“People are always afraid of what is different. They are afraid of change. It is the same everywhere.” So runs a line from Shaolin Tiger, a book written by Australian children’s author Sandy…
New Zealand
The cult of the captain
There are those in rugby who believe the role of captain is a ceremonial post. There are those who believe the word demands a capital ‘C’. Some believe the loss…
Top 14 transfers: Comings and goings
The Top 14 transfer market has more or less closed for the summer. Clubs are still permitted to sign up to two supplementary players in addition to ‘World Cup jokers’,…
Who should play at fly-half for the All Blacks?
New Zealand have named a squad of 41 for the upcoming Rugby Championship. There are plenty of recognisable names in there, with only five potnetial new caps in the group.…
Aaron Smith and Waisake Naholo: All Blacks double-act
Whenever a New Zealand squad is announced, a palpable air of intimidation accompanies it. You know they possess an astounding abundance of talent, but it is not until the list…
Five stars for the 2019 Rugby World Cup
The 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy may now be consigned to the history books but the reputations created by some of the tournament’s stars could light up rugby for years…
Rest in peace: Jerry Collins – a rugby icon
Following the tragic news of the death of Jerry Collins and his partner Alana Madill in a car crash in France, we are posting this Spotlight feature which was…
Super 15 analysis: Beauden Barrett’s wonder-try for Hurricanes
If a tumultuous finale to the Six Nations taught us one thing, it is that running rugby and high-scoring clashes are very enjoyable. Razor-witted South African sportswriter Sean Wilson highlighted…
Jonny Wilkinson and fellow stars give back to grass roots
On a windy and blustery day in Farnborough some of the world’s elite rugby players, past and present, assembled in Farborough for the game between the world’s smallest club, Racal…
Rugby statistics: Can we predict the 2015 Super Rugby winner?
The 20th season of Super Rugby begins in February and with the tournament expanding to 18 teams in 2016, this will be the fifth and final time that the 15…