The Barrett brothers – Beauden, Scott and Jordie – are all alumni of Francis Douglas in New Plymouth and they all starred in the school’s 1st XV. Deputy principal Tim Stuck had the pleasure of coaching all three but was first to admit they had some key elements embedded in their game even before arriving at Read more
Religion and overt expressions of it have crept into Rugby in New Zealand says Gregor Paul. It is common now, almost a show in itself for players to have wrist bands covered in religious iconography. The cross, albeit badly drawn with marker pen, is worn across Super Rugby on any given weekend. Some players, when they Read more
The Ranfurly Shield has made a surprise visit to church as Taranaki continues to bask in their dramatic come-from-behind victory over Canterbury at the weekend. The side’s Fijian players took the Log o’ Wood along to the City of Refuge Church in New Plymouth so the congregation could get up close to the famous rugby Read more
Referee Nigel Owens, who is in New Zealand to officiate the second Bledisloe Cup test in Dunedin, took to the turf at St Peter’s College in Auckland on Wednesday to officiate a friendly under-15’s match between St Peter’s College and a Japanese touring side. Owens has refereed many big rugby matches over the years, including the Rugby World Cup Read more
Six former students of Francis Douglas Memorial College featured in this year’s British and Irish Lions tour. The three Barrett brothers, Beauden, Scott and Jordie and Liam Coltman were in the All Blacks. Ricky Riccitelli played for the Hurricanes. Teihorangi Walden was in the Highlander’s team. Watch Video: What’s in the Water at Francis Douglas Read more
Four former students from Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth have been selected for the All Blacks tour squad. Along with the three Barrett brothers, Beauden, Scott and Jordie, Liam Coltman had been named as a hooker on the tour. Martin Chamberlain, the principal of Francis Douglas Memorial College, said they were not only Read more
Kurtis Haiu, a former Blues and Auckland rugby player, died last week, aged 31, after a long battle with cancer. Haiu was a also a former New Zealand under-19 and under-21 representative. His career ended prematurely in 2011 when a rare form of bone cancer, Ewings Sarcoma, was discovered in his ribs. He has been Read more
On Sundays Pastor Matawalu Waqanituinayau, known as Mata, runs services at the Assemblies of God church but when he’s not preaching he’s following his other passion – rugby. The Matamata pastor, who has been in New Zealand for 18 years, is also acting as a player agent, a position that has attracted controversy recently because Read more
“The Christian (sic) Brothers took rugby to the islands and a combination of ball and bible has been the cement in Tongan society ever since,” according to Mike Averis, writing in the Guardian. He may possibly be referring to the Marist Brothers, and the Marist Fathers, many of whom played a prominent part in rugby Read more