Phil Gifford is a Contributing Sports Writer for NZME. He is one of the most-respected voices in New Zealand sports journalism.
At the age of 12, I penned my first sports piece in 1959 for the Waihi College school magazine—a report on the final test of that year’s series with the Lions. In the early hours, my father and I caught a bus from Waihi, queued up outside Eden Park, and stood on the muddy Dominion Rd end terraces as the Lions secured the victory with a score of 9-6. Reflecting on that day, it's still incredible to me that my journey, beginning in 1965 as a cadet at the Herald, allowed me to make a living based on watching sport all over the world and connecting with great athletes. From meeting legends like Sir Edmund Hillary, Dame Valerie Adams, Stirling Moss, and Richie McCaw, to attending events ranging from the Olympics to the Rugby World Cup and Commonwealth Games, I've been able to claim it as work. Yet through it all, one thing has remained a constant. In the minutes before a big rugby game, I still feel the frisson of anticipation that country kid did at Eden Park in ’59.
Super Rugby talking points: The All Black playing like a great
It seems there are two Chiefs teams in Super Rugby Pacific.
Ranking NZ Rugby’s biggest balls-ups of the 21st century - Phil Gifford
OPINION: There's no shortage of red faces with the national union over the last 24 years.
Phil Gifford: Hurricanes triumph followed by calamity
Phil Gifford runs through the talking points from the latest round of Super Rugby Pacific.
Phil Gifford: New Zealand rugby's troubles run deeper than TV or Silver Lake
OPINION: Rugby's battle for hearts and minds has been raging for at least two decades.
Obituary: Phil Recordon - Lawyer who helped stop All Blacks touring South Africa
As much as Recordon played down his and Paddy Finnigan's role, they changed history.
Opinion: 'Tedious' and 'exciting' - Super Rugby talking points
OPINION: The highs and lows of another Super Rugby Pacific round.
Wanted: Some astute men and women running the ship
OPINION: Changes to rugby's rules could boost the sport globally.
From composure to chaos: Drama unfolding in Super Rugby Pacific
Phil Gifford runs through talking points after the latest round of Super Rugby Pacific.
Phil Gifford: When the form charts blow to bits
Super Rugby talking points: Hurricanes build momentum, can Crusaders make comeback?
Phil Gifford: Talking points after wild Super Round
OPINION: The talking points after the latest round of Super Rugby Pacific.
Gifford: Melbourne's Super Round is a super-mad idea
OPINION: There’s something weird and sad about this weekend's Super Rugby round.
Phil Gifford: The key talking points after Super Rugby's opening round
OPINION: Epic tries, nearly comebacks and mouthguard drama - the weekend had it all.
Dunedin may be the scene of some massive Super Rugby upsets
Phil Gifford's five talking points ahead of Super Rugby Pacific.
Opinion: Why this is the biggest Super Rugby season yet
With mass financial pressures, this year looms as the competition’s most important.
Phil Gifford: The magic Scott Robertson brings as All Blacks coach
OPINION: Yes, he's different but the new All Blacks coach is a unique talent.
Breaking barriers: How Valerie Adams' life looks now
Phil Gifford goes behind the scenes with Dame Valerie Adams and her new role.
Phil Gifford: The greatest All Blacks coaches of all time
OPINION: Five of the top columns of the year from Phil Gifford.
Phil Gifford: Alan Jones was bad, but not the most obnoxious rugby person I've met
OPINION: For sheer unadulterated, relentless thuggery, one rugby man stands out.
Phil Gifford: Commonwealth Games in crisis – is this the end?
OPINION: From rising costs to dwindling interest, there is a trouble future for the Games.
Phil Gifford: The seven biggest talking points from the year in rugby
Phil Gifford on Ian Foster, Scott Robertson, Eddie Jones, Ardie Savea and more.
Why picking All Blacks from overseas clubs won't work...right now
Opinion: My feeling is that it won’t happen, but here are four points to consider.
