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Ned Lester

Ned Lester is a New Zealand-based multimedia content editor with experience covering the diverse corners of the rugby world in the southern hemisphere. Ned brings a keen interest in sports psychology to the RugbyPass team and a background in writing across various disciplines. 

Hurricanes shuffle deck for Highlanders, former NZ U20 captain to debut

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw has reinstated several starters and named a potential debutant on the bench for his side's vis…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
17 Mar 2026, 20:00

Payton Spencer named for Super Rugby debut against Waratahs

Blues head coach Vern Cotter has named Payton Spencer, the son of All Blacks icon Carlos Spencer, in the No.23 jersey for this wee…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
17 Mar 2026, 20:00

Ex-All Black Augustine Pulu suspended for red card against Blues

Moana Pasifika will be without ex-All Black Augustine Pulu for at least two weeks following a ban issued by the Super Rugby Pacifi…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
17 Mar 2026, 14:50

James Slipper set to become Super Rugby's most capped player ever

James Slipper is expected to play his 203rd game of Super Rugby this weekend when the Brumbies host the Chiefs, a tally that would…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
16 Mar 2026, 22:01

Resurgent star Isaac Henry's perseverance rewarded with new Reds deal

The Reds have wasted no time in securing the services of resurgent midfield star Issac Henry for another season, announcing a new …

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
16 Mar 2026, 18:49

Uncapped Kiwi dubbed Super Rugby's form loose forward

There are some serious riches of loose forward talent in the Kiwi capital, and although he already has two years of All Blacks XV …

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
16 Mar 2026, 17:10

Black Ferns complete coaching group with set piece specialist

Whitney Hansen's coaching group at the Black Ferns has been completed by the appointment of Simon Kneebone as the team's set-piece…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
16 Mar 2026, 14:00
Opinion

Crusaders vs Highlanders takes: World's best fullback, still not Crusaders of old

The Southern Derby sequel was hosted by a soon-to-be-demolished Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday night and kept…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
14 Mar 2026, 1:12

Tana Umaga quizzed on All Blacks assistant job following report

Tana Umaga says he has not yet spoken with new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, and that reports that he is a front-runner for a…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
13 Mar 2026, 21:18

Hurricanes vs Force takes: Can't knock the hustle, generations collide

The Hurricanes entered a Friday night contest in Napier against the Western Force as favourites, with the best record on both side…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
13 Mar 2026, 1:20

Wallaby wing a late scratch for second week in a row

The Brumbies have announced the Wallabies speedster Corey Toole has been withdrawn from the weekend's game against the Fijian Drua…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
12 Mar 2026, 22:12

'They don't want us here': Tana Umaga calls out Blues' top brass

Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga is not happy with the Blues, issuing stern criticism of the Auckland club's alleged unaccommo…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
12 Mar 2026, 15:16

Tomás Lavanini: The 'big difference' between Top 14 and Super Rugby

Los Pumas lock Tomás Lavanini has been named for his Highlanders debut against the Crusaders in Christchurch, and the 33-year-old…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
11 Mar 2026, 16:55

Tomás Lavanini set for Highlanders debut against Crusaders

An injection of Test experience has made its way into the Highlanders' starting XV for their southern derby against the Crusaders,…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
10 Mar 2026, 21:30

Crusaders' injury list swells to 14, opening doors for Highlanders derby

The Crusaders are nursing a significant crop of injuries as they enter yet another Kiwi derby, this time against their southern fo…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
10 Mar 2026, 20:59

Five starting debuts for Brumbies as Valetini to hit 100 in Fiji

Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham has made nine changes to his matchday team for the Fijian Drua, a strong departure from the co…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
10 Mar 2026, 20:00

Love and Lomax named to return for Hurricanes against Force

The Hurricanes have welcomed back some All Blacks heavy-hitters for their run-in with the Western Force in Napier, with head coach…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
10 Mar 2026, 20:00

Ex-U20 star to debut as Blues rotate squad for Moana Pasifika

Blues head coach Vern Cotter has handed an opportunity to one of the club's promising new recruits, recent New Zealand U20 star Ma…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
10 Mar 2026, 20:00

Justin Marshall implores Dave Rennie to zag as the rugby world zigs

The All Blacks have strayed too far from their DNA in an attempt to adapt to recent trends in the game, that's according to former…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
10 Mar 2026, 18:43

Teagan Levi among returning Aussie players for New York SVNS

Some big names will be back in gold for this weekend's inaugural New York SVNS event, with Teagan Levi headlining the returnees al…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
10 Mar 2026, 14:52
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