Latest from Best of Sport Analysis

Wynne Gray: New season, same old Blues

Every sports competition needs a stack of components to make it more intriguing and they gallantly delivered when Super Rugby kicked off, writes Wynne Gray.

Justin Marshall: Big questions for losing duo

It is easy to write off the Crusaders' loss to the Chiefs on Friday as a bad night in front of the posts, writes Justin Marshall. But for me the Crusaders' concerns should run deeper than that.

Dylan Cleaver: Taylor-made to lead again

New Zealand's next captain should be... Ross Taylor, writes Dylan Cleaver. Seriously. Kane Williamson will be captain one day, but there is no need to anoint him captain-in-waiting.

Wynne Gray: Win now, or face season of pressure

A punter's guide would suggest caution about the Blues. The form guide is not flash.

David Leggat: Picking the first XI of a summer like no other

New Zealand was the only non-member of this test-playing elite club.

Wynne Gray: Rennie and Co stars at scouting

Scouting is just one part of the Super 15 jigsaw; getting players to sign on and then coaching them to success.

Dana Johannsen: Sochi - It's like watching Kiwis on an expensive ski holiday

Our Winter Olympians are a hard lot to get behind, writes Dana Johannsen. Given NZ's modest record, the team went to Sochi with very few expectations from the public.

Wynne Gray: First challenge to win over fan base

Best thing about the Highlanders? Their foxy home stadium, the Smiths, Nasi Manu and Brad Thorn, writes Wynne Gray.

Paul Lewis: Blame race 13, not lay day

Barker answered Henry's probing questions with hesitancy, looking as if secret information was being prised out of him, writes Paul Lewis.

Mark Richardson: ODI plan a stroke of genius

They have nippy fast-medium bowlers who will swing the ball and they can add the clever Zaheer Khan, writes Mark Richardson.

Paul Lewis: Floyd's super punt a bit rich

There's about 16 million reasons for hoping the Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl tomorrow morning.

Chris Rattue: Snedden walking a tightrope by breaking ranks

Aussie cricket treats NZ the way NZ rugby treats the Pacific Islands, writes Chris Rattue. India, England and Australia have gone behind the rest of cricket's back to come up with a scheme to suit themselves.

Dana Johannsen: Assurances on gay laws no comfort to athletes

Just when the gay rights controversies were threatening to overshadow the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Andrew Alderson: This cricket is catching the eye

The NZers have captured the public's summer mood with their David-Goliath efforts against world champs India, writes Andrew Alderson.

Chris Rattue: Talent plus the drawcard x-factor make Ryder a must for selection

Staggered. Jesse Ryder is too good, and New Zealand not good enough, for the gifted leftie to be left out of the test squad against India.

Mark Richardson: India must get the message

If the Black Caps were to smash India in this series, the superpower would probably just shrug their shoulders and move on, writes Mark Richardson.

Paul Lewis: Luatua deserved media coverage

There was a curious backlash against "the media" for highlighting the Steven Luatua incident with that moronic Neknominate drinking fad, writes Paul Lewis.

David Leggat: NZ can show they are worthy opponents