New Zealand’s first international game was played in 1884 against the Waratahs in New South Wales. They played the Waratahs eight times, winning all the games. Maybe that ticked the Australian colonies off? A lot of things have changed in New Zealand since 1884. New Zealand had been in conflicts with the local Māori tribes since the 1840s right up until the late 1880s. Rugby kicked off for the New Zealanders from very humble beginnings; within small colonies on two isolated islands. It started to get a foothold almost instantly for both Māori and Pākehā. Let’s fast forward to the modern era of New Zealand and its rugby to see where the real trouble could of started.
Teams heading to the
2023 Rugby World Cup in France will be allowed bigger squads and will benefit from greater gaps between matches, the organisers announced on Monday.
In order to improve player welfare, squads will be expanded from the 31 used in 2019 to 33 while all teams will have a guaranteed five-day break between pool matches which means that tournament will run one week longer than in Japan.
The 2023 edition will kick off on September 8 and conclude with the final on October 28.
The announcement came after the Rugby World Cup Board, the World Rugby executive committee, the France 2023 organising committee and international players representatives agreed a ground-breaking package of player welfare principles.
· ALLBLACKS.COM · GETTY IMAGES
On Saturday night (NZT) Dan Carter took to social media to announce his retirement from professional rugby.
The 38 year-old, who first picked up a rugby ball 32 years ago, said he was grateful he was able to announce the news on his own terms.
“I can’t thank everyone who has played a part in my journey enough, from my teammates, opponents, coaching and management teams, sponsors and in particular you, the fans.”
He went onto play 112 Tests for the All Blacks, having made his debut against Wales as a 21 year-old in 2003. After his international retirement, he joined Racing 92 in Paris, before moving to Japan to play for the Kobe Steelers for two seasons.
iAfrica Photo Credit: @DanCarter/Twitter
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New Zealand’s Dan Carter has announced his retirement from professional rugby after an illustrious 19-year career, the 38-year-old said on Saturday.
Carter, who was capped 112 times by New Zealand, leaves the game as the highest point scorer in test rugby with 1 598, more than 350 points clear of England’s Jonny Wilkinson.
The flyhalf was part of two World Cup winning teams in 2011 and 2015, when he won the man of the match honour in the final against Australia.
“I officially retire from professional rugby today,” Carter wrote on Twitter.
“A sport I’ve played 32 years which has helped shape me into the person I am today. I can’t thank everyone who has played a part in my journey enough, particularly you, the fans.