Opinion
International Rugby
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Contributors
Hamish Bidwell
@HamishBidwell
Hamish has been an opinion and sports writer for over 20 years in New Zealand, featuring on RNZ, New Zealand Herald, Stuff.co.nz, and RugbyPass.
259 Articles
Latest
11 days ago International Rugby
Culture of excuses in Australian rugby
18 days ago International Rugby
All Blacks locks squeezing captain Barrett
23 days ago International Rugby
Robertson's disappointing Ruben Love decision
32 days ago International Rugby
All Blacks will thrash France on Saturday
Opinion
What the first All Blacks team of 2025 says about Robertson's plans
Among the more consistent criticisms of his first year as All Blacks coach, was that it scarcely differed from what had come befor…
Hamish Bidwell
03 Jul 2025, 12:28
Opinion
Scott Robertson's loose forwards selections don't add up
So said All Blacks coach Scott Robertson on Monday, in trying to explain the omission of Ethan Blackadder from the 35-man squad to…
Hamish Bidwell
26 Jun 2025, 6:16
Opinion
The Chiefs are better than the Crusaders
The Chiefs have been the best team in Super Rugby for some time now. They’ve certainly been far and away the form side of 2025.
Hamish Bidwell
18 Jun 2025, 10:55
Opinion
Blues should feast on the Crusaders with Beauden Barrett's cool head
I see the Crusaders fumbling and bumbling their way to defeat in one Super Rugby Pacific semi-final and the Chiefs thrashing the B…
Hamish Bidwell
12 Jun 2025, 6:45
Opinion
A pointless qualifier? The glaring issue with Super Rugby's new playoffs format
I won’t bore you by trying to explain the Super Rugby Pacific playoff system. I’ll just say that scheduling the Brumbies’ cl…
Hamish Bidwell
05 Jun 2025, 10:59
Opinion
Ardie Savea is changing the course of history with Moana Pasifika
It’s incredible to think one man has potentially changed the course of history, but that’s what Ardie Savea is in the process …
Hamish Bidwell
21 May 2025, 5:38
Opinion
Ken Laban's not wrong about the Mo'unga-less Crusaders
The veteran television commentator cast doubt upon the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Pacific title-winning credentials due to the absen…
Hamish Bidwell
16 May 2025, 11:27
Opinion
We all know the Chiefs are the best team in Super Rugby
We all know they’re the best team in Super Rugby, and it’s seemed a shame that they have to negotiate so many weeks of round-r…
Hamish Bidwell
07 May 2025, 9:03
Opinion
The glaring omission on Les Kiss' Wallabies job application
The appointment of Les Kiss as Wallabies head coach doesn’t surprise me. I mean, how could it? It’s been signposted for weeks …
Hamish Bidwell
30 Apr 2025, 9:42
Opinion
Tele'a should now be surplus to requirements for the All Blacks
I’ve opined that I believe players such as Tele’a leave New Zealand in the prime of their All Black careers because they don 
Hamish Bidwell
16 Apr 2025, 10:09
Opinion
How Scott Barrett performs in Super Rugby Pacific is not a big deal
All Blacks, particularly seasoned ones on the Crusaders’ books, who pace themselves through a Super campaign are not new. Richie…
Hamish Bidwell
09 Apr 2025, 9:46
Opinion
I do worry seeing the Crusaders get manhandled by Moana Pasifika
The Crusaders, as many a recent All Black team has done, responded by trying to go around Moana Pasifika. The more fruitless that …
Hamish Bidwell
03 Apr 2025, 6:25
Opinion
Rugby down under could have hit high gear with Anzac Tests
I’d have loved to see Bledisloe Cup rugby on Anzac Day. Rugby Australia’s (RA) vision for an annual test in Perth, starting fr…
Hamish Bidwell
26 Mar 2025, 5:32
Opinion
The drums are starting to beat louder for Du’Plessis Kirifi
He might not have accumulated a single cap for the All Blacks, but he’s continued to give the appearance that he believes he bel…
Hamish Bidwell
20 Mar 2025, 11:43
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific has turned the ship around in the right direction
In an interview last week Mesley said “this is the best season across some of our core measures in Super Rugby history.’’Â
Hamish Bidwell
17 Mar 2025, 7:13
Opinion
New Zealand Rugby should avoid a deal with Kalyn Ponga
The Newcastle Knights fullback certainly doesn’t lack ability. And can make a positive contribution to his NRL team, when he’s…
Hamish Bidwell
06 Mar 2025, 7:39
Opinion
Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders
It’s heartening, for example, to see the Highlanders have won a game this season. Even if that result says more about the team t…
Hamish Bidwell
27 Feb 2025, 7:11
Opinion
It's not clear what the Force will get out of signing Leon MacDonald
I’m delighted Leon MacDonald has got himself a job. I’m just not sure what’s in it for the Western Force, at this stage.Â
Hamish Bidwell
25 Feb 2025, 7:00
Opinion
David Havili is a good player who could still add a bit to the All Blacks
In a Crusaders context Sam Whitelock was the leader of that team for years. Whether it was Kieran Read as captain, Whitelock himse…
Hamish Bidwell
16 Jan 2025, 14:29
Opinion
Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025
The more I think about the 2025 rugby year, the more I think it’s about Scott Robertson.Â
Hamish Bidwell
13 Jan 2025, 8:21