Opinion
International Rugby
Why the Bledisloe Cup has the heritage and edge to match the RGR
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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.
261 Articles
Latest
New Zealand
Can Rennie's All Black veterans strike the right notes?
81
10 days ago
International Rugby
All Blacks need to rediscover lost art of 'weaponising excellence'
41
22 days ago
International Rugby
New Zealand are back and good enough to challenge for 2027 World Cup
169
32 days ago
International Rugby
The All Blacks senior leadership group held firm for a famous victory
8
45 days ago
Opinion
Richie Mo'unga is back and desperate to make up for lost time
The return of Richie Mo'unga has long been anticipated and he will soon get the chance to show Dave Rennie what he can do.
Gregor Paul
16 Aug 2026, 15:46
41
Opinion
As All Blacks fans ramp up for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, it would be foolhardy to overlook the NPC
While all eyes will inevitably be on South Africa for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, the NPC will be playing out and it has never been …
Gregor Paul
06 Aug 2026, 14:27
12
Opinion
'South Africa can widen the All Blacks' previously unseen faultlines'
While Dave Rennie made a positive start to his tenure as New Zealand head coach, a Test series in South Africa will expose any wea…
Gregor Paul
24 Jul 2026, 16:32
103
Opinion
'Ireland provide the perfect means to understand what Rennie’s All Blacks need to fix before the World Cup.'
Ireland have become a respected opponent of the All Blacks in the last decade and Saturday's Test provides a yardstick of progress…
Gregor Paul
14 Jul 2026, 16:30
34
Opinion
Dave Rennie starts his quest for the perfect All Blacks back three combination
Israel Dagg and Ben Smith had the skillset in the backfield to help the All Blacks lift the World Cup, but do they have the right …
Gregor Paul
03 Jul 2026, 6:12
65
Opinion
Building the All Blacks' leadership may be Dave Rennie's biggest task
Dave Rennie has a rich core of talent to harness, but identifying his captain and building leadership across his squad is a greate…
Gregor Paul
17 Jun 2026, 11:07
49
Opinion
Dave Rennie and the search for a lucky All Blacks charm at 13
Scott Robertson could never quite find his Conrad Smith, an outside-centre like a Swiss Army knife, who could make others around h…
Gregor Paul
12 Jun 2026, 11:04
121
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, 9:59
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
23 May 2026, 1:01
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, 10:53
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
20 Apr 2026, 1:47
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, 12:17
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, 5:34
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, 14:44
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, 9:35
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, 8:44
172
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, 16:53
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, 15:56
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, 12:31
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, 13:12
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