Neil Reid

Time to extend Henry's contract

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:33:25 -0800

The NZRU should put All Black head coach Graham Henry out of his agony and re-sign him through to the 2011 World Cup; regardless of the results of the Iveco Series.

The current contracts of Henry and his assistants Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen cease following the All Blacks' season-ending tour of Europe. ...

Money Bill doesn't get it

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:20:53 -0800

It appears Money Bill Williams still has a lot of learning to do.

Some of the comments he has made over the past week show that he has little grasp of the feeling of animosity directed his way since his 'Dog' of an act to walk out on his NRL team-mates, club and fans last year.

Williams is set to make his return to the Sydney Football Stadium turf on Saturday night as his involvement in the Barbarians/Wallabies rapidly becomes a circus act. ...

Memo Blues: Give Todd a call

Mon, 25 May 2009 04:13:20 -0800

The Crusaders might have failed in their bid to defend their Rebel Sport Super 14 title, but they still end 2009 as winners.

And at the same time the Blues could do well to learn some lessons from how the men from the mainland succeeded on the field despite a raft of defections from their 2008 squad and a season-long injury toll.

Both sides went into this season with a tall order in front of them to make the top four. ...

Foster has answered his critics

Tue, 19 May 2009 23:39:39 -0800

Regardless of the Chiefs' fate in the Rebel Sport Super 14 play-offs, coach Ian Foster should have silenced his critics.

Foster is into his sixth season as head coach of the Hamilton-based franchise.

And his time in charge has been anything but smooth sailing.

The Chiefs have made the Super 14 play-offs just twice; both during Foster's coaching tenure. ...

South Africa no great loss

Mon, 11 May 2009 02:51:53 -0800

SA Rugby's Sanzar partners should be preparing to give them the flick from Super Rugby following their bullish stance over tournament expansion.

A meeting in Dublin at the end of this week could confirm their future fate in the Super Rugby arena.

For too long SA Rugby has virtually held their Super Rugby partners to ransom over the proposed introduction of a Super 15.

The plain truth is that SA Rugby's demands do not suit either the NZRU or ARU. ...

Walsh a huge loss to NZ rugby

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:38:52 -0800

New Zealand rugby will be poorer for Steve Walsh's exit from its professional refereeing ranks.

And at the same time, there should be a few players counting their lucky stars that their loutish behaviour hasn't resulted in the same treatment dished out to Walsh.

A press release issued by the NZRU on Monday afternoon confirmed Walsh was now no longer on its pay-roll. ...

Cowan right man for Highlanders

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:22:26 -0800

Calls to take the Highlanders captaincy away from Jimmy Cowan following his showing against the Blues are off the mark.

It was a night which Cowan will be keen to put behind him.

But it shouldn't be a night which he should forget; long-term it should prove to be a great learning curve for the All Black halfback on when it is time to keep his emotions slightly more in check. ...

Moa "sanction" a wet bus ticket

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:27:32 -0800

It could be Taniela Moa's lucky day to go and invest in a Lotto ticket after the leniency handed him by the NZRU.

Moa fronted an NZRU disciplinary hearing in Wellington on Wednesday after his recent misbehaviour at an Auckland rugby club, throwing a bottle which went on to hit a woman at Marist's suburban club rooms. ...

SKY deal good news for fans

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:26:08 -0800

Rugby fans should be celebrating the decision to hand SKY the rights for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

While the deal has already been criticised in some areas, it is set to be a win-win situation for fans; whether you're a SKY TV subscriber or not.

If you are a subscriber, you are now guaranteed live coverage of all 48 tournament matches.

But those who don't have the pay TV network won't be left out in the cold. ...

Tietjens still the right choice

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:35:20 -0800

Gordon Tietjens remains the right man to coach the New Zealand Sevens side despite their latest failure in Hong Kong.

The once all-conquering side's ongoing inability to win a leg of the 2008-09 International Rugby Board's Sevens World Series has increasingly seen comments that now is the time to end Tietjens' long-running tenure as coach.

Since the early-1990s, Tietjens has been the face of Sevens rugby; not just in New Zealand but on the global circuit. ...