Opinion
Who will be Robertson's choice as All Blacks captain?
New Zealand's new coach may have to take a leap of faith given there is 'no perfect choice' available to him.
Gregor Paul Gregor is New Zealand’s best-read rugby commentator and analyst having been the voice of the Herald’s rugby coverage since 2004. He’s also written seven books about rugby and edited NZ Rugby World since 2007.
Opinion
All Blacks sabbaticals ‘damage Super Rugby Pacific when it is fighting for survival’
Allowing stars to play elsewhere robs the competition of its biggest names and makes a mockery of NZR’s eligibility policy.
Opinion
Raw talent McKenzie primed to become next All Blacks No.10
Damian McKenzie is in pole position to become the All Blacks' new playmaker if he can polish up his game-management and decision-m…
Opinion
New Zealand embraces on-field reforms amid angst over balance sheet
Proposals designed to speed up the game will benefit the All Blacks but a bleak financial position is causing concern.
Opinion
Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah
Scott Robertson has put out feelers to one of his most trusted Lieutenants in order to hit the ground running as New Zealand coach
Opinion
Why NZ rugby is primed for renewed battle with league
With rugby league growing in popularity and power, union bosses are fighting another war with a rival code.
Opinion
Crusaders won't be contenders without a top-class fly-half
The loss of Richie Mo'unga has dealt the serial Super Rugby champions a grievous blow.
Opinion
Elder statesman Barrett poised to retain key role in Robertson's All Blacks
The World Cup final appeared to be Beauden Barrett's last act with New Zealand, but he is set to remain an integral figure.
Opinion
Is New Zealand in danger of giving trade secrets to main rivals?
The continual loss of Kiwi coaching expertise to competitors could come back to bite the All Blacks
Opinion
How Joe Schmidt can make the Wallabies competitive again
The driven New Zealander with a passion for detail can rebuild Australia after the trauma of Eddie Jones' tenure.
Analysis
Who can replace the iconic All Blacks duo Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick?
Josh Lord could be the answer as New Zealand seek to replace lock legends Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock.
Opinion
Grave questions loom for southern hemisphere nations in 2024
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have significant issues to combat this year.
Opinion
Robertson plays a smart hand on All Blacks eligibility issue
The new coach wants his employers to keep an open mind on a policy which may need revising if New Zealand are to remain successful…
Opinion
The All Blacks feel the need for speed
Bloodied and bruised from the narrowest of World Cup losses, the All Blacks are hoping to speed up the Test game, but will others …
Opinion
Will arduous All Blacks schedule hamper Razor’s rebuild?
Expectations of a bold new era under Scott Robertson may be challenged by a run of 15 tests in 21 weeks in 2024
Opinion
How are the All Blacks going to replace Aaron Smith?
The legendary scrum-half revolutionised the way New Zealand try to play, but they may have a ready-made replacement in their ranks
Opinion
The time has come for NZR to make a call on All Blacks eligibility
New Zealand faces a tough decision about what to do about its current All Blacks eligibility rules.
Opinion
Have the All Blacks reconfirmed their status as rugby's most prized asset?
Bouncing back after a prolonged period of turbulence may heighten the mystique surrounding the All Blacks.
Opinion
The killer problem that plagued the All Blacks' World Cup campaign
The All Blacks had been riding their luck for longer than they should have thought safe.
Opinion
Rugby's most thrilling rivalry will take centre stage in World Cup final
England, Argentina, France, Ireland, Wales and Fiji might disagree, but the World Cup has landed the dream final.
Opinion
The All Blacks might just have the best wing combination in the world
Will Jordan and Mark Telea are giving the All Blacks a lethal attacking threat on both sides of the field.
