The Last Word

What was that?

Eden Park was important.

Honestly, August kind of sucks. You do not need all the details but there are just too many dates that dredge up painful memories for The Last Word to make this a month worth celebrating.

Talk about a fantastic rugby trilogy. Two great rivals with glorious history and passionate fans.

Ah, the good old NPC. Put aside the reality (it has long been relegated to third-tier status) and the concerns over its future, and you should be able to enjoy the heart of New Zealand rugby as much as ever.

Apparently they call it Project 4-4-4. Scott Robertson wants to have four test-quality players in each position by the time the All Blacks roll up to the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.

Thoughts on the All Blacks through the first two tests of the season?

Test week! That is how we used to feel about it, anyway.

Ohhhhh, Foxy.

Hello again!

Welcome back!

There was a time when few people in my office knew the first thing about snowboarding or freeskiing.

Confession time: I do not really know Ethan de Groot.

One casts one’s mind back a few months when one was having a conversation — possibly entirely fictitious — with one’s colleague.

Deja vu all over again, mate.

Your columnist has a bit of skin in the game when it comes to women’s rugby.

These are difficult times for the most important rugby team in New Zealand.