NZ Herald: New Zealand's Latest News, Business, Sport, Weather, Entertainment, Politics

Latest FromPaul Lewis

SPORT

Why the world needs France to win the World Cup

14 Jul, 2018 2:00pm
5 minutes to read

France must win the World Cup if there is a faint hope the world could be a better place.

The hands, words and actions of Diego Maradona are an embarrassment to football. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Lewis: Time for FIFA to clean up Maradona mess

8 Jul, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Maradona's perspective demonstrated how deluded even former players can be.

SPORT

What the All Blacks should learn from German football

30 Jun, 2018 1:30pm
5 minutes to read

Paul Lewis: Watching Germany depart the World Cup brought to mind the All Blacks.

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Head contact rule is an ass

16 Jun, 2018 4:30pm
5 minutes to read

'The only way to beat head clashes is by adopting Rippa Rugby at international level.'

Ben Smith of the Highlanders and All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Is this the beginning of the end for All Black Ben Smith?

9 Jun, 2018 10:20am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Is Ben Smith's shift from fullback to wing the beginning of the end?

A dejected goalkeeper Loris Karius of Liverpool. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Lewis: Karius' mistakes shine light on cruel sports fans

3 Jun, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Athletes mistakes also offer a view into how people watch sport, writes Paul Lewis.

Mathieu Bastareaud is a key figure in the French team to tour New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Paul Lewis: We can't write off French

27 May, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Yet it may be French rugby is on the way back.

Samuel Whitelock and Brodie Retallick. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Lewis: Where have all the quality NZ locks gone?

19 May, 2018 4:45pm
5 minutes to read

What would happen if the All Blacks were to lose Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick?

Dan Carter of Racing 92 looks on during the European Rugby Champions Cup Semi Final between Leicester Tigers and Racing 92. Photo / Getty Images.

SPORT

Lewis: 'Anti-NZ' rugby writer's swipe at Carter embarrassing

12 May, 2018 10:23am
5 minutes to read

UK scribe's wind-up tactics have wound right down.

SPORT

Lewis: Shame on the IAAF over discrimination

29 Apr, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Caster Semenya has been controversial in athletics for years and it's wrong.

Richard Fale, an Hawaiian politician and chief executive of the Tongan/US bid to buy the Auckland-based NZ Warriors NRL rugby league team. Photo / Greg Bowker

SPORT

Comment: Fale harpoons his bid to buy club

22 Apr, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Prediction: The Warriors will soon be sold to the Auckland Rugby League.

Samuel Gaze and Anton Cooper celebrate winning the Men's Cross-country Mountain Bike in Nerang at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Photo / Greg Bowker.

SPORT

Biggest Pork Chop Award - Gaze or Folau?

14 Apr, 2018 11:04am
5 minutes to read

It's difficult to know who wins the Biggest Pork Chop Award this week, writes Paul Lewis.

Sonny Bill Williams (L) and Rieko Ioane of the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Six candidates, two spots: The ABs midfield conundrum

7 Apr, 2018 2:54pm
5 minutes to read

Paul Lewis: The midfield is the most interesting aspect of All Black selection this year.

Kevin Shoebridge of Team New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Cup bases - the real story

1 Apr, 2018 9:05am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Inability to decide on a base made us look like a tin-pot.

SPORT

Lewis: Rugby on track for another kind of headache

24 Mar, 2018 11:23am
5 minutes to read

The health of the game is also a vital element in the health of the players.

England's head coach Eddie Jones. Photo / James Crombie.

SPORT

Lewis: Poor old Eddie Jones, the walls seem to be closing in

17 Mar, 2018 9:35am
5 minutes to read

A coach has a limited life span with any team and Eddie Jones' time may soon be up.

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Captaincy crisis hit out of park

11 Mar, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Cricket can be the most backbiting, the most political, of sports.

SPORT

Blues' insanity: Players to blame or coaches?

3 Mar, 2018 10:38am
5 minutes to read

Supporting the Blues is not a job for the faint-hearted, writes Paul Lewis.

Lydia Ko consults with caddie No11 Jonny Scott at the Honda LPGA Thailand. After two rounds she sits at 32nd. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Swing roundabouts spell danger

25 Feb, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

OPINION: There are plenty of golfers who've never let anyone tamper with their swing.

Sonny Bill Williams is one of the rare All Blacks who earned a recall after playing offshore. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Lewis: Why NZ Rugby's club plan can work

11 Feb, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

New Zealand Rugby trying to find new ways to stop top players heading overseas?

United States' Tennys Sandgren places an ice towel around his neck during a break in his quarterfinal against South Korea's Chung Hyeon. Photo / AP.

