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Tag Archives: Codie Taylor
Five Talking Points After The All Blacks’ Demolition Of South Africa
The All Blacks machine changed up a few gears and ran over the Springboks in North Harbour with a record 57-0 hiding. So now that the smoke has cleared and we can talk again, what is there to say about this incredible result? 1. Have the All Blacks found their back three for the 2019 World Cup? Damian McKenzie, Rieko …
Read More »Watch: Crusaders Nil The Highlanders To Secure Semi-Final Place
The second quarter-final of the 2016/17 Super Rugby season saw the Crusaders host the Highlanders for a place in the semi-finals. After an almost perfect regular season, the Crusaders were considered favourites before kick-off to go on and win the match. However, a Highlanders side which boasts the likes of Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Aaron Squire and Toulon’s …
Read More »Which Lions And All Blacks Players’ Stock Rose & Fell During The Series?
As the dust settles after a titanic battle at Eden Park, leaving the series locked in a stalemate, we ask: which Lions and All Black players enhanced their reputations during the tough New Zealand tour? We take a look at the performances of the Test players on each side in the drawn series. ______ Lions Stock Rising: Jonathan Davies Deservedly …
Read More »Watch: All The Tries From The First Test As All Blacks Draw First Blood In Series
What started out as a promising and physically uncomprimising display from the British and Irish Lions turned into a match where the All Blacks dominated possession and territory, despite sustaining early injuries to Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty. After Elliot Daly was stopped at the corner by a strong Israel Dagg tackle, the All Blacks raced to a 13-point lead …
Read More »Player Ratings For Epic Lions Vs All Blacks First Test – From A Kiwi Perspective
The Lions gave a lot of razzle dazzle but couldn’t stop the All Black wave of physical domination to maintain their imposing winning streak at Eden Park. So which players stood out above the rest? 15 Liam Williams 8 Fairly quiet until scintillating 50 metres break out launched classic Lions counter-attacking try. Fizzing after that and looked a threat every …
Read More »Player Ratings From The All Blacks Masterclass Against Samoa
The All Blacks’ first game of the season is traditionally one when the players shake off the rust and is usually characterised by unforced errors and misfiring combinations. Not at Eden Park. Not in 2017. So which players booked their places for the first test against the Lions in the 78-0 thrashing of Samoa? 15 Ben Smith 8.5 It gets …
Read More »The Lions Couldn’t Keep This Lethal All Black Test Side Tryless… Could They?
After the Crusaders got suffocated by the Lions whose strategic play was a mix of roar and snore, could the same thing happen to the All Blacks? We select a test side of 23 players who will be tasked with cracking the Lions defensive code in the Tes series. Here is our All Blacks Test squad – and the threat …
Read More »All Blacks Hit With Yet Another Injury Setback Ahead Of Lions Series
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen’s injury concerns deepened on Wednesday with the news that 49-cap All Black and 2016 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Dane Coles is now suffering from concussion symptoms as well as a calf muscle injury. This adds to an already worrying wait for Hansen to see if Kieran Read can return from injury (broken …
Read More »Which All Blacks Are Ready For The Lions Right Now And Who Is Causing Concern?
With just 38 days until the Lions tour kicks off in New Zealand, the All Blacks should be nearing their peak in form and fitness. But, are they all fit? In this article, we take a look at the players from last year’s squad who could pull on a black jersey tomorrow and those who may be wrinkling the forehead …
Read More »Opinion: New Zealand’s Dominance Over Australia Puts England’s Series Win In Perspective
Even though Eddie Jones’ England impressed the global rugby community with a comprehensive 3-0 series victory over the Wallabies, New Zealand’s search for perfection in both and attack and defence against Australia in Sydney shows no one in the world comes close to them. For those Red Rose supporters getting a little carried away after their side won a trio of …
Read More »Which All Blacks Player Can Be The Next Big Thing?
After an unprecedented run of success, Father Time has finally caught up with the All Blacks. After a decade which has seen New Zealand hoover up Tri Nations crowns, claim an inaugural Rugby Championship title and win back to back World Cups, 6 of the players central to that success have exited the international arena. As always the All Blacks …
Read More »Predicted All Blacks 23 For The Lions Series In 2017
With plenty of talk surrounding the British and Irish Lions squad for 2017, Simon van Ryn will have a crack at naming the possible All Blacks 23 to defend their shores. _____ Notable Inclusions Reggie Goodes: Two years is a long time in Rugby and this writer believes Reggie Goodes will make a huge statement in N.Z. rugby over the …
Read More »McCaw Doesn’t Feature As New Zealand Super Squads For 2016 Are Released
The Crusaders have made no room for Richie McCaw in their squad for 2016, which will squash any rumours of him playing any longer than 2015 in New Zealand. 33 New Zealand-based players make their debuts and a total of 195 players have been confirmed as contracted members of one of the five New Zealand Super Rugby teams, which includes 46 …
Read More »All Blacks Likely To Ring The Changes For Namibia Game
After a tough opening win against Argentina the All Blacks will now focus all their energy on Namibia, regarded as one of the minnows of this World Cup. Namibia have a couple of excellent players. Their skipper Jacques Berger is a regular starter for England club champions Saracens and would be a dead cert pick in almost every World Cup team. …
Read More »Experienced All Blacks Named For Rugby World Cup Title Defence
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has named his 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign. The big movers and shakers of the team see experienced players Israel Dagg, Jeremy Thrush, Lima Sopoaga and Cory Jane miss out, with Steve Hansen and co. preferring the exuberance of Nehe Milner-Skudder, Victor Vito and Waisaki Nahalo to light up their already …
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