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Ned Lester

Ned Lester is a New Zealand-based multimedia content editor with experience covering the diverse corners of the rugby world in the southern hemisphere. Ned brings a keen interest in sports psychology to the RugbyPass team and a background in writing across various disciplines. 

963 Articles

Ruben Love facing Super Rugby absence with ankle injury

The Hurricanes will be without new All Black Ruben Love when Super Rugby Pacific kicks off in 2025 due to an ankle injury.

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
18 Dec 2024, 16:27

James O'Connor on Crusaders preseason: 'I haven't experienced anything like it'

The 64-time Wallaby says his body is feeling good and handling the rigours of training well despite being 16 years removed from hi…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
17 Dec 2024, 22:51

The All Blacks growth Ian Foster says was 'lost in translation' in 2023

Ian Foster is back in coaching after some downtime in 2024, during which he reflected on how his All Blacks head coaching tenure e…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
17 Dec 2024, 17:39

Michaela Blyde signs NRLW deal for 2025

Black Ferns Sevens star Michaela Blyde has put pen to paper on a deal with New Zealand's rugby league team the Warriors, who are s…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
16 Dec 2024, 23:27

Ian Foster: 'You kid yourself that we were robbed'

More than one year on from the Rugby World Cup final in Paris, former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster says he can't help but cont…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
16 Dec 2024, 21:27

Jorja Miller and Black Ferns Sevens win big at New Zealand Rugby Awards

New Zealand's ASB Rugby Awards were held on Thursday night and rewarded the country's best performers of 2024.

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
12 Dec 2024, 16:21
Analysis

What history tells us about the All Blacks' 2025 home fixtures

The All Blacks host three of their most storied rivals on home soil in 2025, putting records on the line against France, South Afr…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
11 Dec 2024, 22:30

Aki Tuivailala: The latest Hamilton Boys High product in Crusaders colours

The Crusaders have profited handsomely from the rugby production factory that is Hamilton Boys High School, and that trend continu…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
10 Dec 2024, 22:57

Crusaders' 2024 bronco king talks preseason, Dupont and mentorship

New Crusaders recruit Kyle Preston made an immediate impression in Super Rugby preseason with a team-best effort in the notorious …

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
10 Dec 2024, 17:30

Black Ferns land trio of home Tests ahead of 2025 Rugby World Cup

2025 is calling and there is plenty to look forward to in international rugby, not least of which is a Rugby World Cup.

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
09 Dec 2024, 16:42

Sir Steve Hansen's verdict on Scott Robertson's All Blacks

With the All Blacks' season all wrapped up, the final analysis and verdicts are being delivered and Rugby World Cup-winning head c…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
06 Dec 2024, 23:00

Sir Steve Hansen labels Springboks 'very beatable'

Sir Steve Hansen has had a few rumbles against the Springboks in his time, and while the former All Blacks coach knows all too wel…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
06 Dec 2024, 19:16

Brumbies land services of Tongan international prop

The Brumbies have found a veteran powerhouse to bloster their front row stocks in the form of Tongan international prop Feao Fotua…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
05 Dec 2024, 22:27

France reject All Blacks bid to host July Test in USA

The French Rugby Federation have declined a request from New Zealand Rugby to play the third and final of their July Series Tests …

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
05 Dec 2024, 17:47

What Patrick Tuipulotu made of his latest All Blacks player rating

Player ratings are a frequent fixture for big Tests for most publications online but rarely are they publically critiqued by the p…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
04 Dec 2024, 21:28

Super Rugby Pacific games in Europe 'absolutely on the agenda'

Having taken their preseason to the UK eariler in 2024, the Crusaders are well placed to suggest what the future of inter-league c…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
04 Dec 2024, 17:24

Fiji's Dubai Sevens ratings: The champs are here

Fiji are back on top of the Sevens world after an undefeated opening weekend to the 2024/25 SVNS circuit in Dubai. The champs knoc…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
03 Dec 2024, 19:47

Tupou Vaa'i and the background work fueling All Blacks 'weapon'

Among the standout players for the All Blacks in 2024 has been lock Tupou Vaa'i. The 24-year-old has stepped into the shoes of the…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
29 Nov 2024, 22:53

Scott Hansen: How the All Blacks are building for the 2027 World Cup

2024 was anticipated as something of a rebirth for the All Blacks. With New Zealand's formerly undoubted global dominance eroded t…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
28 Nov 2024, 20:57

ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards nominees announced

Awards season continues with the ASB Rugby Awards the next on New Zealand's calendar. Rising stars are prominent throughout the c…

Ned Lester
Ned Lester
28 Nov 2024, 16:48
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