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Gregor Paul: Pushy parents to blame for school rugby mess

18 May, 2019 6:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: In the last decade, pushy parents have hijacked the entire rugby system.

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False promise: The problem with a Blues side built on illusion

11 May, 2019 3:00pm
5 minutes to read

Gregor Paul: The Blues are writing out the same story of under-performance this season.

Richie Mo'unga of the All Blacks talks to the backs during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina last year. Photo / Getty Images.

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Gregor Paul: The worrying talent gap the All Blacks can't ignore

10 May, 2019 3:00pm
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: The gap between Barrett and Mo'unga and every other No 10 looks enormous.

England will look to dethrone the All Blacks at the World Cup in Japan. Photo / Getty

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Gregor Paul: Northern teams bringing knife to Rugby World Cup gun fight

7 May, 2019 3:00pm
5 minutes to read

Six Nations squads will come to Japan believing they can bludgeon their way to success.

The big name players in New Zealand have long held the power. Photo / Getty

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All Blacks' big compromise: The real story behind Whitelock's contract

4 May, 2019 5:00pm
5 minutes to read

Some view it as a lopsided landscape, but the top players have always been in charge.

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Gregor Paul: The All Blacks' big World Cup risk

4 May, 2019 5:30am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Anxious All Blacks fan base will need to live with bigger picture of build-up.

The All Blacks take on South Africa in their opening World Cup match in Japan. Photo / Getty

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All Blacks' World Cup payday: $1 million for four days' work

1 May, 2019 5:05am
4 minutes to read

ABs for hire: When a Japanese city offered big money to arrive early, it was a no-brainer.

Allowing Colin Cooper a third season in charge of the Chiefs would be unforgivable. Photo / Getty

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Gregor Paul: Chiefs took the safe option. Now they're paying for it.

30 Apr, 2019 11:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Allowing Colin Cooper to stay on as head coach next season would be unforgivable.

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Gregor Paul: How religion is poisoning NZ Rugby

27 Apr, 2019 4:00pm
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Why it's time for NZ Rugby to quit the Crusaders name cold turkey.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and All Blacks coach Graham Henry front the media at a press conference after the 2007 World Cup. Photo / Getty Images.

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Gregor Paul: The smartest move the All Blacks made in 12 years

26 Apr, 2019 12:44pm
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: It's not often one single decision can have such a profound impact on history.

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Gregor Paul: Let's get real about the Nonu fairytale

23 Apr, 2019 2:00pm
5 minutes to read

Comment: Are people seeing things in Ma'a Nonu that they want to see?

What McKenzie's injury may have done is simplify the thinking and persuaded the All Blacks that to create two distinct back threes. Photo / Getty Images

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Paul: The surprise weakness that will have the All Blacks concerned

21 Apr, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: The injury loss of McKenzie has put the spotlight on the All Blacks' back three.

Michael Cheika watches on as Israel Folau speaks to the media. Photo / Getty

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Intolerable pressure: Toxic Folau saga could save Wallabies

19 Apr, 2019 2:00pm
6 minutes to read

Gregor Paul: Disgraced superstar could yet save his career but there will be no winners.

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The calculated risk the All Blacks could deploy at World Cup

16 Apr, 2019 9:56am
5 minutes to read

Damian McKenzie's injury has left the All Blacks selectors which a possible risky call.

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Gregor Paul: The X-Factor who could be the ABs' secret World Cup weapon

14 Apr, 2019 6:00pm
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: The All Blacks don't need duplication in their World Cup squad.

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Gregor Paul: Rejection a powerful tool for All Blacks

13 Apr, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: The All Blacks will soon be laying the foundations for the 2023 RWC squad.

All Blacks winger Ben Smith in action against Australia, during the second Bledisloe Cup rugby test match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

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'More valuable than Carter in 2011': The All Blacks' 'real' MVP

9 Apr, 2019 7:34pm
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: If Ben Smith is forced out, it will be the biggest blow, writes Gregor Paul.

All Blacks rugby player Ardie Savea. Photo / Nick Reed.

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'He's become McCaw-like': The All Blacks' 'good' problem

6 Apr, 2019 1:38pm
5 minutes to read

Savea's gone from a generic, highly-skilled footballer to a focused, brilliant No 7.

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$2.4m for 13 months' work: All Black's dream gig up in smoke

5 Apr, 2019 5:45pm
6 minutes to read

Once-in-a-lifetime scenario unlikely to eventuate for leading All Blacks.

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'Fundamental problems': World Cup questions the ABs haven't answered

2 Apr, 2019 11:57am
5 minutes to read

The All Blacks' build up to 2019 is shaping somewhat differently to past World Cups.

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Ruggernomics: The villains behind World Rugby's bleak future

30 Mar, 2019 4:00pm
5 minutes to read

Comment: The future for the Island nations looks almost bleaker than it ever has.

