Hamish Bidwell

Crusaders' coaching job well overdue for red-and-black man Penney

If you coached the Crusaders in those days, then you tended to look a little suspiciously at your Canterbury counterparts. And, if…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

07 Jun 2023, 17:32

Dane Coles upholds the expectations and obligations of being an All Black

Coles makes the game personal and refuses to yield to anyone. That’s a trait more athletes should have and why he can make an en…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

08 Jun 2023, 20:26

I can’t let the comments of Ardie Savea and Jason Holland go unchallenged

Maybe a win over the Brumbies would have flattered them, but they still could have achieved it if Jordie Barrett had opted to pas…

Hamish Bidwell

15 Jun 2023, 17:38

The Blues proved once again they cannot make athletes better rugby players

As the Crusaders were methodically dismantling the Blues in Christchurch last Friday night, it wasn’t the quality of rugby that …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

19 Jun 2023, 22:59

Why the All Blacks don't play anything like the Crusaders is beyond comprehension

The enterprising Chiefs didn’t look dissimilar to All Blacks sides of recent vintage, with the Crusaders resembling Ireland or F…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

27 Jun 2023, 19:00

The All Blacks looked like Ireland against Argentina

What a joy to see the All Blacks using the ball to beat the man and to have attackers committing defenders before offloading. It f…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

11 Jul 2023, 17:42

Spanking an old Springboks side not the best yardstick

Starting Malcom Marx would be a help to South Africa. As would picking some of the more youthful personnel, who beat Australia in …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

16 Jul 2023, 21:37

Slaughtering the Wallabies will make the All Blacks real contenders

So I want to see them be ruthless on Saturday. To treat Australia as a team of consequence, rather than one in the midst of a mass…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

24 Jul 2023, 20:14

It seems the All Blacks have reclaimed their ruthless edge

It’s upsetting to see Australian rugby where it is. For much of my life, the Wallabies were almost as good - and occasionally be…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

31 Jul 2023, 16:47

Damian McKenzie's freewheeling style is better suited for Super Rugby

I heard a bit of talk afterwards from the team about the defence getting them back into the game. Maybe. But that ignores the fact…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

06 Aug 2023, 21:05

Brad Weber would’ve been the next-best option for the World Cup

But if we’re looking for a bloke to bark at forwards in the way Smith so effectively does, then Weber would’ve been the next-b…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

09 Aug 2023, 21:23

Sure, Sam Cane’s no Richie McCaw, but who is?

McCaw sits among the all-time greats, while Cane will be remembered as a fine man who did his best. It’s chalk and cheese.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

13 Aug 2023, 21:51

Gone are the days when Super Rugby captured interest for its own sake

The Super Rugby Pacific season has well-and-truly started, after all, not that you’d really know from what’s getting written.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

14 Mar 2023, 17:28

What if Darcy Swain made a throat-slash gesture to a New Zealand player?

If Wallabies lock Darcy Swain made a throat-slitting gesture at a New Zealand player, how would we like that? And, if not Swain, t…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

06 Mar 2023, 20:17

The less said by Scott Robertson the better

Foster is neither a public relations asset, nor the owner of an accomplished coaching record, but he looks better than NZR right n…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

27 Feb 2023, 22:45

The All Blacks don't deserve to be let off the hook with 'underdog' status

But don’t take my word for it. It’s All Blacks great Justin Marshall who’s saying New Zealand’s now a world cup smokey.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

18 Feb 2023, 18:16

NZR cannot afford to sit idle on appointing the next All Blacks coach

Signposting that Ian Foster would ascend to Steve Hansen’s throne left the All Blacks without options back in 2019.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

06 Feb 2023, 20:06

The All Blacks resting policy may actually work

But look at the alternatives. It’s so long since anyone other than New Zealand and South Africa has won a Rugby World Cup it’s…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

31 Jan 2023, 21:51

The recruitment of Burns is an admission of defeat for the nanny state model

If nothing else, the recruitment of Burns is an admission of defeat. It says our pathways are broken and we need other people’s …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

23 Jan 2023, 15:07

Once again Rugby Australia have run rings around New Zealand Rugby

Rugby Australia possesses the stomach for hard decisions that New Zealand Rugby do not after sacking Dave Rennie.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

16 Jan 2023, 13:17

All that matters for NZR this year is the All Blacks

This year is solely about the men’s Rugby World Cup. Super Rugby will be sacrificed in the name of the greater good, the NPC stu…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

09 Jan 2023, 18:38

New Zealand Rugby should treat Beauden Barrett like a French footballer

I read and hear that the floodgates would open if Barrett left. That fellow All Blacks would follow suit and Super Rugby would be …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

14 Dec 2022, 23:50

Scott Robertson clearly has enemies in high places

Some people’s faces simply don’t fit, so we have to assume that this iteration of the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) d…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

05 Dec 2022, 17:03

The All Blacks best XV is still up in the air as World Cup year looms

It would be a stretch to confidently say we have an outstanding or clearly defined All Blacks first XV in our midst.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