Opinion
Richie Mo'unga has come of age as an All Blacks No 10
Perhaps the most important decision the All Blacks have made in the last 15 months has been to commit to Richie Mo’unga as their…
Opinion
The key to the All Blacks turning the tables on Ireland
The All Blacks have shown that they are a team that can fix itself, evolve and pick themselves up after crushing defeats
Opinion
It's time for Sam Cane to strike back
It’s a tough old business being captain in New Zealand where the public expect the skipper to be almost superhuman.
Opinion
Revenge on the mind: Win or lose in Paris, All Blacks have Ireland to thank
Ireland are precisely who New Zealand coach Ian Foster wanted to meet in the quarter-final of this World Cup.
Opinion
Barrett's belated midfield shift will one day become All Blacks folklore
Jordie has revolutionised the All Blacks attack from No 12 so why was there total resistance within the coaching group to shift hi…
Opinion
Wayne Smith approach to defence could be All Blacks' secret weapon
A last-minute arrival by Wayne Smith helped propel the All Blacks to a third World Cup title in 2015.
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific's chickens are coming home to roost
The All Blacks and Wallabies have fallen down the world pecking order and there's no obvious end in sight for the slide.
Opinion
It's time to see if New Zealand Rugby's gamble will pay off
13 months ago New Zealand Rugby made the bold decision to stick with Ian Foster. Was it the right call?
Opinion
The All Blacks must buck the trend and double down on expansive rugby
What lies ahead is a fascinating test of the All Blacks conviction in their ability to run themselves to victory in this tournamen…
Opinion
The scrum will be the backbone of any All Blacks World Cup success
The All Blacks coaches have come to believe that if the team scrum well, the team will play well.
Opinion
New Zealand's world-class talent deserves world-class leadership
While the potential of the All Blacks players and coaching group is obvious, the review into the state of NZR’s leadership has s…
Opinion
The All Blacks are impossibly difficult to understand
The All Blacks are capable of being both brilliant and awful in the space of 20 minutes.
Opinion
Commercial pressure on the All Blacks to deliver the grandest prize
One of sport's biggest brands, the more you win, the more big companies want to be associated with you, but at what cost?
Opinion
Why this could be the Rugby World Cup of disruptors
As emerging nations show their potential, this Rugby World Cup has major upset potential
Opinion
'New Zealand have a deeply ingrained knack of losing their discipline'
If the All Blacks are losing the physical battle, they lose their discipline too.
Opinion
'The All Blacks have quietly morphed into Ireland'
How New Zealand - and Joe Schmidt - scrutinised the Irish playbook and liked what they saw.
Opinion
Eddie Jones' grenades mask the need for a complete rebuild of Australian rugby
Eddie Jones, the irascible Wallabies head coach, departed Australia with a trail of gunfire peppering the media
Opinion
Why the pain of 2019 is the All Blacks' greatest weapon
It may be true that to you have to suffer defeat at a World Cup before you can win one.
Opinion
'The Rugby Championship is in danger of becoming an unlevel playing field'
Player welfare risks to much-travelled Springboks and Pumas are growing unacceptably high.
Opinion
'I did hope it would expand more' - how do New Zealand Rugby capitalise on surge of women's game?
What must New Zealand Rugby do to capture the momentum generated by the Women's World Cup?
Opinion
Why the Bledisloe Cup's future could be decided by a fly-half arms race
New Zealand and Australia have the crucial task of developing callow play-makers on their next Rugby World Cup cycles.
Opinion
All Blacks don't need any 'favours' from Wallabies in Dunedin
After a tough few years, the All Blacks aren't in need of any further 'adversity' ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Opinion
Scott Barrett comes of age to boost the All Blacks' World Cup crusade
The performances of Scott Barrett have threatened to break up the legendary partnership of Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock
Opinion
The All Blacks must break type and embrace the driving maul
Seen as plodding and lacking invention, the driving maul has its critics, but if the All Blacks are to succeed in France, they nee…
Opinion
Are the All Blacks heading for a repeat of their classic World Cup blunder?
The All Blacks have too often gone into the World Cup without a specialist fullback wearing the No 15 jersey.
