Freelance sports writer Jamie Wall discussing All Blacks brothers book at Rotorua Library

Rotorua library staff are inviting rugby fans to attend a free event with Jamie Wall - freelance sports writer and author of Brothers in Black.

Rugby fans are encouraged to go along dressed in black and with a "brother" or sister to go in the draw for an autographed copy of the book.

He is visiting Rotorua Library on Saturday, November 16.

Jamie will be familiar to audiences of The Spinoff, Radio New Zealand and Māori Television.

Over the last two seasons, he has travelled with the All Blacks to Buenos Aires, Sydney, Tokyo, London, Dublin and Rome, and most recently Japan for the Rugby World Cup.

Jamie's book Brothers in Black concentrates on the sport that has taken precedence in our news recently - rugby.

Brothers have represented New Zealand in the All Blacks team at almost every major All Black game over the years, and several of the familiar names have their stories featured in this book.

In the last decade there have been the Barretts, Whitelocks, Saveas and Franks, but there have been many more standouts throughout New Zealand rugby history like the Meads, Whettons, Gears, Bachops and Brownlies.

Jamie's passion for the sport and his research have highlighted some amazing facts. He has backed these up with photographs and figures.

He explores the "culture" in families and explains how this culture transfers onto the field and envelopes their sporting successes.

Jamie wrote that, "Brothers have been part of the All Blacks since the beginning. Through both world wars, when the game itself went through a gigantic upheaval. Through the amateur era of punch-ups and mud, to the big money and media-driven world we live in today.

"One thing is for certain: they have played a part in almost every single notable event in the team's history."

Recently returned from Japan where he reported on the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Jamie is now looking forward to the upcoming publication of his latest book Heroics and Heartbreak: twelve months with the All Blacks.

The details
■ What: Book talk with Jamie Wall
■ When: Saturday, November 16, 2pm
■ Where: Rotorua Library
■ Free