Paul Lewis writes about rugby, cricket, league, football, yachting, golf, the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
About 1000 years ago, I was selected for the Auckland B rugby team. Unfortunately, fate intervened with a broken leg, and I never got the chance to play. The guy who took my spot went on to play for Auckland for over three years. I didn’t make it back because a career in journalism got in the way – though I still managed to play (lower level) club rugby and cricket in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and the UK, the latter during a stint with the Daily Mail and a couple of UK provincial papers. After serving as a political and crime reporter, as well as an editor of a national magazine, I made a switch to sports journalism. I covered first-class rugby and cricket, spending five years with the All Blacks, reporting on two Rugby World Cups, four Olympics, two Commonwealth Games, and three America’s Cups. In between, I wrote four books and took on roles as the managing director/Asia-Pacific managing director of two PR consultancies based in Singapore and Bangkok. Through all of this, I maintained my connection with sports by continuing to play rugby, along with a bit of cricket and football despite the long work hours.
Is fan ownership the key to NRL success in the South Island?
OPINION: Paul Lewis examines the feasibility of fan ownership in the South Island NRL bid.
The stand-out young talent of Super Rugby so far
Paul Lewis outlines the best young players that have stood out to him during Super Rugby.
Guns for hire: Rugby's battle with nationality and identity
OPINION: Unpacking rugby's imbalances on and off the field.
Batter banter or burden? The dilemma of miking up cricketers
OPINION: Batters should be left to do their job without commentators' matey chatter.
Opinion: The hypocrisy of David Warner's crack at Kiwi fans
Opinion: The Aussie veteran has a long history of being a little more than passionate.
Paul Lewis: The end of the small bloke era in rugby
OPINION: Rugby's emphasis on size and power is setting up the end of an era.
Paul Lewis: The big-money reasons America’s Cup had to go offshore
It seems aeons ago that trouble flared when it became clear Team NZ were looking overseas.
Paul Lewis: The complex narrative surrounding Alexander Zverev
OPINION: Tennis needs a more comprehensive approach to domestic violence claims.
Paul Lewis: The T20 maestro the Black Caps can't afford not to play
OPINION: Why Finn Allen deserves a pivotal role in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Razor doesn't need overseas All Blacks... right now
OPINION: There will be no change in the immediate future in picking overseas All Blacks.
Herald sport classic: Richie McCaw’s quiet day at the office
A look back into the vault at one of Richie McCaw's 'quiet' games in 2008.
Paul Lewis: Time for a new reality in test cricket
OPINION: Steve Waugh is right. NZ Cricket should say thanks, but no thanks.
Paul Lewis: Jon Rahm and the price of principle
OPINION: The integrity of professional golfers is on the line.
The All Blacks selection dilemma for Scott Robertson
Opinion: Many are expecting Robertson to bring a new approach.
Paul Lewis: Difficult question surrounds English rugby star's mental health break
OPINION: When does criticism stray into harmful harassment?
The billionaire blueprint for Auckland's waterfront stadium
OPINION: The stadium-entertainment precinct sounds less sunken and more aspirational.
Paul Lewis: Rugby must stop treating referees like a protected species
OPINION: Fans of the game deserve to have match officials' decisions explained.
Paul Lewis: Why I'll be cheering for India to beat Australia in World Cup final
OPINION: Kane Williamson sets the bar high for how to respond to a loss.
Super Rugby overhaul: Why it's time for a draft
Using a draft system can elevate competency and reduce predictability, writes Paul Lewis.
Help me understand the most ridiculous law in sport - Paul Lewis
OPINION: Arbitrary lawmaking leaves no room for the drama of the game.
Paul Lewis: Clareburt move sad reflection of underfunded country
Opinion: If Kiwi swimmer gets among medals, he will have done so by beating bureaucracy.
Paul Lewis: Well done to South Africa, the best at not playing rugby
OPINION: Their possession, kick, defend, kick the goals style is an effective way to win.
Paul Lewis: A logical look at the Bongi Mbonambi race slur accusation
OPINION: World Rugby may be happy if Mbonambi is not excluded from the final.