Phil Gifford: What the public is missing about Razor
Phil Gifford outlines four talking points as Scott Robertson takes over the All Blacks.
Phil Gifford: The most important rugby case of the 21st century
OPINION: What’s decided could see the reputation of rugby severely damaged.
Phil Gifford: The truth about Barnes’ book and McCaw’s ‘tears’
OPINION: I’ve never vilified Wayne Barnes but I'd challenge a few claims in his new book.
Ranked: The greatest All Blacks coaches of all time
Phil Gifford lists the greatest All Blacks coaches of all time.
Phil Gifford: The most riveting story in Super Rugby
Opinion: Phil Gifford runs through three Super Rugby talking points ahead of next season.
Phil Gifford: Why the stadiums were ‘empty’ for Black Ferns
OPINION: Phil Gifford lists four talking points from the world of rugby.
Phil Gifford: Rugby has a problem - the scary thing is the world disagrees
OPINION: As long as the boardroom power remains with the UK and SA, we're screwed.
Phil Gifford: A brief history of rugby referees saying sorry
Opinion: The list of officials saying they got it wrong is short but the range is wide.
Phil Gifford: Why referee and TMO aren't to blame for crucial Cup calls
OPINION: The referee and TMO were not responsible for crucial red card calls.
Phil Gifford: Seven secrets of success if ABs are to win World Cup
Opinion: The things to get right in the final.
Phil Gifford: The five biggest talking points at the Rugby World Cup
OPINION: The All Blacks need to win to save rugby from itself.
Phil Gifford: The six biggest talking points ahead of semifinals
Opinion: Seven talking points from the Rugby World Cup, and a weekend to build a dream on.
Phil Gifford: The four biggest talking points at the Rugby World Cup
OPINION: Mark the date, the Rugby World Cup just got real.
Phil Gifford: The six biggest Rugby World Cup talking points
Six talking points heading into the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.
Phil Gifford: The five biggest talking points at Rugby World Cup
OPINION: All Blacks v Ireland has the potential to be one of the great World Cup clashes
Phil Gifford: Six biggest RWC talking points
OPINION: The All Blacks' win over Uruguay provided plenty to consider.
Phil Gifford: The best sign for All Blacks' World Cup prospects
OPINION: Five talking points from this weekend's Rugby World Cup action.
Phil Gifford: The five biggest talking points at Rugby World Cup
OPINION: Let's start with what's at stake for the All Blacks v Italy.
Phil Gifford: The bright side of the All Blacks' long World Cup layoff
Phil Gifford highlights five talking points from the Rugby World Cup
Phil Gifford: The change ABs selectors must make
Phil Gifford presents five talking points from the Rugby World Cup.
Phil Gifford: Evergreen Whitelock and the five big talking points from the World Cup
Phil Gifford picks apart the five biggest talking points from the RWC.
Phil Gifford: What the ABs must change before knockouts
Phil Gifford runs through seven talking points from the first weekend of the World Cup.
Phil Gifford: Six hints to help All Blacks fans enjoy the World Cup
Listen to the Butcher, have a second team and find a villain to enhance the fun in France.
The best Rugby World Cups of all time (ranked)
Phil Gifford ranks the best Rugby World Cups of all time.
The World Cup opponents who really present the biggest challenge to the All Blacks
OPINION: Phil Gifford says for rugby in general, it’s a disaster.
Why the All Blacks can put the Bok nightmare behind them
Phil Gifford presents six talking points after the mayhem at Twickenham.
Phil Gifford: Why we should see more of the All Blacks’ daring attack
Six talking points as the All Blacks head into their final World Cup rehearsal.
Phil Gifford: The clear Cup contenders emerge in Europe
Phil Gifford outlines seven talking points from the warm-up tests ahead of the World Cup.
Rating the Rugby World Cup chances of European big guns
OPINION: Phil Gifford on France and England's tight wins over Scotland and Wales.