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Gregor Paul: Why world's best coaches are walking away from ABs

29 Mar, 2019 11:39am
6 minutes to read

Comment: NZR may regret moving slowly after Hansen confirmed he was stepping down.

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Gregor Paul: The difficult questions rugby parents need to ask themselves

26 Mar, 2019 2:07pm
5 minutes to read

There is now some prospect of the 1A returning to the ethos that made it once so great.

Waisake Naholo of the Highlanders. Photo / Getty Images.

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Dazed and confused: What's gone wrong with All Blacks winger?

23 Mar, 2019 11:32am
5 minutes to read

It's looking like it might take another miracle to get Naholo to World Cup.

Amanaki Mafi of the Sunwolves. Photo / Getty Images

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Gregor Paul: Sanzaar's genius move that will save Super Rugby

23 Mar, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Sanzaar has come up with a near faultless vision for Southern Hemisphere rugby.

Dan Carter and Richie McCaw showed that on the world stage, experience is everything. Photo / Getty Images

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Gregor Paul: Spark is Sopoaga, Sky is Carter

19 Mar, 2019 6:50pm
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: There is every reason to sit on the fence about the coverage of the World Cup.

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What the ABs saw: How Six Nations exposed England's biggest flaw

19 Mar, 2019 3:30pm
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: It took the All Blacks eight years to overcome it. England have a long way to go.

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New Zealand rugby's big victory: Retaining Aaron Smith

16 Mar, 2019 12:59pm
5 minutes to read

Comment: Once one of NZ's most disgraced All Blacks, Aaron Smith is on the comeback.

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Axe must swing: Change of regime needed to fix NZ losers

12 Mar, 2019 6:13pm
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Giving Cooper another season is not the right thing to do.

Beauden Barrett of the All Blacks looks dejected following the International Friendly match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Ireland. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

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Gregor Paul: The one thing that should be bothering All Blacks fans

9 Mar, 2019 11:52am
5 minutes to read

Comment: It seems that NZ players have lost the art of finding space on the field.

Sonny Bill Williams of Blues (C) and teammates react after their defeat during a a Super Rugby Rd 3 match between Jaguares and Blues. Photo / Getty Images.

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Gregor Paul: How Kieran Read's exit explains Blues mess

9 Mar, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: A lack of leadership is the single greatest failing the Blues can't fix.

General views of Eden Park during The Rugby Championship game between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australia Wallabies at Eden Park. Photo / Getty Images.

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'Truth spinning': World Rugby caught red-handed, don't be deceived

5 Mar, 2019 7:04pm
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: World Rugby have been caught red-handed with their fingers in the till.

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Paul: Why Wales' World Cup claims are being ignored

2 Mar, 2019 4:17pm
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: There's a reason people are quick to dismiss Wales' Rugby World Cup hopes.

Referee Jaco Peyper during the opening match, of Pool A match between Fiji and England held at Twickenham Stadium, at the Rugby World Cup 2015. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

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World rugby's dark conspiracy exposed

2 Mar, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

This could be dismissed as conspiratorial nonsense if not for the extraordinary evidence.

The All Blacks will now travel more and play five big tests in five weeks - after a packed schedule. Photo / Getty

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Gregor Paul: Shameless rugby bosses have just killed the game

28 Feb, 2019 5:00pm
4 minutes to read

Comment: Player welfare is paramount - unless there's a better offer on the table.

The All Blacks are guaranteed a minimu of 13 tests from next year. Photo / Getty

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Exclusive: All Blacks, World Rugby set for biggest change in modern history

28 Feb, 2019 1:14pm
4 minutes to read

More travel, more money, more tests. World rugby - and the ABs - set for big changes.

New Zealand All Black Flanker Liam Squire heads for the try line against the Wallabies in 2018. Photo / Greg Bowker.

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'Wilted in battle': All Blacks no longer convinced by hardman

26 Feb, 2019 4:00pm
5 minutes to read

Hansen says selectors have big decisions to make this year and there may be one shock.

New Zealand's Head Coach Steve Hansen. Photo / Getty Images.

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'Madness': All Blacks' 'trust' broken, sanctions required

23 Feb, 2019 10:51am
5 minutes to read

Super Rugby coaches want to help the All Blacks, but they want to win more.

New Zealand captain Kieran Read. Photo / Getty Images.

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Doomsday argument: The biggest All Blacks myth exposed

22 Feb, 2019 10:30am
6 minutes to read

A popular claim about New Zealand Rugby is being made on perception, not fact.

Toulon's Julian Savea. Photo / Getty Images.

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Fallen ABs star: Toulon got what they paid for

19 Feb, 2019 1:18pm
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: If ever there was a signing destined to end badly this was it.

Beauden Barrett tries to stab a kick between Ireland's Devin Toner and Garry Ringrose. Photo / Getty Images

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Paul: The big problem the All Blacks need to fix

17 Feb, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: To win World Cup the ABs are going to have to use their brains and their feet.

