Sonny Bill Williams says the All Blacks have evolved during his decade with the team. They can now put aside differences including religion and speaking openly about personal struggles is the norm, “I think the cool thing in the last 12 months is a lot of boys in the team are real, speak their mind, Read more
A shared Christian faith played a big part in all of the Pasifika teams competing in the Rugby World Cup. And it was not just a matter of praying for a victory. That strategy was no doubt not ignored; on this occasion seems to have been remarkably unsuccessful. But it was their shared Christian faith 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
The Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, are in Brighton for the Rugby World Cup. Last Sunday they went to mass at St Mary Magdalen’s Church. A video of the team singing was shared on the team’s Facebook page and has so far been viewed more than 80,000 times. Clare Bowskill, choir director at the church, praised Read more
St Patricks College appears to have pulled the pin on a decision to give lunchtime detention to about 200 pupils who attended the Rugby World Cup victory parade in Wellington.
Pupils at St Pat’s Town in Kilbirnie emerged from the school hall chanting ”All Blacks” after the school called an early end to their punishment this afternoon.
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When Les Bleus were crushed by the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup’s pool stages, churchgoers in France’s rugby heartland got out their heavy artillery. They prayed to St Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. When things got worse after the rout by Tonga, the faithful took out their weapon of last resort: Read more
“France won, I cheered,” says Lakan Beech. Wales may be the fairer team on the field, but as a nation France wins hands down as a fair and just nation. He was blogging at Level with Me, which is a project of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, which uses the Rugby World Cup to get people thinking Read more
Rugby and beer have a long shared history… and not just in New Zealand. One of the principal sponsors of the Rugby World Cup is a beer brand. Is there a wide pervasive beer culture associated with professional Rugby? “I’m no wowser” says Nathan Burdon. “During my playing days I enjoyed the social side of rugby as Read more
The rise and rise of Sonny Bill Williams has created the country’s first Muslim superstar.
Senior Islamic figures say people are seeking them out for insights into the All Black’s preparations for the Rugby World Cup.
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They have been accused of draw rigging, penny pinching and racism during the World Cup and having got mouth-guards under control, the IRB targets the Bible in its latest crackdown – no Biblical quotes on wrist strappings without prior approval. While refusing to comment further on the matter, a member of Australian team management confirmed that the directive, Read more