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About Duncan Johnstone
About Duncan Johnstone
Co-editor of Rugbyheaven.co.nz, Duncan Johnstone was in the stands when David Kirk lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy in 1987 and has been involved in coverage of five of the six Rugby World Cups for newspapers and websites. Johnstone authored Sean Fitzpatrick's best-selling biography Turning Point and is a regular media analyst on the weekly Press Box show on Sky's Rugby Channel.
Brits link NZ to Lions' latest 'injustice'
Tana Umaga's alleged spear tackle on Brian O'Driscoll has raised its ugly ahead again as the British media question the latest injustice and New Zealand's influence on it hitting the 2009 Lions in South Africa.
'Reality check' will benefit All Blacks
Steve Hansen believes his All Blacks will be all the better for their tough tests against France as they start to look at what appears to be a daunting Tri Nations campaign.
Yes, it was a win for the All Blacks but hardly a convincing one
It was a win and right now that's all that matters to the All Blacks but it was a victory that couldn't disguise another alarmingly poor performance.
Times have been tougher - Wayne Smith
Crisis? What crisis? The All Blacks coaching staff has been quick
to put some perspective into their current predicament of trying to
avoid being just the sixth New Zealand team to lose a test series
on home soil.
Full strength French deserve praise
We have spent so long bemoaning weak visiting teams from the north surely we should be thanking this French outfit for fronting up.
Weak All Blacks among worst
The whisper is Graham Henry and his All Blacks coaching team could
be reappointed through to the next World Cup as soon as this coming
week but on the evidence of their season-opening work against
France their bosses might want to put things on hold for the
moment.
All Blacks' utility use exposes lack of depth
The new All Blacks side with its accent on versatility rather than speciality in some key areas is a worrying reflection on the transitional stage New Zealand rugby finds itself in.
Carter: It's all black for the Lions
Dan Carter believes the Springboks can replicate the All Blacks' last efforts against the British & Irish Lions and whitewash the tourists in the three test series in South Africa.
Early pressure goes on AB loosies
A new back row and new rules at the breakdown have the All Blacks forwards working overtime in the leadup to the season opening test against France next week.
Bulls dismiss kick and chase tag
The Bulls say they aren't the one-dimensional team they're made out to be and reckon they have the strike power to match the Chiefs' attacking traits in this weekend's Super 14 final.
Bulls building Super 14 legacy
They may be getting a step or six ahead of themselves but the Bulls are talking of building a Crusaders-like dynasty in the Super 14 and that means winning this weekend's final against the Chiefs is essential.
Chiefs find Springboks in their beds
The South Africans are up to their old tricks, forcing a
last-minute hotel change on the Chiefs.
South African media put 'smart money' on Bulls
The South African media are lauding the Bulls for the manner with which they saw off the Crusaders in style at Loftus Versfeld and predict little respite for the Chiefs in this week's final.
McCaw confident of success
Skipper Richie McCaw declared himself satisfied with the Crusaders' preparations for their Super 14 semifinal with the Bulls and now hopes his side can do themselves justice, believing they still have their best game left in them.
Chiefs the team to beat now - Mealamu
Home advantage would be a massive edge to the Bulls but the Chiefs
remain the side to beat in the Super 14, according to one of their
former players and current Blues captain Keven Mealamu.
McAlister iffy for Baabaas
Luke McAlister says he won't risk his New Zealand comeback by playing for the British Barbarians if his leg injury isn't completely right.
Blues patched together for Hurricanes
Blues coach Pat Lam is hoping rookie flanker Tom Chamberlain can bring a bit of ruggedness and freshness to a seriously rearranged team that is charged with trying upset the table-topping Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night.
Flat Brumbies cop caning
The Hurricanes are finding their rhythm when it counts, putting together their most complete performance of the season to blitz the Brumbies.
Chiefs reserves playing key role
Chiefs coach Ian Foster has paid tribute to the team's powerful bench for keeping his side on a roll and believes the reserves could hold the key to completing a successful tour of South Africa.
Doubts over Moa and Woodcock
The Blues still have plenty of question marks after naming their
side to play the Highlanders on Friday night in Auckland - All
Blacks prop Tony Woodcock is bracketed and halfback Taniela Moa
must still get through a NZRU investigation.
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