Person: Ma’a Nonu

All Blacks bank on younger Barrett brother

Jordie Barrett will make his first New Zealand start in Saturday’s Test series decider against the British and Irish Lions.

Thu, 06 Jul, 2017

You want the buzz of victory or entertainment?

Simon Zebo has not lost that sense of dicing with the devil, and he never should, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Fri, 07 Apr, 2017

Are New Zealand beatable? Yes, of course they are

Joe Schmidt isn’t the only one looking forward to seeing his charges face the best side in the world twice over the next few weeks.

Wed, 02 Nov, 2016

When Springbok backs are to the wall, Ellis Park provides comfort

After the sobering sight of four World Cup semi-finalists coming from the southern hemisphere, last weekend offered a glimmer of hope for European rugby. The question now is, was it an aberration or a line in the sand?

Wed, 15 Jun, 2016

Richie McCaw: Joe Schmidt could be All Blacks boss

Few people understand what it takes to be a successful All Blacks coach more than Richie McCaw and the two-time World Cup-winning captain happens to believe that Joe Schmidt has exactly what it takes to do the job.

Wed, 20 Apr, 2016

No fairytale ending for Paul O'Connell as Toulon left reeling

Shock was the overriding emotion on the Cote d’Azur as Paul O’Connell announced his immediate retirement from the sport he has graced so magnificently over the last 14 years.

Wed, 10 Feb, 2016

Toulon’s itchy feet reveal changing shape of Euro rugby

It’s more than a quarter of a century since the Berlin Wall came down and communism was rolled up like a musty carpet across Eastern Europe.

Fri, 22 Jan, 2016

Toulon’s audacious Premiership approach certain to ‘ruffle a few feathers’

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has launched an audacious bid to see his three-time European champions join the Aviva Premiership.

Fri, 22 Jan, 2016

Leo Cullen marks ref’s card on Steffon Armitage scrum antics

Leo Cullen has made a not-so-subtle bid to bend referee Nigel Owens’ ear ahead of their Pool 5 meeting with Toulon by referencing perceived illegalities on the part of back row poacher extraordinaire Steffon Armitage.

Sat, 12 Dec, 2015

Leinster fighting for Champions Cup survival

Twenty years, 421 games, six titles.

Sat, 12 Dec, 2015

French heart beats loudly at Toulon ahead of Leinster clash

Mourad Boudjellal is not a man to shy away from a fight and the Toulon president was in characteristically combative mood last week. 

Fri, 11 Dec, 2015

Irish heart even more crucial to provinces in Champions Cup, says Shane Horgan

Keeping up with the blur of moves made by players this past year or so has been an impossible task, but the scale of the migrations and the quality of the players involved are evident just from those involving Leinster’s Champions Cup pool opponents this term.

Thu, 12 Nov, 2015

Irish provinces digging in to keep up with deep European pockets

QUITE how Ireland’s World Cup hangover will be reflected in the upcoming rounds of the Champions Cup remains to be seen.

Wed, 11 Nov, 2015

French grins get wider as rugby stars pitch up in Riviera

The eyes are gleaming, the handshakes almost as warm as the golden sands a mile or two away.

Mon, 09 Nov, 2015

Cheika eyeing revenge in 2019 if Aussie contract extended

Michael Cheika says he’s just getting started, as he prepares to set the Wallabies up for Rugby World Cup success in Japan in 2019.

Tue, 03 Nov, 2015

The world is All Black after New Zealand win Rugby World Cup

Forty five minutes after the final whistle, Richie McCaw led the Haka, perhaps for the last time.

Mon, 02 Nov, 2015

Hail and farewell to the captains and the kings of the Rugby World Cup

The e-mail from the tournament organisers dropped yesterday with the usual hyperbole about what a great job they had done. And for once, you could not find fault with the declaration from World Rugby that England 2015 had been the sport’s biggest and best World Cup.

Mon, 02 Nov, 2015

New Zealand’s intoxicating potion of power and poetry seals World Cup

New Zealand 34 Australia 17<br>The final had been fought, victory was secured, and the famous gold trophy regained by its rightful holders. 

Mon, 02 Nov, 2015

Dan Carter’s moment in the real deal

The great and the good of this wonderful game will gather in London this weekend for a gala event that will bring down the curtain on a wonderful six weeks of intrigue and excitement that has showcased its finest exponents at the peak of their powers.

Sat, 31 Oct, 2015

Skipper McCaw’s focus on completing final mission

It is widely expected that Richie McCaw will retire after tomorrow’s World Cup final against Australia, and yet New Zealand’s decorated captain is still refusing to make an announcement.

Fri, 30 Oct, 2015

Jonah Lomu wary of Australia in crucial breakdown battle

New Zealand great Jonah Lomu fears David Pocock and Michael Hooper will give Australia a critical edge at the breakdown in Saturday’s World Cup final.

Thu, 29 Oct, 2015

All Blacks ready to rise to another challenge, declares Beauden Barrett

In a team chock full of legends, Beauden Barrett may still have junior status but he has been an All Black long enough to know that to retain the World Cup this Saturday, they will have to go back to square one.

Tue, 27 Oct, 2015

VIDEO: All Blacks blend sublime skill with steel

New Zealand 20 South Africa 18: Two legends of the game, one finally able to relish the chance to confirm his greatness on the biggest stage imaginable, the other facing an anxious wait over his ability to become the first two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain.

Mon, 26 Oct, 2015

Could Mario Ledesma destroy his native country’s dreams?

When New Zealand and South Africa clash, all bets are off.

Sat, 24 Oct, 2015

An ordinary day but All Blacks feel the fear

As he glances towards the hotel bar All Black head coach Steve Hansen struggles to stifle a laugh.

Fri, 23 Oct, 2015

Welsh wary of Mario Ledesma’s influence on rejuvenated Australia

Argentinian’s transformation of Aussie scrum means Welsh pack must up game, says Baldwin...

Thu, 08 Oct, 2015

Dan Carter hoping to end with winning smile

It’s four days after Dan Carter starred in a demolition job over the Wallabies, and he is sitting in the Eden Rugby clubrooms, a couple of spiral kicks away from Eden Park, with a smile as wide as the 41-13 scoreline by which his team retained the Bledisloe Cup.

Fri, 02 Oct, 2015