Opinion
Nations Championship
'South Africa can widen the All Blacks' previously unseen faultlines'
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Contributors
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.
254 Articles
Latest
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Analysis
All Blacks need an Anzac Day Test with the Wallabies to stiffen resolve for World Cup tilt
Dave Rennie is in a race against time to get his All Blacks ready for an assault on a fourth World Cup and needs games
Gregor Paul
03 Jun 2026, 7:59
14
Opinion
Rennie to shuffle No 10 pack as Richie Mo'unga's comeback is pushed back
Dave Rennie would have preferred Richie Mo’unga to be available for the South Africa series, but the situation may yet play to h…
Gregor Paul
22 May 2026, 23:01
114
Opinion
‘Hurricanes may end up champions, but they might be the symbol of why Super Rugby needs a radical overhaul’
With clubs losing money, NZR must decide whether it’s ready to make a dramatic change to Super Rugby’s ownership structure.
Gregor Paul
06 May 2026, 8:53
87
Opinion
Is Ardie Savea captaincy material for the All Blacks?
The superstar backrow has a compelling case to be the next All Blacks captain with Dave Rennie a fan but complexities need ironing…
Gregor Paul
19 Apr 2026, 23:47
70
Opinion
‘The All Blacks may not win next year’s World Cup but at least they have been better set up to succeed’
Dave Rennie has put together a more experienced and diverse coaching team than his predecessor Scott Robertson.
Gregor Paul
07 Apr 2026, 10:17
75
Opinion
Why Dave Rennie is lobbying hard for eligibility changes to bring Brodie Retallick back
The 109-cap All Blacks lock is plying his trade in Japan and Dave Rennie has been pushing hard for his return to Test rugby
Gregor Paul
25 Mar 2026, 3:34
170
Opinion
The challenge that awaits new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie
The surroundings that await the new All Blacks coach is very different to the one Scott Robertson inherited two years ago
Gregor Paul
07 Mar 2026, 12:44
49
Analysis
The wave of mid-tier players being snapped up by overseas clubs is hurting New Zealand
Dalton Papali'i's move to Castres is a major blow to the Blues but shows how active the market is for fringe All Blacks players
Gregor Paul
27 Feb 2026, 7:35
42
Opinion
Can the All Blacks navigate their way past old enemies to win the World Cup?
With a stable spine, New Zealand boast the players to win a World Cup, now they just need to find the right coach
Gregor Paul
03 Feb 2026, 6:44
173
Opinion
As the sun sets on Razor's tenure, renewal points to a brighter All Blacks future
The rugby world is writing off New Zealand rugby, but get the key decisions right and the All Blacks can challenge for the Rugby W…
Gregor Paul
21 Jan 2026, 14:53
156
Opinion
'Angst grips New Zealand as huge decisions loom for the All Blacks'
Ahead of a seminal 2026, with a tour of South Africa and the inaugural Nations Championship, questions linger over Scott Robertson…
Gregor Paul
26 Nov 2025, 13:56
103
Opinion
‘The All Blacks are prone to extreme mental paralysis in the 20 minutes after half-time’
New Zealand's loss to England was the latest example of them hitting a 'mental black spot' in the third quarter of matches.
Gregor Paul
19 Nov 2025, 10:31
31
Opinion
‘Mercurial’ McKenzie highlights how All Blacks are building their own bomb squad
Scott Robertson appears to have concluded D-Mac's skillset is best used off the bench - a high-value proposition rather than a fai…
Gregor Paul
12 Nov 2025, 11:12
90
Opinion
Enforced changes showed way forward for ‘freestyling’ All Blacks on selection
Injuries have forced Scott Robertson's hand, but the impact of younger options should inform his future strategy.
Gregor Paul
06 Nov 2025, 12:11
9
Opinion
Why home fans will need to catch the globetrotting All Blacks when they can
As a global brand, the All Blacks are set to wrack up the air miles in the next two years which will seem them playing at home les…
Gregor Paul
21 Oct 2025, 13:52
19
Opinion
Have the All Blacks stumbled across the perfect midfield partnership?
The All Blacks may have inadvertently happened across the midfield partnership to take them to the 2027 World Cup
Gregor Paul
08 Oct 2025, 9:19
22
Opinion
Are the All Blacks still struggling to replace the legendary wings of yesteryear?
The All Blacks are revered for producing some of the greatest wide players to grace the game but are they now lagging behind?
Gregor Paul
01 Oct 2025, 12:45
13
Opinion
The risk the All Blacks have taken by too much overexposure to the Springboks
The All Blacks are locked in to play the Springboks on ten occasions between World Cup cycles and the latter's dominance is a conc…
Gregor Paul
22 Sep 2025, 9:42
33
Opinion
Will the real All Blacks please stand up?
One week the All Blacks can be peerless but the next they are floundering and it is becoming a real problem to predict their path
Gregor Paul
15 Sep 2025, 3:52
157
Opinion
Are the All Blacks refinding their groove as the world's No 1 team?
New Zealand are slowly rebuilding the sky high standards they were renowned for in their pomp under Steve Hansen
Gregor Paul
09 Sep 2025, 12:20
106
