 1999 with a gripping and eventful
tussle with the Springboks (including a spectator who took the game into his own
hands). The ABs won 30-23 and secured
the title a week later when Houdini switched sides for once as South Africa put
away the Wallabies 33-31, scoring the winning points in the dying stages. Seven All Blacks made the Zurich World XV
named after the tournament.
(August 2002)
"Oh the shame"
Crys the Sydney Morning Herald. In a great weekend for trans-Tasman
rivalry the All Blacks put one hand on the Beldislode Cup with a tough
12-6 victory
over the Wallabies in atrocious conditions in Christchurch and the All Whites
"humiliated"
the Socceroos 1-0 to win the Nations' Cup and gain entry to next June's
Confederation's Cup against such global heavyweights as Brazil and France. The
ABs followed up with a convincing
win a week later, over-powering
the Springboks 41-20 at Wellington's cake-tin.
(15 July 2002)
Canterbury Crusaders find rugby holy-land
"New Zealand's
Crusaders put up a persuasive case as world
rugby's champion provincial team with their unbeaten sweep through the Super
12 series" ... sealing the tournament with a dominant 31-13 win over the
ACT Brumbies. Earlier the Crusaders approached rugby nirvana in the final
round - routing the NSW Warratah's by an incredible
96-19. It was like a mismatched fathers vs. sons beach match. Competition
records:
biggest win, biggest margin of defeat, most
tries scored in a match. It was NSW rugby's biggest loss in 120
years of representative football, "the blackest day for the blue
shirt" whimpers the shell-shocked Sydney
Morning Herald. Can the AB's continue the form? Alarm
bells ring in Aussie.
(12 May 2002)
School of hard knocks
Jonah Lomu talks to The Independent
about growing up on South Auckland's mean streets. "I lost an uncle
decapitated in a shopping centre and a cousin who was stabbed. That's when my
mother said I was off to boarding school. Her greatest fear was that I didn't
know my own strength...once I learned to control my anger...that was the biggest
turning point in my career". The street's loss - world rugby's gain ...
'till the fields ring again and again?
(16 January 2002)
Dallas Cowboys in the Super 12?
Rugby, the sport of choice in countries like New Zealand and Australia is
gaining a strong foothold in the States, and particularly in Dallas, Patricia
Lowell finds out why. "Rugby may have a reputation for being a blood sport
rife with broken collar bones, crooked noses and missing teeth, but for those
who play, it's more than a game - it's a brotherhood."
(19 June 2000)
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Lending a hand
Former New Zealand All Black Wellington-born Filo Tiatia, 38, now a back-row
forward and coach with the Ospreys rugby region in Wales, is backing a campaign
to save Swansea's Tennis Centre from closure. He said his children were regular
users of the courts near the Liberty Stadium where he plays and coaches. Swansea
council, which must find #17m, said the centre received a #120,000 annual
subsidy and cost more to run per visit than any of its leisure centres. Tiatia
also said it would make it harder to get the message across about the importance
of exercise. "It's a shame that we are hearing that they are trying to
close this facility," he said. "Like most of the parents I'm quite
concerned about them closing it." Before signing for the Ospreys, Tiatia
played in Japan for four years with Toyota Verblitz.
(16 February 2010)
Home to rest
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans heads home to Christchurch for some jet boating and
a family catch-up having been at the helm of the Australian team for two
seasons. Deans and the Wallabies flew out of London optimistic about their
future prospects after signing off from their spring tour of Japan, the UK and
Ireland with a resounding victory over Wales at Millennium Stadium. With his
new-look side averaging just 24 years a player, and featuring outstanding
talents like James O'Connor, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, David Pocock, Benn
Robinson and Ben Alexander, Deans is hopeful the Wallabies are on the up heading
towards the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. "But you never arrive to that
end. You've got to keep attending to all the detail, but we know from within
that we're tracking in the right direction," he said. "You can never
take your foot off the pedal. You've got to keep going."
(30 November 2009)
Modest wrecking ball
"Put simply: when Richie McCaw plays, New Zealand tend to win; when he
doesn't, they don't," states Telegraph sports writer Paul Ackford as
part of a week-long debate in the publication to decide who really is the
current greatest rugby player in the world. "I brook no argument on
this," Ackford continues. "You can trumpet your Jonny Wilkinsons, your
Brian O'Driscolls, your Bryan Habanas, your Victor Matfields, even your Dan
Carters, as long and as loud as you like, but McCaw is the man. McCaw's success
rate is phenomenal, not just as a hunter of midfield backs but as a wrecking
ball who forces turnovers. And he has done this for nine seasons in an area of
the game that has become brutal to the point of masochism, and over a period
where the techniques for retrieving and protecting the ball have been subject to
a multiplicity of interpretation. It would be very wrong, and a serious
misreading of what's important in and around big rugby matches, to let his
innate modesty or this generation's puerile demand for simple and instant
gratification to undermine his claim to greatness. In a complex game, McCaw does
the difficult better than anyone."
(31 October 2009)
Rugby's Adonis
"Ladies and gentlemen — introducing the new Jonah Lomu," announces
Alison Kervin in an article for The Sunday Times. "The awesome New
Zealand wing who tore the England defence to pieces on a memorable afternoon in
Cape Town 14 years ago is not in the early stages of gender reassignment but has
become a competitive body-builder. 'Oh man, I enjoyed it,' admits the
34-year-old, who came second in the Wellington Open Championships a few weeks
ago. Lomu's surprising decision to train for a new sport came after he heard
about the plight of Tracy Toulis, a body-builder eager to rebuild her career
after an operation for breast cancer. "She needed a partner for the pairs
event so I thought, 'Hell, yeah, I can do that'. I like a challenge," he
says. He is re-launching his rugby career in November when he starts playing for
the French second division side Marseilles Vitrolle. 'Man, I feel like a little
kid at the candy store waiting for it to open,' he says.
(11 October 2009)
Bledisloe Cup memories
All Black Evan "Ted" Jessep, who was born in 1904 and died in 1983,
debuted for New Zealand in 1931 at Eden Park against the Wallabies as the second
hooker in a two-man front row before taking the position of prop in helping
Australia win the Bledisloe Cup for the first time against New Zealand in 1904.
Jessep hooked for New Zealand in the first Test of the 1932 series, helping his
adopted country claim the Bledisloe Cup in its inaugural year of trans-Tasman
competition, and when New Zealand lost the trophy two years later, Jessep was
there again, on this significant occasion propping in the Australian front row.
Australia and New Zealand had played Test rugby against each other since 1903
without any trophy awarded, and the Governor-General of New Zealand, a rugby
buff named Lord Bledisloe, decided the situation had to be changed, donating a
pure silver metre-high cup. It is of such value that the winning team and its
captain have borne the trophy on a triumphant circuit of the Test ground, drank
their champagne from it and then surrendered it to its guardians, who rush it
back into its security in a jeweller's safe.
(24 July 2009)
Ospreys welcome Collins
Former All Black back-rower Jerry Collins, 28, has signed two-year contract with
Welsh Liberty Stadium side the Ospreys having arrived from French team Toulon.
Collins says he is taking nothing for granted at his new club. "There's a
very strong squad here with options everywhere," said the 48-cap man, now
retired from Test rugby. "I will have to earn the right to wear the shirt,
which is exactly how it should be." The Samoan-born forward made 48
appearances in the All Blacks' back-row, starting against Argentina in 2003 and
ending in New Zealand's 20-18 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat by
France in Cardiff. "It's not about past reputations. Fitness and form is
what dictates whether someone is going to play," Collins says. "There
are three or four familiar faces from New Zealand [in the Ospreys squad] which
certainly helps you to settle in, but the welcome from everyone has been first
class."