29 Nov 2022, 13:05

All Blacks' season defined long before their shambolic draw to England

I read and heard for weeks that playing England at Twickenham would define the All Blacks’ season. Nonsense.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

22 Nov 2022, 14:06

The Black Ferns are the one thing that can save New Zealand Rugby

The All Blacks and NZR would benefit greatly from taking a few pages from the Black Ferns’ playbook. Be open, be accessible, be …

Hamish Bidwell

15 Nov 2022, 16:12

Women's rugby has come so far, but there's still so much further it can go

A generation of future Black Ferns are being inspired as we speak, in numbers that would’ve been unimaginable only two or three …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

08 Nov 2022, 19:21

We expect so little from the All Blacks almost losing to Japan doesn't register

But do you hear and hue and cry from our rugby public? No, you don’t because, as I suggested last week, we’ve become condition…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

31 Oct 2022, 20:29

I can't believe that this is what rugby in New Zealand has come to

Mils Muliaina’s comment that it would be acceptable for the All Blacks to lose to Scotland, on their upcoming tour, is the sadly…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

25 Oct 2022, 15:28

Have the All Blacks XV if you like, but make it New Zealand's genuine second XV

What’s the point of Tupou Vaa’i, Stephen Perofeta, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Folau Fakatava and others traipsing round with the All…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

17 Oct 2022, 21:53

Rugby needs to be the winner at this World Cup, not necessarily New Zealand

Let’s let the tournament breathe first. Let’s get a few more games under our belts, let’s get to the knockout rounds and the…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

10 Oct 2022, 23:40

If the Wallabies don't want Dave Rennie, the All Blacks should take him

The ills that plague Australia’s national team have little or nothing to do with Dave Rennie.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

27 Sep 2022, 5:03

We are going to ride the rollercoaster with this All Blacks team

What do the All Blacks have, beyond talent? We simply pick our most-talented players and then try and find a spot for them.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

20 Sep 2022, 20:43

Will Mathieu Raynal be the star of the show in the first Bledisloe test?

Who’ll be the star of the show at Marvel Stadium on Thursday? Will it be Rieko Ioane? Captain Fantastic Sam Cane? Marika Koroibe…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

11 Sep 2022, 23:53

The All Blacks can't have it both ways if tests aren't meaningful

The team and NZR can’t have it both ways. Either every test result is important or none of them are.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

04 Sep 2022, 22:11

New Zealand Rugby can't afford for the All Blacks to fail

Commercialising the All Blacks’ brand relies upon the team winning and they haven’t done a lot of that lately

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

28 Aug 2022, 21:56

The All Blacks will go unbeaten now that everything is 'right' again

The All Blacks are going to win and that no-one will be accountable in the unlikely event that they don’t.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

23 Aug 2022, 19:32

NZR will go to extraordinary lengths to avoid admitting wrong

Whether the decision to retain Ian Foster as All Blacks head coach amounts to the blind leading the blind remains to be seen.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

17 Aug 2022, 19:13

It was put up or shut up for a few All Blacks at Ellis Park

It’s my view that Foster came into the All Blacks’ head coaching role believing he was entitled to the same respect his predec…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

14 Aug 2022, 22:18

Producing proper test match forwards not high on New Zealand's priority list

Nine scrums out of 10 against the All Blacks, you’ll win a penalty. Let’s say half of those are in kicking range, so that’s …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

08 Aug 2022, 2:55

When is it going to be the fault of the All Blacks' players for their results

Robinson and company aren’t out there on the park. That’s still the players’ domain and just because things may be shambolic…

Hamish Bidwell

01 Aug 2022, 22:52

The All Blacks coaching drama has breathed life into The Rugby Championship

Well, they’ve made their bed now. They’ve staked everything on Foster and they’ve absolved him of any blame.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

25 Jul 2022, 20:34

With these All Blacks it's about coaching and leadership, plain and simple

The losses being piled up by this coaching regime is doing more damage to the All Blacks’ brand than any admission of failure ev…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

18 Jul 2022, 23:20

No one fears the All Blacks anymore, the team's reputation is in tatters

Ireland barely bothered to celebrate their 23-12 win. Victory over these All Blacks is so commonplace as to only merit a high-five…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

10 Jul 2022, 23:44

Ireland may have fired their best shot already in this series

Their scrum was lamentable and I thought they played too laterally. The All Blacks can be beaten up the middle and Ireland didn’…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

04 Jul 2022, 1:24

The All Blacks cannot lose this week

The addition of Joe Schmidt to the coaching group is an incredible stroke of luck. He’d have been a welcome addition to the staf…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

27 Jun 2022, 22:01

The Crusaders' win a disaster for the prematurely picked All Blacks

And on the strength of Saturday’s decider at Eden Park, it’s a shame the All Blacks were picked so prematurely.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

