Tag Archives: Rugby Heaven

Watch This Space

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…

Three in a Row for Black Ferns

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…

All Blacks 7, Opposition 0

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…

Dream Team

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…

Home Turf Heroics

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…

Ooh Ah Umaga!

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,…

Kiwis Make it 5 in a Row

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…

Black Day for ABs

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…

Fast and Furious Springbok Safari

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…

Kiwi Battlers

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…

NZ vs. Wales: The Name Game

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…

Paddy Meets His Match

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:…

Tri-Nations Champions

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…