Opinion
Where does Sam Cane go from here?
Sam Cane might be rethinking his future after a sad end to the Rugby World Cup.
Tom Vinicombe Tom Vinicombe is Southern Hemisphere features editor for RugbyPass. Tom has travelled the world covering rugby and lived in Europe, Asia and Oceania.
Opinion
Jacques Nienaber has pinned Springboks' World Cup hopes on gratuitous risk
A 7-1 bench is an absurd proposition but it's especially hard to comprehend when it forces the omission of one of the Springboks' …
Opinion
The All Blacks' hopes against Springboks rest on young shoulders
The scrum battle will prove decisive at the Stade de France on Saturday night.
Opinion
All Blacks and Springboks set to make way for the new world order
It's not always the most consistent or impressive team over the four-year World Cup cycle that eventually heads home with the fabl…
Opinion
One last dark horse for the All Blacks' World Cup push
Ian Foster should consider a last-minute change-up to the All Blacks' first XV.
Opinion
D-Day arrives for fringe All Blacks as Ireland looms on the horizon
One final pool game presents a few fringe players with a last opportunity to advance their case for sudden-death selection.
Opinion
Shannon Frizell could prevent the All Blacks leaving France empty handed
Barnstorming performances from Shannon Frizell might be the difference between the All Blacks going home with the Webb Ellis Cup o…
Opinion
The All Blacks must hand Dupont-like Cam Roigard the keys to the kingdom
All Blacks coach Ian Foster must throw caution to the wind and make a big change at halfback.
Opinion
The eleventh hour has arrived for All Blacks hopefuls
It's last chance saloon for fringe All Blacks to push their case for national selection.
Opinion
Immovable object could be last piece of Chiefs dynasty puzzle
2023 could mark the beginning of a Chiefs legacy.
Opinion
Another World Cup dark horse has emerged for the All Blacks
A young Chief could force his way into the national selection frame with more minutes under his belt.
Opinion
Joseph Suaalii recruitment a triumph even if Wallabies out of reach
Joseph Suaalii's recruitment by Rugby Australia could have a long-lasting effect.
Opinion
Have Hurricanes halves provided a glimpse at All Blacks future?
Cam Roigard and Brett Cameron will forge a strong halves combo for the Hurricanes.
Opinion
Incumbent All Blacks' pain could be Shaun Stevenson's gain
A refresh on the wings could once again be on the cards for the All Blacks.
Opinion
The All Blacks need to find their new 'bastards'
Dane Coles and Brodie Retallick are going to be almost impossible for the All Blacks to replace.
Opinion
All Blacks are ill-prepared for departures of Barrett and Smith
Aaron Smith's and Beauden Barrett's departures overseas next year will leave the All Blacks in a sticky situation.
Opinion
Freddie Burns could be just the tonic the Highlanders need
Premiership winner Freddie Burns could push the Highlanders to greater heights.
Opinion
Redemption awaits for All Blacks incumbent No 6 Scott Barrett
2023 could be the year that Scott Barrett proves himself world class.
Opinion
Dave Rennie sacking says more about Rugby Australia than coach
Dave Rennie isn't the first Wallabies coach to lose his job mid-contract.
Opinion
It's now or never for Beauden Barrett's Blues
The stars have aligned for the Blues.
Interview
'I still can't really talk about it': Zarn Sullivan on the comeback trail
A freak injury during the NPC stymied Zarn Sullivan's prodigious development.
Opinion
The hunt for the next All Blacks No 10
There are no heirs apparent to the likes of Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga.
Opinion
The curse of the Barrett brothers
Beauden Barrett would benefit immensely from Jordie Barrett's presence in the midfield.
Opinion
Life's about to get much tougher for Caleb Clarke
The return of Anton Lienert-Brown could spell trouble for All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke.
Opinion
Is Damian McKenzie a genuine No 10 option for the All Blacks?
Damian McKenzie delivered a sterling performance for the All Blacks XV against Ireland A.
Opinion
Why Jordie Barrett's midfield move might still be temporary
Jordie Barrett's exceptional performance might not be enough to sway Ian Foster.
Opinion
An All Blacks captain shouldn't be leaving the pitch before the job is done
If Sam Cane is the right man to captain the All Blacks then Foster needs to back him to get the job done for the full 80 minutes.
Opinion
All Blacks craving fresh hooker blood
Dane Coles and Codie Taylor have been incredible servants of the game in NZ - but they're not the forces they once were.