Phil Gifford: Someone should tell Eddie Jones that rookies don't win World Cups
OPINION: Youth helps in many areas, but the Rugby World Cup isn’t one.
Phil Gifford: The seven biggest talking points from the All Blacks' win
OPINION: The big talking points from the weekend's test rugby.
Phil Gifford: Five big talking points ahead of Bledisloe II
OPINION: One surprise selection could set the All Blacks alight in Dunedin.
Phil Gifford: Why latest All Blacks wins may feel like a guilty pleasure
OPINION: Phil Gifford outlines nine talking points from the weekend’s test rugby.
Phil Gifford: Why Eddie Jones' coaching style isn't working with the Wallabies
With the World Cup looming, even another loss in Dunedin won’t see Jones axed.
Phil Gifford: Eight secrets for All Blacks success at Rugby World Cup
Phil Gifford highlights what's needed at the showpiece in France.
Phil Gifford: How football in NZ will be boosted by the World Cup effect
OPINION: Nothing wins the hearts and minds of Kiwi sports fans like a World Cup.
Phil Gifford: The All Blacks machine is clicking into place
Phil Gifford outlines seven talking points after the All Blacks laid down a big challenge.
Phil Gifford: The six big talking points for ABs v Boks
Mo'unga's influence and the Springboks' monster props are among key factors on Saturday.
Phil Gifford: The big decision now facing Ian Foster
Phil Gifford presents his seven talking points from a great weekend for Kiwi rugby teams.
Phil Gifford: The truth Pumas test will reveal about Beauden Barrett
OPINION: The Pumas match can clarify where Barrett should stand in the ABs pecking order.
Black Ferns helping make rugby great again - Phil Gifford
OPINION: The Black Ferns showed how their revival is continuing at pace.
Phil Gifford: The big problem with booing rugby referees in NZ
OPINION: A strong thread of boorishness in rugby ran through the week.
Rugby World Cup report card: Rating the All Blacks’ chances in Paris
Phil Gifford rates the All Blacks’ chances in Paris in the wake of the first squad naming.
Most misunderstood coach in NZ rugby? The secret to Razor's success
OPINION: Scott Robertson may be the most misunderstood coach in New Zealand rugby.
Phil Gifford: Six talking points ahead of Super Rugby final thriller
OPINION: On Saturday in Hamilton, New Zealand rugby gets the final it needs.
Phil Gifford: The six big talking points from Super quarter-finals
Phil Gifford lists six talking points from the controversial Super Rugby playoffs.
Phil Gifford: The winner of the hypocrisy and greed in sport award is.....
OPINION: The cynicism of PGA decision is boundless, but what did we expect?
Phil Gifford: How niggly Coles sets an old-school example
Phil Gifford presents five talking points from the final round of Super Rugby Pacific.
Phil Gifford: The brutal tests Razor will face as All Blacks coach
Scott Robertson’s energy, innovative thinking and passion for coaching will be tested.
Phil Gifford: The five biggest talking points from the Super Rugby weekend
Opinion: Phil Gifford reviews the biggest storylines in Super Rugby.
Phil Gifford: A brief history of Australian rugby heroes and villains
Once again rugby relations between New Zealand and Australia are frosty.
Phil Gifford: The ‘happy tweak’ in Beauden Barrett storyline
Phil Gifford lists six talking points from the latest Super Pacific Rugby round.
Phil Gifford: The AB who wouldn't keep quiet - and why Foster's last of a dying breed
Opinion: NZ rugby will lose a special man when an AB heads off to France.
Phil Gifford: The six big talking points from Super Rugby weekend
Opinion: Phil Gifford's lowdown on the weekend's matches.
Phil Gifford: Remembering Bruce Robertson, one of NZ rugby’s greats
OPINION: Bruce Robertson was the greatest All Blacks centre of the last 50 years.
Phil Gifford: A text from Wayne Smith in response to All Black's outrage
I received an interesting text from Wayne Smith this week.