Latest from Best of Sport Analysis

Game set to be haunted by match-fixing ghosts

It took a jury a tick over 10 hours to return a majority not guilty verdict in the perjury trial of Chris Cairns, but just how long will it be before the sport can say it has rid itself of match-fixing?

Let the dopers dope? You've got to be kidding

Wynne Gray: Seven cricket shockers at Perth

Mark Greatbatch's epic 146 not out in almost 11 hours was the key to NZ's escape when they drew their only test at Perth, against Australia in November 1989.

Fight for Phoenix all about standing up to bullies

There's a fight in Wellington to save the Phoenix and it's a battle against the bullies of the FFA, writes Scotty Stevenson

Quality build-up - you're kidding

New Zealand have maintained their preparation for the first test against Australia was good.

Chris Rattue: Michelle Payne's inspirational ride

Ma'a Nonu the best of the year

The departing Ma'a Nonu deserves to be honoured as the All Blacks' player of the year, writes Wynne Gray.

Wynne Gray: The Super Six

Six All Black greats will play their last test in Sunday's World Cup final. Wynne Gray gives his impression of the leavers

Wynne Gray: Moore the man, even if he's easy to forget

Stephen Moore's economy of language in television interviews is probably a reflection of his team instructions. To the point, brusque, no mucking around, economy of language, writes Wynne Gray.

Gregor Paul: Why the All Blacks can survive and thrive without Richie McCaw

The All Blacks have had to play without their skipper before and every time they did, they won, writes Gregor Paul.

England shambolic, ABs on track

Justin Marshall: Let's cut to the chase. Do I agree with the All Blacks changing their game plan specifically for these so-called weaker pool matches? Yes I do.

Patrick McKendry: Wallabies not as good as English press making out

Not even the All Blacks, the English press are saying, could have stayed with the Wallabies in their demolition of England at Twickenham.

Ali Williams: Injury back-ups crucial to success

Dana Johannsen: Be a sport about Cup apathy

Rugby World Cups have a strange effect on this country. Every four years our national obsession with rugby gets turned up several notches to the point where even Pam at the local florist is suddenly an overnight expert on not only the All Blacks.

Wynne Gray: Hosts must get mix right to progress

Wynne Gray writes: When they get their mix right England are terrific and a team to fear.

England hurt by lack of conviction at death

One of the great delights in rugby is watching England squirm.

Wynne Gray: McCaw's job game's riskiest business

Wynne Gray: All hail Sonny Bill the stand-in

Hansen's first substitution at this World Cup stunned me when Ma'a Nonu was dragged and Sonny Bill Williams pitched into work at second five-eighths, writes Wynne Gray.