OPINION
Moana Pasifika must rethink their objectives
Moana Pasifika have not so yet proven to be the success story everyone hoped - but it's not all their own doing.
Already a member?
Login here
Gregor Paul Gregor is New Zealand’s best-read rugby commentator and analyst having been the voice of the Herald’s rugby coverage since 2004. He’s also written seven books about rugby and edited NZ Rugby World since 2007.
OPINION
It's time for New Zealand Rugby to look offshore for Super coaches
New Zealand rugby would open itself to an influx of new ideas if foreign coaches were on the agenda.
OPINION
Is New Zealand finally ready to commit their future to Japan?
NZR has never been certain how to approach rugby's next frontier.
OPINION
New Zealand has reason to feel aggrieved with Australia's latest tactics
Some of Rugby Australia's behaviour in recent times has been perplexing, to say the least.
OPINION
The All Blacks overseas selection policy is no longer fit for purpose
The arguments against selecting overseas All Blacks are dwindling.
OPINION
The All Blacks beast is stirring
The pieces are falling into place for the post-2023 All Blacks.
OPINION
It's up to New Zealand to boost rugby in Australia
Australian rugby won't just 'come right' without some external support.
OPINION
What's gone wrong with Beauden Barrett?
Beauden Barrett's form has been trending downwards for the better part of a year.
OPINION
Under the radar All Blacks have no time to spare
The All Blacks are building towards the World Cup in the most unconventional manner.
OPINION
Razor is the injection of authenticity NZ desperately needs
Scott Robertson will be one of the most engaging coaches on the international circuit.
'Highly unlikely that I will be': Foster makes startling prediction over his All Blacks future
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has weighed in on supposed timelines for the appointment of the All Blacks coaching job for 2024.
OPINION
The former myth of a fading All Blacks aura is now a reality
Now, more than ever, the fear factor surrounding the All Blacks is flickering out.
OPINION
Mathieu Raynal's decision could spark an All Blacks revival
A fast game is a good game and World Rugby might have to act soon.
OPINION
Will the All Blacks prosper from another happy accident?
The All Blacks have generally improved this year as a result of their injuries.
OPINION
Ian Foster's reappointment shows nothing compares to a World Cup
We are back once again to judging a four-year tenure on a seven-week tournament.
OPINION
The All Blacks playmaking battle that never was
The battle between Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga never really took off for the All Blacks - and it's come back to bite them.
OPINION
Sam Cane can silence captaincy questions with Springboks statement
Sam Cane doesn’t need to be a great captain to survive, but he does need to be a great player.
OPINION
Why Ian Foster conundrum differs to All Blacks' past struggles
This is no unprecedented times for the All Blacks - but the circumstances aren't entirely the same as in the past.
OPINION
Richie McCaw's legacy has painted a target on the All Blacks
For years, many believed the All Blacks were given the rub of the green by referees.
OPINION
A disrupted start may pave the way for All Blacks World Cup success
A week of player-led preparation could be just the tonic needed by the All Blacks/
OPINION
Schmidt will help All Blacks see themselves through northern eyes
Joe Schmidt has a deep understanding of Northern Hemisphere rugby, which can only benefit the All Blacks.
OPINION
Can Will Jordan buck the trend of All Blacks wings?
WIll Jordan has all the skills to buck the trend of All Blacks wingers heading south.
OPINION
The massive challenge looming for Super Rugby Pacific
Super Rugby is struggling thanks to the comparative buying powers of offshore clubs.
OPINION
Plethora of northern clashes will fast track All Blacks in 2022
A return to a relatively regular schedule next season should put the All Blacks in good stead.
OPINION
Fix imperative for All Blacks' Groundhog Day situation
The All Blacks have plenty to work on in 2022 but calls for a coaching switch-up may be premature.
Common theme in All Blacks losses major cause for concern
The All Blacks know their weaknesses - but they can't seem to correct them.
OPINION
A new chapter begins for rugby's fiercest modern rivalry
Ireland and the All Blacks have fought out some ferocious battles in the past decade.
OPINION
Difference maker in Wales v All Blacks not player availability
All test matches are money-spinners, and those criticising the All Blacks' win over Wales have missed the point.
OPINION
All Blacks exactly where they need to be as key cavalry arrives
The All Blacks were out-muscled by the Springboks - but they were also stripped of some key figures.
OPINION
History won't repeat itself with new All Blacks lock Josh Lord
Josh Lord isn't the first Taranaki second-rower to be plucked from relative obscurity into the All Blacks.
OPINION
Private capital the tonic needed to revitalise Rugby Championship
Without some fresh ideas, the Rugby Championship will lose its last rays of lustre.
OPINION
Drownings inevitable in All Blacks' deepening talent pool
The All Blacks have developed some great depth in 2021 but the squeeze will come on.