Opinion
Has Jerome Kaino's All Blacks heir-apparent emerged just to say goodbye?
Shannon Frizell was the undisputed toughest forward on the field – and that includes the South Africans - and now the All Black …
Opinion
All Blacks peaking at perfect time for World Cup pilgrimage
It feels like the All Blacks may have timed their surge to the World Cup line extraordinarily well.
Opinion
The All Blacks have finally found that missing physical edge
Every time the All Blacks had the ball in Mendoza, they ran straight, hard and with real purpose - and it wasn’t just the forwar…
Opinion
The rich will get richer when the Nations Championship kicks off
Rugby could take one large step forward with the Nations Championship, but it needs to be careful that it doesn’t also take two …
Opinion
2023 may be just a warm-up ahead of Tonga's big Rugby World Cup charge
it’s not impossible to imagine a trio of All Blacks starring for New Zealand in 2023 and then for Tonga in 2027.
Opinion
New Zealand is out of sync with the rest of the world
The game in New Zealand is being refereed so differently to other nations.
Opinion
Foster's All Blacks finally have the squad to challenge the world's best
The hallmark of the Foster era was threatening to be his ability to produce physically insipid teams - but there's reason for hope…
Opinion
Razor's All Blacks appointment must end war between club and country
There continues to be considerable conflict between Super Rugby clubs and New Zealand Rugby.
Opinion
All Blacks face mammoth decision on the left wing
Which power winger will Ian Foster opt for when he names his All Blacks squad for the World Cup?
Opinion
Moana Pasifika must rethink their objectives
Moana Pasifika have not so yet proven to be the success story everyone hoped - but it's not all their own doing.
Opinion
It's time for New Zealand Rugby to look offshore for Super coaches
New Zealand rugby would open itself to an influx of new ideas if foreign coaches were on the agenda.
Opinion
Is New Zealand finally ready to commit their future to Japan?
NZR has never been certain how to approach rugby's next frontier.
Opinion
New Zealand has reason to feel aggrieved with Australia's latest tactics
Some of Rugby Australia's behaviour in recent times has been perplexing, to say the least.
Opinion
The All Blacks overseas selection policy is no longer fit for purpose
The arguments against selecting overseas All Blacks are dwindling.
Opinion
The All Blacks beast is stirring
The pieces are falling into place for the post-2023 All Blacks.
Opinion
It's up to New Zealand to boost rugby in Australia
Australian rugby won't just 'come right' without some external support.
Opinion
What's gone wrong with Beauden Barrett?
Beauden Barrett's form has been trending downwards for the better part of a year.
Opinion
Under the radar All Blacks have no time to spare
The All Blacks are building towards the World Cup in the most unconventional manner.
Opinion
Razor is the injection of authenticity NZ desperately needs
Scott Robertson will be one of the most engaging coaches on the international circuit.
Opinion
The former myth of a fading All Blacks aura is now a reality
Now, more than ever, the fear factor surrounding the All Blacks is flickering out.
Opinion
Mathieu Raynal's decision could spark an All Blacks revival
A fast game is a good game and World Rugby might have to act soon.
Opinion
Will the All Blacks prosper from another happy accident?
The All Blacks have generally improved this year as a result of their injuries.
Opinion
Ian Foster's reappointment shows nothing compares to a World Cup
We are back once again to judging a four-year tenure on a seven-week tournament.
Opinion
The All Blacks playmaking battle that never was
The battle between Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga never really took off for the All Blacks - and it's come back to bite them.
Opinion
Sam Cane can silence captaincy questions with Springboks statement
Sam Cane doesn’t need to be a great captain to survive, but he does need to be a great player.
Opinion
Why Ian Foster conundrum differs to All Blacks' past struggles
This is no unprecedented times for the All Blacks - but the circumstances aren't entirely the same as in the past.
Opinion
Richie McCaw's legacy has painted a target on the All Blacks
For years, many believed the All Blacks were given the rub of the green by referees.
