OpinionHugh McGahan: Burgess ban was right moveJust because the bottle thrown by George Burgess was empty doesn't mean a penalty should be a light one, writes Hugh McGahan12 Sep 05:00 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: High anxiety on the cards if we were facing Welsh woesImagine the anxiety levels if Ben and Aaron Smith fell over at All Blacks training next week, frets Wynne Gray.10 Sep 09:25 PM
OpinionChris RattueChris Rattue: Baz taking behaviour saviour role too farOh no. There's no holding Brendon McCullum and his white charger back.09 Sep 05:00 PM
OpinionScotty Stevenson: Watty beat his own demonsHe strode across the churned-up ground of Rugby Park with a walk of warning and half a smile.08 Sep 09:26 PM
OpinionWynne GrayGray: Players to enter final Cup phaseWynne Gray writes: If the All Blacks go through with their plan to pick their strongest side, the discussion about the starting XV will be brief.06 Sep 05:00 PM
OpinionChris RattueAll aboard 49ers' incredible journeyThe Hayne Train is flying, with the player selected in the San Francisco 49ers roster. It's a cracking story, however it turns out, says Chris Rattue.06 Sep 05:00 PM
OpinionSomeone pass the cotton woolIf the All Blacks wanted a taste of the type of scrutiny they will find themselves under at the World Cup, they got their wish at the first training run.01 Sep 09:30 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: Piutau unlucky to be omitted from squadWynne Gray writes: I'm astonished an All Black like Charles Piutau, who has performed with distinction, has missed the cut.31 Aug 09:32 PM
OpinionDavid LeggatDavid Leggat: Goodbye, Africa ... hello AustraliaWith New Zealand now out of Africa, and the home international cricket season revealed, thoughts turn to Brisbane.28 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: Folau pick of the NRL bunchIsrael Folau, Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess are three high-profile NRL players on the cusp of setting out their Rugby World Cup claims.28 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: RWC in need of overhaul at all levelsThe Rugby World Cup needs an overhaul to eliminate the mismatches, the lopsided pools and the protracted itinerary, writes Wynne Gray.27 Aug 09:55 PM
OpinionChris RattueChris Rattue: Time for big call - let Mannering sit out Britain testsThe Warriors' captain has shouldered too much of a workload this year and desperately needs a rest, writes Chris Rattue.26 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: England coach poised to translate four years' analysis into selectionNot long after midnight tomorrow, coach Stuart Lancaster will reveal the 31 players entrusted with English hopes for the Rugby World Cup.25 Aug 06:44 PM
OpinionScotty Stevenson: Mealamu's stature matches big heartHe couldn't believe the size of the other kids. Keven Mealamu, aged 15, was playing his first trial game for the Aorere College 1st XV.25 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: 'Smart rugby brain' guides IrishAs the dissection of World Cup squads looms closer and teams play their last games before the tournament, it's worth noting Ireland's production, writes Wynne Gray.24 Aug 08:07 PM
OpinionChris RattueRattue: Warriors better bet than BluesThe bad news for Warriors fans is that they are Warriors fans. But the good news for them is that they aren't Blues rugby fans, says Chris Rattue.23 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: Japan's Super Rugby plans increasingly shaky as key figure plots move to StormersFor all the flag-waving and trumpet-blowing about the expansion to 18 teams, there has been an awkward silence about the plans, writes Wynne Gray.21 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionDavid LeggatDavid Leggat: Cheika surprises by dropping ball with White decisionIn naming his World Cup squad of 31 yesterday, Cheika appears to have dropped into muppet mode, writes David Leggat.21 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: Strong NZ presence evident in Cup sidesWhoever ends up winning the Rugby World Cup, you can bet there will be a Kiwi involved somewhere, writes Wynne Gray.20 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionChris RattueDon't take the knighthood RichieThe whole honours system is a crock of you know what, a ridiculous throwback to times which have no relevance today, writes Chris Rattue.19 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionScotty Stevenson: From Taniwha to the StagsMaybe it was the bellyful of blue cod and oysters there was a warm glow in the commentary tower at Rugby Park, Invercargill, last weekend.18 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: Cup prospects need local gameIt's time for Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Colin Slade, Codie Taylor, Andy Ellis and other All Blacks to pull on their provincial rugby jerseys.17 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: Milner-Skudder oozes excitementEveryone finds different pieces of All Black rugby to thrill them and there were layers of excellence at Eden Park as they retained the Bledisloe Cup.16 Aug 09:30 PM
OpinionChris RattueThe mighty McCaw's legendThe good news is that Richie McCaw's reputation, the legend, is safe no matter what happens in the World Cup.16 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionGregor PaulGregor Paul: Three locks for World Cup real possibilityAll Black coach Steve Hansen has floated the idea that it's possible they could take only three locks to the World Cup, writes Gregor Paul.13 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: All Black no-shows cause for intrigueIt's the All Black no-shows in the Bledisloe Cup side that are most intriguing, writes Wynne Gray.12 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionWynne GrayWynne Gray: Heat is on - just like it was in '08The last time the All Blacks faced this level of Bledisloe Cup heat was in 2008. They'd fallen 19-34 in their first combat but responded with a victory in the next test at Eden Park.10 Aug 09:30 PM
OpinionChris RattueChris Rattue: Eden Park could be the endThe All Blacks aren't quite as good as the win-loss record and ranking and PR avalanche makes out, writes Chris Rattue.09 Aug 05:30 PM
OpinionJustin Marshall: Aussies prove too cleverNational coach Steve Hansen has often talked about the All Blacks being the most analysed rugby team in the world.09 Aug 05:30 PM
OpinionGregor PaulGregor Paul: Savea owes the All Black coachesJulian Savea owes the All Black coaches a big performance tonight - a really big one, writes Gregor Paul.07 Aug 08:10 PM
OpinionDavid LeggatDavid Leggat: NZ has own dark day but we're liking Australia's far moreWatching Australia's spectacular demise for 60 all out at Trent Bridge brought the memories flooding back. Cape Town, January 2, 2013, to be precise.07 Aug 05:00 PM
OpinionGregor PaulWorld Cup ABs squad still unpickableAnyone who reckons they can name the 31 players the All Blacks are going to take to the World Cup is kidding themselves.05 Aug 09:55 PM
OpinionJustin Marshall: World's best flankers set for final face offThis weekend's clash between the All Blacks and Wallabies could be the last time we see two of the world's best players go head-to-head.02 Aug 05:30 PM
OpinionPaul Newman: Cracks in the Aussie team threaten to swallow ClarkeThe combined effects of another crushing defeat and the damage that the exclusion of Brad Haddin at Edgbaston has done to team spirit threaten to open cracks in the Australian cricket camp so wide....02 Aug 05:00 PM