Paul Lewis: Why I stopped caring about 'tedious' Rugby World Cup semifinal
OPINION: I watched sumo wrestling for 28 minutes before I realised it was a rugby match.
Paul Lewis: What the Irish analysis of the All Blacks got totally wrong
Opinion: React Rugby’s searing pre-game analysis was about as wrong as you can be.
Paul Lewis: The one saving grace in ‘dumb’ Mark Telea saga
Opinion: What was Mark Telea thinking – and how badly will it affect the All Blacks?
Paul Lewis: What the All Blacks can learn from the 1987 quarter-final
OPINION: There is one thing that stands the test of time for a good rugby side.
Paul Lewis: Shattered Ranfurly Shield is a sign of the modern game's woes
OPINION: Today's Magpies have reduced a proud province's reputation to rubble.
The approach used against Italy that can help All Blacks beat Ireland
OPINION: The All Blacks want to run – but the game is tuned more to those who don’t.
World Cup newsletter: Australia in all sorts and the disappointing Pacific
OPINION: Aussie mess comes as no surprise and the Pacific has been largely underwhelming.
What we can learn from Australia: The three big worries for ABs
OPINION: Take it easy on Eddie Jones. His present, or part of it, could be our future.
Bring back the super-sub: All Blacks should bench Barrett, start Jordan
OPINION: Beauden Barrett remains the ideal player to bring on in the last quarter.
Paul Lewis: Stat that should worry the ABs
OPINION: There is a statistic that starkly shows the biggest issue facing the All Blacks.
Le Cup newsletter: Pick 'em, play 'em - Here's hoping Blackadder gets game time
OPINION: Le Cup has all the latest information from France 2023.
Paul Lewis: Lunacy to write off ABs but they need some magic
'For these All Blacks, world-class opponents are presenting a bit of a problem.'
Le Cup: All Blacks and Ian Foster confront foreign climate
OPINION: Le Cup has all the latest information from France 2023.
Paul Lewis: Why rugby's rules around reserves must be red-carded
OPINION: Paul Lewis says the current rules around the bench should be benched.
Paul Lewis: All Blacks were shocking, but the grand old game of rugby was worse
OPINION: Believe it or not, that horrible record loss will benefit the All Blacks.
Paul Lewis: The curious case of Hansen and All Blacks mis-communication
Coaching intrigue highlights curious lack of communication
Paul Lewis: The reality of the Football Ferns' 'media trashing'
OPINION: What constitutes fair and reasonable criticism of an emerging sport?
Paul Lewis: Tonga may not win the World Cup, but they are deserving of far more respect than ‘sorry’
Paul Lewis examines the dismissal of teams like Tonga ahead of the World Cup.
Paul Lewis: The favour Foster has done for Robertson
Scott Robertson will have a rebuilding job with at least 12 All Blacks heading offshore.
Paul Lewis: Scott Barrett had one of the best All Blacks performances of all time
OPINION: He turned in a game that, no exaggeration, lifted the bar for All Blacks locks.
Paul Lewis: Why All Blacks' victories come with slight caveats
OPINION: The Rugby World Cup is a different beast.
Paul Lewis: All Blacks are still plagued by Sir Graham Henry's conservatism
OPINION: Some of the former All Blacks coach's recent comments need addressing.
Paul Lewis: The grim under-20 results that indicate where NZ rugby is heading
The men are struggling at all levels - NZ rugby may have more of a female future.
Paul Lewis: The selections that hint at ABs' style for World Cup
Ian Foster’s squad is borderline exotic for a man who is usually influenced by loyalty.
'Clowns in a minefield': Inside Blues' semifinal implosion
Paul Lewis: The 50-point drubbing is an embarrassing end to Leon MacDonald's Blues tenure.
Paul Lewis: Saudi merger with PGA Tour far exceeds sportswashing
OPINION: If I was Rory McIlroy, I’d be sending the PGA Tour an invoice.
Paul Lewis: Novak Djokovic reveals a new side at the French Open
OPINION: Djokovic’s rising indifference to the opinion of others became clear.
