OPINION
Where Mark Telea’s absence will hurt the All Blacks the most
A breach in team protocol has landed Mark Telea a stint on the sideline for the All Blacks’ biggest Test in four years.
Opinion
OPINION
No ordinary Joe
When the former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt accepted a role back within the All Black inner sanctum it set him on course for an Iris…
OPINION
It's time for Sam Cane to strike back
It’s a tough old business being captain in New Zealand where the public expect the skipper to be almost superhuman.
OPINION
Can Handre Polllard and Manie Libbok be accomodated in the same team?
With the crucial quarter-final against France incoming, the Springboks need to nail their selection with questions at 10 and 12
OPINION
'The French respect South Africa but they don’t admire them the way they do New Zealand'
Little historical enmity exists between Les Bleus and the Springboks, but that won't dampen a phenomenal Rugby World Cup quarter-f…
OPINION
Wallabies join unfortunate company in history books after early exit
The Wallabies are so bereft of ideas and confidence that Australia has slumped to their lowest-ever world ranking of 10th.
OPINION
Scotland left to wonder what might have been
Scotland were outplayed and outshone by an Ireland side playing like World Cup-winners elect, so how can they bridge the gap?
OPINION
Revenge on the mind: Win or lose in Paris, All Blacks have Ireland to thank
Ireland are precisely who New Zealand coach Ian Foster wanted to meet in the quarter-final of this World Cup.
OPINION
Threads, twists and objets trouvés
The deep joy of the Portuguese, the domination of the Irish, the despondency of the Scots and Wallabies; the final Pool round had …
OPINION
Mick Cleary: 'What price would England supporters give for some swagger'
Steve Borthwick's men are eking out results but their fans worry what will happen when they play one of the tournament's thoroughb…
OPINION
Wales fly into the quarters and deserve credit
Warren Gatland's men are short on admirers but they have already surpassed expectations in reaching the knock-out stages
OPINION
All Blacks and Springboks set to make way for the new world order
It's not always the most consistent or impressive team over the four-year World Cup cycle that eventually heads home with the fabl…