http://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Sports FanAtticenFri, 26 Feb 2010 12:07:44 GMT60http://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/224The NZRU is set to end months of speculation by naming Mark Hammett as the new head coach of the Wellington Hurricanes. Current coach Colin Cooper is hanging up the coaching boots at the end of this s...Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/222Well, we've had a look at the Super 14 teams from New Zealand and Australia, so that just leaves us the five South African sides. While I'm hoping for a clean sweep from the New Zealand teams, there ...Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/221It's part 2 of our Super 14 review...although you probably could have guessed that from the title. Yeah. Anyway, today I'm going to look at the four Aussie teams, and how I think they're shaping up ...Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/220If you're like me, then you're sure to be hanging out for this Friday when the Hurricanes and Blues kick off the 2010 Super 14. It seems like an eternity since we've had any rugby...in fact, I'm seri...Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/219After spending most of 2009 on the sidelines, today's warm-up game between the Blues and the Chiefs was supposed to be Ali Williams' return to rugby. It didn't last long. After three minutes of game ...Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/218First there was Luke McAlister, then Chris Jack, and now it looks certain that 46 Test veteran Aaron Mauger will be returning to New Zealand shores, aiming to reclaim his place in the All Blacks ahead...Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/209The All Blacks have had somewhat of a mixed bag this year with some solid performances, and the odd game we'd all rather forget, but they saved their best for the final Test of the year (they will pla...Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/208Firstly, I just want to say that the Test on Sunday morning (NZ time) between the All Blacks and England was not the boring Test everyone seems to be saying it was. People seem to equate low scoring T...Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/206England had better beware - they're next in line to face the All Blacks, who will be looking to bounce back from a less than impressive performance against Italy. Graham Henry is aiming to select his ...Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/205The five New Zealand Super 14 franchises have announced their squads for the 2010 season, which is a clear reminder that the 2010 season is just around the corner. Next year's Super 14 is going to be...Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/200The All Black's win over the Wallabies on Saturday night may not have been the most complete performance, but it was enough to get the Tour off to a winning start. But the win has come at a cost with ...Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/198We're down to the final four in what has been a very exciting NPC campaign. It's been one of the better campaigns in recent years, and the revival has brought an increase in interest from rugby fans r...Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/195Joe Rokocoko's exclusion from the upcoming tour to Japan and Europe has probably not come as a surprise to many people. His form has been shaky at best, with only the odd glimpse of the form we have c...Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/194We all knew Graham Henry wouldn't make too many changes to his All Blacks squad for the upcoming tour to Japan and Europe, so four new caps isn't that much of a shock. However, two of the new inclusio...Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/193On Sunday, Graham Henry and his two accomplices will select a thirty three man squad for the upcoming tour of Japan and Europe. I'm of the firm belief that it is on tours such as these that you introd...Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/190In a year that was very much up and down for the All Blacks, one bright spot was the emergence of young Issac Ross, who quickly established himself as a very talented young star. Right from the first ...Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/189Things have been pretty grim for the Otago Highlanders over the past few years, with player retention being their biggest hurdle. Well, things are set to get a whole lot worse for the struggling franc...Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/182Saturday nights performance from the All Blacks was exactly what we've been waiting for all year. Their 33-6 thumping of the Wallabies was just what the doctor ordered, as they closed off the 2009 Tri...Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/180Wow. Wow. Wow. And Wow again, actually. This was my response when I heard that Argentina had been officially invited by SANZAR to join the Tri-Nations as of 2012. The Tri-Nations is the best interna...Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/181Tom Donnelly has been an important part of Otago rugby since 2002, and has always been a player of huge potential. He's been on the cusp of making the All Blacks for the past few seasons, and now, at ...Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/177It was always going to be a tough night at the office for the All Blacks. Not only did they need to beat the Springboks, but score four trys in doing so, and not allow the Springboks to gain a bonus ...Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/176The All Blacks will head into tonights crucial Test versus the Springboks with two first-fives in the back line. Dan Carter gets the number ten jersey (not that there was much doubt about that), while...Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/169There have been a lot of rumours about the return of Carl Hayman to New Zealand soil over the past twelve months, and while he didn't make it back for this year's Super 14, he was very close to signin...Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/167Peter de Villiers (Springbok coach) once again appears to have lost his mind, this time claiming the Springboks are revolutionary and leading the way for the rest of the world. I find this statement t...Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/164Conrad Smith will be forced to sit out the remaining two games in this year's Tri-Nations, after straining his hamstring in the 19-18 win over the Wallabies. It's not the first time Smith has injured ...Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/160It was by no means a perfect game by the All Blacks, but last nights win against the Wallabies was a step back in the right direction. It was a game riddled with handling errors and penalties by both ...Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/162It's funny that in the final season of the NPC in its current format, we are being treated to one of the most exciting competitions in recent years. Teams who have struggled to keep up with the big bo...Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/159I read today that apparently Ma'a Nonu has been dropped because of his lack of skill when it comes to kicking, and that's the reason for Henry going with Luke McAlister at second five. There's no dou...Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/158Graham Henry has made three significant changes to his All Blacks line up, as they get ready to take on the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday night. This is a crucial game for both sides, and it's clea...Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/157If you thought there was pressure on the shoulders of Graham Henry, then spare a thought for Robbie Deans, who heads into this week's clash with the All Blacks under twice the pressure. Deans took ov...Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/156Surprise, surprise - Dan Carter has been included in the 26 man All Black squad for the upcoming Test against the Aussies in Sydney. This had to be the worst-kept secret, as Henry kept the public in t...Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/155Otago finally got their 2009 NPC season under way after two disappointing losses, although I personally wasn't too upset that they didn't take the Ranfurly Shield. After last weeks loss to Southland i...Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/153I find it quite ironic that after all the resting and rotating that we've been subjected to during Graham Henry's reign, he would be upset by Jamie Joseph (Wellingtons NPC coach) deciding to leave out...Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/154I can't believe all the talk from Graham Henry and his assistants over whether or not Dan Carter will make a return to the All Blacks for their next Test against the Wallabies. They keep saying they w...Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/150Before I get into this post, you're probably wondering about the guy with the violin, and how he could possibly relate to the Auckland rugby team. Well, there's a couple of ways, actually. Firstly, ...Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/148I realise it's a pretty rare thing to see the All Blacks playing in the NPC these days, but it's absolutely vital that they're made to go back to the 'grass roots' of New Zealand rugby, and dust up on...Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/147Hearing Steve Hansen say that they 'can only pick from the best available' seems like a cop-out to me. An excuse for the way the All Blacks played in South Africa. Yes, we are missing Dan Carter, Ali...Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/145I didn't think it was possible, but in the space of only one week the All Blacks have managed to get worse. They were far from their best last week against the 'Boks, but Sundays game was even more u...Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/143I was shocked to hear this morning that apparently Graham Henry doesn't believe in challenging the opposition lineout. I'm not too sure how reliable the source of this "fact" is, but based on the All ...Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/142It seems like every time the All Blacks lose, I start looking for reasons to blame everyone but the All Blacks. Well, this time I have something to blame the boys for. The Test versus the 'Boks was ...Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/141For the first time in as long as I can remember, I went to watch some age grade rugby on Saturday. I don't think I've seen any rugby like this since I was playing as a kid, and I really enjoyed watchi...Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/139So far this year, we've seen the All Blacks take a hammering from the media and the public for all manner of things. The squad was too inexperienced (through no fault of the coaching staff, I might ad...Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/140Graham Henry has made two changes to the side that beat the Wallabies last Saturday. The first change is of no real surprise, with Joe Rokocoko coming back into the starting 15 in place of Corey Jane....Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/132The All Blacks have struck first blood in the Tri Nations, with a solid 22-16 win over the Wallabies in Auckland. There's no doubt the All Blacks were going into the Test under a huge amount of pressu...Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:00:01 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/133Only a few weeks after Auckland made a bid, albeit an unsuccessful one, to nab the services of Dan Carter, the Canterbury Rugby Union has apparently made a bid to secure Isaia Toeava's services. It wo...Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/130OK, so the beginning of the All Black's 2009 campaign has been a little underwhelming. We were out-muscled by the French in Dunedin, only just scraped by in the second Test in Wellington, and the les...Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/129The All Blacks were able to bounce back from last week's loss to the French, with a very hard fought 14-10 win. It was another tough game for both sides, and while the French may have been able to ou...Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/128The first All Blacks lineup has been named for 2009, and while Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen may have had a few headaches with player availability, overall the team is about as strong as ...Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/127Graham Henry has named his first All Blacks squad for 2009, set to take on France and Italy in the upcoming Iveco Series. With several incumbant players on the side line with injuries, Henry has been ...Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/124How's it going sports fans? I know it's been a long time since I've done a sports post (what with the new exercise regime, and all), but now that we're into some good habits I thought I'd better get m...Sun, 24 May 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/117The Super 14 has by no means been the most exciting competition this year, but the race to the semis has really kicked the competition into gear. With the penultimate round upon us, seven teams are s...Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/76While the rugby has not been the most exciting to watch, the 2009 Super 14 is proving to be a very close competition - ten teams are still in the hunt for a top four finish. Sitting at the top of the...Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/75I have to admit that despite my love for the game of rugby, my interest in the Super 14 this year has been at an all-time low. The competition started off with a hiss and a roar, but as the weeks have...Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/68It's no secret that Otago Highlanders fans have been somewhat of a rare species over the past few seasons, and it's something that has caused the franchise a few headaches - not to mention financial c...Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/58Yet another round of Super 14 action has been and gone, and after only four weeks a few things are starting to stand out.Firstly, the Sharks are emerging as the team to beat, and although the Bulls ar...Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/57Week three of the Super 14 was a very interesting week indeed, with only two of the seven home teams defending their territory - it was definitely a week for the visitors. Only the Warratahs and the R...Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/56The Super 14 has rolled into it's second week, and if there's one thing that's emerging early on it's that all the teams seem to be very close, with only the Bulls and the Sharks winning by more than ...Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/55The first round of the Super 14 has been rounded off with the final four games of the weekend. The Crusaders got their title defence off to a good start with a gutsy 19-13 win over the Chiefs, who cam...Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/54The 2009 Super 14 has got off to a thrilling start, with three incredibly exciting games - which just goes to show that the Super 14 competition is anything but stale.The Highlanders hosted the ACT Br...Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/Rugby/article/53We're less than a week away from the start of the 2009 Super 14, and although it doesn't seem that long ago since we were celebrating the success of the All Blacks Grand Slam tour in November, we can'...Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT