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About Marc Hinton
About Marc Hinton
Co-editor of Rugbyheaven.co.nz, Mark Hinton has covered the All Blacks since 1996 for newspapers, websites, magazines and TV, including the last two Rugby World Cups in Australia and France. Hinton is a former Qantas Award winner and has twice been named the New Zealand Sports Journalist of the Year.
Lavea laps up pressure to perform
The Blues appear ready to give Tasesa Lavea the chance to redeem himself in 2009's Super 14, with the talented playmaker pledging to "silence" his critics - a group that is not insignificant in its number.
So long Drakey, we'll all miss you
The rugby world is rubbing its red eyes. The shock of his untimely death - at just 49, damnit - now passed, it is time to contemplate life without John Alan Drake among us.
Only title will now do for ambitious Canes
Hawke's Bay flyer Zac Guildford says the days of the Hurricanes being satisfied just to make the Super 14's semifinals are a thing of the past. Only a title will now do the trick for the stacked franchise.
Brett ready to show there is life after Dan
Ten or 12? Stephen Brett takes all of a millisecond to respond. In 2008 he may have been content to undertake a Dan Carter-inspired apprenticeship at second five, but there's no doubting where his ambitions lie in 2009.
Super 14 jerseys unveiled for 2009
New Zealand's Super 14 jerseys have received another tweak - though the latest changes from newly-recommitted sponsor adidas should meet with fan approval.
Nonu surely silences his detractors
It is time, surely, to acknowledge the enigmatic Ma'a Nonu as the gifted performer he is. He was a shining light for the All Blacks at Croke Park and maybe now, finally, his critics can eat their words.
Kiwi coaches blast playoff party-poopers
Disgruntled New Zealand Super 14 coaches have blasted the Sanzar decision to axe the competition's playoffs expansion for 2009.
Advantage Crusaders, Canes as S14 squads named
The Chiefs and Highlanders have been the big draft/transfer market movers, the Blues have steadfastly stuck to their (pop)guns and the Crusaders and Hurricanes have unveiled what appear to be New Zealand's outstanding squads based strongly on their successful provincial heavyweights.
Giteau: Carter move could backfire on ABs
The Wallabies are not exactly quaking in their boots at the
prospect of facing the All Blacks' two-headed five-eighths monster
at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday night, with Matt Giteau suggesting
the ploy could "backfire" on the New Zealanders.
McAlister says he'll make big call soon
Former All Blacks star Luke McAlister says he remains undecided about whether to make a World Cup-fueled return to New Zealand, but hopes to make the call by early next year.
Braid poaching strains trans-Tasman accord
New Zealand rugby boss Steve Tew has admitted Daniel Braid's poaching by Australian rugby remains a touchy subject, and one that could have an impact on tender negotiations over the expansion of Super rugby.
Time to face some provincial realities
Let's back the truck up a bit. Before we go spraying the NZRU with too many bullets, perhaps we need to ask ourselves one important question: has New Zealand's main provincial competition had its day?
Scots seek IRB help to access players
Scotland rugby coach Frank Hadden has his back to the wall as he battles to give his side a chance of securing a first ever victory over the All Blacks in November.
Hooray for Henry
Graham Henry made the comment before Saturday's Tri-Nations decider that victory would only mean the knives wouldn't be as sharp on his return to New Zealand. But the reality is it's pats, not sharp instruments, that will be peppering the back of the All Blacks coach this week.
A Test to define both teams
I thought Richie McCaw rather summed it up when he spoke of the make-or-break nature of Saturday night's Tri Nations finale. The season of both the All Blacks and Wallabies hangs in the balance, just one false move away from failure and possibly one bold one from glory.
Carter reveals: We were mentally weak
Graham Henry's All Blacks turned their season around after a frank
clear-the-air meeting.
Form means nothing: Ali Williams
Ali Williams is typically blunt about this one. Form, says the big
All Black lock, is irrelevant this Saturday night at Suncorp. It's
all about who gets the equation right on the night.
Can Wallabies go from sublime to ridiculous
While everyone may be talking the Jo'burg jive, it's another Tri-Nations misstep that has the Wallabies most anxious as they get set to launch preparations for next Saturday night's Battle of Brisbane against the All Blacks.
Advantage ABs: It's swagger v stagger
Robbie Deans has the All Blacks right where he wants them. Confident. In form. Firing. And, if they're not careful, primed for a Ned Kelly-sized ambush at the Battle of Brisbane on Saturday week.
Stats suggest All Blacks have backs to wall
Statistics can be misleading devils, able to be manipulated this way and that depending on the user's whims. But this one makes a fairly emphatic statement: in two Tri Nations matches the All Blacks backs have yet to score a try.
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