Interview
The Chiefs breakout No.8 who was named after Braveheart
Wallace Sititi would have been satisfied with one game for the Chiefs in 2024. He’s played seven, including five stars in a row.
Adam Julian
15 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.
Exclusive
Freda Tafuna: 'When I crossed the adrenalin was flowing through my veins'
Freda Tafuna became the first American player to score tries in consecutive Tests against the Black Ferns when she crossed in the …
Adam Julian
16 May 2024, 4:48
Interview
Southland-product Sean Withy honing his openside craft with Highlanders
Openside flanker Sean Withy has appeared in all 12 matches (836 minutes) for the Highlanders in 2024.
Adam Julian
20 May 2024, 21:34
Exclusive
Fancy that: Bermudez on Canada beating the Black Ferns
Fancy Bermudez was a pivotal figure in Canada’s historic 22-19 upset. The 21-year-old winger scored two tries in her tenth inter…
Adam Julian
21 May 2024, 7:19
Interview
New Zealand U20s first five Rico Simpson has a habit of beating Australia
In 2023 Rico Simpson was a dominant figure in the New Zealand Secondary Schools 34-3 and 57-36 successes over Australia. Across th…
Adam Julian
21 May 2024, 19:45
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
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