19 Jun 2022, 22:09

Sam Cane as captain limits the All Blacks' loose forward trio

Cane is captain and has to play somewhere, while Ioane’s probable inclusion in the first test team to play Ireland probably owes…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

13 Jun 2022, 23:54

Why Jordie Barrett at second-five for the All Blacks makes sense

Barrett’s performances for the Hurricanes at 12 might not excite All Blacks coach Ian Foster, but they do enthuse me. And many o…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

07 Jun 2022, 20:39

Foster's uncertainty and confusion an alarming aspect of NZR's political stunt

Steve Hansen remains a very hard act for Foster to follow. Hansen was a superb communicator. Considered, commanding, challenging: …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

30 May 2022, 18:18

The Classic All Blacks could be a shining light for NZR

New Zealand’s not short of former All Blacks. Nor are we limited in our affection for them.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

23 May 2022, 22:00

Taking Rugby World Cups to America at the expense of actual rugby nations is harmful

I can understand, even applaud, the idea of Australia being awarded the 2027 tournament by World Rugby, but I’m afraid I don’t…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

16 May 2022, 21:25

The Nations Championship is a novel idea but won't fix the real problem

What happens when it becomes clear the competition’s a closed shop and our Pacific neighbours fall further and further behind an…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

10 May 2022, 23:57

New Zealand's teams are getting worse and a good deal of that is down to coaching

And so we have Leon MacDonald of the Blues, mentioned in All Blacks dispatches. Should it all go wrong in 2023, would MacDonald he…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

03 May 2022, 21:45

Rugby has to endure the cards if it wants to have a future

Not only will it cease to be a viable participation sport, lessening the volume of those who might progress to the professional ra…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

26 Apr 2022, 19:21

Beauden Barrett is showing what he can do without the Horror-canes pack

There’s no Barrett v Richie Mo’unga debate. There’s Barrett as the undisputed starter at 10 and then those that back him up …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

20 Apr 2022, 18:00

Rolling mauls should gladden the hearts of New Zealand rugby fans

Far from being a blight on the game, the sight of rolling mauls in Super Rugby Pacific should gladden the hearts of New Zealand ru…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

11 Apr 2022, 21:54

Wayne Smith is a win for the Black Ferns but his service needed elsewhere by NZR

The Black Ferns’ unexpected gain only underscores the significance of the All Blacks’ continued loss.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

05 Apr 2022, 15:20

Hurricanes spent years assembling a championship roster and about five minutes dismantling it

But the Hurricanes, and frankly most New Zealand franchises for that matter, no longer have the depth to roll out a competitive te…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

29 Mar 2022, 15:22

Foster's All Blacks won't get let off the hook with patty-cake fixtures this year

Could the All Blacks lose to Ireland? Could they lose one or both of their Rugby Championship clashes with South Africa? Could the…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

23 Mar 2022, 17:00

Unfortunately for Pita Gus Sowakula, the All Blacks No. 8 jersey is not up for grabs

The man is very good on the carry and wouldn’t disgrace the national side. But if we look at said team and speculate about which…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

22 Mar 2022, 15:42

Clamour for new unproven players as All Blacks is misguided thinking

One day it’s Bailyn Sullivan. Then it’s his brother Zarn. Taine Plumtree, Tom Robinson and Stephen Perofeta are among the othe…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

15 Mar 2022, 22:43

The special All Blacks lock who could be New Zealand's answer at No 6

The decision to start Tupou Vaa'i at blindside flanker for the Chiefs has opened up an intriguing possibility for the All Blacks.

Hamish Bidwell

07 Mar 2022, 19:55

Fixation of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck highlights Super Rugby Pacific's staleness

‘RTS Watch’ has basically become the sole early season narrative, as the mundanity of Super Rugby Pacific swiftly takes hold, …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

01 Mar 2022, 21:19

Cash-strapped NZR have entered into a Dragons Den or Shark Tank-type arrangement

Well, guess what, thanks to the nifty new setup with Silver Lake, jumpers are going to be flying off the racks of Rio de Janeiro.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

21 Feb 2022, 18:40

The Richie Mo'unga situation shows what's so wrong with rugby in New Zealand

This Richie Mo’unga situation sums up so much about what’s so wrong with rugby in New Zealand.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

14 Feb 2022, 10:53

You simply can't expose Australia's next tier of props to the might of the Crusaders

Tighthead props don’t grow on trees, apparently, and if Covid-positive rates increase, then Australia’s teams might have to re…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

08 Feb 2022, 16:09

The All Blacks playing for their careers in this year's Super Rugby Pacific

If I have a wish for Super Rugby Pacific, it’s that guys grind it out game after game. I don’t want to see a good 40 minutes h…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

31 Jan 2022, 18:46

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck won't have space at 12 like he does in rugby league

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) will want some bang for their buck, which means the man will need to quickly establish himself as an All B…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

26 Jan 2022, 16:03

Five big wishes for the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby in 2022

From promoting Joe Shcmidt to All Blacks coach to fixing Super Rugby Pacific - here are five All Blacks and NZR wishes for the sea…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

17 Jan 2022, 15:19

How much influence will Schmidt as an All Blacks selector actually have

Ian Foster might have inherited Hansen’s role, but he hasn’t assumed his stature. The Schmidt appointment is a good thing, as …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

21 Dec 2021, 18:19

Jordie Barrett at 12 can provide what has been missing since Laumape left

The All Blacks could do with Laumape right now. Instead, it appears Tonga will eventually benefit from his services in midfield.