(9 July 2009)
Blacks triumph
The Junior All Blacks have won the IRB Toshiba World Junior Championship beating
England 44-28 in Tokyo, retaining the title won last year in Wales when they
thrashed the same team 38-3 in the final. This year, the All Blacks stunned
England with three tries in the space of five minutes before the half-hour mark.
England coach Mark Mapletoft said: "We were beaten by a better team."
The squad is currently coached by Colin Cooper and Ian Foster.
(22 June 2009)
To Osaka and Kintetsu
Crusaders fullback Blenheim-born Leon MacDonald has signed a two-year deal with
the Kintetsu Liners Club in Japan. The 31-year-old said he had signed a deal
with Kintetsu and will join the Osaka-based club in June once he completes his
Super 14 commitments with Canterbury Crusaders. MacDonald played 56 tests for
the All Blacks between 2000 and 2008 and 118 matches for the Crusaders.
"Leon has performed at the very highest level and has done fantastically
well for the All Blacks, Crusaders and Canterbury," New Zealand coach
Graham Henry said. "He has had to overcome major obstacles with injury and
has returned to play some exceptional rugby." In the 2004 season, MacDonald
played for Yamaha Jubilo in Japan.
(7 May 2009)
Rugby's return
Rugby Sevens might be only seven years off when it comes to the Olympics, thanks
to an effort to reinstate the sport spearheaded by the Oceania National Olympic
Committee. During a recent committee meeting in Queenstown, Ex-Fiji Captain
Waisale Serevie told members at the ONOC general assembly that the inclusion of
Rugby Sevens in the 2016 Olympics would increase the chances for small countries
to win medals. "Small nations such as Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Kenya, Argentina
and New Zealand would be in with a chance," he said, earning nods and
smiles of approval from the members of the Pacific island nations. Rugby was
last played in the Olympics in 1924 in Paris, and is one of seven sports looking
to join the program in 2016.
(31 March 2009)
Goodbye to a good guy
Former All Black front rower John Drake has died at his home in Mt Maunganui
aged 49. Drake was a tighthead prop in the World Cup-winning All Blacks team of
1987. In recent years he was a highly respected television commentator, wrote a
weekly column for The New Zealand Herald, and also ran several businesses
in the Bay of Plenty. One of Drake's close friends, former All Black Gary
Whetton said: "He was not only a successful sportsman but also a
business and family man too. He valued friendships so we'll miss him
dearly." Drake's former coach at Auckland University John Hart said he was
a cornerstone of the team that won the World Cup. "He had a tremendously
dry sense of humour, a real fun person, and he had a great balance he enjoyed
his life to the full," Hart said. "He wasn't a rugby buff: he went
away to France early in his rugby career and I had to spend many times on the
phone to get him come back to play for Auckland. He used to have me on about
that. He was one of those guys although he was a great All Black, he didn't have
to have the game; he lived beyond it."
(13 December 2008)
Looking back to black
Former All Black hooker Anton Oliver, 33, is now studying at Oxford University
for an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management, but he'll play
"one more decent game" against Cambridge in the Nomura Varsity Match
on December 11 at Twickenham. Thinking back to the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Oliver
says he struggled to take off the All Black jersey for the last time, but he
understood better than ever what it had meant to be an All Black. "I knew
that night my life as a rugby player was finished. Full stop. Leaving the All
Blacks is a bit like leaving the Mafia. When you leave, you leave. You're gone.
You're not coming back, mate. Football boots removed, concrete boots go on.
That's it. No more." Oliver most recently played for the French
second-division club Toulon.
(16 November 2008)
Not just a uniform
The All Blacks will sport new Adidas-sponsored jerseys ahead of the Bledisloe
Cup match against the Wallabies in Hong Kong on November 1. The initiative,
which was created in partnership with advertising agency TBWA New Zealand,
centres around the individual meaning of the iconic black jersey for each of the
team's 22 members, as well as their fans. A series of posters bearing the line
'This is not a Jersey', along with star players such as captain Richie McCaw and
Milas Muliaina, aim to extend the significance of the garment from that of an
item of clothing to one of a symbol of national pride, unity and bravery.
(20 October 2008)
Emotional win
The All Blacks have retained the Tri-Nations title for the fourth successive
year, beating the Wallabies 28-24 in Brisbane. Sustained by the brilliance of
captain Richie McCaw and also Rodney So'oialo, the All Blacks scored three tries
in 17 minutes. Dan Carter's three conversions which pulled them clear completed
a stellar performance. "It was just a sweet feeling. We have won four
Tri-Nations titles but this was probably the sweetest because we had a number of
new guys who had never played before," said coach Graeme Henry. Former All
Black captain David
Kirk, who led the All Blacks to a Rugby World Cup victory in 1987, wrote:
"The All Blacks played calm, intelligent rugby while the Wallaby fire raged
about them. They won less than 40 per cent of the ball in the first half and
spent virtually no time in the Wallaby 22 ... And through it all they kept their
composure and they won well."
(15 September 2008)
Making rugby Canadian
Taranaki former All Black fullback and provincial coach Kieran Crowley now heads
the national Canadian squad. On the job for a month now, Crowley is in the midst
of a cross-Canada tour during which he's surveying the rugby landscape while
visiting with players and coaches. He inherits a team ranked 15th in the world,
but says: "It's just a matter of developing skills and how to play the game
a little bit - game knowledge and that sort of thing. Rugby where I'm from is
probably like hockey is here." Crowley was a member of the 1987 World Cup
winning All Black side.
(27 May 2008)
Union commute
First five-eighth and fullback Aucklander Nick Evans has signed a three-year
contract with English side the Harlequins for the 2008-2009 Guinness Premiership
season. Considered the high-quality understudy to Daniel Carter, Evans is one of
many New Zealand players leaving for spells in the UK. The New Zealand Rugby
Union is considering tailor-made contracts to allow players to skip overseas -
in Carter's case to Toulon in France - and collect mega-bucks in short bursts of
a few months. It is an arrangement pioneered by Tana Umaga, who commuted between
Toulon and Wellington last season. Chief executive of the Crusaders Hamish Riach
said: "They are flexible contracts which would make it easier for guys to
have their cake and eat it."
(11 May 2008)
Mighty totara of NZ rugby mourned
All Black and NZ Maori legend Pat
Walsh has died of cancer aged 71. Renowned for his versatility, Walsh played
13 Tests in four positions between 1955 and 1963. He served as an All Blacks
selector from 1969 to 1971 after a knee injury ended his playing career, and
went on to work as a hotel publican and philanthropist. NZ Herald
obituarist Don Cameron describes Walsh as "one of the legendary characters
of New Zealand rugby - and certainly among the mightiest totaras of the Maori
game...He had speed, skill and superb balance anywhere in the backline and
spiced these assets with the mischief (and sometimes the mystery) that only
Maori seemed to possess in those days of uninhibited rugby."
