Tag Archives: Rugby World Cup

New Zealand Win Women’s Rugby World Cup

New Zealand Win Women’s Rugby World Cup

“This was the biggest game of women’s rugby ever played and, somehow, it exceeded even that lofty billing. New Zealand are the Rugby World Cup champions but only after a quite stunning contest that…

Iron Maiden Release All Blacks T-Shirt For NZ

Iron Maiden Release All Blacks T-Shirt For NZ

Iron Maiden have released a special edition All Blacks t-shirt as a tribute to their Rugby World Cup victory. Fans will be able to purchase the shirt during the band’s  tour in New Zealand. “The…

All Blacks Re-Sign Wayne Smith

All Blacks Re-Sign Wayne Smith

All Blacks defence coach Wayne Smith has signed a two-year contract extension with New Zealand Rugby. Head Coach Steve Hansen persuaded him to return to the All Blacks after taking a break following the World…

Ed Sheeran Pays Touching Tribute to Jonah Lomu

Ed Sheeran Pays Touching Tribute to Jonah Lomu

“Ed Sheeran has paid a touching tribute to All Blacks great Jonah Lomu by taking to the stage at his concert wearing the late rugby legend’s number 11 jersey”, writes Jenny Awford for

Jonah Lomu’s 15 Unforgettable Rugby World Cup Tries

Jonah Lomu’s 15 Unforgettable Rugby World Cup Tries

To Commemorate All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu’s passing, World Rugby Channel on YouTube put together 15 of Jonah Lomu’s most unforgettable Rugby World Cup tries.

All Blacks Legend Jonah Lomu Dies

All Blacks Legend Jonah Lomu Dies

Former New Zealand rugby star and All Blacks Legend Jonah Lomu has passed away in Auckland today, aged 40. “We’re lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah’s family”, said…

How a Tiny Island of 4.5m People Came to Dominate Rugby Worldwide

How a Tiny Island of 4.5m People Came to Dominate Rugby Worldwide

With their 34-17 win at Twickenham against Australia, the New Zealand All Blacks became the first team to ever retain their World Cup trophy. Their back-to-back World Cup wins and their more than 75%…

New Zealand’s All Blacks: Rugby’s All-Time Greats

New Zealand’s All Blacks: Rugby’s All-Time Greats

“The New Zealand All Blacks made it clear this weekend that there isn’t a rugby team in the world that compares with them”, writes Joshua Robinson for the Wall Street Journal. With their winning percentage…

All Blacks Trophy Lift – RWC 2015

All Blacks Trophy Lift – RWC 2015

Watch the highlights of the 2015 RWC medal ceremony and trophy lift as New Zealand become the first side in history to win back-to-back titles. Prince Harry presents the…

Magnificent All Blacks Beat Wallabies to Become First Team to Win Back-to-Back World Cups

Magnificent All Blacks Beat Wallabies to Become First Team to Win Back-to-Back World Cups

The New Zealand All Blacks have beaten Australia’s Wallabies 34-17 in the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham with a magnificent performance. With their back-to-back World Cup wins they have become the first team…

Kitten Rugby World Cup

Kitten Rugby World Cup

Kiwi comedy duo Jono and Ben have recreated the highlights of the New Zealand vs. France Rugby World Cup match in a video with a twist – their clip features kittens rather…

How to Defend Against the Haka

How to Defend Against the Haka

“Watching 23 burly New Zealanders perform the iconic dance before kickoff is one of rugby’s unwritten rules. The All Blacks, the greatest team ever to play the game, have earned that right over a…

South Africa v New Zealand Highlights – RWC 2015

South Africa v New Zealand Highlights – RWC 2015

Watch the thrilling Rugby World Cup highlights of South Africa versus New Zealand All Blacks. The All Blacks were pushed to the limit by the Springboks to win the…

New Zealand All Blacks Join English Footballers For UNICEF

New Zealand All Blacks Join English Footballers For UNICEF

Popular sports stars including England footballers Harry Kane and Chris Smalling and All Blacks players Dan Carter, Ben Franks and Charlie Faumuina have been given a masterclass in how to play board games by a…

Haka All Blacks New Zealand vs France – Rugby World Cup

Haka All Blacks New Zealand vs France – Rugby World Cup

Watch the All blacks as they do their ferocious Haka in front of the French rugby team during the Rugby World Cup 2015. The Rugby World Cup is a…

Rugby World Cup Lipreading

Rugby World Cup Lipreading

How do deaf people see the Rugby World Cup? CaptionitNZ let’s you experience what lipreading would be like if there were no captions on a video.