Hamish Bidwell

13 Dec 2021, 17:29

Please don't hand any awards out to Ian Foster

And the nominees are… well, in the case of New Zealand coach of the year, there are none.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

06 Dec 2021, 20:27

Who knew that New Zealand's players were experts in hundred-million dollar deals

The All Blacks themselves have been the envy of codes and teams across the globe for decades, many of whom have sought to emulate …

Hamish Bidwell

28 Nov 2021, 19:50

It's hard to see the All Blacks getting better under Foster's watch

For all the lessons and “learnings’’ Foster incessantly maintains the team are taking from games and for all the key areas h…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

21 Nov 2021, 21:04

Everyone in the rugby world knows who Foster's All Blacks are

The All Blacks had absolutely no idea how to combat Ireland at the Aviva Stadium and were flattered by the final scoreline of 29-2…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

15 Nov 2021, 20:04

Damian McKenzie is no better than when he started his All Blacks career

It’s surely not an issue of talent, as evidenced by McKenzie. He’s as gifted as anyone but, 39 games into his All Blacks caree…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

09 Nov 2021, 15:06

The All Blacks' game needs to be built around the Retallick's and Savea's

If you were to draw up the perfect locking partner for the relentless intensity of Sam Whitelock, it would be Retallick.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

01 Nov 2021, 17:13

The only test that has taught the All Blacks anything in 2021

Let’s hope Wales hand the All Blacks a lineout bath in Cardiff because, on the basis of this year's test schedule, New Zealand 

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

28 Oct 2021, 17:15

What NZR should do with this Mickey Mouse version of the NPC

Let’s do away with people scratching their heads about whether it’s the Meads Cup or the Lochore Cup that’s the big one. Let…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

18 Oct 2021, 21:34

It's time to congratulate New Zealand Rugby for once

When you don’t schedule matches for people - who dedicate themselves to representing this country - or you don’t pay them the …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

11 Oct 2021, 22:01

All Blacks brains trust have a lot to do to go from good to great

There is such a thing as an actual Grand Slam - last achieved by the All Blacks in 2010 - but it has nothing to do with the blesse…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

05 Oct 2021, 16:25

Play some rugby? You must be joking, the Springboks can't play any footy

South Africa have no moral duty to the game or to sponsors and other stakeholders to produce a brand of football that’s easy on …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

27 Sep 2021, 22:25

If you're an All Black winger, early ball has been hard to come by

If you’re Will Jordan or Sevu Reece or George Bridge it appears as if you’re not going to get any good, early ball. In fact, i…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

19 Sep 2021, 21:32

Springboks haven't delivered but hopefully will rise for the All Blacks

The Springboks might be shamed into action by their 28-26 defeat to Australia. We might see them wipe the floor with the Wallabies…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

14 Sep 2021, 17:11

The All Blacks met that challenge, but it still wasn't a true Test

It’s all very well to run rings around Australia, but you assume Argentina and South Africa will provide more difficult Rugby Ch…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

05 Sep 2021, 18:55

Ardie Savea was the right choice as All Blacks skipper

To come to a new country, face various challenges many of us can’t imagine and then have a son become All Blacks captain is a tr…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

29 Aug 2021, 18:33

The Rugby Championship is the only thing keeping NZR's bills paid

One thing stands between them and financial oblivion. It could have been two things, except NZR completely cocked up the first.

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

22 Aug 2021, 18:32

Why the All Blacks need the support of the New Zealand public now

Just a tick over 25,000 fans attended Saturday’s 57-22 win over Australia, in the second of two consecutive tests at Eden Park. …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

16 Aug 2021, 1:03

Do these All Blacks have the ruthless final quarter in them?

I was underwhelmed by Saturday’s 33-25 win over Australia at Eden Park. I’m not sure the Wallabies are any good and, at 33-8, …

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

09 Aug 2021, 16:38

Sarah Hirini has put her name up alongside the great New Zealand rugby captains

The Black Ferns Sevens skipper is unlikely to ever enjoy the acclaim of elite All Blacks captains such as Wilson Whineray, Brian L…

Opinion

Hamish Bidwell

02 Aug 2021, 16:07

It's time to debate whether Gatland is New Zealand's best-ever coach

With Wasps and Ireland, Wales, Waikato and the Lions, Gatland has been a winner. Maybe Warrenball didn’t win you over, but it su…

Exclusive

Hamish Bidwell

26 Jul 2021, 21:28

The Wallabies take early Bledisloe advantage over the All Blacks

Compare these games against Tonga and now Fiji to what Australia and France have been up to. France still have better players up t…

