“Nobody said we could” – that was the rabid rallying cry issued by fly-half Lima Sopoaga as the Highlanders took to the pitch for the second period of Saturday’s phenomenal Super 15…
Super Rugby
Super Rugby: Hurricanes and Highlanders set to thrill in all-Kiwi final
As if any more ballast was required to reinforce New Zealand’s World Cup credentials, it comes in the shape of this Saturday’s Super Rugby final – the first all-Kiwi affair…
Ardie Savea: The red-hot Hurricane omitted by the All Blacks
“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…
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…
Analysis: How Nemani Nadolo could wreck the World Cup for England and Wales
According to common consensus among early newspaper reports, the iceberg that submerged the Titanic in 1912 was between 50 and 100 feet high and 200 to 400 feet high. Now, Nemani…
Rugby statistics: Why South Africa may struggle to overlook Jaco Kriel for the World Cup
During the Springboks training camp in May, head coach Heyneke Meyer said that picking the loose forwards for the Rugby World Cup was his biggest worry. Given the limitations of…
Five things we learnt in May
Beautiful rugby is back Rugby has become a rather routine affair over the past five years, with hyper-organised defences creating largely risk-averse attacking strategies led by tactical kicking. But thankfully,…
A letter from South Africa – May
NAKA STEPS DOWN Beleaguered Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske announced in early May that he would retire from coaching at the conclusion of the 2015 Super Rugby season. The Cheetahs have…
Letter from South Africa – April
Apologies for Shark’s third red card Sharks chief executive John Smit took to social media to apologise to fans this month after a third franchise player was red-carded and suspended…
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…