AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Gregor Paul on rugby
Gregor Paul: The state of a divided rugby nation
Despite various meetings, the situation has been described as a stalemate.
World rugby's dark conspiracy exposed
This could be dismissed as conspiratorial nonsense if not for the extraordinary evidence.
Suspicious minds rule out a bit of test banter
COMMENT: Separate hotels for teams and officials is the only way to stop careless whispers.
Gregor Paul: Sydney is history, Wellington's a mystery
COMMENT: The hardest thing for players to learn about test rugby is that a top performance one week provides zero guarantees it can be reproduced.
Smug rugby bosses need to come clean
COMMENT: Rugby executives all too easily revert to their unwritten code of secrecy and belief they can cover almost anything up.
Gregor Paul: Vision needed to avert global season cold war
Chief executive of the Rugby Football Union Ian Ritchie has given every indication he has no intention of thinking beyond his tenure.
Gregor Paul: Punishing schedule may break Lions' pride
COMMENT: As the Chiefs were humiliating Wales on Tuesday night, what became clear was the enormity of the task that lies ahead for next year's visiting British Lions.
Gregor Paul: England will light a fire under Aussie game - giving it a much-needed boost
There's such a confusing picture coming out of Australia that it's equally valid to ponder whether rugby is about to go boom or bust.
Sanzaar is running the world's worst judicial system
There has to be a reasonable chance that Sanzaar, against unbelievably stiff competition, runs the world's worst judicial system writes Gregor Paul.
Gregor Paul: Tinkering Tana gets right team
Another week of massive selection changes at the Blues, but this time coach Tana Umaga is sending out a side that looks like the right one to take on the Hurricanes.
Tana, what are you doing?
GREGOR PAUL: There was rising optimism about the track the Blues were following under coach Tana Umaga and then thoughts of the bad old days have resurfaced.
Gregor Paul: Blackadder managed to both impress and disappoint
Between 1996 and 2008, the Crusaders were crowned Super Rugby champions seven times. Since Todd Blackadder took over in 2009, they haven't added to their total.
Gregor Paul: What to make of the Wallabies
Motivation can't possibly be a problem for the All Blacks this week. A World Cup final should be more than enough in itself.
10 reasons Ben Smith is the most valuable AB
He's jokingly referred to as "Ben from accounts" because he looks so ordinary. But Ben Smith is extraordinary for a lot of reasons, says Gregor Paul.
Why ABs will embrace Cardiff
Ever since the draw was made - some time last century - the World Cup was destined to march back in time to pit the All Blacks against France in a Cardiff quarterfinal.
Gregor Paul: Why England need to advance to the quarter-finals
This World Cup needs England to survive their pool, writes Gregor Paul. If they don't, a little piece of this tournament will die.
England won't win Cup with this team
The list of names England announced for their opening game doesn't scream champions, writes Gregor Paul.
Shag's time: Stage set for Hansen
X-factor entertainers can show world Steve Hansen is the smartest tactical and motivational coach of them all.
When Cup fever runneth over
Sunday night wasn't about the people, writes Gregor Paul - it was about the politicians who capitalised on a no-risk, win-win scenario.
Gregor Paul: Three locks for World Cup real possibility
All 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.
Why the Wallabies picked Quade Cooper
Genius last week, possibly mad this week - Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has certainly stuck it all on the line by picking him at first-five to face the All Blacks.
Gregor Paul: Savea owes the All Black coaches
Julian Savea owes the All Black coaches a big performance tonight - a really big one, writes Gregor Paul.
World Cup ABs squad still unpickable
Anyone who reckons they can name the 31 players the All Blacks are going to take to the World Cup is kidding themselves.