Paul Lewis: The improvement needed in Rieko Ioane’s game
Opinion: Ioane is the ABs best centre, but there's a reason he's still looked at as wing.
Paul Lewis: Forgotten man of NZ rugby could be All Blacks' answer at No 6
OPINION: It would be a surprise, a big one. But the All Blacks could do a lot worse.
Paul Lewis: Gap in Mo’unga/Barrett debate has never been more obvious
OPINION: Beauden Barrett’s form is concerning.
Paul Lewis: The decision that doomed Tuivasa-Sheck’s rugby stint
Opinion: Rugby hasn’t been kind to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
The All Blacks halfback conundrum - and who will miss out on World Cup
OPINION: One big name will miss out on going to France.
America's Cup rival's curious protest against Team NZ
It’s the thinking behind the protest that holds the most interest.
Paul Lewis: What RTS move reveals about All Blacks' World Cup picks
OPINION: Tuivasa-Sheck's return to rugby league could be a sign of things to come for ABs.
Ryan Fox's Masters run brings back memories of All Black dad
Ryan Fox harnessed the competitive spirit inherited from his All Black dad.
Paul Lewis: Do All Blacks need a big player clean-out to win the World Cup?
OPINION: Ian Foster can still shake up his squad ahead of the World Cup. But will he?
Ian Foster's bombshell more proof of NZ Rugby's ineptitude
Opinion: I now fervently hope he and his 2023 All Blacks win the World Cup.
The real issue behind the All Blacks' first-five exodus
OPINION: Overseas selection may come to pass one day - but that day surely isn't now.
Paul Lewis: Why All Blacks need fresh talent to break rival defences
OPINION: There was a sobering conclusion for NZ fans who watched Ireland play France.
Paul Lewis: What Ian Foster’s future really looks like
Opinion: If that change is coming, Foster will be in an unenviable position.
Paul Lewis: What the All Blacks could learn from England and Wales losses
OPINION: The England and Wales experience might give NZR pause for thought.
Paul Lewis: The ugly sportswashing deal that made me cringe
Opinion: Potential community damage should be assessed before sponsorships are approved.
Paul Lewis: A peek inside the funny old world of golf
Opinion: Cracks are appeari in golf’s smooth exterior, allowing a peek under the blankets.
Rugby's 'new normal': Why unpopular change in the sport is inevitable
OPINION: Rugby is heading towards “a new normal”.
Paul Lewis: The questions around France's late America's Cup entry
France's lateness will not necessarily affect their competitiveness in the 37th Cup.
Paul Lewis: England rugby star's spineless banter isn't 'normal'
OPINION: The England prop has no grounds to justify his tasteless idea of sledging.
Paul Lewis: Why Black Caps may be better off without Kane as captain
Opinion: It’s a sign that the decision to replace him as captain may be the right one.
Paul Lewis: How rebel golfers exposed the hidden truth about the LIV tour
OPINION: LIV golfers want to have their cake and eat it too.
Paul Lewis: Why I’m desperate for Messi and Argentina to lose
OPINION: A France victory in tomorrow morning's World Cup final would see justice served.
Paul Lewis: Early exit ensures villainous legacy for football superstar
OPINION: There was enormous satisfaction in seeing Luis Suarez sobbing into his shirt.
Opinion: The fitting finish to the All Blacks season
OPINION: England clash encapsulated the All Blacks’ up-and-down season.
Paul Lewis: Why rugby must ban the rolling maul once and for all
Opinion: Every time a rolling maul try is scored, a little part of the game of rugby dies.
Selectors take note: The surprise young star from the All Blacks XV's big win
OPINION: One young player caught the eye, and could be the answer at the top level.
Paul Lewis: The major flaw in the All Blacks’ stubborn game plan
OPINION: Will the All Blacks continue their highly unreliable run-it, side-to-side style?
Paul Lewis: Aussie netball saga shows why NZ sport is years ahead
NZ, while far from perfect, might be about five years ahead of our transtasman neighbours.