Opinion
Time ticking for All Blacks midfield as World Cup looms
With just a dozen or so matches left until the World Cup, the All Blacks are running out of time to experiment.
Opinion
Will what's been or what could be determine Ian Foster's future?
If there was enough on display at Ellis Park to suggest the All Blacks have turned a corner then the historic defeats can – and …
Opinion
Maori All Blacks fullback Zarn Sullivan on the road to stardom
Despite a slow start to the season, Zarn Sullivan is on track to becoming a world-class fullback.
Opinion
Luke Jacobson omission sends clear All Blacks message
Luke Jacobson has paid the price for being a jack of all trades with the Chiefs this season.
Opinion
Time for the All Blacks to gamble on Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has played just nine games of professional rugby union. Is that enough for All Blacks selection?
Opinion
How will Super Rugby selection dictate All Blacks elevation?
Will some big decisions by Super Rugby coaches influence the make-up of the first All Blacks squad of 2022?
The one-two punch that could ignite the All Blacks attack
Two emerging halfbacks could prove crucial to the future success of the All Blacks.
Opinion
Fortune favours the bold: Ian Foster's All Blacks gambit
It's time for Ian Foster to make some brave selection calls.
Opinion
All-conquering Blues the next New Zealand superpower
Are we witnessing a shift in the power base of New Zealand rugby?
Opinion
What's happened to New Zealand wunderkind Etene Nanai-Seturo?
Etene Nanai-Seturo was once touted as the next big thing in New Zealand rugby.
Opinion
Imagine what a full-strength Moana Pasifika could accomplish
Despite having a torrid lead-in to their debut season, Moana Pasifika are already proving their worth.
Opinion
Coronation of Josh Lord has jumbled the pecking order of NZ's locks
Spare a thought for the likes of Mitch Dunshea, Quinten Strange and Pari Pari Parkinson.
Opinion
The big asterisk for the Crusaders in 2022
The Crusaders have often struggled without Richie Mo'unga at flyhalf.
Opinion
Career-defining season ahead for former All Black Josh Ioane
The upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season could reinvigorate Josh Ioane's All Blacks career.
Opinion
Eligibility tweaks and Autumn thrills game-changing for RWC
An already game-changing November has culminated in international eligibility changes.
Opinion
Can Antoine Dupont arrest Aaron Smith's mantle in Paris?
All should be trembling in anticipation at this weekend's potential scrum-half battle.
Opinion
Mouth-watering mid-year challenge looms for All Blacks
The All Blacks may finally have a challenge on their hands in their own backyard.
Interview
Manu Samoa 'under no illusions' ahead of Barbarians clash
Manu Samoa are preparing for a Barbarians onslaught at Twickenham.
Opinion
Ireland, not France, will be the All Blacks' toughest test
Ireland have been quietly going about their business without any of the hype of France.
Opinion
Springboks finally take first steps towards rebuild
With so many tough games to kick off the year, only now are the Springboks giving chances to young players.
Opinion
Abundant All Blacks versatility might open the door for Quinn Tupaea
The All Blacks showed off their backline's unique versatility against Wales.
Opinion
Last chance saloon arrives for All Blacks loose forwards
With the axe hanging ominously over the All Blacks loose forwards, the next month will prove crucial.
Opinion
Why the USA can take heart from Japan's improvement
There are some parallels between the USA and Japan, even if their rugby development is years apart.
Opinion
Chance arrives for Japan to prove Rugby Championship mettle
The Brave Blossoms have yet to prove they can compete with the speed of the Wallabies or All Blacks.
Opinion
Eagles showdown both a promise and a warning for All Blacks
Games between the All Blacks and USA could become more plentiful in the years to come.
Interview
Clayton McMillan's Chiefs eyeing bold Super Rugby future
Clayton McMillan and Warren Gatland are cooking up something special in Chiefs country.
Springboks skirmish will be true test of Wallabies' standing
After a tough three-match stint, the Wallabies finally have some respite from the All Blacks.
World Cup versatility on trial in All Blacks' mammoth tour
When Ian Foster is selecting his World Cup squad, he may look back on 2021 with begrudging fondness.
Opinion
Who will make the most of Aaron Smith's All Blacks absence?
The next month looms as a crucial time for TJ Perenara and Brad Weber to prove their starting pedigree.
All Blacks dream not over for Japan-bound Brett Cameron
Brett Cameron's surprise call-up to the All Blacks in 2018 was just the start of his rugby odyssey.
Marika Koroibete's rescinded red card a lesson for World Rugby
World Rugby need to seriously rethink 20-minute red cards.