Opinion
A disrupted start may pave the way for All Blacks World Cup success
A week of player-led preparation could be just the tonic needed by the All Blacks/
Opinion
Schmidt will help All Blacks see themselves through northern eyes
Joe Schmidt has a deep understanding of Northern Hemisphere rugby, which can only benefit the All Blacks.
Opinion
Can Will Jordan buck the trend of All Blacks wings?
WIll Jordan has all the skills to buck the trend of All Blacks wingers heading south.
Opinion
The massive challenge looming for Super Rugby Pacific
Super Rugby is struggling thanks to the comparative buying powers of offshore clubs.
Opinion
Plethora of northern clashes will fast track All Blacks in 2022
A return to a relatively regular schedule next season should put the All Blacks in good stead.
Opinion
Fix imperative for All Blacks' Groundhog Day situation
The All Blacks have plenty to work on in 2022 but calls for a coaching switch-up may be premature.
Common theme in All Blacks losses major cause for concern
The All Blacks know their weaknesses - but they can't seem to correct them.
Opinion
A new chapter begins for rugby's fiercest modern rivalry
Ireland and the All Blacks have fought out some ferocious battles in the past decade.
Opinion
Difference maker in Wales v All Blacks not player availability
All test matches are money-spinners, and those criticising the All Blacks' win over Wales have missed the point.
Opinion
All Blacks exactly where they need to be as key cavalry arrives
The All Blacks were out-muscled by the Springboks - but they were also stripped of some key figures.
Opinion
History won't repeat itself with new All Blacks lock Josh Lord
Josh Lord isn't the first Taranaki second-rower to be plucked from relative obscurity into the All Blacks.
Opinion
Private capital the tonic needed to revitalise Rugby Championship
Without some fresh ideas, the Rugby Championship will lose its last rays of lustre.
Opinion
Drownings inevitable in All Blacks' deepening talent pool
The All Blacks have developed some great depth in 2021 but the squeeze will come on.
Opinion
Southern Hemisphere stocks soaring after Rugby Championship
All three of the traditional Southern Hemisphere superpowers have reasons to be positive.
Opinion
Has Springboks speedbump forced an All Blacks rethink?
Everything was going swimmingly for the All Blacks until the Springboks came along.
Opinion
Heavy is the head that wears the crown
The All Blacks are one of the few sides in world rugby that thrive with the favourites tag.
TJ Perenara returns to the All Blacks hot seat
Aaron Smith's ongoing absence from the All Blacks grants TJ Perenara the chance to reaffirm his standing.
Recognising Scott Barrett's rise into locking royalty
Scott Barrett may be the least appreciated player in the All Blacks, but also one of the most important.
Never doubt a wounded All Blacks No 10
Beauden Barrett, despite what some may suggest, is not done with being the All Blacks' first-choice pivot just yet.
Why the 2021 edition of Bledisloe III is a different beast
Far from a dead rubber, the third Bledisloe test will be a key match for the All Blacks.
Unprecedented All Blacks tour will separate boys from men
The All Blacks are now engaging in one of the biggest tours of the modern era.
Fact-checking Dave Rennie's plan to beat the All Blacks
Dave Rennie made an interesting claim following the Wallabies' loss to the All Blacks in Bledisloe II.
The Ioane brothers are coming of age for the All Blacks
After some false starts, Akira and Rieko Ioane are now making all the right moves for the All Blacks.
The game-defining war between All Blacks and Springboks
High-risk and low-risk rugby will go head to head when the Springboks and All Blacks clash in 2021.
World Rugby must protect the mental health of referees
As with any other professional athletes, rugby referees are increasingly coming under attack.
Rassie Erasmus' Lions meltdown isn't entirely unfounded
Rassie Erasmus was wrong to be so public with his complaints, but he wasn’t wrong to be concerned.
Trans-Tasman relations under more duress
Whenever there has been tension between the New Zealand and Australia unions, it hasn't ended well.