Hamish Bidwell

18 Jul 2021, 23:24

Robertson's shadow looms over Foster after getting bullied by Fiji

It’s easy to underestimate Robertson or to be distracted by his eccentricities. But the bottom line is his teams win - and win w…

Hamish Bidwell

11 Jul 2021, 23:04

NZR's approach to profiting from Tonga cheapened everything

Well, guess what? NZR were wrong. They sought to profit off the Tongan community and merely cheapened their own All Blacks brand i…

Hamish Bidwell

04 Jul 2021, 23:03

Beauden Barrett was stiffed by the All Blacks but we can't make the same mistake with Richie Mo'unga

Coaching is about providing players with the best opportunity to be successful, but neither Barrett nor Mo’unga will ever truly …

Hamish Bidwell

27 Jun 2021, 22:27

Lolly scramble of All Black selections begs the question, is there actually a plan in place?

How many positions in the All Blacks starting XV would you say are sewn up? I’d say about five and a half.

Hamish Bidwell

21 Jun 2021, 23:32

The bottom line is the All Blacks are not short of talent and an unbeaten season is on the table

In all fairness, though, the coronavirus-dictated draw has been kind to New Zealand. All but one match is at home, creating an exp…

Hamish Bidwell

14 Jun 2021, 1:17

'You suspect another white, male Cantabrian isn't quite what NZR needs right now': Talk of diversity no substitute for actual diversity

At most other times in our game’s history, Stewart Mitchell would have been the ideal choice as NZR chairman - but this isn't mo…

Hamish Bidwell

07 Jun 2021, 19:00

In New Zealand, we are very good at producing quality rugby players. What's missing is the right vehicle to promote them

We had our chance to go insular. The coronavirus pandemic provided New Zealand with the opportunity to create a purely domestic co…

Hamish Bidwell

31 May 2021, 16:24

Julian Savea won't be turning the clock back to 2010 but his signing by the Hurricanes has proven to have merit

Savea is more than a rugby player and a teammate. He is an icon and an inspiration and you can see how valuable that is within a f…

Hamish Bidwell

25 May 2021, 19:01

The game's caretakers in New Zealand need to grow up, get in a room and sort this out for rugby's sake

I don’t know about you, but I’m bored of this debate about private equity funding. I don’t care if it’s Silver Lake or you…

Hamish Bidwell

17 May 2021, 16:00

Instead of hating and criticising, you could actually just sit back and admire the greatness of the Crusaders

They win, for starters, and what an unimaginable crime that is. They don’t boast, they don’t showboat, they don’t disrespect…

Hamish Bidwell

10 May 2021, 17:53

New Zealand's elite players would be better served trying to win the odd test match rather than dictating terms of the Silver Lake deal

Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is the narrative we’re being sold, right? That NZR and the provincial unions are dullards, w…

Hamish Bidwell

02 May 2021, 21:49

It's hard to go past Akira Ioane when wondering where it all went wrong for the Blues in 2021

Ioane talked about learning a few lessons and rediscovering his love for the game and a lot of us went down the lazy route of decl…

Hamish Bidwell

26 Apr 2021, 20:54

Why are the All Blacks going to pick Retallick, Barrett and possibly Perenara out of Japan and not guys everywhere else?

If we are going to pick Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick (and maybe not TJ Perenara if John Kirwan’s telling the story) then…

Hamish Bidwell

18 Apr 2021, 23:29

Perofeta's comments may hurt his team's chances but give some much-needed spice to Super Rugby Aotearoa

It wasn’t that Perofeta’s comments were outrageous. More that they were a little naive and inclined to antagonise a Highlander…

Hamish Bidwell

13 Apr 2021, 18:32

All Black captains don't lecture people on social media or journalists on what they should be reporting on

You put Savea at 7, you make him captain and very quickly Cane’s absence ceases to be a major concern. Frankly, it’s the opens…

Hamish Bidwell

05 Apr 2021, 16:06

Hard to fathom the protests of All Blacks who are happily bankrupting their governing body

What’s not in dispute is that NZR cannot continue to pay its mammoth player wage bill and that alternative revenue streams are r…

Hamish Bidwell

29 Mar 2021, 21:39

What Scott Robertson has done with Sam Whitelock that no other coach could

It was a pleasure to watch the Crusaders beat the Blues 43-27 at Eden Park on Sunday. To see the methodical way the Crusaders dism…

Hamish Bidwell

21 Mar 2021, 21:04

It won't be up front where the Blues need to prove their title credentials against the Crusaders

The Blues weren’t just a Super Rugby also-ran for a decade or more, they weren’t even relevant. No, the Blues were an utter em…

Hamish Bidwell

15 Mar 2021, 20:37

At some point the Chiefs' players have to put up or shut up with their third coach in three successive years

The blame game’s become a staple of Chiefs rugby. Remember Colin Cooper? He couldn’t coach, apparently, with the players and s…

