Opinion
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…
Hamish Bidwell
11 Apr 2022, 21:54
Contributors
Hamish Bidwell
@HamishBidwell
Hamish has been an opinion and sports writer for over 20 years in New Zealand, featuring on RNZ, New Zealand Herald, Stuff.co.nz, and RugbyPass.
Opinion
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.
Hamish Bidwell
05 Apr 2022, 15:20
Opinion
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…
Hamish Bidwell
29 Mar 2022, 15:22
Opinion
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…
Hamish Bidwell
23 Mar 2022, 17:00
Opinion
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…
Hamish Bidwell
22 Mar 2022, 15:42
Opinion
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…
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
Opinion
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, …
Hamish Bidwell
01 Mar 2022, 21:19
Opinion
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.
Hamish Bidwell
21 Feb 2022, 18:40
Opinion
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.
Hamish Bidwell
14 Feb 2022, 10:53
Opinion
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…
Hamish Bidwell
08 Feb 2022, 16:09
Opinion
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…
Hamish Bidwell
31 Jan 2022, 18:46
Opinion
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…
Hamish Bidwell
26 Jan 2022, 16:03
Opinion
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…
Hamish Bidwell
17 Jan 2022, 15:19
Opinion
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 …
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
Opinion
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.
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
Opinion
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…
Hamish Bidwell
21 Nov 2021, 21:04
Opinion
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…
Hamish Bidwell
15 Nov 2021, 20:04
