Northern | US

Contributors

Hamish Bidwell

Hamish has been an opinion and sports writer for over 20 years in New Zealand, featuring on RNZ, New Zealand Herald, Stuff.co.nz, and RugbyPass.

Opinion

The All Blacks used to be about the never-ending pursuit of perfection

While I firmly believe the All Blacks will rouse themselves for the occasion on September 6, I still harbour grave doubts about th…

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
26 Aug 2025, 20:44
Opinion

The rolling maul is the antidote for the All Blacks in this era

The All Blacks struggled to build phases against the Pumas in Cordoba. There were a variety of reasons for that, including that th…

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
20 Aug 2025, 18:44
Opinion

Scott Robertson is flirting with too much of a good thing

I see the logic in what All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is trying to do. Depth helps. Just ask Rassie Erasmus.

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
15 Aug 2025, 23:52
Opinion

New Zealand just needs to look at the NPC to change eligibility laws

When I see Rugby Australia suggesting they’ll go the way of SA Rugby and happily pick players from overseas, I can’t help feel…

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
06 Aug 2025, 15:38
Opinion

There remains a culture of excuses in Australian rugby

I don’t think they’re learning at all in Australia, just as we didn’t back in 2000. If you’re up 23-5, as the Wallabies we…

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
30 Jul 2025, 18:20
Opinion

New All Blacks locks squeezing captain Barrett out of contention

Barrett, the All Blacks captain, has been injured. And while his calf’s been recuperating, Fabian Holland and Patrick Tuipulotu …

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
23 Jul 2025, 19:37
Opinion

Scott Robertson's disappointing Ruben Love decision

I have to express some disappointment about Ruben Love not getting a run at first five-eighth, for the All Blacks on Saturday.

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
17 Jul 2025, 23:40
Opinion

All Blacks will thrash France on Saturday

There’s a couple of reasons why I believe Saturday’s second match in this three-test series won’t be a contest.

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
08 Jul 2025, 21:23
Opinion

What the first All Blacks team of 2025 says about Robertson's plans

Among the more consistent criticisms of his first year as All Blacks coach, was that it scarcely differed from what had come befor…

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
02 Jul 2025, 21:28
Opinion

Scott Robertson's loose forwards selections don't add up

So said All Blacks coach Scott Robertson on Monday, in trying to explain the omission of Ethan Blackadder from the 35-man squad to…

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
25 Jun 2025, 15:16
Opinion

The Chiefs are better than the Crusaders

The Chiefs have been the best team in Super Rugby for some time now. They’ve certainly been far and away the form side of 2025.

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
17 Jun 2025, 19:55
Opinion

Blues should feast on the Crusaders with Beauden Barrett's cool head

I see the Crusaders fumbling and bumbling their way to defeat in one Super Rugby Pacific semi-final and the Chiefs thrashing the B…

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
11 Jun 2025, 15:45
Opinion

A pointless qualifier? The glaring issue with Super Rugby's new playoffs format

I won’t bore you by trying to explain the Super Rugby Pacific playoff system. I’ll just say that scheduling the Brumbies’ cl…

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
04 Jun 2025, 19:59
Opinion

Ardie Savea is changing the course of history with Moana Pasifika

It’s incredible to think one man has potentially changed the course of history, but that’s what Ardie Savea is in the process …

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
20 May 2025, 14:38
Opinion

Ken Laban's not wrong about the Mo'unga-less Crusaders

The veteran television commentator cast doubt upon the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Pacific title-winning credentials due to the absen…

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
15 May 2025, 20:27
Opinion

We all know the Chiefs are the best team in Super Rugby

We all know they’re the best team in Super Rugby, and it’s seemed a shame that they have to negotiate so many weeks of round-r…

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
06 May 2025, 18:03
Opinion

The glaring omission on Les Kiss' Wallabies job application

The appointment of Les Kiss as Wallabies head coach doesn’t surprise me. I mean, how could it? It’s been signposted for weeks …

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
29 Apr 2025, 18:42
Opinion

Tele'a should now be surplus to requirements for the All Blacks

I’ve opined that I believe players such as Tele’a leave New Zealand in the prime of their All Black careers because they don 

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
15 Apr 2025, 19:09
Opinion

How Scott Barrett performs in Super Rugby Pacific is not a big deal

All Blacks, particularly seasoned ones on the Crusaders’ books, who pace themselves through a Super campaign are not new. Richie…

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
08 Apr 2025, 18:46
Opinion

I do worry seeing the Crusaders get manhandled by Moana Pasifika

The Crusaders, as many a recent All Black team has done, responded by trying to go around Moana Pasifika. The more fruitless that …

Hamish Bidwell
Hamish Bidwell
02 Apr 2025, 15:25
Close Panel
Close Panel

Edition & Time Zone

{{current.name}}
Set time zone automatically
{{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
Choose a different time zone
Close Panel

Editions

Close Panel

Change Time Zone