Hamish Bidwell

09 Mar 2021, 13:32

It's simply not good enough that the Hurricanes don't have a formidable tight five after 25 years of trying

At the Hurricanes, it’s always been about hoping the backs and loosies can work enough magic to cover for the deficiencies up fr…

Hamish Bidwell

01 Mar 2021, 14:30

Haven't we already said goodbye to the great Dan Carter? His real retirement was years ago

The man’s career was over by then and he did well to keep being paid a healthy wage and to maintain the strength of his personal…

Hamish Bidwell

22 Feb 2021, 16:18

Savea is more than just a player now, he's in the shop window to be All Blacks' skipper too

It’s not so much that the newly-named Hurricanes captain is versatile, more that he’s had to accommodate different All Blacksâ…

Hamish Bidwell

15 Feb 2021, 15:33

Why Dane Coles is the kind of man that the All Blacks, and NZR, need to keep around

As rugby becomes more professional and goes further down an NFL-type model, with more coaches and support staff and a greater comp…

Hamish Bidwell

08 Feb 2021, 18:55

Super Rugby club aside, where exactly would the All Blacks play Roger Tuivasa-Sheck?

As the All Black are currently constructed, Tuivasa-Sheck would probably be a wing and - frankly - New Zealand Rugby (NZR) needs a…

Hamish Bidwell

31 Jan 2021, 20:47

Will history look back favourably on one of New Zealand Rugby's stalwarts?

In a rugby sense, history may not judge outgoing NZR chairman Brent Impey that favourably; that a juggernaut ground to somewhat of…

Hamish Bidwell

25 Jan 2021, 18:23

'How many All Blacks tests are too many?': Could outside investment lead to an extended All Blacks season?

To get better bang for their buck, might outside investors insist that New Zealand Rugby negotiate a great number of tests every y…

Hamish Bidwell

12 Jan 2021, 19:49

Why it's absolutely important that the Lions tour of South Africa goes ahead - even for New Zealand

While the world got through 2020 reasonably unscathed, the game can’t absorb another year of that nature. We need meaningful com…

Hamish Bidwell

06 Jan 2021, 18:20

This has been as bad an All Blacks season that we could have imagined

All’s right in the rugby world. The All Blacks are home and out of quarantine, captain Sam Cane has been crowned player of the y…

Hamish Bidwell

20 Dec 2020, 21:00

If Rugby wants to survive long term, then it can't just talk about player safety

The game faces a massive challenge in dealing with the legal issues that are potentially coming its way. Brain trauma is real and …

Hamish Bidwell

14 Dec 2020, 14:44

Where are Moana Pasifika's players going to come from and who's going to pay them?

Moana Pasifika is a celebration of the Pacific’s rugby talent and culture. It’s a fine initiative that - provided it can pay f…

Hamish Bidwell

06 Dec 2020, 19:04

The All Blacks' number 6 jersey is Akira Ioane's for as long as he wants it

Ioane looked fit and fearless and even a little bit frightening against Argentina. More than that, he looked a man, and not the ov…

Hamish Bidwell

29 Nov 2020, 22:15

Beauden Barrett was building a legacy to match Carter and now has become an All Blacks' afterthought

So how has it got to this? How is that Barrett - in the eyes of many of his peers the best New Zealand player of this generation -…

Hamish Bidwell

22 Nov 2020, 18:33

'Worst fears realised' - Ian Foster had to win over the fans after his suspect appointment but has failed to do so

Foster was the steady-as-she-goes option for NZR, assuming they actually considered anyone else for the post. Poor Scott Robertson…

Hamish Bidwell

15 Nov 2020, 17:37

Replacing Aaron Smith with TJ Perenara put the All Blacks' backline at a massive disadvantage

I greatly admire Perenara. I haven’t always, but you can’t deny the man’s work-ethic and combativeness. He might not be the …

Hamish Bidwell

08 Nov 2020, 19:08

Until the All Blacks are actually put under pressure, we've got no idea if they are any good

All Blacks teams aren’t judged week-to-week, but against how they compare with all those who’ve gone before them. We haven’t…

Hamish Bidwell

01 Nov 2020, 23:38

We are past the point where Lachlan Boshier's All Blacks omission is acceptable

In his play and in the way he carries himself and speaks, the Chiefs and Taranaki flanker screams elite player. More than that, Bo…

Hamish Bidwell

26 Oct 2020, 21:01

'The All Blacks have proven nothing': The truth behind New Zealand's Bledisloe Cup II victory

The All Blacks have proven nothing and frightened no-one.

