Interview
Hurricanes star Xavier Numia talks journey from midfield to front row
When the Hurricanes beat the Chiefs 36-23 in Wellington on April 13, the Chiefs scrum was reduced to rubble.
Adam Julian
24 May 2024, 19:30
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.
Opinion
Pacific Four Series 2024 Form XV
Canada stunned the world when they won the Pacific Four Series in New Zealand defeating Rugby World Champions the Black Ferns for …
Adam Julian
28 May 2024, 9:25
Interview
Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima on how he fares in All Black race
Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima didn't incur the wrath of officialdom in either match but was right in the heart of the battle.
Adam Julian
30 May 2024, 0:55
Salesi Rayasi went from high school basketball star to 50 Hurricanes' caps
Salesi Rayasi scored a hat-trick in his 50th game for the Hurricanes against the Highlanders.
Adam Julian
09 Jun 2024, 22:43
Exclusive
Ricky Riccitelli chasing his second Super Rugby title after doing it all in New Zealand rugby
Ricky Riccitelli is tailor-made for the Blues basic and belligerent approach. The hooker helped the Blues win a dozen regular sea…
Adam Julian
10 Jun 2024, 20:05
Interview
Maturing lock Isaia Walker-Leawere has become a leader of the Hurricanes pack
Imposing lock Isaia Walker-Leawere from Ruatoria might not say much, but his laconic words carry gravitas in the Hurricanes.
Adam Julian
12 Jun 2024, 20:37
Interview
Samisoni Taukei'aho on Dane Coles, Asafo Aumua and the Bledisloe Cup
The pair are separated by a decade but Taukei'aho credits the Hurricanes veteran for making him feel welcome in the All Blacks, an…
Adam Julian
18 Jun 2024, 20:43
Opinion
Chiefs player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final
The Super Rugby final was a fizzer. The Chiefs failed miserably to scale the heights of their sem-final success stuffed by a patie…
Adam Julian
22 Jun 2024, 5:36
Hamilton Boys farewell one of the great coaches in New Zealand schoolboy rugby
Nigel Hotham, the brains behind Hamilton Boys High's world-class rugby programme, has stepped down as the school's first XV coach …
Adam Julian
07 Jul 2024, 20:56
Interview
Black Fern Kaipo Olsen-Baker hoping history repeats against Wallaroos
Kaipo Olsen-Baker appeared to be a certainty for Women’s Rugby World Cup selection in 2022 until the barnstorming loose forward…
Adam Julian
11 Jul 2024, 11:30
From the famous haka against England to serving the community, the life of All Black Norm Hewitt
Former All Black and Wellington Lions captain Norm Hewitt was a dynamic and often inspirational hooker whose off-field fame was la…
Adam Julian
16 Jul 2024, 18:42
Interview
New Zealand U20s star halfback rated better than Ben Smith coming out of high school
Dylan Pledger made such an impression at King’s High School in Dunedin that former Otago outside back and Sports Director Glenn …
Adam Julian
03 Aug 2024, 20:26
Interview
Ben Tameifuna leading Tonga's next generation after World Cup exodus
Tongan prop Ben Tameifuna was officially the biggest player at the Rugby World Cup in 2023 packing in at a mammoth 151kg.
Adam Julian
15 Aug 2024, 21:54
Interview
Du'Plessis Kirifi: The challenge of coming off bench for 'special' Peter Lakai
Du'Plessis Kirifi believes his career took “a big leap” a couple of years ago when he narrowed down “one or two things” he…
Adam Julian
12 May 2024, 17:47
Opinion
The Black Ferns identity ahead of the 2024 Pacific Four Series
The Black Ferns have beaten the USA 13 times in 14 internationals outscoring the Eagles 645-95. Their only defeat against the USA …
Adam Julian
09 May 2024, 8:34
Interview
From facing the haka to Crusaders return, why Johnny McNicholl answered SOS call
Returning Crusader Johnny McNicholl is determined to showcase his worth; a seasoned professional who wasn’t even supposed to be…
Adam Julian
06 May 2024, 17:02
Opinion
Bledisloe Cup clash on ANZAC Day might work but with consequences
In an interview with the Inside Line podcast Rugby Australia chairman Daniel Herbert revived a decade-old idea for a Bledisloe Cup…
Adam Julian
01 May 2024, 23:21
Interview
All Blacks Sevens playmaker whose name is now next to Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen
The All Blacks Sevens playmaker won the Leslie Williams Trophy for 'best and fairest' player at the Hong Kong Sevens.
Adam Julian
30 Apr 2024, 17:34
Interview
New Zealand U20's first five abandoned his Arizona baseball dream to stay in rugby
Grant eventually abandoned his baseball dreams and has just been selected for the New Zealand Under 20s to compete in the inaugura…
Adam Julian
29 Apr 2024, 20:44
Interview
Brett Cameron on his All Blacks cap and his promising second stint with the Hurricanes
In 2024 Brett Cameron (27) has been vital in the Hurricanes best ever start to Super Rugby. The Wellington based franchise has wo…
Adam Julian
24 Apr 2024, 19:07