OPINION
Southern Hemisphere stocks soaring after Rugby Championship
All three of the traditional Southern Hemisphere superpowers have reasons to be positive.
OPINION
Has Springboks speedbump forced an All Blacks rethink?
Everything was going swimmingly for the All Blacks until the Springboks came along.
OPINION
Heavy is the head that wears the crown
The All Blacks are one of the few sides in world rugby that thrive with the favourites tag.
TJ Perenara returns to the All Blacks hot seat
Aaron Smith's ongoing absence from the All Blacks grants TJ Perenara the chance to reaffirm his standing.
Recognising Scott Barrett's rise into locking royalty
Scott Barrett may be the least appreciated player in the All Blacks, but also one of the most important.
Never doubt a wounded All Blacks No 10
Beauden Barrett, despite what some may suggest, is not done with being the All Blacks' first-choice pivot just yet.
Why the 2021 edition of Bledisloe III is a different beast
Far from a dead rubber, the third Bledisloe test will be a key match for the All Blacks.
Unprecedented All Blacks tour will separate boys from men
The All Blacks are now engaging in one of the biggest tours of the modern era.
Fact-checking Dave Rennie's plan to beat the All Blacks
Dave Rennie made an interesting claim following the Wallabies' loss to the All Blacks in Bledisloe II.
The Ioane brothers are coming of age for the All Blacks
After some false starts, Akira and Rieko Ioane are now making all the right moves for the All Blacks.
The game-defining war between All Blacks and Springboks
High-risk and low-risk rugby will go head to head when the Springboks and All Blacks clash in 2021.
World Rugby must protect the mental health of referees
As with any other professional athletes, rugby referees are increasingly coming under attack.
Rassie Erasmus' Lions meltdown isn't entirely unfounded
Rassie Erasmus was wrong to be so public with his complaints, but he wasn’t wrong to be concerned.
Trans-Tasman relations under more duress
Whenever there has been tension between the New Zealand and Australia unions, it hasn't ended well.
David Havili proving All Blacks dream is alive and real
More often than not, it can take a little bit of time before players really embed themselves into test rugby.
TJ Perenara the new guide for integrating returning All Blacks
TJ Perenara will follow a different path back into the All Blacks than Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick.
Ian Foster's All Blacks vision taking slow steps forward
We don't yet have a full appreciation of what Ian Foster is trying to do as head coach of the All Blacks.
Rugby's eligibility laws relics of a bygone era
Did rugby throw the baby out with the bathwater when they changed the international eligibility laws?
Rieko Ioane's chance to cement All Blacks centre shift
Injuries have given Rieko Ioane a clear run at the All Blacks No 13 jersey.
All Blacks depth reaching bursting point
The All Blacks have plenty of options to pick from but few certain starters amongst their squad.
Finding space for Japan in The Rugby Championship
Japan can't suddenly be expected to regularly compete with the superpowers of world rugby.
Is Jordie Barrett the fix to the All Blacks' problem position?
It may be a left-field move, but Jordie Barrett has all the skills needed for a shift back to the midfield.
The cultural shift that's transformed the All Blacks
A massive change in the All Blacks culture is helping to bring the best out of players.
The struggle to replace Ma'a Nonu
The All Blacks are yet to find a midfielder that possesses the same subtleties to their game as Ma'a Nonu.
How the All Blacks will bring fire back to the fore in 2021
The All Blacks have selected a set of forwards that can bring some much-needed aggression to the pack.
A handful of debutants likely for All Blacks re-build
After a limited year in 2020, the All Blacks finally have a full calendar ahead of them to rebuild.
No more false starts in battle for All Blacks No 10 jersey
The extended 2021 season will finally allow for a proper head-to-head for the All Blacks No 10 jersey.
Lions provide blueprint for global game
The British and Irish Lions of 2017 set the standards for the years to come. Will the same be the case in 2021?
Taking back the throne
Aaron Smith has taken his game to new heights in 2021 and is back in the conversation for world's best.
Gamble of a lifetime
By focusing on the Olympics, Caleb Clarke is putting his spot in the All Blacks pecking order at risk.
Victory breeds complacency
A weak Super Rugby competition will continue to harm performances on the international stage.
Read between the lines
Kieran Read, perhaps the greatest No 8 of the modern era, has finally hung up his boots.
The L word
Employees wouldn't normally have a say in how a business is run, but professional sport is a different beast.
Decision time
A mid-season off-shore signing has hampered the final weeks of many a player's New Zealand career.
A closer shave
Scott Robertson has led the Crusaders to a fifth title but has that enhanced his All Blacks chances?
Homegrown hit
The Crusaders have built a dynasty on nurturing young talent, not buying superstars.
Testing times
Are the All Blacks going to do the impossible and play less but make more money?
Intellectual poverty
Fluid movement of players and coaches means intellectual property is always going to be tough to lock down.
