Samoa Could Cause Problems at Rugby World Cup

Samoa have made a statement. Sure it was at home and in possibly the match of their lives against the All Blacks in Apia, but they proved they can mix it with the best in their 25-16 loss. It was a brutal encounter in which the Samoans brought physicality and passion. They got off the line quickly, throwing themselves into contact to put in some bone-crushing hits. That same passion, which was not... 

Plenty to Work on for All Blacks After Win over Samoa

They won and that is the main thing, but it was a far from convincing display the All Blacks put on to beat Samoa 25-16 in the first-ever meeting of the two teams in Apia. It was no surprise that the Samoans brought bundles of energy and passion. They tore into the breakdowns and threw themselves into tackles, putting the All Blacks under pressure and depriving them of good balls to work with. The... 

Highlanders Are the Real Deal, Deserve Respect as Individuals

Highlanders fans have been hearing all year that their team is not up to it, that they would fall over due to their lack of big-game experience and large number of “no-name” players. Yet here they are, set to line up against the Hurricanes in the final of this year’s edition of Super Rugby. After a stellar regular season in which they had one of the hardest schedules in Super Rugby... 

Rugby: Five Newcomers Named in All Blacks Squad

Five new names were read out when the All Blacks picked their first squad of 2015, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.  Lima Sopoaga, Codie Taylor, Waisake Naholo, Nehe Milner-Skudder and James Broadhurst have all found their way into an otherwise predictable 41-man squad which will be refined to 31 for the Rugby World Cup. Codie Taylor was perhaps the biggest surprise of those five. The... 

USA to Host Australia in Final Game Before Rugby World Cup

The USA has attracted yet another super power of world rugby to their shores, having been scheduled to play Australia in Chicago, as reported on the Australia Rugby Union‘s official website. Set to be played on September 5 at Soldier Field, the match will act as a final hit out for both teams ahead of the Rugby World Cup in England, starting on September 18. It is a huge coup for rugby union... 

Plenty of Stars in New Zealand Under 20 World Championship Squad

New Zealand have named a strong squad to travel to the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Italy, as reported by the New Zealand Herald. There is plenty of experience at both the provincial and Super Rugby levels in this year’s group, far more than was evident in the disappointing 2014 campaign. That said, there are a handful of top players returning from that 2014 team whose experience... 

All Blacks Have Depth to Cover Aaron Cruden Injury at World Cup

When it was announced yesterday that Aaron Cruden would likely miss the Rugby World Cup, the feeling around New Zealand was one of disappointment, not panic. There is depth to cover for the loss of Cruden, but it certainly is a cruel blow to someone who has worked so hard. It shows the state of New Zealand rugby in the fly-half position, they have come a long way. Four years ago when Dan Carter went... 

How Does the Current All Blacks Back 3 Compare to New Zealand’s Best Ever?

Flair and attacking ability out wide have long been features of New Zealand rugby teams. More than anyone else, the All Blacks have combined the elements of skill, physicality and composure, with their deadly ability to finish and create on the outside to constantly pose a threat to opposition defences. The current group is one of their best in this department. Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Julian Savea,... 

Martin Snedden Pursuing FIFA World Cup for New Zealand

It may be a long shot, but there is increasing talk of New Zealand launching a bid to host the FIFA World Cup in either 2026 or 2030. Dylan Cleaver of the New Zealand Herald revealed as much in an exclusive with Martin Snedden, in which the sporting-events guru and former New Zealand test cricketer was optimistic about New Zealand’s proposal. Snedden, a key figure in the organisation... 

Dan Carter Could Struggle to Make All Blacks World Cup Team

There was a time when leaving Dan Carter out of an All Black team was unthinkable. The master fly-half was, alongside Richie McCaw, an automatic selection in any New Zealand XV, and his absence left a gaping hole that no one could replace. Times change, though. Four years after Carter’s Rugby World Cup injury being something of a national tragedy, he is now looking a long shot to even make the... 

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