Eleven-year-old Hamilton Marian school boy Nathan Carrasco won an ANZ competition to run out with a team captain at one of the 48 Rugby World Cup games around New Zealand – days later he learned he would be leading Richie McCaw in the All Blacks game against Japan at Waikato Stadium.
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Fiji squad holds nightly church services
Friday, September 9th, 2011
The Fiji squad holds nightly church services to help them bond as they prepare for the Rugby World Cup. Fiji’s strong Christian heritage had helped bind the side together since their arrival in New Zealand The 30 strong squad features 21 overseas-based players. “It’s a team literally from around the globe – all over Europe, Japan, Read more
All Black Icon – Why wouldn’t Jesus come back as an All Black?
Friday, September 9th, 2011
Wellington’s St Paul’s Cathedral has taken a tongue in cheek look at New Zealand’s other religion, rugby. On display in the cathedral for the next few weeks is New Zealand Icon, a painting by local artist Don Little depicting an All Black icon. “If Jesus was here today why wouldn’t he come back as an All Read more
Manu Samoa player given a rosary as a good luck charm
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
A member of the the Manu Samoa Rugby World Cup Team has been given a rosary as a good luck charm. The Manu Samoa visited Tafa’igata Prison as part of their final preparations for the Rugby World Cup. An emotional meeting between Manu Samoa winger, Alesana Tuilagi and his father, Tuilagi Namulauulu Leo II, was the Read more
ABs silent on abstinence, but Henry is praying
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
The All Blacks refused to be drawn into the controversial Backing Black abstinence campaign. Before the campaign was canned assistant coach Steve Hansen said “Please, let’s not go there,” in response to a query about abstinence. But Graham Henry is praying No 8 Kieran Read will heal in time for the quarter finals in the Read more
Rugby, religion and prayer: pray for a win
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
Praying for a sporting result is one of the oddest and most widespread religious behaviours in the world. The Welsh do it, the Irish pray to St Jude, Henry says we should do it. “Is it appropriate to pray for a win?” In May Wellington’s Marist-St Pats survived an almighty scare and fended off relegation. The win Read more
Fr David Bell supporting the French in RWC
Tuesday, August 9th, 2011
Monsignor David Bell of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Whanganui has been assigned as team chaplain for “Les Blues”. Msgr Bell was appointed to accompany the French side during the Rugby World Cup after he included on his application that he knew a little bit of French. However, he admitted a fluent conversation could be difficult. Read more
New Zealand won’t relax sanctions for World Cup
Friday, June 3rd, 2011
New Zealand Prime Minster, John Key and Rugby World Cup minister Murray McCully both have said that New Zealand had no intention of using the World Cup as an excuse to relax sanctions which it has applied against Fiji since a 2006 military coup. Vidya Lakhan president of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Read more
Catholic groups withdraw support for post Budget rally
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
Two Catholic organisations who had been planning participation in Saturday’s post Budget rally in Auckland withdrew support following a New Zealand Herald story about the civil disobedience intentions of some participants. The Herald reported that Meredydd Barrar, spokesman for newly formed Coalition for Social Justice, said that they intended to take action during the World Read more