(24 November 2007)
Carter in Adidas viral
All Black Daniel Carter stars in a new viral advertisement for Adidas. The ad
was shot at Carter's parents' house, and shows Daniel and his father talking
about his childhood spent kicking goals in the back yard. "We shot the
whole spot in 30 minutes," said copywriter Nick Marzano of Dutch ad agency
180 Amsterdam. "It was totally unscripted apart from a couple of scribbles
on a scrap of paper - just Dan and his dad at home in the backyard, having a
kick around, a good laugh and talking about old times." The ad will be
seeded virally on websites such as YouTube.
(18 September 2007)
Watch this space
Former All Black star Jonah Lomu believes he is back to his physical peak and
will not rule out a return to rugby - or even a switch to rugby league.
"It's irrelevant what everyone else thinks," says the 32-year-old.
"I've always been a dreamer and I will be until I die." Lomu was
struck down by a rare kidney condition at the height of his All Black career. It
is rumoured that he recently turned down a contract with Australian rugby
league's newest franchise, the Titans, because it would compromise his
multimillion-dollar deals with rugby sponsors.
(15 July 2007)
World firsts for NZ ref
North Canterbury's Nicky
Inwood made history this month as the first woman to officiate in a Six
Nations women's rugby match and the first to referee at England's Twickenham
Stadium. The 37-year-old controlled the match between England and Italy, the
curtain-raiser to the men's Six Nations clash between the same countries.
"It is an absolute honour and delight to represent NZ as an international
referee, and to be involved in a women's Six Nations game is simply the
best," she said in the NZ Herald. A former player for Canterbury and
Wanganui, Inwood represented the Black Ferns from 1989 to 1991. She has been a
referee since 1999 and has officiated in two women's rugby World Cups.
(10 February 2007)
Haka faux pas #46
The haka continues to be flavour of the month in international marketing
circles. This time, an English women's rugby team has caused controversy by
including an image of a topless haka in their fundraising calendar. Canterbury
Women's Rugby Club spokeswoman Rebecca Willis has apologised for any offence
caused: "It was based on the haka but it wasn't necessarily the NZ haka ...
We didn't know we would be treading on toes and we didn't think it would get as
far as NZ." Maori Party MP Pita Sharples has played down the incident in
the international press: "Some Maoris were upset by it, not terribly upset,
but they thought it was in bad taste. When the club comes to NZ, I would expect
them to respect the haka. But over there, as a fundraising effort, I wish them
well."
(9 January 2007)
Capping off a great year
Following their seven-try, record-breaking victory last week against the French
in Lyon, the All Blacks continued their run of success in Paris against the host
nation at the Stade de France. Despite the French side showing greater resolve
in front of a home crowd of 80 000, the All Blacks claimed a hard fought 23-11
victory. Meanwhile, the rugby world's fascination with Ritchie
McCaw continued as the All Black captain was named International Rugby
Players' Association's Player of the Year. "It's special to be acknowledged
by your peers, and I'm really grateful for that. The All Blacks have had a good
season and my teammates are part of this award too," McCaw said,
recognition of the fact that four of the five category finalists came from the
All Black side. Adding to what has already been a highly successful year for
Graham Henry's squad, Jason Eaton was named international newcomer of the year
and the All Blacks were awarded team of the year. McCaw and Daniel Carter are
also shortlisted for the soon-to-be-announced, International Rugby Board's
Player of the Year award. The Tri-Nations champions conclude their European tour
against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
(24 November 2006)
JK on growing the game
The Observer talks to All Black legend John Kirwan about his
globetrotting ways and aspirations to coach in the UK. “Kirwan was a travelling rugby player long before it became the fashion it
is today…Unsurprisingly for a man with such a thirst for different cultures,
Kirwan becomes impassioned when discussing the importance of the game
growing.” Formerly head coach for Italy, Kirwan now lives in Venice and works as a consultant for Japanese club side NEC Green Rockets.
(5 February 2006)
A victory for the underdogs
Not to be outdone by their rugby union counterparts, NZ's national rugby league
side achieved a momentous Tri-Nations win against traditional rivals England and
Australia. The BBC describes the NZ's 24-0 victory over Australia in the series
final as "one of the most remarkable performances in rugby league
history." Manu Vatuvei scored two tries and Paul Whatuira and Brent Webb
each scored one. Australia has not lost a Test series since 1978 and the match
marked their first scoreless result since 1985.
(26 November 2005)
Five million in the stands
Despite widespread international media opinion that we would be out in the first
round, New Zealand has won the bid to host the 2011 Rugby World
Cup. After South Africa's unexpected removal from the running, New Zealand
and Japan were left in contention with the final round of voting going New
Zealand's way. Australia voted for Japan. After a campaign tour of 12 countries
in 20 days, the final pitch included presentations from Helen Clark, Tana Umaga,
Jock Hobbs, Colin Meads and Chris Moller. Clark was the first head of state to
visit the IRB offices in Dublin, an appearance that cemented New Zealand's
commitment to the Cup. Former All Black Captain-turned commentator Sean
Fitzpatrick summed up the bid's key messages: "Every New Zealander feels
they have a share of the All Blacks. They love their rugby union and will do
everything to make sure the event is one to remember."
(18 November 2005)
2005: year of the All Black
The All Blacks' decisive win over Scotland on December 2 made them the first NZ
side since 1978 and the first team since Australia in 1984, to complete a
"grand slam" of the UK and Irish home sides on a single tour.
"The grand slam and what we have done previously has capped a great year,
which is delightful," said coach Graham Henry. "They wanted to set
some history in NZ and they have done that, something very special." As
expected, NZ took out all major categories at this year's International
Rugby Board awards. Daniel Carter won player of the year, Graham Henry coach
of the year, and the All Blacks team of the year. A 2005 recap: the AB's won 11
of 12 Tests, crushed the Lions 3-0, won back the Tri-Nations, retained the
Bledisloe Cup, and became the second All Blacks side in a century to achieve a
grand slam against Wales, Ireland, England and Scotland.
(2 December 2005)
A winning formula on and off the field
Hyde Pride, Washington's only all-African American school rugby side, has a Kiwi
connection that extends beyond its game of choice. Established in 1999, the team
at Hyde Leadership Public Charter School has been sponsored by the NZ embassy
since 2002. Ambassador John Wood stumbled upon the school whilst looking for a
new ground to host the embassy's annual rugby tournament - the Ambassador's
Shield. "We discovered that Hyde school had a pretty good ground," he
says. "We found they had a pretty good rugby program, too. But no
money." The embassy adopted Hyde Pride, raising $10,000 for the team from
tournament profits last year. Head coach and founder Tal Bayer describes the
team's story as amazing. As well as its phenomenal success on the field, the
game has undeniably helped team members, many of whom were sent to Hyde as a
last resort for disciplinary problems, in their own personal development. More
important than winning games, Bayer points out, is the fact that every Hyde
Pride player has gone on to attend college.
(14 November 2005)
Golden Oldies return to the source
Wellington is to host next year’s World
Golden Oldies Rugby Festival, the first time the event has been held in NZ since
it was launched there 28 years ago. The festival is expected to attract
approximately 5,000 35+ competitors and supporters from 18 different countries.
“Wellington is the home of NZ rugby and it will give the players and their
supporters a really warm welcome,” says Ambassador for the 2006 Festival Andy
Leslie. “It’s also a great city to visit ... I, for one, am looking forward to
being part of next year’s Festival.”
