The Jono Gibbes factor that could change the Chiefs' finals fate
Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes is no stranger to finals. In 2006, the eight-Test All Black locked the scrum in Waikato’s epic 37-31 NP…
Adam Julian
18 Jun 2026, 21:57
1
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Contributors
Adam Julian
Adam Julian is a freelance sportswriter and broadcaster based in Wellington. He's been a regular contributor on Clubrugby.co.nz and Te Upoko O Te Ika radio for a dozen years. Between 2010 and 2018 he was the official statistician for Sky Sports Land Rover First XV program. Adam is the author of the A to Z of the Black Ferns on allblacks.com, a member of the Association of Rugby Historians and Statisticians and a long-suffering Wellington Lions and Hurricanes supporter. His interests outside of rugby include blues music, history, travel, and food.
Interview
'I still don’t think I’m over it': Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi on his finals heartbreaks
Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi was as dazzled as the rest of New Zealand by the Chiefs' cathartic 49-12 demolition of the Crusaders in the …
Adam Julian
17 Jun 2026, 13:06
1
Opinion
The seven best performers from the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals
The “Fins Up” celebration was a bit of a "prima donna" moment from a kid who’ll get plenty of attention in the next few seas…
Adam Julian
13 Jun 2026, 18:04
27
Interview
Du'Plessis Kirifi on milestone man Peter Lakai: 'He has made me a better player'
Hurricanes skipper Du'Plessis Kirifi was relaxed during the captain's run at Hnry Stadium in Wellington ahead of tonight's Super R…
Adam Julian
12 Jun 2026, 16:27
1
Interview
Grace Brooker back to lead Matatu after pioneering spell in AFL
Brooker joked that she spent time in AFLW with Essendon 'running around like a headless goose' but benefited enormously from cross…
Adam Julian
12 Jun 2026, 1:25
Analysis
Super Rugby Aupiki returns - can anyone stop the Blues from winning a third straight title?
The Blues are chasing a third straight Super Rugby Aupiki trophy and begin their title defence against the Hurricanes Poua on Satu…
Adam Julian
10 Jun 2026, 23:27
2
Opinion
The six performers of the week from Super Rugby Pacific qualifying finals
The Hurricanes extended their home winning run against Australian teams to 23 consecutive matches. This sequence began right after…
Adam Julian
07 Jun 2026, 14:23
13
Interview
George Bower: 'When you scrum against the best, they don't try pull dirty tricks'
Among teammates, George Bower is one of the most popular players in New Zealand. Affable, positive and honest, he marked his 100th…
Adam Julian
02 Jun 2026, 17:02
1
Opinion
The five performers of the week from Super Rugby Pacific round sixteen
The Blues are set to travel to One New Zealand Stadium for the first round of the playoffs after losing 59-34 to the Chiefs.
Adam Julian
31 May 2026, 13:44
4
Interview
Scott Gregory’s eight-year full-circle path back to All Blacks Sevens
In 2018, Scott Gregory, aged 19, helped the All Blacks Sevens win the Dubai Cup title, beating the USA 21-5 in the final.
Adam Julian
28 May 2026, 22:54
Interview
‘Watched that a hundred times’: Black Ferns Sevens out for revenge in Spain
The Black Ferns Sevens are in a rich vein of form, having won 10 of the last 11 SVNS Cup finals they've contested, all against Aus…
Adam Julian
28 May 2026, 22:46
Interview
Kyren Taumoefolau: 'You’ve got to rep where you're from'
On May 17, 2025, Kyren Taumoefolau scored the most famous hat-trick in Moana Pasifika history - three stunning tries in a 27-21 up…
Adam Julian
28 May 2026, 15:49
1
Opinion
The five performers of the week from Super Rugby Pacific round fifteen
Sevu “Oh” Reece “Lightning” caught the visitors napping more than once. His juggle and offload leading up to Johnny McNich…
Adam Julian
23 May 2026, 14:33
15
Interview
Josh Moorby on what's separating the Hurricanes from the pack in 2026
Josh Moorby, 27, was already a dependable Hurricane before he departed for Montpellier, France, in 2024. In 38 appearances, he had…
Adam Julian
22 May 2026, 14:13
1
Interview
Finally a Black Fern: Mia Anderson's journey to Test rugby
Mia Anderson is finally a Black Fern. The loose forward has won 27 of her 32 Farah Palmer Cup games for Waikato, pocketing the las…
Adam Julian
20 May 2026, 13:00
Opinion
The four performers of the week from Super Rugby Pacific round fourteen
The Chiefs rolled the Highlanders 42-12 in Hamilton, though there was a Herculean display by someone in the losing team.
Adam Julian
17 May 2026, 14:14
Interview
Lavanini: 'Beating New Zealand U20s would've been impossible when I started'
The Highlanders have had a topsy-turvy season, but with five wins, two more than in 2025, they still have a chance to place in the…
Adam Julian
14 May 2026, 15:34
2
Opinion
The five performers of the week from Super Rugby Pacific round thirteen
Lineout superiority was a massive part of the Crusaders' success, winning all 20 throws and stealing four of the Blues' 14. With 1…
Adam Julian
09 May 2026, 17:32
19
Interview
'I can’t wait to get stuck into South Africa': New Zealand U20s on TRC decider
“Heartbreaking” was Finn McLeod’s frank summation of New Zealand’s defeat to South Africa in the final of last year’s Wo…
Adam Julian
08 May 2026, 19:50
1
Interview
'We want to play relentless rugby': Leti-I'iga outlines bold Black Ferns objective
Ayesha Leti-I'iga has a knack for breaking try-scoring records. She scored with her very first touch as a 16-year-old at Porirua C…
Adam Julian
06 May 2026, 7:14
2