New Zealand’s Haka – “the World’s Most Perfect Act of Nationalism”

New Zealand’s Haka – “the World’s Most Perfect Act of Nationalism”

The New Zealand haka – “a traditional Maori dance, a sequence of foot-stomping, tongue-wagging and violent gesticulation, accompanied by deep, rhythmic chanting “is an intimidating sight for any opponent”, writes Ishaan Tharoor for The…

Steve Hansen Backs Sonny Bill Williams

Steve Hansen Backs Sonny Bill Williams

“Victory over Argentina already leaves New Zealand overwhelming favourites to top Pool C, with Namibia, Georgia and Tonga hardly expected to trouble the defending champions”, reports an article in The Belfast Telegraph. All…

All Blacks 58-14 Namibia – New Zealand Cruise to Commanding Victory

All Blacks 58-14 Namibia – New Zealand Cruise to Commanding Victory

The New Zealand All Blacks have won their second Rugby World Cup match against Namibia 58-14. “Namibia battled heroically but there was never any chance of it being another Japan versus South Africa”, writes…

How Jonah Lomu Led to the Success of World Cup

How Jonah Lomu Led to the Success of World Cup

“On 18 June 1995, Rupert Murdoch was sitting in his Los Angeles office watching the World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand,” Sydney Morning Herald rugby columnist Spiro Zavos writes. “England winger Tony…

Sam Cane to Captain All Blacks

Sam Cane to Captain All Blacks

Flanker Sam Cane, 23, will captain the New Zealand All Blacks for the first time in the upcoming World Cup match against Namibia. “It is a very special moment for Sam,” Hansen told www.allblacks.com. “He…

New Zealand All Blacks Beat Argentina to Begin Title Defence

New Zealand All Blacks Beat Argentina to Begin Title Defence

The New Zealand All Blacks have begun their title defence with a 26-16 victory against Argentina in front of 89,019 – the biggest ever crowd at a Rugby World Cup match. “New Zealand dominated possession…

Force Of Black – Adidas Rugby

Force Of Black – Adidas Rugby

Our fans. Our culture. Our history. Everything we stand for. Prepare for the might of the almighty All Blacks!

How I Learned to Win the Rugby World Cup

How I Learned to Win the Rugby World Cup

On 23 October 2011, the New Zealand All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup Final against France 8 to 7. It was “culmination of a 37-year career’” for Graham Henry – one of the…

All Blacks Depart for England to Defend Their Title

All Blacks Depart for England to Defend Their Title

The All Blacks have departed for England on Thursday hoping for a number of firsts: “To become the first team to defend the Rugby World Cup, the first New Zealand team to win the…

THE SBW Breakdown

THE SBW Breakdown

All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams talks about what inspired him to be the player he is.

Steinlager ‘The Originals’

Steinlager ‘The Originals’

Watch how Steinlager recreates New Zealand’s first-ever rugby team to tour the U.K. in 1905 in their nostalgic new Rugby World Cup spot.

Warren Gatland Steers Wales into World Cup Ready

Warren Gatland Steers Wales into World Cup Ready

With a near perfect World Cup training trip to Switzerland in the bank, Wales coach Warren Gatland has steered his squad into a very good place, according to Wales Online rugby editor Delme Parfitt. “If…

All Black Sensation Dan Carter’s Paris Move a Big Deal

All Black Sensation Dan Carter’s Paris Move a Big Deal

All Black great Dan Carter, 32, is poised to become the world’s highest-paid rugby player when he moves to France after next year’s Rugby World Cup on a three-year deal with Paris club Racing…

McGeechan picks England to beat All Blacks

McGeechan picks England to beat All Blacks

If it was anyone else saying it – a froth-filled Stephen Jones broadside, perhaps – Kiwis would ignore it. But Sir Ian McGeechan, the decorated Scotsman, respected Lions player and venerated coach, is a…

What’s Not to like about Grown Men Dancing?

What’s Not to like about Grown Men Dancing?

English socialite and sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, Pippa Middleton, who prefers “rugger” to soccer, explains the game to Vanity Fair readers in the latest issue of the magazine, mentioning the “battle cry”…

Rugby World Cup Haka

Rugby World Cup Haka

Watch this fiercehaka in this promotional video for the Rugby World Cup 2011. The Haka is a traditional Maori dance from New Zealand and is performed by kiwi…

Climbing the City Ranks

Climbing the City Ranks

Auckland rises four places to rank at nine in Monocle’s annual list of “Top 25 Liveable Cities”. “What a difference a Rugby World Cup and a new political structure makes,” the magazine writes. “Aucklanders…

Thorn Garners Further Prestige

Thorn Garners Further Prestige

Mosgiel-born lock Brad Thorn, 37, has become the first player to clinch a global three-title sweep of World Cup, European Cup and Super 15 honours, completing the triple when he helped Leinster retain their…

Cup Makes Television History

Cup Makes Television History

Last year’s Rugby World Cup final, in which the All Blacks beat France, was the most-watched event in New Zealand television history “attracting a 98 per cent audience share,” Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL)…