(19 May 2005)
Plays hard, plays fair
All Black captain Tana Umaga received the Pierre Coubertin Trophy from the
International Committee of Fair Play on December 9. Previous awardees include
Martina Navratilova and Nelson Mandela. The trophy recognised his good
sportsmanship in helping Welsh captain Colin Charvis, who was knocked
unconscious during a June 2003 Test match in Hamilton. Umaga removed Charvis's
mouthguard to ensure he did not swallow his tongue and placed him in the
recovery position while play continued around them. Later in December, the
Guardian picked Umaga to lead their 2004 dream team, which included
fellow All Blacks Joe Rococoko, Daniel Carter (“the season’s big discovery”),
Richie McCaw, and Jerry Collins.
(12 December 2004)
Quick legs, quicker wit
Former All Black Eric Rush interviewed
by the Gulf News at the launch of the 35th Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby
7s tournament. Rush joined Dan Crowley and John Bentley as key note speakers for
the event. “I've played against both Dan and John,” he said. “You'll have to
check with them, but I think we won.”
(25 September 2004)
In their own league
The “Kiwi Super League invasion”
continues, with NZ Test centre David Vaealiki signing to Wigan, and Warriors
prop Jerry Seu Seu to join the competition next year. Ali Lauitiiti (Leeds),
Motu Tony (Castleford), Richard Swain (Hull), David Solomona (Wakefield) and
Logan Swann (Bradford) are already in the UK.
(27 July 2004)
Kiwis make it 5 in a row
NZ held on to its world series rugby
sevens crown for the fifth year in a row, despite losing 22-19 to England in the
final of the London leg. The Kiwis had already reached an unassailable
position of 112 points by beating England 28-19 at the
Bordeaux final the previous week.
(7 June 2004)
Baby Blacks sweep the field
NZ won its fourth title in six years at
the IRB Under-19 World Championship in Durban, with a convincing 34-11 victory
over France. NZ made four tries to France's one, with fullback Miah Nikora
supplying 14 points with the boot.
Link
expired
(14 April 2004)
Giant of the game acknowledged by IRPA
The International Rugby Players
Association (IRPA) presented Jonah Lomu with its discretionary Special Merit
Award at a ceremony in Sydney on November 18. Lomu, described by The Star as
“the face of the last two World Cups,” missed this year’s Cup on account
of ill health caused by a rare kidney disorder. IRPA president, Tony
Dempsey: “This award is not automatically presented every year as the recipient
must be worthy of the honour. However, IRPA believes Jonah has made a huge
impact on the game of rugby ever since making his test debut against France in
1994.”
(9 October 2003)
Great expectations
The All Blacks go into this year's Rugby World Cup ranked second after England,
yet the British press largely favours them to win. According to
the Observer, "the ABs are certainties for the final stages. If the
Australian weather is good to them, then NZ could edge out England in the
final." In an
Independent poll of their top rugby writers, 6 out of 8 believe victory
will go to the men in black, with winger Doug Howlett the overall pick for
player of the tournament. The ABs opened their campaign in Pool D with a solid
70-7 win over Italy, a 68-6
victory over Canada and a comprehensive 91-7
demolition of Tonga.
(5 October 2003)
Waiting in the wings
NZ's "baby blacks"
won the Under-21 Rugby World Cup in Oxford, beating Australia
21-10. Said
captain Sam Tuitupou (above); "We knew it was our last game as a team and we pulled
through. This is very special for is." Last year's winners, South Africa,
were defeated by NZ in the semi-finals.
(30 June 2003)
Iconic image auction
A signed photograph of the 1905-6 All
Black "Originals" has been sold at auction for $41,000. The photo had
been kept in Aucklander David Wright's family since 1906, when it was presented
to his grandfather Charles Victor Langsford. Buyer Carrick Belton was prepared
to spend up to $100,000 on an item he regards as "extremely valuable from a
rugby and NZ history point of view."
(16 May 2003)
Sevens heaven for home-crowd
NZ's rugby sevens team delighted a
32,000-strong crowd in Wellington, beating England 38-26 to win their first
home series in four years and give legendary leader Eric Rush his first home
victory. NZ lead the 11-leg International Sevens series.
(9 February 2003)
Almost sevens heaven
A "ferocious all-around
display" saw NZ win the first leg of the International Rugby Board World
Sevens Series in Dubai. NZ defeated Samoa 36-0 to take their fourth straight
victory in the event. The same form didn't quite show at round two in South
Africa, where the Kiwis were beaten 24-14 by Fiji. Chile is to host the third
leg of the series over January.
(December 2002)
Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors averted an Australian national emergency by falling at the
final hurdle in their proud and historic run to the National Rugby League Grand Final, losing to
Sydney Roosters 30-8. From ruin two years ago the club has reached the pinnacle
of Australian rugby league. After their victory over Cronulla the Aussies were
worried and eating humble pie: "They've won the America's Cup, they own the Melbourne Cup
and now they're 80 minutes away from snatching rugby leagues most treasured
prize." "On Sunday a drought will end or a dynasty born. But at least
one half of Bondi, often dubbed West Auckland, will be celebrating."
(6 October 2002)
Warriors minor premiers
"Kiwis break a few hearts." The New Zealand Warriors continue an
impressive NRL season by finishing top of the table and taking out the minor
remiership (and a $100 000 bonus for the club) - meaning that the trophy
crosses the Tasman for the first time: "not bad for a club rescued from
receivership 18 months ago." Bring on the finals. Daniel Anderson was
named coach
of the year, Ali Aluitiiti was named second rower of the year and the
Bulldog's Kiwi centre Nigel Vagana was named centre of the year.
(09 September 2002)
Domination
"It is apparently not enough that New Zealand have just waltzed away
with their third successive World Sevens Series title. So complete was their
domination of the Emirates-sponsored London leg of the International Rugby
Board's season-long tournament that it is difficult to envisage anyone ever
beating them again." Bring on the Commonwealth Games (27 May 2002)
Rugby sevens world champions
New Zealand won the World Rugby Sevens series title for the third
consecutive year, wrapping up the series with a convincing 29-5 victory over
South Africa in the Malaysia Sevens final. Said coach Gordon Tietjens: "I
am really over the moon with my team's excellent performance. We showed to the
world why we are the best rugby team".
(29 April 2002)
Paul leads Sevens revival
Under question marks as to his ability
to cope with the code switch from league to union, Henry Paul answers his
critics with a "series of virtuoso performances" in England's Hong
Kong Cup Sevens victory. "He was the driving
force behind England's success" - The Guardian.
(28 March 2002)
This sporting life
Ben Willis, ex-King's College and NZ Academy player, is carving out a career
as a rugby pro playing off the bench at half back for Leinster, as well as
turning out for Ireland A. Unison profiles the up'n'coming Willis and documents the
day-to-day life of a modern rugby player.
(1 February 2002)
Irish rugby miracle
Alone it Stands, a heart-warming and hilarious re-enactment of Irish
club side Munsters' defeat of the All Blacks in 1978, plays to its 100,000th
person. "Beating the All Blacks is the ultimate dream of anyone who ever
pulls on a rugby shirt, and here were guys like them - fellows with ordinary
jobs who prepared for a game with a few pints the night before - beating this
untouchable team", relays playwright John Breen.
(3 January 2002)
Coach Blackadder
Former All Black captain, Todd Blackadder, takes his first step into
international coaching with the announcement that he will be joining the
Scotland Under 21 set-up.
(21 January 2002)
This is you life: Jonah Lomu
Jonah Lomu is lost for words when Michael Aspel accosts him
at rugby training in England with the red "This is your Life" book,
before taking him to the BBC studios. A long list of rugby greats are on hand
to greet him and share anecdotes of their tussles with the legendary No.11.
