Opinion
Blues Women
Contributors
Adam Julian
Adam Julian is a freelance sportswriter and broadcaster based in Wellington. He's been a regular contributor on Clubrugby.co.nz and Te Upoko O Te Ika radio for a dozen years. Between 2010 and 2018 he was the official statistician for Sky Sports Land Rover First XV program. Adam is the author of the A to Z of the Black Ferns on allblacks.com, a member of the Association of Rugby Historians and Statisticians and a long-suffering Wellington Lions and Hurricanes supporter. His interests outside of rugby include blues music, history, travel, and food.
178 Articles
Interview
Sofai Maka set to take SVNS by storm after flying NPC season
When Sofai Maka takes the field for his All Blacks Sevens debut in Dubai this weekend he will wear the unusual number of 81 on his…
Adam Julian
29 Nov 2024, 18:26
Schoolgirl sensation Dhys Faleafaga returns to SVNS with new purpose
A loose forward, Faleafaga scored 45 tries in 23 games (20 wins) for her club side Nothern United. In May 2022, when her twins wer…
Adam Julian
28 Nov 2024, 15:07
Interview
The Netherlands-born lock who is turning heads with All Blacks XV
Fabian Holland has been riding the crest of a wave since leaving the Netherlands as a teenager to pursue an improbable rugby dream…
Adam Julian
08 Nov 2024, 19:26
Interview
All Blacks XV prop braces for Munster after 89-minute NPC Final shift
Xavier Nuima will start off the bench for the All Blacks XV against Munster at Thomond Park, Limerick on Sunday.
Adam Julian
01 Nov 2024, 22:27
Interview
Perth-born Oliver Haig’s unique journey from Sussex to All Blacks XV
Oliver Haig speaks with a distinctly South English accent, so unique that he could have confused the All Blacks lineout calls at T…
Adam Julian
01 Nov 2024, 18:11
Exclusive
Honey Hireme-Smiler on 'Honey: My Story of Love, Loss and Victory'
The sporting prowess of Honey Hireme-Smiler was so redoubtable she was famously nicknamed ‘Honey Bill Williams’ because, like …
Adam Julian
29 Oct 2024, 11:14
Next generation of All Blacks shine in hefty Tokyo win over Japan
The game started at a breakneck pace with Japan daring and innovative on attack while the All Blacks were prone to error.
Adam Julian
26 Oct 2024, 19:11
History and grief culminate in title for 'soldier' Jackson Garden-Bachop
Jackson Garden-Bachop turned 100 yesterday, the first Wellington player since Tana Umaga in 2007 to reach that milestone.
Adam Julian
26 Oct 2024, 16:02
Interview
‘Channelled my inner Jonah Lomu’: The ex-Wales midfielder eyeing NPC glory
Bay of Plenty coach Richard Watt was roaming Instagram when he realised an old friend was back in town.
Adam Julian
22 Oct 2024, 17:06
Opinion
NPC semi-finals: Former Wales international and flanker-turned-wing star
The NPC Premiership final will be at Sky Stadium in Wellington at 2:30 pm next Saturday after Wellington beat Waikato 29-24 to set…
Adam Julian
19 Oct 2024, 16:37
Opinion
NPC quarter-finals: Son of legend dominates, forgotten All Black makes case
The semi-finals are set in the NPC with Wellington hosting Waikato and Canterbury travelling to Bay of Plenty. Here are the top pe…
Adam Julian
13 Oct 2024, 16:30
Exclusive
Alex Tessier: 'We're not a one-dimensional team anymore'
It's been a monumental year for women's rugby in Canada with the national team toppling world champions New Zealand for the first …
Adam Julian
09 Oct 2024, 13:00
Opinion
Round nine NPC: Returning All Black makes statement, Highlanders' pair shine
Round nine of the Bunnings NPC saw Taranaki take the Ranfurly Shield off Tasman, two All Blacks return for Counties, and Southland…
Adam Julian
06 Oct 2024, 19:12
Australia U18s overpower New Zealand schoolboys in thrilling win
A polished and powerful Australia has won the Trans Tasman Trophy for the first time since 2019 toppling New Zealand 38-31 at Waik…
Adam Julian
06 Oct 2024, 15:54
Australia U18 strong on day one, New Zealand schools smash Samoa
Tomorrow’s stars are in action for Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Samoa in a series of international fixtures across Hamilton…
Adam Julian
02 Oct 2024, 16:32
Round eight NPC: Snubbed All Black and NRL-bound winger star
In a wild week of results some big names stood out in round eight of the Bunnings NPC.
Adam Julian
01 Oct 2024, 15:16
Interview
Black Ferns' Hannah King: 'I want to become a triple threat'
Hannah King was conspicuously shy at her first wider training group practice with the Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup team.
Adam Julian
01 Oct 2024, 4:23
Opinion
Four of the best NPC performers from round seven
In the NPC this season Higgins ranks in the top ten for carries, clean breaks, defenders beaten, and meters gained.
Adam Julian
24 Sep 2024, 18:15
Opinion
Four of best performers from round six of the NPC
The National Provincial Championship is in full swing with six rounds of competition completed.
Adam Julian
18 Sep 2024, 19:40
Tongan stars shine in Tokyo, dismiss Canada in fifth-place final
Courage replaced consolation in the playoff for fifth in the Pacific Nations Cup; a determined, occasionally spontaneous Tonga too…
Adam Julian
14 Sep 2024, 5:17