SPORT

Lewis: Why we should listen to Tennys from Tennessee

27 Jan, 2018 12:36pm
5 minutes to read

If an alt-right sportsperson can highlight injustice, we should listen, writes Lewis.

SPORT

Lewis: The McKenzie-Mo'unga dilemma

20 Jan, 2018 1:02pm
5 minutes to read

Mo'unga will become Barrett's understudy by the end of the season writes Paul Lewis.

Australian Ashleigh Barty represents a new generation of tennis players. Photo / AP

SPORT

Paul Lewis: New hope after Court saga

14 Jan, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: This year's Australian Open Tennis carries a distinct whiff of a new era.

Steve Smith has every shot in the book and then some and knows when to use 'em. Photo / AAP

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Smith master of unorthodox

7 Jan, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Steve Smith does not have movie star looks or moves but he sure can bat.

SPORT

The biggest payday in NZ sports history

31 Dec, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Parker has a good chin, a good brain and is a genuinely gutsy character.

SPORT

Lewis: Who can replace Kieran Read?

24 Dec, 2017 8:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Maybe Kieran Read's back surgery is the answer, rather than the question.

SPORT

Clever bowler fast making name in bruising business

17 Dec, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Funny how things change, writes Paul Lewis.

Kiwi star Valerie Adams (left) has lost money thanks to cheats such as Belarusian shot put rival Nadzeya Ostapchuk (centre) and Russian Yevgeniya Kolodko, right. Photo / Photosport

SPORT

Punishment must ramp up a notch

10 Dec, 2017 5:30am
4 minutes to read

OPINION: Don't confuse drugs as a social evil with performance-enhancing drugs.

SPORT

Lewis: The big threat to Joseph Parker

9 Dec, 2017 4:17pm
5 minutes to read

Joseph Parker be watching Alexander Povetkin warily this weekend.

Ben Stokes in action for England. Photo / AP.

SPORT

Lewis: Why the Stokes signing is a bad one

2 Dec, 2017 11:46am
5 minutes to read

Signing Ben Stokes is a great decision if Canterbury want a reputation as a pushover.

Wynyard Quarter being favoured as part of the next America's Cup base raises more questions than answers. Photo / Greg Bowker

SPORT

Lewis: Council decision is short-sighted

26 Nov, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

OPINION: Auckland in hands of politicians is like Edward Scissorhands blowing up ballons.

Team NZ's preferred option is the Halsey Wharf extension. Photo / Greg Bowker

SPORT

Disaster if Halsey Wharf not an option

19 Nov, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Team NZ have so far kept quiet on the Italian option. So, what will it be?

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and council officials tour Auckland's waterfront ahead of negotiations about locations for the America's Cup Base. Photo / Dean Purcell.

NEW ZEALAND

Team NZ alarm over base HQ

19 Nov, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Phil Goff tours his desired America's Cup site.

Jeremy Brockie of New Zealand looks dejected after losing to Peru. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Lewis: All Whites loss shows lack of progress

18 Nov, 2017 11:14am
5 minutes to read

The All Whites haven't progressed from the defence-heavy days of the Ricki Herbert era.

SPORT

Lewis: Why South Africa should get the 2023 RWC

11 Nov, 2017 11:21am
5 minutes to read

Of course the 2023 Rugby World Cup should go to South Africa says Paul Lewis.

SPORT

Lewis: ABs v Barbarians a 'meaningless' match

4 Nov, 2017 12:43pm
5 minutes to read

What an opportunity missed. What a definition of the word "meaningless", writes Paul Lewis

England women's football manager Mark Sampson has come under scrutiny after making controversial comments towards two of his players. Photo / Getty Images.

SPORT

Lewis: No clear path to racism-free sport

28 Oct, 2017 12:05pm
5 minutes to read

Sport has already done much to salve racist attitudes, says Paul Lewis.

Lions Coach Warren Gatland talks with media after naming his team to play the All Blacks in the first test at Eden Park. Photo / Greg Bowker.

SPORT

Why is Gatland playing the victim card?

21 Oct, 2017 11:21am
5 minutes to read

OPINION: It's easy to admire Gatland, but why is he positioning himself as a victim?

Sonny Bill Williams during the 2017 Castle Lager Rugby Championship New Zealand Captains Run at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town on 6 October 2017 . Photo / www.photosport.nz

SPORT

Paul Lewis: SBW past it? Yeah, right

14 Oct, 2017 10:24am
5 minutes to read

At the moment, SBW is clearly still the best in his position, writes Paul Lewis.

SPORT

Lewis: Ko's mental strength looks ragged

2 Sep, 2017 11:37am
5 minutes to read

Mental strength in sport can be mercurial, writes Paul Lewis.

Aaron Smith's abysmal English will likely live on long after his sex scandal has subsided. Photo / Brett Phibbs

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Scandal sawn of the times

20 Aug, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: The incident has had a good airing when the spelling is more shocking.