(21 November 2001)
Exporting ex-All
Blacks
Josh Kronfeld and Craig Dowd are expected
to make a big impact in British rugby.
(September 2001)
Win at cardiff
New Zealand brings home the Welsh title and overall series crown.
(7 June 2001)
Tough fight
New Zealand Maori "arguably the most committed and technically sound rugby
race on the planet" threaten world champions Australia on their home turf.
Also, NZ Maori match a focus
for Sydney's Maori community.
(10 June 2001)
First in Sevens
The sevens boys had the Hong Kong final all wrapped up, taking them to the
top spot in overall series standings.
(1 April 2001)
White flight = All Black
British journalists fear reverse colonisation as staunch Polynesian men flex
their muscles on the rugby field.
(3 December 2000)
Goldie rides again
The prodigiously talented Jeff Wilson - in this age of professionalism, perhaps
the last person to be an AB and a Black Cap - has returned to rugby after a
year's refresher. "I'm sure he will come back an even better player,"
says NZRFU chief executive David Rutherford.
(30 October 2000)
Well-ing-ton!
Wellington took out the NPC, beating a Canterbury side that fielded 12 AB's in
the starting line up. International stars did their bit for the Lions, with
Lomu scoring twice and Cullen setting up for Inoki Afeaki.
(21 October 2000)
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Hartley locks ears
New Zealand-born English hooker Dylan Hartley, 23, talks to The Independent
on Sunday ahead of the team's biennial trip to Edinburgh to play Scotland,
which England meets once more before a "supremely crucial" World Cup
pool match in New Zealand in September 2011. "Both teams will be desperate
to win," Hartley said. "I've played at Murrayfield once before, a club
game against Borders, in front of about 50 people. I don't know much about the
history. It's just another big game." A misfiring line-out would be a
signpost to Scotland taking the high road. And Hartley knows that the scrum will
be tough too. That's where he will lock cauliflower ears with [Northampton
club-mate Euan] Murray. "He's the ultimate professional and one of the best
in the world at what he does," said Hartley. "He's a role model for
me, the way he trains and lives his life, and he's always on at me to get
better." Hartley was born in Rotorua. He received his first cap for England
on 8 November, 2008 against the Pacific Islanders.
(7 March 2010)
No hope for French
The All Blacks "overwhelmed" France 39–12 at Stade Velodrome in
Marseille completing their four-test campaign in Europe without conceding a try.
A rampant All Blacks wearing white jerseys to avoid a color clash scored five
— shared by Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mils Muliaina, Jerome Kaino, Cory Jane and
Conrad Smith — in their best display of a mediocre year, and shut out the
French in the second half. "It was a great game with two teams wanting to
attack," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said. "It was really good to
see two teams wanting to play attacking rugby football. That victory is a
special one. We've had a challenging year and we won the last six games. I'm
delighted by the players' performance, they can now enjoy the summer." Dan
Carter tallied 14 points and the man of the match award, and Richie McCaw
afterwards received the IRB Player of the Year, becoming the first person to
earn it twice since the award began in 2001.
(28 November 2009)
Best shape yet
Jonah Lomu, 34, returns to rugby this month playing for French amateur side
Marseille-Vitrolles and he says he is in the best shape ever. Once the most
feared man in world rugby, Lomu, who played 63 tests for the All Blacks between
1994 and 2002 before his career was cut short by kidney disease, has also not
ruled out playing for the All Blacks again in the future. "That is still a
dream," he insisted. "You never lose the desire to play for your
country." "I'm stronger than I've ever been," Lomu told Reuters
after being unveiled by Japanese rugby officials as an ambassador for the 2019
World Cup. "I'm running the 100 metres in 10.9 but I'm even more surprised
by what I'm doing in weights. I can dead-lift 300 kilos with my eyes closed. I
am beating my previous by a country mile."
(28 October 2009)
Creative in Cardiff
Fly half Dan Carter "played sublimely" against Wales at Millennium
Stadium in Cardiff despite jeers from the capacity crowd, writes the Guardian's
Eddie Butler, "showing no sign of the calf injury that had persuaded some
in Wales that he would not be fit to play". New Zealand beat Wales 19–12
and Carter was named Man of the Match. "Jerome Kaino did a huge amount of
work too at the tackle area, driving players off their feet. Ma'a Nonu heaved
opponents out of the way. Richie McCaw did the rest, slipping the ball away from
Welsh arms. Carter, curse him, felled another Welsh attacker with a ruthlessness
that partly explains why Wales haven't beaten New Zealand since 1953. They are
better players, which helps."
(7 November 2009)
Back in the hot seats
All Blacks head coach Graham Henry and his two assistants Wayne Smith and Steve
Hansen have been re-appointed for an extended two seasons until the end of the
2011 World Cup. "Graham, Wayne and Steve are outstanding coaches. They have
a formidable record and we hold them in very high regard," NZRU chairman
Jack Hobbs said in a statement. "We agreed the time was right to consider
the next two years, and the re-appointment reflects our confidence in
them." The trio were first appointed in 2004 and have built an imposing
record, winning 57 of the 66 test matches they have been in charge of. Under
their guidance, the All Blacks have won the Tri-Nations four times, completed a
3–0 series win against the British and Irish Lions and twice achieved the
'grand slam'.
(9 July 2009)
Cooper the Wallaby
Tokoroa-born Quade Cooper, who recently played his first Test as a Wallaby,
knows rugby's brutal side says Greg Growden of the Brisbane Times, and
growing up in the North Island timber town, it was inevitable the national game
would grab him early. He was just four when he played his first game. "It
was bare feet back in those days with the Tokoroa Pirates, with our games
starting about 7am," Cooper said. "It was just a case of chasing the
ball, and if I got it, running round and round in circles. I was first a bit
nervous about playing because I didn't know anyone. So my mum would tell me, as
an incentive, that she'd give me some bubble gum after the game. That turned the
tide. I kept playing after that. Bubble gum was a big lure." Of his choice
to play for the Australians: "It was a massive call to stay with Australia
because every New Zealand kid's dream is to play for the All Blacks. Becoming a
Wallaby rather than an All Black is certainly a decision I've never
regretted."
(17 June 2009)
Miliaina to skipper
Fullback Mils Muliaina will captain the All Blacks home tests against France and
Italy in June, taking over from an injured Richie McCaw. "Mils is in the
leaders group in the All Blacks," New Zealand coach Graham Henry said.
"He has done a fantastic job as captain of the Chiefs in the Super 14 and
has a great deal of respect ... amongst his peers." The All Blacks' first
test of 2009 is against France in Dunedin on June 13. They play the French again
a week later in Wellington before a one-off test against Italy in Christchurch
on June 27. "France will again be a difficult challenge for the All
Blacks," Henry said. "They have picked their strongest squad available
and history shows they are often successful against the All Blacks."
(31 May 2009)
Rugby’s slam dunk
The All Blacks have won their third Grand Slam and the inaugural Sir Edmund Hillary Shield beating England at Twickenham 32-6. In
The Independent Hugh Godwin writes: “The clever clogs who got rid of old-style touring played into the All Blacks’ hands; when those hands are like Dan Carter’s, the error is magnified. It has been punished now by two Grand Slams against England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in four years. To paraphrase the beaten England manager here, Martin Johnson, give them a chance and they take it. ‘It’s an 80-minute game,’ said captain Richie McCaw, by which he meant all England’s efforts in keeping the score to
12–6 after 57 minutes did not amount to a trough of sheep-dip. ‘We have got great self-belief, great character,’ said Dan Carter. His coach, Graham Henry, confessed to scarcely believing the five Test wins on this trip: oh yes, they had beaten Australia in Hong Kong on the way over.”
