White House edits transcript after US president referred to military force rather than New Zealand rugby team
The White House has corrected a gaffe by Joe Biden that confused New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team with the British military force known as the Black and Tans that terrorised Ireland.
An official transcript of the remarks released on Thursday crossed out “Black and Tans” and inserted “All Blacks” instead.
Continue reading...Review involved interviews with 50 current and former players, managers and coaches of New Zealand women’s rugby team
New Zealand’s governing rugby body has failed to properly support women’s high performance rugby, with some players reporting favouritism, ghosting, body-shaming and culturally insensitive comments, a scathing review of one of the world’s top women’s rugby teams has found.
The more than 30-page review, which came with 26 recommendations, was instigated after a senior Black Ferns player – Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate – posted on social media that she had suffered a mental health breakdown following the Black Ferns’ 2021 end-of-year tour to England and France.
Continue reading...Māori commentators lament that more rugby teams don’t come up with ways to challenge the traditional dance
New Zealanders have expressed disappointment at the decision to fine England for their v-shaped formation for the All Blacks haka in their Rugby World Cup semi-final, with many fans praising them for their dignity and dramatic flair.
On Saturday night, England delighted fans in both camps when players arranged themselves to face the All Blacks. The V – which many inside New Zealand took to stand for “victory” – was widely praised by New Zealanders, many of whom commented on the dignified and low-key response of the English side to what can be a confronting and emotional experience.
Continue reading...Supporters around country and overseas post videos of fans celebrating in pubs and rugby clubs
When Manu Tuilagi swan-dived over the line within two minutes of the end of England’s World Cup semi-final with New Zealand, their dejected opponents briefly regrouped.
But the All Blacks, who had not lost in 18 consecutive World Cup matches since the 2007 quarter-finals, were unable to find a way past an imperious England side who marched into the final. Rugby fans at the Cabbage Patch pub near Twickenham roared with delight.
Continue reading...Beauden, Jordie and Scott Barrett will become the first trio of brothers to appear for the All Blacks in a World Cup match after they were named to start for the three-times world champions against Canada in their Pool B clash in Oita on Wednesday.
They will also be the first trio of brothers to start in the same World Cup match since Elisi, Manu and Fe’ao Vunipola represented Tonga against Scotland in 1995. The three Pisi brothers – Ken, Tusi and George – all played for Samoa against South Africa in 2015 but only Ken started that game.
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