All-Star XV Who Could Be Playing for Nation of Their Birth at World Cup

Since the dawn of professionalism, rugby players have become globetrotting guns for hire, upping sticks to take up contracts in far-flung places. And with the advent of the new-age traveling player came a fluidity of nationality that meant Pacific Islanders could end up wearing the Red Rose and hulking great South Africans could be seen belting out Il Canto degli Italiani during the Six Nations, as long as they’d lived in their adopted homes long enough. Love or hate it, there is now barely a country who will bring a squad to next year’s World Cup without a “naturalised”... 

Kevin Skinner Should Be Remembered as One of All Blacks’ Very Best

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 of all time. Of the props, only Ken Gray rated higher than him. His ranking placed him ahead of other legends such as Sean Fitzpatrick, Jonah Lomu, Mark Nicholls and Kel Tremain. Thirteen years on, that... 

Biggest Hits in World Rugby Last Weekend: Brumbies and Chiefs Exchange Blows

During this part of the rugby calendar, it’s all about quality instead of quantity, with this week’s collection of the biggest hits taking its influence exclusively from our Super Rugby qualifiers. With a championship at stake, the Brumbies overcame the Chiefs in a fixture that saw both sides land their fair share of pain on the opposition before the Sharks edged past the Highlanders in another intense qualifier. And it’s appropriate that Canberra captain Ben Mowen should draw in the biggest praise of all en route to the Brumbies‘ achievement, using those long lock limbs... 

Winners and Losers from Super Rugby Qualifiers

The Super Rugby Qualifying finals saw two tantalising ties. The Brumbies took on the Chiefs in Canberra in a repeat of last year’s final. The other contest saw a clash between the Sharks and the Highlanders. These were two ties that delivered all that they promised. The Brumbies held on in the Australian capital to sneak through 32-30. The Waratahs await them in the semi final next Saturday. The Sharks, winners of the South African conference, also snatched a place in the semis. They faced a fierce fight with the Highlanders in Durban. However, the home side came through 31-27, despite trailing... 

Do New Zealand All Blacks Owe Samoa a Home Test Match?

New Zealand have agreed to play a pre-World Cup 2015 Test match in Apia, Samoa. It will be the first time that the All Blacks have played a Test in the Pacific Islands in the professional era. But does New Zealand rugby, which has profited from Samoan-born players, owe Samoa this match? The answer is that New Zealand should play the Pacific Island nations away anyway. If New Zealand are playing a Test against the USA in Chicago prior to their European tour this autumn, they can certainly play Samoa. But this is about respecting Samoa as a rugby nation, not the fulfilling of a charitable act. New... 

5 Key Battles for Super Rugby Qualifiers

Saturday’s Super Rugby qualifying finals see two interesting matchups. Third place-finishers the Sharks, take on the Highlanders in Durban. The late kick-off sees a re-run of last year’s Super Rugby Final, as the Brumbies and the Chiefs fight to remain in the competition. These four teams will have to do it the hard way, if they are to win the Super Rugby title. Finishing outside the top two gives these sides an extra game to win before the semi-finals the following weekend.  These qualifying finals represent the first battles in what has become a prolonged war of a Super Rugby... 

Super 15 Rugby 2014: Qualifying Finals Fixtures and Predictions

The 2014 Super Rugby season will enter its most enticing phase this weekend, where the post-season action picks up following on from another stellar campaign. Saturday will see the Brumbies and Chiefs clash in Canberra for the right to play first-place finishers the Waratahs in the next round, before the Sharks and Highlanders meet in Durban, the Crusaders being their prospective semi-final opponents. It’s been a long season, but now the time comes for teams to produce at their optimum if they’re to have a chance of 2014 glory, with details of Saturday’s qualifying fixtures detailed... 

All-Star XV Who Could Be Unavailable for World Cup Selection

In the eyes of many, a Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle of any player’s career, and 2015 provides the globe’s elite with another chance to shine at the tournament, this time being hosted by England. However, politics, personal reasons and other mitigating circumstances now play as prominent a role in the international involvement of our stars as ever, and it’s easier said than done for a player to just turn up come contest time. With just over a year left until the rugby spectacle kicks off, we’ve compiled a line-up of the most promising talents who may yet miss out on their... 

Ranking the Top 20 Players in Super Rugby Regular Season

Compiling these lists always presents a challenge. Ranking a flying full-back against a towering lock is akin to comparing apples with oranges. It’s in such difficulty we find ourselves here as we look for the top 20 names of this Super Rugby season so far. Our friend, in this case, is the vast reservoir of statistics spat out during a season. And the best place to find the figures that will aid us in this search is The New Zealand Herald’s incomparable stats hub, powered by Opta. From clean breaks made to lineouts stolen, we can find the lowdown on every player who has set foot on... 

Mike Tindall Failed to Achieve His Potential with England

Mike Tindall was 25 years old when England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003. Although Jonny Wilkinson received most of the plaudits for the 20-17 win over Australia, flanker Richard Hill and centre Mike Tindall were outstanding. Aside from Wilkinson’s last-minute drop goal and Jason Robinson’s try, the abiding memory of that match is Mike Tindall’s dump tackle on Wallaby captain George Gregan. The powerful England centre picked up the Australian legend and carried him off the pitch before putting him on his backside. At 25, Tindall, already a fine centre, had the potential to... 

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