(30 November 2008)
Top honours in Toulouse
Dunedin-born Byron Kelleher, 31, former All Black and now scrum-half for French
team Toulouse, has been voted the Top 14's player of the season, succeeding
Stade Francais' Argentinean Juan Martin Hernandez. Kelleher scored three tries
for Toulouse, the reigning champions, in their 20-6 victory over Biarritz in
September. Of those 15 points scored, Kelleher
said: "The opportunities were there and I took them. I was happy with
that." He has established himself on the international stage, appearing in
57 tests for the All Blacks between 1999 and 2007. New Zealand back Orene Ai'i,
who plays for recently promoted side Toulon, won Division 2 player of the
year.
(23 September 2008)
Ambition at the Stoop
North Shore-raised former All-Black Nick Evans, 27, now fly-half for English
side the Harlequins, could be the player the team needs to help them clinch a
top four spot in the Guinness Premiership. So what are Evans' strengths? He is
quick. Oh yes, very quick. He is a fine tactician and distributor, nails his
goals and is strong in the tackle. New England scrum-half Danny Care is going to
love playing inside him and Quins will certainly have the fastest half-back
pairing in the Premiership. His entire focus will be on his Premiership debut
for Harlequins, at Twickenham, against Saracens. "Not a bad place to start
is it? It is certainly an inspiration having the great stadium across the road
from the Stoop and, with plans to attract 50,000 people to Twickenham for our
Christmas game against Leicester, it shows I have joined a club with plenty of
ambition," Evans said.
(29 August 2008)
Fear the flanker
Forty-eight test veteran, Jerry Collins, 27, has announced his retirement from
New Zealand rugby. Collins said: "It's difficult for me to talk about
myself but I know I've always been committed to every minute of every game and
that's the way I want to go out." Playing with the Barbarians in the UK,
the Independent writes that few players, coaches or administrators north
of the equator have ever been pleased to see Collins, a ferocious flanker who
can stop a man dead with a sideways glance and cut him in two with a trademark
big-hit tackle. Of his arrival on UK soil for the match against an Ireland XV,
the article says there was no hiding the outpouring of relief at confirmation
that Collins was "over here, rather than over there."
(26 May 2008)
Second chance for Henry
Graham Henry has been reappointed as the All Blacks' head coach, despite
widespread criticism of his 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign. Henry, who has vowed
to learn from his World Cup mistakes, has signed a two-year contract with the NZ
Rugby Union. "Graham's record is among the best in All Blacks rugby
history," said Mike Eagle, acting chairman of the NZRU. "…He has
given a lot in a successful period for our game and the board is convinced he
has more to give the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby." Henry's closest
rival for the top job, Canterbury Crusaders coach Robbie
Deans, has been named the first foreign coach of the Australian Wallabies.
Deans expressed his interest in the Wallabies job after missing out on the All
Blacks position, despite being the favourite to succeed Henry.
(8 December 2007)
Curse of the perennial favourites
Another NZ Rugby World Cup campaign has ended in tatters, with the All
Blacks bowing out 18-20 to France in the quarterfinal. Despite being
consistently ranked first in the world, and NZ being the only country with rugby
as truly its national sport, the All Blacks have failed to win a World Cup since
the inaugural event in 1987. Hooker Anton Oliver described a "smell of
death" hanging over the All Black camp since the shock loss; back home,
fans have tried everything from the classic referee blame-game, to auctioning
the All Blacks off for $1 on TradeMe. "We'd worked so hard to get to where
we were," said star first five-eighth Daniel
Carter. "To be sitting in the changing room was a hollow and quiet
place to be." Carter's decision to continue playing rugby in NZ - unlike
seven of his team mates - is one positive note to come out of the failed
campaign. The next World Cup will be hosted by NZ, as was the 1987 event. As
International Herald Tribune columnist Peter Berlin observes, "If they
cannot win again at home, maybe they never will."
(8 October 2007)
Brand passion paramount
Sean Fitzpatrick and the All Blacks are held up as inspiring examples for
business leaders by American finance blogger, Jim Citrin: "No other sports
franchise in the world has achieved a 72 percent winning percentage over as long
a period. It's amazing that a nation of just 4 million ... can produce the
greatest team in the history of any sport." In high demand as a
motivational speaker in the US and Europe, Fitzpatrick is an eloquent promoter
of team-play and emotional connection in business. "With the All Blacks, a
passion for the brand is paramount," he says. "When a team member puts
on the All Blacks jersey, he knows that he can win, that he must win. Winning as
an All Black is not about the individual, or even about today's team. Each
player feels part of an unbroken tradition going back over a
century."
(6 June 2007)
The players' player
Former NZ Maori representative Glen Jackson has won Britain's Professional
Rugby Players' Association (PRA) player of the year award, calling it "the
greatest achievement of my rugby career". The 31-year-old Saracens
fly-half, who previously played for Waikato and Bay of Plenty, is currently the
leading points-scorer in the Guinness Premiership. Fellow New Zealander Dan
Ward-Smith (Bristol) was also nominated for the PRA award, along with Leicester
winger Alesana Tuilagi, London Irish centre Mike Catt and Bristol lock Roy
Winters. "I was very shocked when I heard the news and couldn't quite
believe it to be honest," said Jackson. "It is a real honour to be
voted by your peers."
(3 May 2007)
All Black up-and-comers
NZ has won the world under-19
rugby championship for the first time since 2004, with a decisive 31-7
victory over South Africa in Belfast, Ireland. "To win tonight, and also so
resoundingly, was just fantastic," said NZ captain Chris Smith. "We
have to give South Africa credit because that was a hard final ... We said we
had to take them on, and we did." Goal kicker Trent Renata scored two tries
and set up a third for Jackson Willison, while Robert Fruean and Kade Poki made
one try each. Australia won the play-off for third, beating Wales 25-21.
(22 April 2007)
Medal haul for Touch Blacks
NZ won two gold and two silver medals at last month's Touch
World Cup in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The Touch Blacks' mixed over-30 and
mixed open teams won their respective finals, while the men's and women's open
sides both finished second to Australia. Australia won the World Cup over NZ by
just two points, in what was the closest final points tally in Touch World Cup
history. Capping off NZ's success at the event, Rotorua's Andrew Timoti was
named Referee of the Tournament. Timoti is now ranked the world's no.1 touch
rugby referee. "In terms of the last couple of World Cups, Australian refs
dominated in terms of their performance but this one, the NZ refs performed all
above our Australian counterparts," said Timoti in Rotorua's Daily
Post.
(3 February 2007)
The Imblackables
In the French rugby stronghold of Lyon, the All Blacks demolished the home side
and second-ranked team in the world 47-3. Dubbed "The
Imblackables" by Le Midi Olympique, as a defensive unit the All
Blacks were flawless. Their physicality in the tackle and at the breakdown,
turning brutal defence into seventy metre, seven point offence. France's veteran
captain Fabien Pelous summed up the French frustration: "They were on top
of us physically so we couldn't go forward. We would put together three phases
of play and go backwards in each one so we couldn't do much." For the All
Blacks, the game again suggested that Henry, Smith and Hansen have got it right,
and that the much debated "rotation policy" is beginning to
demonstrate its worth. Only a year out from the World Cup, the All Blacks now
have the luxury of 32 blooded and match-fit veterans to call upon, and a spirit
of competition within the team that is resulting in stand out performances,
whatever the combination. Forward coach Steve Hansen said: "You hear a lot
about rotation; it's just an All Black team that's a bloody good one."
