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Football Soccer Formula 1 Rugby Racing Golf Blogs TennisPublished: August 4, 2014
The defining moment from the 2014 Super Rugby final came when Richie McCaw was penalised in the dying stages. It was this penalty that enabled the Waratahs to sneak in front of the Crusaders and claim a one-point win (33-32) after an epic match. There are few more controversial figures in world rugby than McCaw. It is not that he is a dirty player, but his work at the breakdown has always...
Published: July 29, 2014
Super Rugby has produced its fair share of highlights in its short history. Since 1996 it has acted as the premier southern hemisphere rugby competition outside of internationals. This weekend will mark the conclusion of its 19th season. It is set to be a great game between the two in-form teams of the competition. Before this, though, take a moment to remember some of the great finals from years past. Begin...
Published: July 24, 2014
It has been a tough few years for Ma’a Nonu. While his All Blacks form has never really dipped, he has copped all sorts of criticism for his below-par performances at Super Rugby level. In 2015 he will return home to the Hurricanes, where he will look to put the nightmares of the past four seasons behind him. The move should be a good one for both Nonu and his new team, provided Nonu‘s...
Published: July 22, 2014
Legendary All Blacks prop Kevin Skinner passed away aged 86, as was reported by the Otago Daily Times on Monday. Throughout his career, Skinner forged a reputation as one of the hardest men to ever wear the black jersey and should be remembered as one of New Zealand’s finest ever. In Paul Verdon’s 2001 book Tribute, a panel judged Skinner to be the 12th-greatest All Black...
Published: July 14, 2014
For a rugby fan it is hard not to get a little bit excited by watching the FIFA World Cup. Not only is it a huge sports event that provides all sorts of drama and excitement, but it is a reminder that rugby’s edition of the World Cup is merely one year away. Yet, while the Rugby World Cup continues to grow, it still pales drastically in comparison to its big brother. It is not a question of one...
Published: July 2, 2014
In 2012 when Andy Ellis’ name was missing from the All Blacks squad to play Ireland in the June tests, there were many pundits shaking their heads. Having been the form scrum-half in New Zealand for the season up until that point, it was hard to see what else he could have done to have his name read out. Two years later, not much has changed. He is still one of the top scrum-halves in the country,...
Published: June 30, 2014
Sonny Bill Williams should have to prove himself at a reasonable level before being reinstated into the All Blacks setup. A recent report by Gregor Paul of the New Zealand Herald suggested that he is in consideration for selection for the end-of-year tour, as the midfield back is set to return to Rugby Union later in the year. This is clearly not a done deal though, as All Blacks coach Steve...
Published: June 20, 2014
England held on for a nail-biting 21-20 victory over South Africa in the final of the IRB Junior World Championship at Eden Park, New Zealand. It was a tight game both on the scoreboard and in the way it was played, as each team looked to go too wide with the ball and space was at a premium. The English did their damage in the 10 minutes either side of halftime, notching up 18 of their points during...
Published: June 17, 2014
A fast start and a strong performance up front saw England beat a depleted Crusaders side 38-7 in their only midweek game of their 2014 New Zealand tour. The Crusaders were without their All Blacks and their inexperience showed, as England’s physicality and intensity was clearly a step up from what many of the Crusaders had played before. You could not fault the effort or the commitment of the...
Published: June 15, 2014
England and South Africa have booked their places in the Junior Rugby World Championships final of 2014, winning what were two contrasting semi-finals. The early game saw England dispatch an Ireland team—who looked out of their depth—by 42-15, while South Africa needed a last gasp try to snatch a seven-point victory from a hungry New Zealand team. It was a completely dominant first...