Rugby news from New Zealand:
Hello, Prime Miniature: Ardern greets All Blacks ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019 opening ceremony: Sonny Bill Williams dwarfed the Prime Minister yesterday as she greeted the All Blacks ahead of the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony and first game last night.Jacinda Ardern met the team at the Captain’s Run at Tatsuminomori Seaside… nzherald.co.nz – Rugby
Opinion: 2019 Rugby World Cup will answer if All Blacks have turned into Old Blacks: COMMENT The Japanese tapestry is about to undergo significant change, from an exotic weave of artefact and finery to the crunch and wallop of a Rugby World Cup as the tournament sets out to show that it is first and foremost compelling… nzherald.co.nz – Rugby
2019 Rugby World Cup: All Blacks catchphrase keeping team grounded ahead of Springboks showdown: You are where your feet are.To a man the All Blacks players and management have rolled out these six simple words all week in Tokyo.The essence of this catchphrase is not new – the All Blacks have long been a group dedicated to… nzherald.co.nz – Rugby
Support workers (and Joe the Clown) urge All Blacks fans ‘don’t get all self-pitying’ in case of World Cup woe: While the insecurity many All Blacks fans felt prior to the 2011 Rugby World Cup may have been shed over the last eight years, there’s no denying many Kiwis are taking the dawn of the 2019 tournament seriously – maybe a little too… nzherald.co.nz – Rugby
Cross-dressing or skydiving: Bet on split loyalties for All Blacks vs Springboks at RWC: Not even true love can come between a man – or woman – and their loyalty to a rugby team. That’s exactly how things will play out for some families whose split loyalties will see them on opposite sides as the All Blacks take on… nzherald.co.nz – Rugby
7 Debutantes for Despatch Test against Spain