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

2021 SKIPPER SAM and AWESOME ARDIE • IN AN INTERNATIONAL YEAR THAT SAW THE BLEDISLOE CUP RETAINED, THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP WON, OLYMPIC GLORY AND A TERRIBLE END FOR THE ALL BLACKS AND BLACK FERNS, WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT 2021.

THE POWER BROKERS • AS WE COUNTDOWN TO THE END OF THE YEAR, DYLAN CLEAVER LOOKS AT WHO WIELDED THE MOST POWER IN NEW ZEALAND RUGBY THIS YEAR AND WHO WILL SHAPE THE GAME IN 2022.

THE POWER BEHIND THE SCENES. • IN OUR FIRST XV OF RUGBY'S POWER BROKERS, THE NAME MARCUS KENNEDY IS MISSING. FEW OUTSIDE OF SKY SPORT KNOW WHO HE IS, YET HE HAS A POWERFUL IMPRINT ON HOW WE WATCH RUGBY ON TV. JIM KAYES TALKED TO THE MAN BEHIND THE BROADCASTS.

A HISTORY OF SUCCESS 100 BLACK FERNS TESTS • THE BLACK FERNS PLAYED THEIR 100TH TEST IN NOVEMBER AND RIKKI SWANNELL LOOKS BACK AT SOME OF THE MEMORABLE MATCHES THAT MAKE UP THAT CENTURY.

THE HEART OF COACHING • NEW CHIEFS WOMEN’S COACH ALLAN BUNTING JOINS THE TEAM FRESH FROM OLYMPIC SUCCESS. HE TELLS RIKKI SWANNELL THAT HIGH PERFORMANCE HAS TO COME FROM THE HEART.

NZRUGBY WORLD • THE WORLD’S PREMIER RUGBY MAGAZINE

HEAR NEW HEAR

A MAUGER MISSION • AARON MAUGER WAS TAKING A BREAK FROM COACHING TILL TWO OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN THE GAME ASKED HIM TO TAKE ON MOANA PASIFIKA. THE FORMER ALL BLACK TALKED TO JIM KAYES ABOUT CULTURE, HERITAGE AND THE CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY.

ERONI CLARKE BRING ON THE PASIFIKA CHALLENGE • FORMER ALL BLACK ERONI CLARKE ADMITS HE WILL BE TORN WHEN MOANA PASIFIKA PLAY HIS OLD TEAM, THE BLUES, IN SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC. AND NEW ZEALAND RUGBY’S PASIFIKA ENGAGEMENT MANAGER IS CONFIDENT MOANA’S PRESENCE IN THE COMPETITION WILL HAVE FAR REACHING BENEFITS.

WHAT'S HOT • WE HAVE SOME CRACKING PRODUCTS FOR YOU TO GET TO KNOW BETTER!! WE HAVE CONTINUED TO SHOWCASE NZ COMPANIES IN THIS ISSUE SO THAT WE CAN HELP YOU SUPPORT LOCAL. HOW ABOUT VISITING THE LINKS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEM, YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED AND DISCOVER A NEW HOUSEHOLD FAVOURITE.

HEAR ME ROAR • James Lowe loved scoring against the All Blacks with the New Zealand born wing playing a big part in Ireland’s win in Dublin.

MEADS SUCCESS • South Canterbury’s Luke Glen slips a tackle during his side’s win against Thames Valley in the Meads Cup Final at Timaru’s Alpine Energy Stadium.

HAPPY NAKI • Taranaki celebrate beating Otago in the final of the NPC’s Championship division, capping an unbeaten year.

ON THE CHARGE • Poverty Bay’s James Higgins was hard to stop during his side’s win against Mid Canterbury in the Heartland Championship final in Gisborne.

DOUBLE HAPPY: • Waikato won the women’s and men’s titles, the women beating Canterbury in the final of the FPC and the men defeating Tasman in the final of the NPC.

FOCUSED! • Black Ferns skipper Les Elder is a study in concentration during the loss to France, one of four defeats in a row the Blacks Ferns suffered on tour.

SORRY SAM. • That sinking feeling for Sam Cane and the All Blacks who were well beaten, 40-25, by France in Paris in the final test of the year.

BEST OF 2021 • We have summed up the 2021 Rugby landscape for you so thought we would look around Aotearoa at other awards that were dished out. If you are travelling this summer or want to be in the...