(12 November 2006)
Three in a row for Black Ferns
NZ's Black Ferns have won their third successive women's rugby World Cup,
beating traditional rivals England 25-17 in the final. The tight defensive match
was a virtual replay of the 2002 final against England, which NZ won 19-9.
Veteran Ferns captain Farah
Palmer, 33, announced her retirement after the match, in a fitting end to 11
years playing for NZ. "I have no idea what I'll do," she told Stuff.
"I'd still like to stay involved in rugby. I think my strengths are in
promoting and developing the women's game. Maybe I can work my way through to
the NZ Rugby Union or the International Rugby Board. I have big dreams in that
direction."
(18 September 2006)
ABs at the top of UK game
Former All Blacks Carlos Spencer and Justin Marshall lead the nominations for
the Professional Rugby Players' Association (PRA) player of the year award.
Described by The
Independent as godlike and "the union game's answer to Diego
Maradona", Spencer is the favourite for the award, following a succession
of outstanding performances for his Northampton club. Marshall has also enjoyed
a personally successful season, having emerged as the Premiership's outstanding
scrum-half.
(24 April 2006)
Battle cries
Even more upsetting than giving the World Cup to New Zealand or losing a match
to the All Blacks currently seems to be facing their new "throat
slitting" haka. British media are feverishly objecting to New Zealand's
pre-match ceremonies in a widespread outpouring of anti-haka
sentiment.
"Rugby's rulers can start to make amends at Twickenham tomorrow. The issue
is this: if a crazed thug drew a finger threateningly across his throat while
screaming into someone's face on a high street, police would have good grounds
for arrest. Why should such antics be tolerated on a rugby field two minutes
before kick-off?" asked The
Times. The Telegraph
also objected to the haka
change "I agree, this haka should be banned - it is nowhere near as good as
the traditional one and a third of the All Blacks looked as though they learned
it only an hour before they delivered it to the English." But some turned
their thoughts to finding an equally rousing battle cry to meet the haka's
challenge. Henry V's speech at Agincourt, poeticized by Shakepseare was one
offering, William Wallace's stirring words in Mel Gibson's Braveheart another.
Leading the way at the present time, however, are the words of a man much closer
to the game, Fran Cotton. Legend has it that during the haka before their 1979
game against the All Blacks, Cotton walked up and down his line of men before
uttering his immortal battle-cry: "Look at the big poofs dancing…"
Cotton's response proved to be effective. England won the match 21-9.
(21 November 2005)
Dream team
The All Blacks have added the Bledisloe
and Tri-Nations Cups to their increasingly well-stocked trophy cabinet,
confirming their status as the number one ranked rugby side in the world. The
team is expected to clean up against Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales in November and is a clear favourite to win the World Cup in two years
time. “It's been a huge year and to be able to have the three trophies in the
cabinet is a huge tick for the boys who play the game,” said an understandably
proud Graham Henry.
(6 September 2005)
Rugby stalwart farewelled
Former All Black captain,
agricultural economist, and leading NZRU administrator - Bob Stuart, OBE - died
in May aged 84. Although Stuart’s best playing years were taken up by military
service during WW2, he successfully lead NZ for five Tests and went on to become a
key figure in the game’s administration. Stuart was presented with a
distinguished service award by the International Rugby Board in 2003.
(14 May 2005)
On top of the world
The All Blacks resumed their world No.1 ranking after a compelling 45-6 victory
over European champions France. “I felt powerless,” said French coach Bernard
Laporte. “I had the feeling that we could play for hours and hours and not find
our way to the line. The All Blacks are well and truly a better side.” The
Guardian called the win the “dominant image of a vibrant autumn,” and
named Daniel Carter – “the new Johnny Wilkinson and Carlos Spencer rolled into
one” – player of the month.The
AB's followed
up their French win with a 47-19 defeat of a predominantly Australian
Barbarians side.
(30 November 2004)
Fitzy on the ball
Sean Fitzpatrick
gives a lengthy interview in the Irish Times. The legendary All Black
captain is currently based in London as a TV analyst and motivational speaker.
He is also a charity ambassador (along with Martina Navratilova, Michael Jordan,
and Pele) for the prestigious Laureus World Sports Academy, for whom he recently
travelled to war-torn Sierra Leone. Fitzpatrick describes meeting Edge
co-founder and world Saatchi CEO, Kevin Roberts, in 1992 as a turning point in
his life: “Kevin had a big influence on me. At the time we met, what he had to
say was like a reality check. It changed the way I thought about myself as an
athlete, I suppose.” Fitzpatrick has gone on to make the smoothest possible
transition from the playing field to the boardroom, as “curious mix of
traditionalist and new marketer.”
(20 November 2004)
Sport swap
NZ U-19 rugby coach, Willy Heretaka, is in talks with Kolkata school leaders
about establishing an annual student sporting exchange between NZ and India.
“These schools have good sporting facilities,” said Heretaka in the Times.
“It will be great if our boys can come here, learn some of the sports that are
natural to Indians, and also help Kolkata boys pick up a sport like rugby.”
Heretaka has the backing of the NZ Tourism Board.
(28 August 2004)
Bruce Reihana: Players' Player
Former All Black wing, Bruce Reihana, was named the English premier league's
Professional Rugby
Players' Association (PRA) Players' Player of the Year in May. The 28-year-old
Northampton Saints star was the English Premiership's joint top try-scorer at
the time of his award.
(21 May 2004)
Winning edge
2002 women's rugby world champions, the Black Ferns, stormed a two-test
series against a World XV with two convincing wins; 37-0 in Auckland, 38-19 in
Whangarei. Chief point scorers in the second match were Mere Kingi, with two
tries, and Hannah Myers, who converted four tries - one of which was her own.
(11 October 2003)
Warriors fight to the finish
The New Zealand Warriors fought strongly
again this season, losing in the NRL Preliminary Final to eventual winners Penrith
Panthers 28-20 in a match played at a cracking pace. They
again earned respect for their commitment and expressive Polynesian-inspired flair.
The Warriors have been dubbed a Cinderella team for their extraordinary
turnaround in fortune, on the playing field under coach Daniel Anderson and
captain Stacey Jones, and off the pitch, under the leadership of chief
executive Mick Watson and owner Eric Watson.
(28 September 2003)
First nations clean sweep
The NZ Maori rugby team emerged
victorious from their 3-match tour of Canada, beating the home side 52-11,
65-27, and 30-9. Between 1994 and 2001, the NZ Maori side have beaten 12
international teams, including England, Scotland, and Argentina.
(2 August 2003)
Kiwi battlers
NZ-born rugby player, Tony
Marsh, has won his battle against testicular cancer and a place in France's
World Cup squad. Marsh cites American Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong -
who was also diagnosed with testicular cancer - as the inspiration behind his
own return to health. "He helped me see you could come back, and come back
even stronger." And iconic All Black winger Jonah Lomu's fight against
debilitating kidney disease to make the 2003 World Cup profiled in Sports
Illustrated.
