NZ Rugby World

New Zealand Rugby World is the premier authority on our national game; with sharp analysis and irreverent humour the two key components. In both style and content the writing is award winning and provides an unparalleled depth of insight into the people who play the game and the issues that matter to the fans. The cast of contributors is world class as is the photography and lay-out. Pick this magazine up and you won't want to put it down - rugby has never been so much fun.

EDITOR’S LETTER

NZ Rugby World

TACKLE YOUR PERTH RUGBY EXPERIENCE HEAD ON!

WINDING BACK THE CLOCK • It seems like Ma’a Nonu has never been away and that he hasn’t aged at all since he left for France in 2015. The bruising former All Black has been in sensational form and was the only Blues player who was capable of penetrating the Highlanders defence when the two teams met in late April.

THE LAST GREAT AIR BENDER • Ben Smith, fittingly, won his 150th cap for the Highlanders against the Crusaders. Everyone loves the Southern Derby and this would be Smith’s last as he is off to France after the World Cup. Despite the fact the Highlanders lost, Smith was the best player on the park and scored a typically opportunist try.

TOKYO DRY • The Hurricanes were part of history when they played the Sunwolves in Tokyo as it was the first Friday night Super Rugby game the city had hosted. It was a tough old game for the Canes, who scraped home in the end and were thankful that wing Ben Lam was able to cling on to veteran lock Luke Thompson.

THE BREAKDOWN • OUR ROUND-UP OF THE RELEVANT AND RANDOM BITS OF INFORMATION THAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

IN CASE YOU WERE ASLEEP… • Here’s our undiluted opinion on all the action from the last eight weeks.

THE WAITING IS OVER • AKIRA IOANE HAS BEEN ON THE NATIONAL RADAR SINCE 2015 BUT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO TRANSITION FROM BRILLIANT ATHLETE TO BRILLIANT PLAYER. UNTIL NOW THAT IS AND THE 23-YEAR-OLD BLUES NO 8 IS ON THE CUSP OF WINNING A TEST CALL-UP AND POTENTIALLY BEING THE ALL BLACKS’ SECRET WEAPON AT THE WORLD CUP.

Rising from the Ashes • THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF BROKEN-HEARTED PLAYERS IN AUGUST WHEN THEY LEARN THAT THEY HAVE MISSED OUT ON WORLD CUP SELECTION. BUT FAR FROM SPELLING THE END OF A CAREER, REJECTION COULD BE THE GREATEST THING TO HAPPEN TO THEM.

RWC 2019 Endangered Species

Fate Sealed

WORLD CUP POWER RANKINGS

BE RUGBYSMART IN 2019 • Being physically prepared for every game during the season is key to ensuring you play better rugby and stay injury free. Here are some RugbySmart tips to help you play your best in 2019.

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS • IN THE LAST YEAR PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS HAVE FINALLY FOUND THEIR VOICE AND BEEN WILLING TO SPEAK OUT ON MATTERS OF SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE.

MONEY BALL

BLUES

CHIEFS

HURRICANES

CRUSADERS

HIGHLANDERS

The Mother of All Streaks • ON JULY 3, IT WILL BE 25 YEARS SINCE THE ALL BLACKS LOST AT EDEN PARK. IT IS THE MOST INCREDIBLE RECORD IN WORLD RUGBY.

The Landmark Victories

The Sublime

The Streak

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

Boy to Man • HANDRÉ POLLARD HAS GAINED VALUABLE EXPERIENCE SINCE THE 2015 WORLD CUP AND BECOME A MORE BALANCED PLAYER.

Drop Goal Asset

Pollard on the Bulls

Avoiding the Long Drop • RICHARD BATH IS AN AWARD-WINNING WRITER BASED IN THE UK.

Stamp it Out • KEVIN ROBERTS IS FOUNDER OF RED ROSE CONSULTING; BUSINESS LEADER AND EDUCATOR; AUTHOR AND SPEAKER; ADVISER ON MARKETING, CREATIVE THINKING AND LEADERSHIP.

BACK FROM THE DEAD • SOMETIMES IT LOOKS LIKE A GAME IS ALL OVER BECAUSE ONE TEAM IS SO FAR IN FRONT. BUT OVER THE YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN SOME STUNNING COMEBACKS.

FILTH XV • SO IF YOU HAD TO...