Tom Vinicombe

Articles

'Winning a World Cup on home turf in a final at Eden Park - that'd be a pretty awesome way to finish my career'

Finally having some rugby locked in for 2020 is especially important to Black Ferns and Canterbury halfback Kendra Cocksedge, give…

Tom Vinicombe

09 July 2020, 12:15am

Has Rieko Ioane thrust himself into the All Blacks midfield selection debate?

Midfield departures following the 2019 World Cup were set to open the door for Ngani Laumape and Braydon Ennor to make a return to…

Tom Vinicombe

28 June 2020, 9:39pm

All Blacks and Super Rugby stars reveal which team they want to play for in North v South exhibition match

Late on Friday afternoon, All Blacks coach Ian Foster revealed the eligibility criteria for the now confirmed North Island v South…

Tom Vinicombe

26 June 2020, 8:59pm

Why the Chiefs' season hangs in the balance as they prepare to face off against the ruthless Crusaders

While taking out the Super Rugby Aotearoa title with just six wins from eight matches is entirely possible, doing so with just fiv…

Tom Vinicombe

25 June 2020, 12:02am

'Whether I played good or bad, I wasn't really afraid': Why Otere Black is the man to lead the Blues to their first title in well over a decade

Otere Black was hailed as a game-changing signing for the Blues when he put pen to paper in 2017 but injury struck before he could…

Tom Vinicombe

23 June 2020, 7:09pm

Hoskins Sotutu's take on the Blues' streak-ending season: 'We've been working really hard to try and get Auckland back supporting us'

2020 is shaping up as a record-breaking year for the Blues. In-form loose forward Hoskins Sotutu is hopeful that the fans keep tur…

Tom Vinicombe

17 June 2020, 7:54pm

'There's a chance you might not play rugby again': Bryn Gatland's journey from heartbreak to Highlanders hero

Last year, Bryn Gatland suffered a horrific foot injury so severe that there were very real fears that the first five’s professi…

Tom Vinicombe

16 June 2020, 10:46pm

The drop goal frenzy sweeping the nation: what does Bryn Gatland's clutch kick mean for the future of New Zealand rugby?

Drop goals have never really been in fashion in New Zealand but it looks like the lost art could be making a comeback in 2020 afte…

Tom Vinicombe

16 June 2020, 12:30am

Time for fans to vote with their feet: How Super Rugby Aotearoa could usher in a new era of rugby in New Zealand

It’s been a challenging time for a number of reasons but fans across the New Zealand – and seemingly around the world – fina…

Tom Vinicombe

12 June 2020, 8:06pm

How Super Rugby Aotearoa's new golden point rule could backfire

Super Rugby Aotearoa will introduce new rules to decrease the chances of draws - but is a 10-minute golden point period really a f…

Tom Vinicombe

10 June 2020, 10:36pm

How the Chiefs lured Anton Lienert-Brown away from the all-powerful Crusaders

Exclusive: The Crusaders are a team that, more often than not, get what they want. They have countless international representativ…

Tom Vinicombe

10 June 2020, 7:27pm

'I've found that Mojo again': Why Lima Sopoaga is confident he's turned a corner in Europe

Exclusive: Lima Sopoaga won a Super Rugby title with the Highlanders in 2015 but it hasn't been smooth sailing for the former All …

Tom Vinicombe

09 June 2020, 10:29pm