Life Spent Winning

Life Spent Winning

Former All Blacks captain and New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Christchurch-born Jock Hobbs, has died of cancer in Wellington, aged 52. Hobbs played 21 Tests for the All Blacks as an openside flanker between…

Pumas Sign Henry

Pumas Sign Henry

Sir Graham Henry has signed with the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) as a part-time consultant with a particular view to improve coaching at Argentina’s high performance centres. The World Cup-winning coach will help fine…

Hot Premiere Signing

Hot Premiere Signing

New Zealander Ryan Nelsen, 34, who led the All Whites at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, has signed with Tottenham Hotspur. Ryan was released by Blackburn after the club agreed to…

Low On Brands, High On Beauty

Low On Brands, High On Beauty

For the first time, New Zealand is included in Monocle’s index of the top 30 soft power nations, coming in at number 17 and introduced as: “Low on brands, high on beauty and in between on…

Henry Receives Knighthood

Henry Receives Knighthood

Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry, 65, has been awarded a knighthood in New Zealand’s annual New Year Honours List. Henry, a former school teacher, who resigned the All Blacks coaching job…

Queens Street Firsts

Queens Street Firsts

Andrea Hewitt, 29, won the women’s event while Kris Gemmell beat compatriot Bevan Docherty in the men’s race as New Zealanders dominated their home leg of the ITU World Cup triathlon series in Auckland….

Circenses nil Panem

Circenses nil Panem

If you believe that rugby is played in heaven then New Zealand is currently Paradise:…

All Hands on the Webb Ellis

All Hands on the Webb Ellis

“Twenty-four years of Rugby World Cup pain and misery melted away for New Zealand” on 23 October with the All Blacks beating the French 8-7 in a nail-biting final at Eden Park. “It was…

Semi-Final of Brutal Beauty

Semi-Final of Brutal Beauty

“This was the All Blacks as they would love the world to see them: tough, mean, committed and ruthless in every department,” the Guardian’s Robert Kitson wrote after New Zealand smashed Australia with “brutal…

Weepu Does us Proud

Weepu Does us Proud

New Zealand has secured its place in the Rugby World Cup semifinals with a comfortable 33-10 victory over 2007 third-placed team Argentina at Auckland’s Eden Park, which was packed with a crowd of 57,912….

Revelling in Rugby Fervour

Revelling in Rugby Fervour

“International commentators have revelled in New Zealand’s embracing of the , calling for the small nation to get a chance to host again — regardless of the financial drawbacks for the International…

Milestone Made at Eden Park

Milestone Made at Eden Park

“After being awarded a special commemorative cap for becoming the first man to reach 100 All Black caps, captain Richie McCaw told over 60,000 fans at Eden Park that now French demons have been…

Soccer Challenges the Union

Soccer Challenges the Union

“You don’t have to follow rugby to know that the national team of New Zealand, the All Blacks, are the undisputed kings of this sport,” Wall Street Journal reporters Lucy Cramer and Jonathan Clegg…

Pass Mark Against Blossoms

Pass Mark Against Blossoms

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has given his team a pass mark following their 83-7 thrashing of Japan in the Rugby World Cup Pool A match on 16 September. Henry said the…

Rugby Jersey Ruckus

Rugby Jersey Ruckus

When the All Blacks revealed late July the shirts the team would wear for the Rugby World Cup, which begins in September, it was a proud moment for Adidas, the designer of the uniform…

Everyone is in on It

Everyone is in on It

From Nelson to Dunedin, The Sydney Morning Herald’s Mark Chipperfield nominates the highlights of the Rugby World Cup — on and off field. “New Zealand may not be the birthplace of rugby union football…

Focus on Winning

Focus on Winning

Described as the world’s best number 1, All Black Dan Carter is focused on one thing: winning. And not just the William Webb Ellis Trophy at the Rugby World Cup, but also as part…

Kirwan’s Japanese Goal

Kirwan’s Japanese Goal

“It’s been five years since coach John Kirwan, an All Blacks hero from the rugby stronghold of New Zealand, took the helm of the Japanese team,” Shuhei Nomura writes for Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun….

One Opportunity to Get It Right

One Opportunity to Get It Right

“’Martin Snedden the former international cricketer now charged with delivering the Rugby World Cup to New Zealand, is clock-watching; has been for the best part of three years,’ the Telegraph’s Paul Ackford writes. ‘We’ve…

All Blacks May Win Again

All Blacks May Win Again

Graham Henry’s team will end their series of Rugby World Cup chokes when they host the global tournament for the first time since 1987 believes former Springboks coach Jake White, the man…

World Cup One Big Carnival

World Cup One Big Carnival

Former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick recommends his favourite haunts ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup, which he says “will be not so much a sporting event as a national carnival.” Take, for…