New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has made a few calls ahead of the first test against France this weekend. While he has handed out a first starting test cap to Dane Coles, he has backed Israel Dagg to come good. [...]
All Blacks
Mixed bag for All Blacks
7 Jun 13 08:57 by Richard Ferguson (Richard Ferguson) | 24 Comments
Hansen mixes it up for French
3 Jun 13 08:00 by Richard Ferguson (Richard Ferguson) | Comment?
Six uncapped players have made it into Steve Hansen’s squad to take on France in three upcoming tests. [...]
Guildford (finally) self-destructs
21 Jan 13 08:53 by Rob Otto (robdylan) | 7 Comments
Kiwi Zac Guildford’s goose appears to now be properly cooked, with the Crusaders winger having “voluntarily stood down” from the franchise squad after being involved in yet another drunken incident. [...]
Carter beats Farrell – eventually!
4 Dec 12 11:10 by Rob Otto (robdylan) | 4 Comments
All Black flyhalf Dan Carter may not have been able to do much against English flyhalf Owen Farrell on the rugby field last Saturday, but gained a measure of revenge when he beat his northern rival to the IRB Player of the Year award in London yesterday. [...]
Barritt shines in great English win
3 Dec 12 10:11 by Rob Otto (robdylan) | 21 Comments
England stunned the rugby world in Saturday in surging to a record win over the All Blacks at Twickenham. It was the English midfield, superbly marshalled by Sharks old boy Bradley Barritt, that did most of the damage, carving open the Kiwi defence three times in the second half to put the result beyond doubt. [...]
14 changes for All Blacks
15 Nov 12 09:00 by Richard Ferguson (Richard Ferguson) | 3 Comments
The All Blacks have made 14 changes to the team that beat Scotland over the weekend, to do the business against Italy this weekend. Kieran Read takes over the captaincy from Richie McCaw, who takes a complete break from the match 23. [...]
Simmons gets eight, Thomson only one
15 Nov 12 08:00 by Richard Ferguson (Richard Ferguson) | 11 Comments
If you watched the weekend’s rugby, you would have seen the incidents in question, but somehow, the judicial system got it wrong once again, as Aussie lock Rob Simmons got an eight week ban for a tip tackle while All Black flank Adam Thomson got one week for stamping. [...]
39 Weeks of non-stop rugby
1 Nov 12 10:30 by Maria Delport (Letgo) | 23 Comments
Heyneke Meyer, in interviews this week, has expressed his frustration at mismanagement of players that have been overplayed in this long season, leaving him with injuries to key players and a bunch of overplayed and exhausted players in his training group. Meyer feels that we should be looking to New Zealand for tips in this area saying: “I think the one team that gets it right in the world is the All Blacks” [...]
New Zealand 2013 Super Squads named
1 Nov 12 10:09 by Gwyn Pratley (Hertford Highlander) | 19 Comments
The five Super Rugby squads which were named by the New Zealand franchises yesterday. [...]
New captain for All Blacks
31 Oct 12 09:30 by Richard Ferguson (Richard Ferguson) | Comment?
The All Blacks will have try out a new captain on their end of year tour to Europe, in anticipation of Richie McCaw’s sabbatical from rugby next year. [...]
SBW bout to be delayed
30 Oct 12 12:00 by Richard Ferguson (Richard Ferguson) | 3 Comments
The much anticipated heavyweight boxing bout between South African Francois Botha and New Zealand rugby star Sonny Bill Williams might have to be put on ice, as the rugby international currently plying his trade in Japan, has been ruled out of rugby for up to three months. [...]
Two debutants in experienced All Black tour squad
29 Oct 12 09:00 by Richard Ferguson (Richard Ferguson) | 1 Comment
The All Blacks have named their squad for their tour of Europe with two uncapped players called into the 32 man squad that has 1103 caps amongst them. [...]
Maitland commits to Glasgow switch
24 Oct 12 09:00 by Rob Otto (robdylan) | 1 Comment
Crusaders winger Sean Maitland has signed a 3-year deal with the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland, the same club for which former Lions number 8 Josh Strauss is now playing. [...]
Bledisloe Cup – Australia vs New Zealand
20 Oct 12 11:00 by Richard Ferguson (Richard Ferguson) | 18 Comments
The third Bledisloe Cup match for the year, albeit a dead rubber in terms of the Cup, will be a key match for the All Blacks as they keep their impressive winning record going. A win today will keep them on track to overtake Lithuania as world record holders for the longest winning streak in International rugby. [...]
Two changes for All Blacks
18 Oct 12 08:00 by Richard Ferguson (Richard Ferguson) | 2 Comments
A line up mixed with youth and experience will take on Australia, after New Zealand coach Steve Hansen selected his team. Keven Mealamu will become the third All Black to represent his country for the 100th time, and will start this match in place of Andrew Hore. [...]