(8 July 2003)
NZ vs. Wales: The name game
A bid by the NZRFU to make "All Blacks" a registered trademark has
been called into question after the discovery of a Welsh team playing under the
same name. The Welsh club Neath has been known as the All Blacks for 123 years -
25 years longer than the NZ national side.
(17 April 2003)
Italians do it better
"Kirwan's crew a
cut above". All Black legend John Kirwan has been reincarnated as the golden boy of Italian
rugby after coaching the game's "perennial whipping-boys" to their
second ever Six Nations victory, and first against Wales. Italy stunned their
opponents - and spectators the world over - with a decisive 30-22 win. RugbyRugby:
"There was not much of the phlegmatic New Zealander in John Kirwan as the
coach thrust his arms aloft in triumph."
(14 February 2003)
Fox gives the hard word
SMH enlists an outside view on recent Wallabies' performances from
All Black legend Grant Fox. The verdict? Not good: "There doesn't appear
to be a lot of blooding of new talent going on at the moment, and you could
argue it's already too late." Fox believes the Wallabies lack a
definitive match-winner: "How old is John Eales now, 33? Well, he should
still be playing. He was a huge influence and I think your guys are missing
him."
(30 November 2002)
The future is All Black
Tours to the Northern
Hemisphere winter
by the The All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks saw some interesting pre-World
Cup square offs with NZ, France
and England (!) jostling for favouritism
at the whistle. The match with France (drawn 20-20) was billed as an unofficial
world title decider between the Six and Tri Nations Champions. Encouraging
performances by the young All Blacks, (with many frontline players
controversially left down under to rest), impressed the English papers: Observer:
"Yes, the All Blacks do things in style. There is a new generation of
frighteningly good players ready to step into the shoes of the resting masters
back home. The depth of their talent is alarming". Zinzan fantasises
and Marty Holah takes on France by himself (above).
(October 2002)
Ashes to ashes
The heart-stopping (breaking?) Bledisloe battles are becoming enshrined in
Ocker sporting lore: "Once, Australians could rattle off virtually every
ball of an Ashes cricket series. Now it is Bledisloe Cup rugby."
According to Spiro Zavos, the battle between the two greatest rugby sides in
the world has reached mythic proportions since the game went professional in
1996. The build-up before each match is rivaled only by, "the collective
memories, the essence of ultimate sporting events, [flooding] back in vivid
detail" for years to come.
(6 August 2002)
Voice of rugby's all-time XV
Great rugby commentator Bill Mclaren names his all-time greatest XV for The
Times. Featuring three All Blacks: the "New Zealand totem" Colin
Meads, the legendery skills of Zinzan Brooke, and "one of the great
international captains" Sean Fitzpatrick. Click here
to visit The Times' special, including extensive and passionate
debate over the selections. McLaren uttered many memorable comments including:
"and it's a try for Hika the hooker from Ngongataha."
(2002)
AB Old Boy's coaching club:
JK, Buck, Gatland
All Black legend, winger John Kirwan, to take over as coach of the Italian
national team from NZer Brad Johnstone - this includes touring Italy through his
homeland where
playing for the ABs he scored one of the greatest tries in rugby history (in the 1987 World Cup)
against the team he will now direct. Former All Black No.8, undefeated
captain and
hard-man Wayne 'Buck' Shelford to coach
English Premiership club Saracens. And Warren Gatland speaks with a
hooker's frankness
to the Guardian
about his experiences coaching Ireland and his new job at Wasps.
(24 April 2002)
Rugby great
Grant Fox is named by The Guardian's Eddie Butler as one of the ten
greatest fly-halves in the history of rugby union.
(3 February 2002)
NZ Schoolboys take England to the
wall
"No one can decide who is the best rugby team in the world at present,
largely because the two main contenders, England and NZ, circle each other
without actually engaging [...] On the evidence at Twickenham yesterday, future
best-in-the-world debates could prove similarly troublesome: The edge, though,
must lie with New Zealand". Well said.
(31 January 2002)
NZ Rugby back at #1
You might not know it from the reaction of local fans, but the All Blacks
are No.1, at least according to French Centre Thomas
Castaignede
in the Guardian. "They
have the perfect mix." With England No.2 the Aussies are demoted to a lowly
No.4. "There is a feeling
of the end of an era here," they say of Australia. "They've lost key
players in the last couple of years and they are proving hard to replace."
Sound familiar?
(26 November 2001)
Windows
XPerience
All Black Doug Howlett buys the world's first copy of Windows XP... for
his mum.
(24 September 2001)
This glorious tradition
Respect: The Sydney Morning Herald offers solace to
the demanding expectations of AB fans and puts a recently balanced ledger in the context of the history and
aura of the All Black tradition: "Now you know why in Australia there is no
prouder recognition in rugby than to say: "He was in a team that beat the
All Blacks."
Pdf Copy
(10 August 2001)
Music to his ears
Jonah is a big man - and he's got a car stereo to match.
(27 May 2001)
World’s Greatest Sports Brand?
Brandchannel reviews “one of the most
distinctive international brands in the history of sport.” “The All Blacks
are a team not a brand” insist the NZRFU. “The team’s values are
absolutely about winning, whereas the brand’s values are respect, humility,
power, heritage, inspiration and commitment.”
(20 March 2001)
Down right funny
"I'm sure New Zealand has its own sense of humour. I know so,
because I once wrote a preview of the rugby world cup for a satirical magazine
here, a piece which represented what I hoped was a fair, unbiased attempt to
insult all the participating countries equally. New Zealand alone featured the
article on the front page of one of its Sunday newspapers!"
(17 February 2001)
Rugger scrum
Recent south-north tests have created a scrum among sport journalist,
players and coaches over playing style and rule reform. SMH
likes the running game, French coach describes losses as "no-brainers",
Welsh coach Kiwi Graham
Henry has some explaining to do, news24
thinks rugby's becoming basketball, or league, or both, Business
Day blames the referees' shorts, the Telegraph
decries the demon professionalism, and the Sunday
Times puts Jonah among the top earners.
(November 2000)
New Zealand No.8 legend farewelled
He changed the rugby ball in the same
crazy way that Kiwi farmers altered fencing wire. "The career of Zinzan
Brooke, a singular player in a uniform age, ended at Twickenham yesterday amid a
sea of points and plaudits. Brooke was a player of light and shade ... and
the Barbarians offered him the chance to air the variety of skills that few
other No. 8's possess."
(5 June 2000)
Bachelor of the game
Training?
How about a degree in rugby (Certificate in High Performance Athlete
Management) from Massey University and the New Zealand Rugby Academy.
(19 May 2001)
Not thick-skinned enough
Rugby players who feel invincible because of protective clothing are more
likely to be injured than their non-padded co-players says Otago study.
(18 May 2001)
Strange happenings in rugby
"Somewhere in the depths of the very European Six Nations Championship, two
New Zealanders have been having some pretty bizarre experiences."
(8 April 2001)
Never a softie
Colin Meads played 55 games for New Zealand, with "not a soft match in his
entire 14 years at the pit face. No wonder the legend lives on".
(5 April 2001)
Kingsley link
Phil Kingsley-Jones manages Jonah - his son, Kingsley
Jones, has been likened to All Black Josh Kronfeld.
(7 January 2001)
Jonah
joins the kids
Eighty school children from around the world joined in the
"Forever Sports Challenge" during the Olympics.
Some major sporting metal flew in to assist with the challenge,
including Jonah Lomu as specialist warm-up coach.
(25 September 2000)
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