Blue is the coldest colour
Things appear to be unravelling at the Blues and this time, there are no ready made excuses.
On the hook
The fire that burns within Dane Coles is raging still, which is why he’s put off retiring.
Pacific pathway
Moana Pasifika's genesis is the first step to helping Pasifika rugby thrive, but an important one nonetheless.
Midfield muddle
More questions than answers continue to arise in the All Blacks’ quest to rebuild their midfield.
Flicking the switch
Nathan Sharpe talks about how Eddie Jones masterminded the 2003 World Cup win over New Zealand
Nothing is impossible
Passion and resilience underpin the MLR and make everyone confident the US competition will flourish.
Silver bullet or silver medal?
A probable $465m cash injection is going to change New Zealand rugby forever.
Simply the best
Ali Williams compares his former teammates Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson, two of the best 10s to play the game.
Raising the bar
When will Richie Mo'unga finally transfer his excellent Super Rugby form into the test arena?
Attack force one
If Super Rugby looks to be a different game entirely to the Six Nations, that's because it is.
Myth buster
Folau Fakatava should ignore the selection myth that players need to start for their clubs to be All Blacks.
Task master
Patrick Tuipulotu has helped mould the Blues into his own hard-working image.
Game of thrones
New Zealand seems to want uncertainty to prevail when it comes to major coaching roles.
Lost identity
The Highlanders have brought in Tony Brown to help them find who they really are.
All or nothing
All Blacks great Dan Carter officially bows out at a time when his body was still willing - even at almost 39.
Redemption time
David Havili will be eager to bounce back after illness and Covid de-railed his stunning start to 2020.
The unwinnable war
World Rugby is killing the game with its futile attempt to eradicate rather than reduce contact to the head.
Reaching new heights
Test centurion Tamara Taylor talks about the highs and lows of her career
Finding paradise
Too much rugby is going to be a thing of the past for the best players in Australasia.
Culture clash
If the New Zealand Rugby strikes a private equity deal, it is going to force a radical culture shift in the All Blacks' traditiona…
Loss leaders
Two major losses in the last 12 months could be the emotional fuel that rebuilds the All Blacks.
Charmed life
All Blacks captains have seemingly been subject to different rules because of their reputation.
Tough at the top
The pressure and expectation that comes with the All Blacks captaincy has been too hard for some players to handle.
Captain's knock
A broken foot, a ripped testicle, whatever the injury, an All Blacks captain will find a way to play on.
Best in show
The best All Blacks captains are, more often than not, the All Blacks' best players.
Bargain hunters
The Six Nations need to admit their obsession with New Zealand and now South Africa is hurting them.
Prime target
Aaron Smith is off contract next year and the All Blacks know the importance of locking him in until 2023.
Boom and bust
New Zealand has known great riches at No 10 but is currently experiencing a genuine dearth of talent in a key position.
Second wind
Liam Squire is back with the Highlanders and has rediscovered a desire to play test football.
Rebuilding great
Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are poised to re-establish themselves as the world's premier locking combination.
Miracle man
The All Blacks' search for a game-changing impact player may be over.
Breaking the stranglehold
Unless there's a dramatic shift in the way the game is played, fans won't return to stadiums any time soon.
Collapse of an empire
Once imperious and almost unbeatable, the All Blacks are now in the midst of a crisis that many fear will never end.
Mind over matter
The All Blacks’ mental skills helped them win consecutive World Cups. Is it becoming a weakness again?
High stakes
The All Blacks are struggling to come to terms with World Rugby's efforts to stamp out high tackling.
Double trouble
Everyone said the All Blacks were mad to shift Beauden Barrett to fullback. But it turns out everyone was wrong.
Fear factor
Pasifika's dreams continue to be crushed. Is it because Oceania's heavyweights fear for their labour supply?
Defence against the dark arts
The All Blacks are no strangers to filth and yet they have no love of the enforcer.
Flash in the pan
The All Blacks are rightfully fearful expectation could limit Caleb Clarke's potential.
Flaw in the Death Star
The All Blacks can't win games by dropping a goal and it's a big problem for them.
Powered by pain
Losing to England means the All Blacks start a new era with a pain that will fuel them for years.
Hanging by a thread
Australia and New Zealand currently hate each other, but they desperately need each other.
Chance of a lifetime
A Pacific Island Super Rugby team could change the power base of the global game.
Against the odds
Emotionally and physically broken at 27, former All Black Richard Kahui is still playing at 35.
Dream ticket
Fiji have assembled a gifted coaching team. Is a world rankings rise on the cards?
Rugby reborn
Covid brought the death of Super Rugby, but it also saw NZ fall back in love with the game.
The worst ideas in rugby history
In the hindsight Olympics, we’re all winners but sometimes, it goes, horribly, horribly wrong
The fall and rise of Rieko Ioane
Dropped by the All Blacks his world fell apart but Ioane has his mojo back