David Havili proving All Blacks dream is alive and real
More often than not, it can take a little bit of time before players really embed themselves into test rugby.
TJ Perenara the new guide for integrating returning All Blacks
TJ Perenara will follow a different path back into the All Blacks than Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick.
Ian Foster's All Blacks vision taking slow steps forward
We don't yet have a full appreciation of what Ian Foster is trying to do as head coach of the All Blacks.
Rugby's eligibility laws relics of a bygone era
Did rugby throw the baby out with the bathwater when they changed the international eligibility laws?
Rieko Ioane's chance to cement All Blacks centre shift
Injuries have given Rieko Ioane a clear run at the All Blacks No 13 jersey.
All Blacks depth reaching bursting point
The All Blacks have plenty of options to pick from but few certain starters amongst their squad.
Finding space for Japan in The Rugby Championship
Japan can't suddenly be expected to regularly compete with the superpowers of world rugby.
Is Jordie Barrett the fix to the All Blacks' problem position?
It may be a left-field move, but Jordie Barrett has all the skills needed for a shift back to the midfield.
The cultural shift that's transformed the All Blacks
A massive change in the All Blacks culture is helping to bring the best out of players.
The struggle to replace Ma'a Nonu
The All Blacks are yet to find a midfielder that possesses the same subtleties to their game as Ma'a Nonu.
How the All Blacks will bring fire back to the fore in 2021
The All Blacks have selected a set of forwards that can bring some much-needed aggression to the pack.
A handful of debutants likely for All Blacks re-build
After a limited year in 2020, the All Blacks finally have a full calendar ahead of them to rebuild.
No more false starts in battle for All Blacks No 10 jersey
The extended 2021 season will finally allow for a proper head-to-head for the All Blacks No 10 jersey.
Lions provide blueprint for global game
The British and Irish Lions of 2017 set the standards for the years to come. Will the same be the case in 2021?
Taking back the throne
Aaron Smith has taken his game to new heights in 2021 and is back in the conversation for world's best.
Gamble of a lifetime
By focusing on the Olympics, Caleb Clarke is putting his spot in the All Blacks pecking order at risk.
Victory breeds complacency
A weak Super Rugby competition will continue to harm performances on the international stage.
Read between the lines
Kieran Read, perhaps the greatest No 8 of the modern era, has finally hung up his boots.
The L word
Employees wouldn't normally have a say in how a business is run, but professional sport is a different beast.
Decision time
A mid-season off-shore signing has hampered the final weeks of many a player's New Zealand career.
A closer shave
Scott Robertson has led the Crusaders to a fifth title but has that enhanced his All Blacks chances?
Homegrown hit
The Crusaders have built a dynasty on nurturing young talent, not buying superstars.
Testing times
Are the All Blacks going to do the impossible and play less but make more money?
Intellectual poverty
Fluid movement of players and coaches means intellectual property is always going to be tough to lock down.
Blue is the coldest colour
Things appear to be unravelling at the Blues and this time, there are no ready made excuses.
On the hook
The fire that burns within Dane Coles is raging still, which is why he’s put off retiring.
Pacific pathway
Moana Pasifika's genesis is the first step to helping Pasifika rugby thrive, but an important one nonetheless.
Midfield muddle
More questions than answers continue to arise in the All Blacks’ quest to rebuild their midfield.
Flicking the switch
Nathan Sharpe talks about how Eddie Jones masterminded the 2003 World Cup win over New Zealand
Nothing is impossible
Passion and resilience underpin the MLR and make everyone confident the US competition will flourish.
Silver bullet or silver medal?
A probable $465m cash injection is going to change New Zealand rugby forever.
Simply the best
Ali Williams compares his former teammates Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson, two of the best 10s to play the game.
Raising the bar
When will Richie Mo'unga finally transfer his excellent Super Rugby form into the test arena?