SPORT

Lewis: Wholesale clearout needed at Warriors

12 Aug, 2017 11:19am
5 minutes to read

The Warriors have given us something new this season - an air of hopelessness.

SPORT

Drag the drug cheats to court

6 Aug, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

OPINION: A gold medal in a high-profile sport is worth plenty.

SPORT

Lewis: Savea's fall shows NZ Rugby depth

29 Jul, 2017 1:29pm
5 minutes to read

Ben Smith's sabbatical will provoke a tight jostle for positions in the ABs back three.

Dustin Johnson of the United States plays a shot on the 10th hole during the second round of the British Open Golf Championship. Photo / AP.

SPORT

Lewis: Are we watching a dying sport?

22 Jul, 2017 10:09am
5 minutes to read

Professional golf is in rude health but golf as a sport/pastime has problems.

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Parker is giving up a huge advantage

15 Jul, 2017 12:57pm
5 minutes to read

Parker will battle against the unconscious bias of judges when he takes on Hughie Fury

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen talks with media following the first test against the lions. Photo / Greg Bowker.

SPORT

Lewis: The art of the press conference

8 Jul, 2017 11:44am
5 minutes to read

Don't be surprised, next Lions tour, to see someone in a new position: translator.

Team NZ races against oracle during day 3 of the America's Cup Match. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

'Bald-faced hypocrisy' surrounds Cup

1 Jul, 2017 11:46am
5 minutes to read

What a neurotic, nitpicking, ungrateful country we can be at times, writes Paul Lewis.

Much of the rugby played by the Lions so far has been effective but boring. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Lions like Hilda's lame ducks

25 Jun, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: The Lions are taking rugby back to the era which hatched Hilda Ogden's ducks.

This time,Team NZ are not belligerent over Oracle's manoeuvrings. Photo / AP

SPORT

Kiwis doing it their way in Bermuda

17 Jun, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Team NZ found themselves offside with Oracle and the head of the Cup event.

- Lions - Second Five Eight Ben Te'o from the 2017 British and Irish Lions during the first test against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians at Toll Stadium. Photo / Greg Bowker.

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Lions lack game-breakers

10 Jun, 2017 12:07pm
5 minutes to read

There is hope for the Lions - but you have to go back to 1973 to find it.

Dean Barker has done well but was towed into the regatta by SS Nepotism.

SPORT

Win or lose, Barker ends up losing

4 Jun, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: You have to feel more than a bit sorry for Dean Barker, writes Paul Lewis.

Land Rover BAR's Race boat R1 skippered by Sir Ben Ainslie. Photo / Harry KH.

SPORT

Big Ben's 'love tap' does NZ favour

20 May, 2017 3:25pm
5 minutes to read

Kiwis fired up at the nonchalance of Sir Ben Ainslie's apology.

SPORT

'The most gifted loosie NZ's seen'

13 May, 2017 10:41am
4 minutes to read

Paul Lewis reckons this Blues loose forward has finally stated his case for the future.

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 file photo, Russia's Antonina Krivoshapka, right, and United States' Francena Mccorory competes in the women's 4x400-meter relay final. Photo / AP.

SPORT

Lewis: The problem with wiping records

6 May, 2017 1:03pm
5 minutes to read

There's only one thing wrong with the athletics records purge, writes Paul Lewis.

SPORT

Lewis: Parker suffers in credibility

29 Apr, 2017 10:59am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Some in the media have taken to pronouncing Parker a second-tier champion.

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Lions are not a great team

22 Apr, 2017 10:05am
5 minutes to read

The more things change, the more they stay the same, writes Paul Lewis.

Coach Ivan Ljubicic has helped Roger Federer over the considerable physical and mental block of his backhand. Photo / AP

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Fed's the modern 'Muscles'

9 Apr, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Federer has finally come to terms with using a racquet with a larger head.

SPORT

Groundhog Day at Warriors

2 Apr, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Three years of pain and frustration have passed and here we are again.

Oracle Team USA have altered the rules so much, the challengers are barely worthy of the name. Photo / Supplied

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Oracle take wind from sails

26 Mar, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: It doesn't feel much like the America's Cup.

Ian Ritchie, the RFU chief executive. Photo / Getty

SPORT

Lewis: English rugby's self-interest a bad look

19 Mar, 2017 9:51am
4 minutes to read

Now England are playing well, they think the All Blacks might be useful, after all

Bradley Wiggins spearheaded Britain's Team Sky, which is now reported to have tried Viagra in a bid to improve performance. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Paul Lewis: Get hard on cycling cheats

12 Mar, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: It just goes to show how some in sport will stop at nothing to succeed, says Paul Lewis.