The era of Ardie Savea has arrived
With Sam Cane set to spend plenty of time on the sidelines, Ardie Savea needs to make a statement.
Japan's progress must not cost the Pacific nations
The Rugby Championship can't simply keep absorbing new teams when they reach tier-one status.
Damian McKenzie at a career crossroads
A stint overseas, no matter how short, could spell an end to Damian McKenzie's All Blacks hopes.
All Blacks exclusion could be the making of Cullen Grace
Paradoxically, being dropped by the All Blacks could kick-start the career of 21-year-old Cullen Grace.
The new propping blood gunning for All Blacks selection
The All Blacks will look to rejuvenate their front-row in 2021. Which men are due a call-up?
Half's time
Promising Chiefs halfback Xavier Roe has finally earned himself a start after an exceptional provincial season.
Loose ideas
An injury to Shannon Frizell has possibly made the loose forwards selection picture clearer for the All Blacks.
Red mist
The Reds' 40-34 win over the Chiefs breathes new life into a competition that was quickly becoming stale.
A rock and a hard place
There's no obvious solution to fix Super Rugby Trans-Tasman moving forward.
Shifting tides
Samoa haven't played a test match since 2019 but there's plenty to look forward to for the island nation.
Running before walking
Bonus points could decide the Trans-Tasman finalists but shouldn't be chased at the expense of a win.
Dynamic duo
The Crusaders had one All Blacks midfield combo before the season started. They've unearthed another.
Rising son
Isaac Lucas is a once in a generation Australian talent currently making waves in Japan.
Slog or sidelines
There's no middle ground in Super Rugby Aotearoa this year - if you're not a seasoned pro, you're left right out.
That winning feeling
After a torrid year, the Chiefs have finally rediscovered the lost art of winning.
Rise from the ashes
NZ were once unstoppable at Under 20s level but the landscape has changed over the last decade.
Advantage over
Quirks of the law were brought to fore in the Chiefs' golden-point win over the Highlanders.
Pain, pleasure and patience
Pari Pari Parkinson, one of the most promising physical specimens in New Zealand rugby, is back.
Bubble and squeak
A Trans-Tasman Super competition has just gone from doubtful to highly likely. That's good news for everyone.
Blue blooded
Joe Rokocoko's soft spot for the Crusaders vanished when they beat his beloved Blues in the 1998 Super 12 final.
League of his own
Leicester Fainga’anuku is setting Super Rugby Aotearoa alight. But he’s ambivalent about how his career develops.
Generation X
A new crop of Kiwi 10s are set to make names for themselves in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
High-speed half-life
The Hurricanes struggled to replace Beauden Barrett in 2020. How will they fair without TJ Perenara in 2021?
Red and black and black and blue
After a year blighted by injury, Quinten Strange is ready to reaffirm his place in the pecking order.
Final push
Rugged All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick is eyeing the 2023 World Cup as his international swansong.
Cracking the code
History shows Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's high-profile move from league to union will not be an easy task.
Unburdened and unbowed
Liam Squire sets the record straight on the media storm that was his 2019 season.
Fullback gambit
The All Blacks' dual-playmaker strategy requires a demanding skillset from NZ fullbacks.
Annus mirabilis
He started the year a hopeful sevens player but Caleb Clarke ended 2020 as a global superstar.
Fresh start
After four years at the Chiefs, fullback Solomon Alaimalo hopes a move to the Highlanders will reignite his career.
Mana on mana
The Maori All Blacks holds a special place for those who put on the famous jersey.
Home comforts
Bryn Gatland has finally landed his dream contract at the Chiefs.
Rethinking the Argentina approach
Argentina's victory over New Zealand showed that more matches don't always lead to better results.
Prop, rock and roll
Taniela Tupou showed in Bledisloe IV exactly what the All Blacks are missing from their propping stables.
Perfect prototype
Caleb Clarke may be 110kg of destructive power, but he’s no one-trick pony.
Honeymoon is over
A wave of euphoria swept through New Zealand rugby in June, but the bubble has burst.
Rugby's greatest mismatch
The man set to replace Warren Gatland almost produced one of the greatest upsets of the modern era.
Taking sides
On Sunday, for the first time in almost three decades, a Kiwi referee took charge of an All Blacks match.
Tales of the unexpected
Tupou Vaa’i didn’t even have a Super Rugby contract at the start of the year. Now he’s an All Black.
School of hard knocks
Anton Lienert-Brown has fought a long mental battle to become a regular All Black.
