Opinion
Scott Robertson is in rare company with latest ringing endorsement
Mains basically said new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is exceptional, that the players are already emotionally invested in the…
Hamish Bidwell
31 Jul 2024, 17:11
Contributors
Hamish Bidwell
@HamishBidwell
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.
New Zealand needs a reliable No.10 like Harry Plummer
So I’m encouraged that the All Blacks are having a look at Plummer. How much he plays - if ever - remains to be seen.
Hamish Bidwell
07 Aug 2024, 0:15
Opinion
The Pumas simply hung in there long enough to watch the All Blacks implode
You could be forgiven for thinking New Zealand sent a bunch of boys out on a man’s errand, against Argentina in Wellington.
Hamish Bidwell
12 Aug 2024, 22:02
Opinion
The All Blacks' best gameday 23 looking ahead to the next Rugby World Cup
As we plot a path towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup, I remain unconvinced New Zealand will veer away from players.
Hamish Bidwell
20 Aug 2024, 23:08
Opinion
The All Blacks might just con the Springboks this time around
I just think a siege mentality will be sufficient to see the All Blacks rise to the sort of level we’ve seen so infrequently in …
Hamish Bidwell
27 Aug 2024, 22:36
Opinion
Do the Hurricanes Poua want our support or not
The Hurricanes Poua haka, which Lee says will not be performed again, is divisive and insulting. It speaks of a level of privilege…
Hamish Bidwell
05 Mar 2024, 19:26
Opinion
The predictability problem with Super Rugby Pacific
I don’t want to see the Chiefs or Crusaders weakened but, for Super Rugby Pacific to endure, things have to be done to strengthe…
Hamish Bidwell
28 Feb 2024, 13:44
Opinion
Don't be fearful of life without Whitelock, Retallick or Smith
I do have reservations about the depth of some of our Super Rugby Pacific squads, but not in our ability to still find enough capa…
Hamish Bidwell
20 Feb 2024, 20:54
Opinion
Bledisloe Cup rugby is just better during the day time
Australia has hosted three day time Bledisloe Cup clashes in the professional era: in 1995, 1996 and 2021.
Hamish Bidwell
14 Feb 2024, 13:32
Opinion
Please stop throwing good money at the Rebels
Australia has too many Super Rugby franchises, from a high-performance perspective. I doubt many people would lament the passing o…
Hamish Bidwell
30 Jan 2024, 16:34
Opinion
Surely a man of Joe Schmidt’s track record could find something better
Surely a man of Joe Schmidt’s track record, contacts and acumen could find a cushier role than Wallabies coach.
Hamish Bidwell
23 Jan 2024, 19:11
Opinion
Recipe for Champions Cup tastes better than Super Rugby right now
Featuring the best of French, South African and British rugby, the Champions Cup is of a high standard, played in front sizable cr…
Hamish Bidwell
16 Jan 2024, 20:52
Opinion
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson will have frightened his employers already
It’s interesting, on a couple of fronts, to see new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson hold the door ajar to picking players from …
Hamish Bidwell
09 Jan 2024, 22:08
Opinion
Let’s not pretend you have to play in New Zealand to be an All Black
Cane cited South Africa, who successfully cobbles players together from Europe and Japan and churns out Rugby World Cup-winning te…
Hamish Bidwell
03 Dec 2023, 19:34
Opinion
Let's hope that Richie Mo’unga wasn't serious about the All Blacks
Without Richie Mo’unga, the cupboard of competent first five-eighths' back here in New Zealand is pretty bare.
Hamish Bidwell
28 Nov 2023, 14:33
Why new Rugby Australia chair Daniel Herbert needs to be quiet
Don’t air the organisation’s business in public. Don’t hire a national coach capable of going rogue. Don’t go seeking publ…
Hamish Bidwell
21 Nov 2023, 18:45
Opinion
The lessons the All Blacks could learn from the Black Caps
There are two reasons - which the All Blacks could learn from - which mean the New Zealand men’s cricket team invariably get a p…
Hamish Bidwell
15 Nov 2023, 16:44
Opinion
The All Blacks need to rekindle their emotional connection with fans
If there was a journey that Ian Foster was taking the team on during his tenure, it didn’t feel as if he took that many of us wi…
Hamish Bidwell
06 Nov 2023, 20:03
Opinion
Let’s not pretend this is a great All Blacks side who were robbed
Let’s not rewrite history here. Let’s not pretend this is a great side who were robbed of victory, having been expertly prepar…
Hamish Bidwell
30 Oct 2023, 20:08
Opinion
The All Blacks have been pretty ordinary but now will win the World Cup
And yet, in a few days’ time, the All Blacks are likely to be crowned Rugby World Cup champions.
Hamish Bidwell
24 Oct 2023, 21:40