Attack force one
If Super Rugby looks to be a different game entirely to the Six Nations, that's because it is.
Myth buster
Folau Fakatava should ignore the selection myth that players need to start for their clubs to be All Blacks.
Task master
Patrick Tuipulotu has helped mould the Blues into his own hard-working image.
Game of thrones
New Zealand seems to want uncertainty to prevail when it comes to major coaching roles.
Lost identity
The Highlanders have brought in Tony Brown to help them find who they really are.
All or nothing
All Blacks great Dan Carter officially bows out at a time when his body was still willing - even at almost 39.
Redemption time
David Havili will be eager to bounce back after illness and Covid de-railed his stunning start to 2020.
The unwinnable war
World Rugby is killing the game with its futile attempt to eradicate rather than reduce contact to the head.
Reaching new heights
Test centurion Tamara Taylor talks about the highs and lows of her career
Finding paradise
Too much rugby is going to be a thing of the past for the best players in Australasia.
Culture clash
If the New Zealand Rugby strikes a private equity deal, it is going to force a radical culture shift in the All Blacks' traditiona…
Loss leaders
Two major losses in the last 12 months could be the emotional fuel that rebuilds the All Blacks.
Charmed life
All Blacks captains have seemingly been subject to different rules because of their reputation.
Tough at the top
The pressure and expectation that comes with the All Blacks captaincy has been too hard for some players to handle.
Captain's knock
A broken foot, a ripped testicle, whatever the injury, an All Blacks captain will find a way to play on.
Best in show
The best All Blacks captains are, more often than not, the All Blacks' best players.
Bargain hunters
The Six Nations need to admit their obsession with New Zealand and now South Africa is hurting them.
Prime target
Aaron Smith is off contract next year and the All Blacks know the importance of locking him in until 2023.
Boom and bust
New Zealand has known great riches at No 10 but is currently experiencing a genuine dearth of talent in a key position.
Second wind
Liam Squire is back with the Highlanders and has rediscovered a desire to play test football.
Rebuilding great
Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are poised to re-establish themselves as the world's premier locking combination.
Miracle man
The All Blacks' search for a game-changing impact player may be over.
Breaking the stranglehold
Unless there's a dramatic shift in the way the game is played, fans won't return to stadiums any time soon.
Collapse of an empire
Once imperious and almost unbeatable, the All Blacks are now in the midst of a crisis that many fear will never end.
Mind over matter
The All Blacks’ mental skills helped them win consecutive World Cups. Is it becoming a weakness again?
High stakes
The All Blacks are struggling to come to terms with World Rugby's efforts to stamp out high tackling.
Double trouble
Everyone said the All Blacks were mad to shift Beauden Barrett to fullback. But it turns out everyone was wrong.
Fear factor
Pasifika's dreams continue to be crushed. Is it because Oceania's heavyweights fear for their labour supply?
Defence against the dark arts
The All Blacks are no strangers to filth and yet they have no love of the enforcer.
Flash in the pan
The All Blacks are rightfully fearful expectation could limit Caleb Clarke's potential.
Flaw in the Death Star
The All Blacks can't win games by dropping a goal and it's a big problem for them.
Powered by pain
Losing to England means the All Blacks start a new era with a pain that will fuel them for years.
Hanging by a thread
Australia and New Zealand currently hate each other, but they desperately need each other.
Chance of a lifetime
A Pacific Island Super Rugby team could change the power base of the global game.
Against the odds
Emotionally and physically broken at 27, former All Black Richard Kahui is still playing at 35.
Dream ticket
Fiji have assembled a gifted coaching team. Is a world rankings rise on the cards?
Rugby reborn
Covid brought the death of Super Rugby, but it also saw NZ fall back in love with the game.
The worst ideas in rugby history
In the hindsight Olympics, we’re all winners but sometimes, it goes, horribly, horribly wrong
The fall and rise of Rieko Ioane
Dropped by the All Blacks his world fell apart but Ioane has his mojo back
