Campbell Burnes talks to a new fulltime pro hoping to flourish in a new team and a new city. (Pages 48-50)
Campbell Burnes reviews a unique NPC season that stretched three and a half months and ran the full gamut of emotions for many of the teams. (Pages 44-46)
teve Hale is impressed at the mix and quality of props in New Zealand’s Super Rugby Pacific squads for 2022, but there is pressure on some All Blacks to perform. (Pages 28-30)
Liam Napier attempts to evaluate an All Blacks season that morphed from very good for the first 12 Tests to alarmingly bad at the climax. (Pages 10-13)
ichie Mo’unga is one of the best No 10s on the planet, is respected and admired but, as Campbell Burnes writes, not universally, and that is not entirely his fault (pages 10-14).
Liam Napier tries to piece together the early pieces of the Moana Pasifika puzzle with the help of the new head coach (pages 26-28).
ikki Swannell gives us an early taster of how the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki will look come March (pages 42-44).
Steve Hale discovers what has changed for the better with Thames Valley’s Swamp Foxes (pages 74-76).
Steve Hale has the oil on how the impressive Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho has graduated to the All Blacks (pages 24-26).
Campbell Burnes catches up with a man well known to older readers and those who follow the game in Otago (pages 66-69).
Phil Gifford has his own take on the legacy of the 1971 Lions, who left these shores 50 years as just the third touring team to win a Test series here over the All Blacks (pages 28-31).
Campbell Burnes sets the scene for the reprise of one of rugby’s great rivalries, which must now take place in the unlikely setting of the eastern seaboard of Australia (pages 10-14).
Peter White looks over 140 years of rugby played in Katikati.
Campbell Burnes tries to condense 100 years of East Coast rugby into four pages with a nod to the past and hope for the future.
Campbell Burnes catches up with Hugh Renton after a breakout Highlanders season and ahead of what he hopes will be a second successful campaign with the Tasman Mako.
Craig Dowd always enjoys this time of year, when young talent pops up and shows their wares.
Campbell Burnes remembers with nostalgia the time when his love of provincial rugby was born (page 130). I can close my eyes and conjure up the 1984 Auckland team minus any cheating with the Rugby Almanack. It went, from fullback: Lindsay Harris, Terry Wright, Joe Stanley, Kurt Sherlock, Kelvin Farrington, Grant Fox, Tim Burcher, Wayne […]
Aaron Smith reviews the Highlanders season, which saw some inconsistency along with big highs, including making the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final, while showcasing some prime talent (pages 64-66).
Campbell Burnes caught up with the great Kieran Read, who announced his retirement from all rugby in May after the Japanese Top League season (pages 10-14).
Campbell Burnes looks back at the delayed centennial celebrations for Northland and discovers the future looks bright in this proactive union (pages 46-48).
Phil Gifford recalls a time when politics and rugby collided head-on in previously sleepy old New Zealand (page 98).
Ethan de Groot was one of four newcomers named in the national squad on Monday.
Campbell Burnes analyses how the Crusaders racked up a fifth consecutive Super Rugby title.
Campbell Burnes caught up with the All Blacks captain as he plotted his rehab back from major surgery.
Campbell Burnes knows all about the debates that swirl around schools rugby, so he sat down with NZR’s point man to check the teen game’s pulse.
Phil Gifford recalls two men who were far too good for most First XV defences.
Campbell Burnes catches up with a medicine man who has lived the fullest life in rugby.
Peter White interviews the new Bay of Plenty Steamers head coach, a man with several letters after his name and a stack of life and rugby experience to draw upon.
Liam Napier picks the brain of a man who has a handle on rugby in both Europe and New Zealand.
The Dunedin Rugby Football Club will celebrate its 150th anniversary this weekend and believes it is the longest continuously running rugby club in the country.
On Saturday Chris Bell is scheduled to play his 272nd game for Zingari-Richmond, a record for appearances in Dunedin premier rugby.
If all goes well, Liam Coltman will become the Highlanders’ most capped hooker this season.
Niall Gregg has been bumped up to head coach this season. Not bad for a 24-year-old from Ireland who arrived in New Zealand six years ago with just a dream.
The Highlanders have stood down All Black loose forward Shannon Frizell for tomorrow night’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman match against the Reds in Dunedin.
The Highlanders will reset and refresh to attempt to go out and win the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition.
Highlanders prop Siate Tokolahi is heading for France but there is a queue ready to replace him.
We are seeing more of George Bower this year. More of him in more ways than one.
The Highlanders finished with an identical result in Super Rugby Aotearoa to last year. So was any progress made? Steve Hepburn has a look.
The Highlanders are looking to break a trend tonight.
Taieri coach Jason Macdonald has got the bug.
Sean Withy was captain of the Highlanders under-20 side which played at the national tournament at Taupo earlier this month, and the loose forward received the player of the tournament award.
Campbell Burnes remembers a fine rugby man, who died in January, aged 81, widely mourned and respected.
Peter White recalls with fondness the brilliant allround sporting career of Jeff Wilson.
Michael Pulman caught up with a gutsy, engaging character of the game, Ross ‘Floss’ Filipo, who is less than three years retired.
Campbell Burnes caught up with a 2016-19 Highlander who is back and hungry to add ballast to a side full of potential.
Most young New Zealand lads keen on their footy when they are 10 have one dream — to be an All Black. But that was not the case for Logan Whitty.
The Highlanders can do a sweep with a win this Friday night against the Hurricanes but the home side will not be rolling over.
Willie Tufui has to swing his arms and legs in a short semi-circular motion just to move around.
The highest points-scorer in a North Otago jersey has been awarded life membership of the union.
Jamie Wall recalls how the one and only Jonah Lomu brought people together and on their feet in his pomp.
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