As we say goodbye to 2022 and welcome in 2023, it’s a good time to catch up on the very best of the Herald columnists we enjoyed reading over the last 12 months. From politics to sport, from business to entertainment and lifestyle, these are the voices and views our
Liam Napier: Why Team New Zealand no longer have my support
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Team NZ head Grant Dalton. Photo / Michael Craig
Opinion by Liam Napier
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for New Zealand's Herald.
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Imagine the uproar if the All Blacks decided to host all their home tests offshore to secure greater financial rewards in order to retain their players.
Taking the America’s Cup away from home is a slap in the face to New Zealanders.
Never mind the hundreds of millions invested in the team and bases on the now broken promise of a home defence. Never mind the last event was a major financial flop due to Covid restrictions. No payback necessary, apparently.
What next for rejected All Blacks? - June 15
All Blacks coach Ian Foster made nine phone calls to players from last year not selected in his first squad of 2022 for three tests against Ireland in July. Liam Napier analyses why some incumbents missed out and whether they can make it back, and what others on the fringe must do to force their way in.
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Ethan de Groot - De Groot’s future is bright. Despite being left out this time around, he remains highly regarded.
Brad Weber - The door is far from closed on Weber. He is likely to be next in line should injury strike.
Tom Robinson - Form-wise, Robinson can do no more. He is the best-performing Blues forward this season, so often the difference maker. Robinson’s pathway to the All Blacks is tricky with Akira Ioane holding down the six role at the Blues.
TJ Perenara: Perenara is an intensely competitive character who will never give up the dream. Perenara’s abrasive style, his physical nature and defensive strength goes head-to-head with Fakatava, so he probably needs the rookie to either not perform or suffer injury to return to the All Blacks.
The big concern surrounding the Mo’unga-Barrett debate - August 25
The reignited Richie Mo’unga-Beauden Barrett conundrum that appears destined to dominate All Blacks selection discussions will dissipate in the not-too-distant future. And not due to reasons widely grasped.
The missing piece of this debate that has, at times, consumed the passionate rugby public is its looming expiry date that threatens to reveal the underbelly of New Zealand’s unproven depth at first five-eighths.
In a revealing interview with the Herald in June, Mo’unga made his intentions clear when he outlined his desire to spend one, possibly two, years in Japan from 2024.
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Barrett turns 32 next year. While he could feasibly continue for another three years beyond the World Cup his concussion history will be a factor and, like Mo’unga, he too will weigh the right time to cash abroad at the backend of his finite career.
Losing Mo’unga and Barrett at the same time would be a body blow for the All Blacks and Super Rugby.
New Zealand’s six selection conundrums for Ireland series decider - July 13
The All Blacks face a series of selection conundrums for the deciding test against Ireland in Wellington this weekend. Liam Napier breaks down the possible changes.
Lock: Sam Whitelock’s expected return from concussion provides a significant and timely boost for the All Blacks. Ronan O’Gara, writing in the Irish Examiner last week, suggested the absence of Whitelock’s lineout IQ equates to a 10-to-15-point difference from the first test. Cards aside, O’Gara wasn’t wrong. Tupou Vaa’i has also returned from his Covid-enforced layoff. As one of the form locks through Super Rugby he may slot onto the bench for Patrick Tuipulotu.
Second-five: Covid and a lingering neck injury robbed David Havili of the chance to feature in the first two tests. Chiefs second-five Quinn Tupaea made the most of a front foot platform at Eden Park but, with the forward pack beaten in Dunedin and the attack misfiring, Tupaea struggled to assert his presence. Change is needed.
Wing: Will Jordan’s irrepressible form cannot be confined to the bench. With a wayward pass, unfortunate yellow card and defensive errors, Leicester Fainga’anuku endured a difficult second test and may make way for Crusaders teammate Sevu Reece on the left edge, with Caleb Clarke still sidelined by his hamstring issue.
Black Ferns pull off miracle transformation with World Cup title - November 12
Transformation complete. A miracle one at that.
The Black Ferns’ sixth World Cup title is their most unlikely, and most memorable.
In an engrossing, enthralling final, played to a backdrop of deafening noise at a sold-out Eden Park, the billed stark contrast, the clash of styles, between England’s impenetrable maul and the Black Ferns’ ball movement played out to script.
England, reduced to 14 players for 62 minutes after Lydia Thompson’s unfortunate red card for knocking out Portia Woodman with a reckless head clash, gallantly fought behind their forward pack.
The white wall juggernaut’s 30-test unbeaten streak was said to be unstoppable. The Black Ferns had other ideas.
What a final. What a finish. When they needed it most, leading by three points with time up, having clung on through a late yellow card, the Black Ferns came up clutch to steal a lineout five metres out from their line to clinch the title as if it was written in the stars.
Wild celebrations ensued. And so they should. From where they were a matter of months ago, the Black Ferns had no right to emerge in the manner they did.