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Big Read: How Blues failure could destroy Auckland rugby

15 Feb, 2019 6:25pm
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: One more bad season by the Blues could plunge Auckland rugby further into chaos.

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Revealed: The 'special' rules for All Blacks playing Super Rugby

12 Feb, 2019 5:40pm
5 minutes to read

The one redeeming feature of Super Rugby is that it is not going to kill NZ's best players

Kieran Read will lead the All Blacks as they attempt an historic World Cup three-peat in Japan. Photo / Getty

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Uncomfortable truth: All Blacks should be worried about World Cup

9 Feb, 2019 4:10pm
5 minutes to read

Gregor Paul: The enormity of what awaits Kieran Read's team in Japan hit home this week.

Several top All Blacks have been linked with moves to Japan after this year's Rugby World Cup. Photo / Getty

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Fearful future: How NZ Rugby is losing control over top All Blacks

9 Feb, 2019 7:00am
6 minutes to read

Gregor Paul: Rugby bosses the victims of their own decision-making, not market forces.

Henry Slade grabs a try for England against Ireland in a stunning test which will have further ramped up already keen interest in the World Cup. Photo / Getty Images

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Gregor Paul: The despicable lie that could ruin Rugby World Cup

5 Feb, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Dublin test showed who can topple ABs but also how offside creep kills attacking rugby.

The All Blacks line up for the anthems during The Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Australia last year. Photo / Getty Images.

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'Devastating like Lomu': The mystery ABs World Cup bolter

2 Feb, 2019 2:40pm
6 minutes to read

Someone unexpected will re-shape the All Blacks' attacking possibilities this year.

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Gregor Paul: World League won't save NZ rugby's sinking ship

1 Feb, 2019 6:30pm
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: The Titanic wasn't too big to sink, and New Zealand rugby isn't too big to fail.

The All Blacks line up for the anthems during The Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australia Wallabies last year. Photo / Getty Images.

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ABs envy? Nah. The lonely, vulnerable weight of being world No 1

29 Jan, 2019 8:45pm
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: What the ABs know better than anyone is that it's a vulnerable place being No1.

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The big questions for NZ rugby in 2019

23 Dec, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Thoughts about what may happen jump out as 2018 comes to an end.

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Gregor Paul: The All Blacks' biggest World Cup dilemma

21 Dec, 2018 6:00pm
5 minutes to read

It's the best defensive player in New Zealand vs one destined for All Blacks greatness.

Lima Sopoaga is hardly the first peripheral All Black to pack his bags prematurely for Europe. Photo / Brett Phibbs

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Gregor Paul: All Blacks putting a new spin on old problem

20 Dec, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Black jersey has not lost much, if any, of its allure despite what you may have heard.

Players like Julian Savea have left for Europe while others, like Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett, have either already re-signed with New Zealand Rugby or are expectedto do so soon. Photo / Getty

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Gregor Paul: The silent war raging in New Zealand Rugby

19 Dec, 2018 6:00pm
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: There's a spin war raging and we are in new territory - allegedly.

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Schoolboy poaching row: St Kents in stunning u-turn

17 Dec, 2018 4:06pm
4 minutes to read

Head changes his tune on controversial recruitment policy in letter to parents.

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Why Foster is (and isn't) the right man to replace Hansen

16 Dec, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Gregor Paul: The mood within the All Blacks seems to be turning against continuity.

Steve Hansen will step down as All Blacks coach after the World Cup in Japan. Photo / Getty

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Gregor Paul: The fear that drove Hansen to quit All Blacks

14 Dec, 2018 1:55pm
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: He's better than he's ever been, yet Steve Hansen had no other option but to go.

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Gregor Paul: How one woman shattered rugby's biggest lie

13 Dec, 2018 11:00pm
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: They'll say Kendra Cocksedge's win is a gimmick. They couldn't be more wrong.

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Steve Hansen to announce future tomorrow

13 Dec, 2018 10:38am
6 minutes to read

Steve Hansen will reveal his future plans tomorrow

Kieran Read of the All Blacks drinks from the Bledisloe Cup. Photo / Getty

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The Guinness All Blacks: Why NZ players don't travel well

12 Dec, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

All Blacks leaving to play overseas will cause some angst in New Zealand rugby circles.

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No more 'playing dumb': How All Blacks found their voice

9 Dec, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The biggest thing that happened in 2018 was the emergence of social activist footballer.

What we have seen in the last few years is a professionalisation of schoolboy rugby in Auckland. Photo / File

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Paul: How school rugby became a horrible mess

8 Dec, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Schools rugby should be the purest form of the game.

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Revealed: The power struggle crippling schoolboy rugby

7 Dec, 2018 6:03pm
3 minutes to read

Deep distrust and increasing frustration as standoff intensifies amid poaching scandal.