Category: New Zealand Rugby

• All Blacks have a growing status in the US
• Match in Los Angeles or Japan also being considered

The British & Irish Lions are exploring the possibility of playing a money-spinning fixture in Las Vegas as part of their 2029 tour of New Zealand. ­Matches in Los Angeles or Japan are also among the options but rolling the dice and taking the Lions to Vegas is the most eye-catching proposal up for discussion.

In 2018 the Guardian reported that the Lions were keen on a ­fixture across the Atlantic and with the US awarded the 2031 World Cup, momentum is building to make it happen. The All Blacks have a growing profile in the US and want to continue developing commercial opportunities there. It is understood preliminary discussions between the Lions and the New Zealand union have taken place.

Continue reading...

The visit of New Zealand to Twickenham is always special regardless of changes to stadium names or rules

For those who, for some strange reason, only watch international rugby much has changed since England last took the field in mid-July. Technically speaking, for starters, the home team no longer play at a ground called Twickenham and will instead run out at somewhere called Allianz Stadium. The era of the “Ally Pally” has arrived, which may or may not impress the old-school clientele in the posher parts of the West Car Park.

If there is a sense of the Rugby Football Union selling off the family silver and jettisoning a significant slice of the English game’s global identity it is reinforced by the fact the All Blacks are due to visit a second Allianz Stadium in three weeks’ time when they play Italy in Turin. The only consolation for staunch traditionalists is that fresh monikers can take decades to catch on; some people still refer to the “Manchester Guardian” a mere 65 years on.

Continue reading...

• Prop says ‘sorry to any New Zealand fans I upset’
• Marler says he wants England to respond on pitch

Joe Marler has issued an apology for his “shithouse” criticism of the haka that has whipped up a storm before England face New Zealand on Saturday. After the England captain, Jamie George, admitted that Marler had poked the bear with his criticism of the All Blacks’ traditional war dance, the loosehead prop took to social media again to row back on his earlier comments.

In the latest instalment of a saga that has dominated the buildup to the first autumn international, Marler’s apology comes after George had said that he disagreed with his teammate that the haka should be scrapped. George did, however, say that England were considering a response to the haka at Twickenham while the All Blacks head coach, Scott Robertson, said that Marler “could have articulated himself a little bit better”.

Continue reading...

New Zealand will not be lacking motivation with squad feeling disrespected and England can expect a backlash

There are all sorts of ways a team might get ready for a big match against the All Blacks. Fair to say that the tactic of actively going out of your way to pissing them off, which is the one England seem to have gone for this week, comes in a way down the list. Joe Marler’s tweet that the haka is “ridiculous” and “needs binning” has gone down like cold sick with New Zealanders. “I’m wondering if he wishes he could have articulated himself a little bit better,” said their head coach, Scott Robertson, on Thursday. “The haka is not just about the All Blacks, it is about New Zealand as a country, it means a lot to us.”

Robertson said he didn’t have to pin Marler’s clippings on to the dressing room wall, social media meant his players already knew all about it. “The boys are aware of it,” Robertson said, and while he didn’t want to go so far as saying they would be using it as motivation, he did say “we’ll discuss, and decide how we’ll deal with it. Respectfully.” It was a bit like listening to the white tigers’ team talk about how they were going to deal with Siegfried & Roy.

Continue reading...

New Zealand forward on handling the emotion of losing a sibling at a young age and Jonah Lomu’s career impact

For years the names barely changed. Between them Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick played 262 Test matches for New Zealand, breaking the record for the most-capped second row pairing in international rugby. By the end they made Stonehenge feel like a temporary art installation and their departures removed the twin pillars upon which the best modern All Black sides were built.

So no pressure on those following in their giant footsteps. Scott Barrett at least hails from one of rugby’s most famous family dynasties but perhaps the most intriguing member of New Zealand’s recent starting packs is the less celebrated Tupou Vaa’i. Tucked away behind the vowels is a man with a deeply moving back story and an inner drive to match anyone on the field at Twickenham this weekend.

Continue reading...

• Prop closed X social media account after backlash
• RFU have declined to comment on player’s post

Joe Marler has added extra spice to England’s clash with New Zealand on Saturday by claiming the pre-match haka should be scrapped.

Writing on the social media site X, veteran prop Marler said: “The haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous.” The 34-year-old then added: “It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week.”

Continue reading...

The head coach has made just four starting changes against New Zealand and has picked a forward-centric bench

Far-reaching implications, pivotal decisions, an expectant nation. But let’s not dwell on Rachel Reeves’s mega budget and instead examine the intricacies of Steve Borthwick’s first autumnal England team selection. A smart mix of choices for future growth? Or just a hint of belt-tightening in preparation for a potentially bruising few weeks?

The truth, as so often in politics, would appear to lie somewhere in between. In one or two areas Borthwick has had to channel his inner chancellor of the exchequer and make some tough calls. Sam Underhill has had some special days against New Zealand in the past and yet now finds himself unable to make the matchday 23. Fin Smith is supposed to be the coming man at fly-half but is suddenly nowhere to be seen.

Continue reading...

• Slade selected at outside-centre against New Zealand
• Ben Spencer to make first England start on Saturday

Steve Borthwick has insisted he is not taking a risk by selecting Henry Slade to face the All Blacks, revealing the No 8 Ben Earl is providing centre cover for the autumn international series curtain-raiser on Saturday.

Slade has been selected at ­outside-centre after making his first appearance of the season last Sunday ­following shoulder surgery, turning out for Exeter for 55 minutes after leaving England’s training camp in Girona early last week.

Continue reading...

The Springboks want a clean sweep but Australia, Argentina and New Zealand may have more modest November targets

Four southern hemisphere giants are preparing for combat over the horizon. With 90% of all men’s World Cups, and having contributed more than 62% of the tournament’s semi-finalists since 1995, they arrive with reputations to uphold. Are they the forces they once were, or are they there for the taking?

Continue reading...

• Flanker back after hip injury jeopardised career
• Curry says home side focusing on the breakdown

England have already sprung one early surprise as they prepare to welcome New Zealand to a packed Twickenham this weekend. Few outside the camp expected to hear the Bob Dylan song Like a Rolling Stone booming across their training ground on a damp Monday lunchtime but maybe the urgent choruses of “How does it feel?” were a quiet nod towards the big questions the squad needs to answer this autumn.

England’s ability to turn narrow defeats into victories, settle on their best starting combinations and overcome their summer coaching upheaval all sit high on the list, just behind their primary objective of ending a rollercoaster year on an upward curve. A minimum of three wins from their four Tests against the All Blacks, Australia, South Africa and Japan will be required for a feelgood vibe to take proper hold.

Continue reading...