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Tom Raine
34 Articles
'It just adds depth': excluded All Black still has big future
With several familiar faces returning to the All Blacks setup ahead of this season's Rugby Championship, what might be in store fo…
Tom Raine
19 Jul 2021, 23:18
The All Blacks might have found their first-choice loose forward trio
After a comprehensive 60-13 victory over Fiji in Hamilton on Saturday evening, the All Blacks selectors have potentially learned a…
Tom Raine
17 Jul 2021, 21:21
'We've got our eye to the future': All Blacks prepping for changes
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has given his verdict on World Rugby's recently introduced laws and how his team might potentiall…
Tom Raine
15 Jul 2021, 16:08
'I think about a lot of things': Why Sevu Reece has shifted wings
After a positive showing last weekend in Dunedin against Fiji, Sevu Reece has again been selected by Ian Foster to start for the A…
Tom Raine
14 Jul 2021, 22:16
Ian Foster gives his verdict on David Havili's All Blacks return
Returning to the All Blacks for the first time since 2017, David Havili's initial outing as a test match second five-eighths prove…
Tom Raine
10 Jul 2021, 20:22
'They got us back in the game' - Foster's finishers prove key
Fiji's physicality up front provided a stern test for the All Blacks last night in Dunedin, as Ian Foster's side clicked late on t…
Tom Raine
10 Jul 2021, 19:16
'He was always going to be an option': Blackadder's pathway to No 7
After an impressive cameo in his All Blacks debut against Tonga last weekend, Ethan Blackadder is set to make his first start in t…
Tom Raine
07 Jul 2021, 23:20
Australia player ratings vs France | eToro Series
There proved to be plenty of late drama on Wednesday night in Brisbane as the Wallabies claimed a 23-21 victory over an inexperien…
Tom Raine
07 Jul 2021, 18:12
'Not fair and consistent' - change to rugby eligibility laws needed
Following Tonga's loss to the All Blacks on Saturday, James Parsons and Bryn Hall discuss the topic of rugby's eligibility laws an…
Tom Raine
06 Jul 2021, 20:35
What Ethan Blackadder added to a talented loose forwards trio
Twenty-one years after Todd Blackadder's first test as All Black's captain against Tonga, Ethan Blackadder made his test bow in th…
Tom Raine
06 Jul 2021, 0:28
'Great balance to his performance': All Blacks fullback race thrown open
In the All Blacks' 102-0 victory over Tonga on Saturday evening there were understandably a few standout players. Bryn Hall and Ja…
Tom Raine
05 Jul 2021, 22:26
'Dream' debut caps off Bower's journey from body double to All Black
Seven years ago, George Bower was training to be a teacher and cutting hair in a Dunedin flat. After making his full All Blacks de…
Tom Raine
03 Jul 2021, 22:22
New All Black Quinn Tupaea's take on his senior midfield partner
Quinn Tupaea is considerably more excited at the prospect of having Rieko Ioane beside him on a pitch as opposed to in front of hi…
Tom Raine
01 Jul 2021, 2:36
The two test All Black set for a big return
Almost two years ago, concussion issues cruelly ruled exciting back-row prospect Luke Jacobson out of a chance to play for the All…
Tom Raine
29 Jun 2021, 23:24
'That'd be the dream': Will Genia reveals final destination on rugby-playing hitlist
Will Genia has enjoyed a superb career over the years and won some of rugby's premier prizes both nationally and internationally. …
Tom Raine
29 Jun 2021, 1:52
Will Genia's take on Wallabies halves combo: 'Both teams are much better sides when he's on'
Two years ago, the French U20s side beat the Junior Wallabies to claim their second consecutive World Championship. Now, some of t…
Tom Raine
28 Jun 2021, 21:40
'He's clearly going to be a key part of the South African game plan': What Rassie Erasmus' comments on cohesion mean for the Springboks
The recent announcement of the 46-man Springboks squad to feature against the British & Irish Lions in a three-test series this Ju…
Tom Raine
10 Jun 2021, 0:00
'A guy like that is only going to benefit the Blues': The regular starters that have helped turn the Blues' season around
The Blues have enjoyed a fantastic run of form in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman with four wins from four and a shot at the final this w…
Tom Raine
08 Jun 2021, 18:43
'He just looked like he was the connector of everything': Exiting Highlander might be the glue keeping their title hopes alive
The Highlanders are potentially one win away from their first Super Rugby finals appearance since 2019 and on this week's episode …
Tom Raine
07 Jun 2021, 21:15
Highlanders player ratings vs Waratahs | Super Rugby Trans-Tasman
Here's how the Highlanders rated after they ran in nine tries to dominantly dismantle the Waratahs 59-23 in Dunedin on Friday.
Tom Raine
05 Jun 2021, 17:04
