Articles by Liam Napier
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Sport
'Helluva year': Robertson upbeat after All Blacks finish year with win
Sunday, 23 November 2025, 1:34pmBy Liam Napier in Cardiff Grasping their final flourish in Cardiff, the All Blacks are projecting positivity, believing they...
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Sport
Late flourish masks deeper issues for All Blacks after Wales win
Sunday, 23 November 2025, 8:14amBy Liam Napier at Principality Stadium All Blacks 52 Wales 26 The All Blacks finished their season with another late flourish...
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Sport
All Blacks' grand hopes slammed shut as England earn famous win
Sunday, 16 November 2025, 8:12amAll Blacks 19 England 33 By Liam Napier at Twickenham London’s autumn night sky cast a dark shade over the complexion of...
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Sport
The key factor All Blacks must overcome to maintain England dominance
Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 1:21pmHow much fuel is left in the All Blacks tank? It’s a pressing question that hovers over the quest to all but seal their fifth...
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Sport
All Blacks survive three yellow cards to beat Scotland in thriller
Sunday, 9 November 2025, 8:10amAll Blacks 25 Scotland 17 By Liam Napier at Murrayfield It’s the hope that must hurt Scotland the most. The All Blacks survived...
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Sport
Bench impact proves telling as All Blacks beat Ireland
Sunday, 2 November 2025, 11:55amAll Blacks 26 Ireland 13 By Liam Napier in Chicago A belated and decisive final-quarter flourish exorcised the All Blacks’...
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Sport
Parker's world title hopes crushed in late TKO loss
Sunday, 26 October 2025, 2:05pmBy Liam Napier in London In a dramatic, absorbing, brutal battle, Fabio Wardley crushed Joseph Parker’s dreams of a shot...
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Sport
The undisputed prize that awaits Parker-Wardley winner
Friday, 24 October 2025, 9:24amBy Liam Napier in London The pot of gold at the end of the 02 Arena rainbow this weekend in London is a shot at Oleksandr...
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Sport
All Blacks duo ruled out of Perth rematch against Wallabies
Sunday, 28 September 2025, 3:55pmThe cavalry returned to spark the All Blacks to a much-needed response at Eden Park – but locking away the Bledisloe Cup...
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Sport
All Blacks v South Africa: Springboks run rampant to hand Scott Robertson’s side record loss in Wellington
Saturday, 13 September 2025, 10:04pmAll Blacks 10 Springboks 43 By Liam Napier in Wellington The capital curse strikes again. This time with an embarrassing...
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Sport
'This is our home': Savea challenges All Blacks' mindset after key Springboks win
Sunday, 7 September 2025, 9:29amAmid the many milestones, maintained records and the treasured triumph against the Springboks lies the elusive secret sauce...
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Sport
All Blacks v Springboks: Fortress preserved as Scott Robertson’s side outlast South Africa at Eden Park
Saturday, 6 September 2025, 10:08pmAll Blacks 24 Springboks 17 By Liam Napier at Eden Park Fortress Eden Park preserved. Ardie Savea’s century celebrated. Job...
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Sport
Scott Robertson risks it all on keeping the faith to defend Eden Park fortress
Thursday, 4 September 2025, 4:12pmKeep the faith, stay the course, project calm is the essence of Scott Robertson’s mantra – all the while furiously paddling...
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Sport
Theme of patchy performance continues as All Blacks bag bonus point win
Sunday, 17 August 2025, 11:47amAll Blacks 41 Argentina 24 By Liam Napier at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes The theme of patchy performance continues for the...
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Sport
'Four weeks to get them right': All Blacks on track for Rugby Championship returns
Sunday, 20 July 2025, 2:32pmOutwardly at least, Scott Robertson is satisfied to bank a series sweep of France while following through on his pledge to...
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Sport
'We were ruthless': Robertson, Savea's pride as All Blacks show true colours
Sunday, 13 July 2025, 11:58amLocking away the first silverware of the season – one the All Blacks haven’t held for several years – marks a successful...
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Sport
Blues stay alive with last-gasp win over Chiefs
Sunday, 8 June 2025, 8:52amChiefs 19 Blues 20 By Liam Napier in Hamilton “Shouldn’t have let us get one.” Rieko Ioane issued that warning last week...
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Sport
Beauden Barrett states definitive case for All Blacks' No 10 jersey
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 4:17pmIf the Blues are to haul themselves from the mire and prove their back-nine resurgence is no short-lived façade, they must...
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Sport
All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane to make shock move to Leinster
Wednesday, 16 April 2025, 8:34pmIn a bombshell move sure to spark interest throughout the rugby world, All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane will join Irish powerhouse...
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Sport
Chiefs fined for interference in win over Blues
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 4:16pmThe Chiefs have been hit with a fine after a member of their medical team interfered with the allotted time for a conversion...
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Sport
‘Baptism by fire’: Robertson on lessons from first All Blacks season
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 1:22pmIn his rookie season leading the All Blacks, Scott Robertson absorbed valuable lessons he seeks to carry into his next testing...
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Sport
Razor's eligibility U-turn: All Blacks coach at peace with no overseas players
Monday, 17 March 2025, 7:58pmAll Blacks coach Scott Robertson has put the issue of eligibility to bed by backing New Zealand Rugby’s staunch stance of...
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Sport
Peak behind the curtain: How I failed rugby’s head injury test
Saturday, 8 March 2025, 8:34amHave you ever wondered why some rugby players return to the field from a head knock, and some do not? Regular followers are...
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Sport
‘It doesn’t feel right’: Parker frustrated as title shot remains elusive
Monday, 24 February 2025, 12:13pmBy Liam Napier in Riyadh Frustration and determination are evident in equal measure as Joseph Parker contemplates boxing...
