Jordie Barrett at 12 can provide what has been missing since Laumape left
The All Blacks could do with Laumape right now. Instead, it appears Tonga will eventually benefit from his services in midfield.
Hamish Bidwell
13 Dec 2021, 18:29
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.
Opinion
Please don't hand any awards out to Ian Foster
And the nominees are… well, in the case of New Zealand coach of the year, there are none.
Hamish Bidwell
06 Dec 2021, 21:27
Who knew that New Zealand's players were experts in hundred-million dollar deals
The All Blacks themselves have been the envy of codes and teams across the globe for decades, many of whom have sought to emulate …
Hamish Bidwell
28 Nov 2021, 20:50
Opinion
It's hard to see the All Blacks getting better under Foster's watch
For all the lessons and “learnings’’ Foster incessantly maintains the team are taking from games and for all the key areas h…
Hamish Bidwell
21 Nov 2021, 22:04
Opinion
Everyone in the rugby world knows who Foster's All Blacks are
The All Blacks had absolutely no idea how to combat Ireland at the Aviva Stadium and were flattered by the final scoreline of 29-2…
Hamish Bidwell
15 Nov 2021, 21:04
Opinion
Damian McKenzie is no better than when he started his All Blacks career
It’s surely not an issue of talent, as evidenced by McKenzie. He’s as gifted as anyone but, 39 games into his All Blacks caree…
Hamish Bidwell
09 Nov 2021, 16:06
Opinion
The All Blacks' game needs to be built around the Retallick's and Savea's
If you were to draw up the perfect locking partner for the relentless intensity of Sam Whitelock, it would be Retallick.
Hamish Bidwell
01 Nov 2021, 18:13
Opinion
The only test that has taught the All Blacks anything in 2021
Let’s hope Wales hand the All Blacks a lineout bath in Cardiff because, on the basis of this year's test schedule, New Zealand 
Hamish Bidwell
28 Oct 2021, 18:15
Opinion
What NZR should do with this Mickey Mouse version of the NPC
Let’s do away with people scratching their heads about whether it’s the Meads Cup or the Lochore Cup that’s the big one. Let…
Hamish Bidwell
18 Oct 2021, 22:34
Opinion
It's time to congratulate New Zealand Rugby for once
When you don’t schedule matches for people - who dedicate themselves to representing this country - or you don’t pay them the …
Hamish Bidwell
11 Oct 2021, 23:01
Opinion
All Blacks brains trust have a lot to do to go from good to great
There is such a thing as an actual Grand Slam - last achieved by the All Blacks in 2010 - but it has nothing to do with the blesse…
Hamish Bidwell
05 Oct 2021, 17:25
Opinion
Play some rugby? You must be joking, the Springboks can't play any footy
South Africa have no moral duty to the game or to sponsors and other stakeholders to produce a brand of football that’s easy on …
Hamish Bidwell
27 Sep 2021, 23:25
Opinion
If you're an All Black winger, early ball has been hard to come by
If you’re Will Jordan or Sevu Reece or George Bridge it appears as if you’re not going to get any good, early ball. In fact, i…
Hamish Bidwell
19 Sep 2021, 22:32
Opinion
Springboks haven't delivered but hopefully will rise for the All Blacks
The Springboks might be shamed into action by their 28-26 defeat to Australia. We might see them wipe the floor with the Wallabies…
Hamish Bidwell
14 Sep 2021, 18:11
Opinion
The All Blacks met that challenge, but it still wasn't a true Test
It’s all very well to run rings around Australia, but you assume Argentina and South Africa will provide more difficult Rugby Ch…
Hamish Bidwell
05 Sep 2021, 19:55
Opinion
Ardie Savea was the right choice as All Blacks skipper
To come to a new country, face various challenges many of us can’t imagine and then have a son become All Blacks captain is a tr…
Hamish Bidwell
29 Aug 2021, 19:33
Opinion
The Rugby Championship is the only thing keeping NZR's bills paid
One thing stands between them and financial oblivion. It could have been two things, except NZR completely cocked up the first.
Hamish Bidwell
22 Aug 2021, 19:32
Opinion
Why the All Blacks need the support of the New Zealand public now
Just a tick over 25,000 fans attended Saturday’s 57-22 win over Australia, in the second of two consecutive tests at Eden Park. …
Hamish Bidwell
16 Aug 2021, 2:03
Opinion
Do these All Blacks have the ruthless final quarter in them?
I was underwhelmed by Saturday’s 33-25 win over Australia at Eden Park. I’m not sure the Wallabies are any good and, at 33-8, …
Hamish Bidwell
09 Aug 2021, 17:38
Opinion
Sarah Hirini has put her name up alongside the great New Zealand rugby captains
The Black Ferns Sevens skipper is unlikely to ever enjoy the acclaim of elite All Blacks captains such as Wilson Whineray, Brian L…
Hamish Bidwell
02 Aug 2021, 17:07