Hamish Bidwell

19 Oct 2020, 0:56

It's not good enough for the Wallabies to be great one week and garbage the next

Some have suggested the Wallabies achieved some kind of moral victory, but that’s just cobblers. Games come in three shapes and …

Hamish Bidwell

11 Oct 2020, 23:02

Everyone wants to see a Pasifika Super franchise but expecting NZR to bankroll it in these times is a stretch too far

In these straightened financial times, NZR is simply not in a position to absorb the costs associated with suddenly setting a Supe…

Hamish Bidwell

04 Oct 2020, 20:17

We're starting to talk about Taniela Tupou as a rugby player - rather than a comic book hero

But his all round rugby game is now worthy of great respect too and he looms as one of the more influential figures of the upcomin…

Hamish Bidwell

27 Sep 2020, 21:55

Pride of the nation: How the provincial game exemplifies the best of New Zealand rugby

Provincial rugby isn’t cheap and the returns aren’t great, but it remains our best connection between the past and the present…

Hamish Bidwell

22 Sep 2020, 18:51

Dave Rennie is fantastically good for rugby and the rivalry we need to exist between the All Blacks and Wallabies

Now, thanks to Rennie, I can’t wait to see the two teams meet. Can’t wait to see the games he plays with the New Zealand media…

Hamish Bidwell

15 Sep 2020, 17:53

Did NZR jump the gun with no games for the All Blacks on the horizon?

Whether they can see it or not, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have rained on these players’ parades. They’ve taken a moment of immen…

Hamish Bidwell

06 Sep 2020, 23:41

North vs South could be the crown jewel of the 2020 calendar for New Zealand Rugby the way the season is going

But actually North v South might be as good as it gets this year. And, actually, rather than being an artificial and meaningless o…

Hamish Bidwell

31 Aug 2020, 21:41

Scott Robertson's only point left to prove is NZR got it wrong

He can’t sit and wait for Foster to fail with the All Blacks or wish a similar fate upon international coaches elsewhere. He nee…

Hamish Bidwell

23 Aug 2020, 18:15

Super Rugby Aotearoa team grades: Crusaders are still the benchmark

Whether you call it a fourth Super Rugby title in a row - or just a maiden Aotearoa one - there’s no doubting that the Crusaders…

Hamish Bidwell

17 Aug 2020, 20:30

Succession-planning isn't foolproof, Sam Cane needs his best days after rugby

We all admire Sam Cane. We respect his playing ability and the way he carries himself. He is the epitome of what we like to think …

Hamish Bidwell

09 Aug 2020, 19:16

The Chiefs are better for Cruden's contribution and not every franchise can say that

We’re quick to laud returning All Blacks greats - and to imagine all manner of deeds they might perform - but there’s a reason…

Hamish Bidwell

02 Aug 2020, 23:38

Suspicion still exists that the wrong man was given charge of the All Blacks

In the absence of test footy, Super Rugby Aotearoa has further underlined what a fine job Scott Robertson does as coach of the Cru…

Hamish Bidwell

27 Jul 2020, 15:37

Barrett's situation stuck at the back is his own doing and will likely only get worse

Whether his intended audience was the rugby public, or Blues coach Leon MacDonald, the situation remains one of Barrett’s own ma…

Hamish Bidwell

20 Jul 2020, 16:02

The elephant in the room with Sam Cane's All Black captaincy

McCaw was, by and large, always the best player in his position in this country, which you would have to argue Cane is not.

Hamish Bidwell

13 Jul 2020, 22:15

Don't blame Gatland, here's the real reason the Chiefs are 0-4

Gatland’s not a clown. He might have a tight five that aren’t particularly dominant, but he remains one of the finest and most…

Hamish Bidwell

05 Jul 2020, 22:27

Rugby League's 'circus act' response to All Blacks-Kangaroos hybrid test a surprise

Where the match did look a bit of a nonsense was from the rugby league perspective.

Hamish Bidwell

28 Jun 2020, 22:12

Crusaders teams don't beat themselves like the Hurricanes, they are far too good

When you’re built on the sort of foundations the Crusaders are, then playing well is just the inevitable outcome.

Hamish Bidwell

21 Jun 2020, 21:54

Beauden Barrett has done the right thing leaving the Hurricanes tight five behind

Leaving the Hurricanes was obviously as much about lifestyle and commercial opportunities as it was about football. But rugby sure…

Hamish Bidwell

14 Jun 2020, 21:57

Dan Carter's greatest Blues contribution remains to be seen

If he’s only capable of cameos from the bench, that won’t diminish his standing or legacy and it surely won’t impact his abi…

Hamish Bidwell

07 Jun 2020, 19:28

How a well-intended New Zealand initiative could threaten the integrity of rugby

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) are attempting to eliminate any potential impediments to the playing of club and secondary schools rugby i…

Hamish Bidwell

01 Jun 2020, 20:20

If Robertson can work his magic with Whitelock, Crusaders will be title favourites

Whitelock’s return ought to make them certain favourites, but we’ll have to wait and see if Robertson can keep working his mag…

Hamish Bidwell

24 May 2020, 21:31

The NRL and AFL have no problem banking mega-deals, why does NZR need to cry poor to the Northern Unions?

