Analysis
The making of Captain Beauden: How a season of doubt became a story of redemption
OPINION: The Beauden Barrett story has been hard to keep up with in 2026.
Latest from New Zealand Rugby Union
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Rating Whitney Hansen's first year in charge of the Black Ferns
OPINION: New coach has capitalised on high-performance programme.
Black Ferns star set to make a big splash at Manu World Champs
Kaipo Olsen-Baker joins Piri Weepu as an ambassador and is expected at the April 4 final.
'Pale, stale mentality': Ellis takes aim at rugby's outdated mindset
Marc Ellis said rugby needs to find a way to become more engaging for fans.
NZR's rugby summit was theatre for a decision it had already made
OPINION: Both competitions will stay, with clubs and provinces merging in five cities.
NZ Rugby to align Super Rugby and NPC operations
Super Rugby Pacific and the 14-team NPC would both remain under the plans.
The areas that 'can go better again' after Black Ferns win over France
The hosts fought off a strong challenge from the French.
'Thought I wasn't going to make it': SBW reveals brush with death after open-heart surgery
Sonny Bill Williams has revealed he's had emergency open-heart surgery.
'I couldn't walk': Northland halfback Going battles back after being paralysed
Zion Going was hoping to add his name to his family’s legacy, but was struck down.
Injuries force Black Ferns into late changes
The Black Ferns meet France in Whangārei on Saturday in their penultimate test of 2026.
Darry eyes All Blacks recall with NPC final audition
Sam Darry is determined to be on the plane to Europe in the All Blacks' 36-man squad.
The Rugby Summit fallout: Inside the growing dispute against NZR
Gregor Paul unpacks the politics, money and mistrust driving rugby's latest battle.
First look: PNG Chiefs reveal logo, jersey amid legal battle with NZ Rugby
The club will join the NRL in 2028 as the competition’s 19th team.
All Blacks squad: The weapon that is also a selection dilemma
OPINION: Dave Rennie is unlikely to select new faces for Nations Championship tour.
Counting the toll: Confronting injury numbers for All Blacks ahead of northern tour
Dave Rennie has used more players than Scott Robertson did in two years at the All Blacks.
'Clearly distinct': Chiefs v Chiefs - High Court judge says she has confidence rugby fans can tell teams apart
High Court judge: NZ Rugby could have moved 'significantly earlier' in trademark dispute.
Editorial: Surprise and delight – how the dazzling NPC is selling itself
OPINION: Let's not change the NPC's dynamic.
Rennie's All Blacks finally show the trajectory that was wanted for years
OPINION: Veteran selections have been vindicated despite calls for younger players.
'A few bumps and bruises': Injury list grows before Rennie's northern tour squad selection
Jordie Barrett missed the match, while Shannon Frizell appeared to hurt his knee.
How setbacks and South Africa reshaped Wallace Sititi's All Black comeback
After a breakout 2024, Sititi has had multiple disruptions to his All Blacks career.
Chiefs v Chiefs: High Court judge rejects NZ Rugby bid for urgent injunction
The decision clears the way for the jersey and logo launch of the new Chiefs NRL team.
'Icing on the cake': How All Blacks made a 100-year-old's rugby dream come true
Sola Pelenato Aki shared a heart-warming interaction with favourite player Rieko Ioane.
Bledisloe II talking points: It's time to find the All Blacks' World Cup winners
ANALYSIS: Bledisloe secured. Now it's time to find the All Blacks' World Cup winners.
'Blindsided', 'deep concerns': Chiefs v Chiefs – NZ Rugby and NRL go head to head in High Court
UPDATE: Judge determines next legal step in increasingly fractious trademark dispute.