People in other parts of the world watch both codes, but hardly in massive numbers. Never mind because Australian television netwo…

Hamish Bidwell

18 May 2020, 21:42

Beauden Barrett's Blues debut will prove he is, far and away, the country's best first five-eighth

If I were King, he would start every All Blacks test from here until the end of his career. That doesn’t mean I’m blind to the…

Hamish Bidwell

11 May 2020, 1:06

The future All Black may only have time to play for his country in the new international game

A time will come when All Blacks are simply that. Not Hurricanes or Crusaders or Chiefs, but blokes whose sole responsibility is b…

Hamish Bidwell

03 May 2020, 23:06

The arranged marriage of South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina is over

This year’s Super Rugby competition is over and, even without the Sunwolves from 2021, a Four-Nations’ franchise tournament ap…

Hamish Bidwell

27 Apr 2020, 22:44

New Zealand Rugby are never going to get a better opportunity to reclaim ownership of the game

Let’s instead return to a model that we once liked very much, that reflected our nation and its values and which, just as import…

Hamish Bidwell

19 Apr 2020, 21:52

Why All Blacks fans should hope the Wallabies become a powerful force again

The problems with the game in Australia run far, far deeper than the chief executive of RA and won’t be fixed in a hurry.

Hamish Bidwell

05 Apr 2020, 21:05

Cullen, Kirwan, Carter, Kaino: The all-time All Blacks XV

There have been many outstanding All Blacks who have taken to the field over the years, but only a select few have made the cut in…

Hamish Bidwell

29 Mar 2020, 22:33

Why 1996 is still the greatest year for All Black rugby and what we can learn from it now

The ‘Incomparables’ the All Blacks were dubbed afterwards, having avenged all sorts of history en route to that first away ser…

Hamish Bidwell

24 Mar 2020, 19:57

Coronavirus impact could force NZR to hit the reset button

Proclamations are overtaken by actual events every five minutes at the moment, but it seems pretty safe to say Super Rugby is a go…

Hamish Bidwell

15 Mar 2020, 21:52

Hurricanes' co-captains losing the plot and the coach's reaction a sorry sight after loss to Blues

It’s hard to know what was worse for Hurricanes fans on Saturday night. The sight of their co-captains losing the plot completel…

Hamish Bidwell

08 Mar 2020, 17:22

Penalty count stacking up against the powers that be as Southern Hemisphere rugby takes a tumble

The facts are that the member SANZAAR unions - South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina - have agreements in place until…

Hamish Bidwell

02 Mar 2020, 17:25

The lack of meaningful games until the next World Cup is hurting the Southern Hemisphere game

Meaningful games? The All Blacks won’t play one between now and the knockout rounds of the next Rugby World Cup.

Hamish Bidwell

25 Feb 2020, 15:29

There is a reason why Aaron Cruden's All Black-ship has already sailed

Cruden is a good player and it’s nice that he’s getting a Super Rugby farewell, but let’s not use a game and a half of footy…

Hamish Bidwell

16 Feb 2020, 19:23

New Zealand Rugby's day of reckoning isn't far off with a broken model heading towards bankruptcy

At its most recent Annual General Meeting, NZR forecast a $30 million loss over the next five years. The model, as it exists now, …

Hamish Bidwell

10 Feb 2020, 21:16

Leon MacDonald's big mistake: why David Havili would have been a better target than Beauden Barrett

While Leon MacDonald's Blues went hammer and tongs to bring Beauden Barrett north, the All Blacks playmaker will be absent for ove…

Hamish Bidwell

06 Feb 2020, 15:43

All Blacks going on sabbaticals should not be coming back to New Zealand Rugby

Equality and empowerment are among the great All Blacks myths. We’re told of the lengths the team go to to ensure everyone feels…

Hamish Bidwell

27 Jan 2020, 23:14

How new Hurricanes assistant Cory Jane has proven the value of being a star former player in the world of coaching

Cory Jane was certainly a fine player, but less than three years removed from his last game as a Hurricane, the ex-All Blacks wing…

Hamish Bidwell

16 Jan 2020, 18:46

Why Kieran Read won't be remembered as an all-time great

If he was that good, he wouldn’t have spent so much time at blindside flanker. As it was, Ardie Savea’s claims to the No.8 jer…

Hamish Bidwell

04 Jan 2020, 14:32

How New Zealand Rugby is losing faith with ongoing drama surrounding All Blacks coaching appointments

New Zealand Rugby has created an environment where people will be happy to see new All Blacks head coach Ian Foster fail, writes H…

Hamish Bidwell

16 Dec 2019, 19:27

Why John Plumtree might swing the All Blacks' coaching ticket in Foster's favour

Plumtree only wanted the top job but here is now, about to potentially become deputy to Ian Foster. A lot must have changed then. …

Hamish Bidwell

09 Dec 2019, 22:06

How the Crusaders blew a golden opportunity to make a statement

If rugby weren’t a big deal in this country, then maybe little of this would matter. But it’s not. It’s the biggest deal goi…

Hamish Bidwell

04 Dec 2019, 21:40