Bryn's articles

• Nonu not the answer for All Blacks despite moronic columnist

  on 26.05.08

  As an aspiring rugby journalist I sometimes write a story based on my opinion about the game, but I am always careful to back up that opinion with some facts, sometimes taking quotes directly from the law book, other times I present a rounded More about Nonu not the answer for All Blacks despite moronic columnist

• Crusaders stay at the top of the table, but only just

  on 28.04.08

  In a close but error filled game, the Crusaders beat the Blues by 26-22 in front of a capacity crowd at AMI Stadium. The Blues were desperately unlucky, having two close calls go against them and another go in favour of the home More about Crusaders stay at the top of the table, but only just

• Super 14: Crunch time as semi finals loom

  on 18.04.08

  As the Super 14 hits week 10, the Sharks and Crusaders have established a good lead at the top of the table, but with just three points covering third to eighth, points will be vital for those still in the semi final hunt, More about Super 14: Crunch time as semi finals loom

• When referees get it wrong

  on 07.04.08

  Referees have the hardest job in sports, when they get it right nobody notices, when they get it wrong everyone bays for blood. During Saturday night’s game between the Hurricanes and the Sharks, referee Paul Marks made four huge decision and the video evidence More about When referees get it wrong

• Adam who? The new class of keepers steps up

  on 26.03.08

  With Adam Gilchrist now in retirement, the title of world’s best wicketkeeper-batsman is up for grabs. MS Dhoni of India, Mark Boucher of South Africa and Kumar Sangakarra of Sri Lanka are all worthy contenders to the crown, but for me the answer is: More about Adam who? The new class of keepers steps up

• More
• Northern Hemisphere must get on board with new laws

  on 17.03.08

  After just four weeks of the experimental laws, the Super 14 is showing that they produce a faster and more action packed game. But the Northern Hemisphere seem reluctant to adopt them, perhaps stuck in a style of rugby from 30 years ago. More about Northern Hemisphere must get on board with new laws

• Time for some guidelines for referees to deal with foul play

  on 10.03.08

  Over this round of Super 14 there have been a few instances of foul play, some of which have gone unpunished, others have not been punished enough. Given the mine field of inconsistency from the officials, it’s about time rugby administrators gave the referees More about Time for some guidelines for referees to deal with foul play

• Super 14 third weekend round up

  on 03.03.08

  The Blues, Sharks and Crusaders kept their unbeaten records intact over round three of the Super 14. Other teams like the Brumbies and Hurricanes got their season back on track with good wins, while the Stormers, Highlanders and Cheetahs find themselves in deep holes More about Super 14 third weekend round up

• FFA send strong message with Vukovic suspension, but what about Joel Griffith?

  on 27.02.08

  The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) have suspended Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic for nine months, plus a further six months probation for violent conduct after he slapped referee Mark Shields’ hand. This may seem like a strong message that touching officials will not More about FFA send strong message with Vukovic suspension, but what about Joel Griffith?

• Super 14 second weekend round up

  on 25.02.08

  The Blues and Crusaders are the only side in the Super 14 with perfect records, picking up a maximum ten points from two games and sounding a warning to the rest of the tournament. Other contenders, such as the Sharks and Bulls, are still More about Super 14 second weekend round up

• New laws lead to a faster, more exciting Super 14

  on 18.02.08

  The 2008 edition of the Super 14 got off to a good start this weekend, despite some initial rust from some teams. The new laws also got a thumbs up from players and fans alike as games were faster, more exciting and more More about New laws lead to a faster, more exciting Super 14

• Attacking on the cards for Super 14 experimental laws

  on 11.02.08

  The Super 14 begins on Friday, and the 2008 edition of this tournament will feature some of the Experimental Law Variations aimed at promoting more attacking play. But what exactly are these new laws, and how will they effect the style of play in More about Attacking on the cards for Super 14 experimental laws

• Tietjens magnificent seven

  on 03.02.08

  The party continued in Wellington as the IRB World Sevens Series came to its conclusion. Among the costumes, dancing and singing, a new star was born. More about Tietjens magnificent seven

• Rebel Black Cap Bond blacklisted

  on 29.01.08

  New Zealand Cricket announced today that they are terminating the contract of fast bowler Shane Bond who has signed to play for the rebel Indian Cricket League. The loss of their top fast bowler will hurt the Black Caps in their upcoming series with More about Rebel Black Cap Bond blacklisted

• Cutting through the spin

  on 14.01.08

  The Sydney test match between Australia and India is easily the most talked about sporting event of the year so far with allegations of racism, poor sportsmanship, underhanded tactics all served with a side of incompetent umpiring. But the amount of spin that surround More about Cutting through the spin

• Is technology the answer to cricket’s umpiring woes?

  on 07.01.08

  The first test of 2008 is just two days old but has already produced some controversial umpiring decisions. Is it time for cricket to move into the 21st century and allow technology a greater role, or does the human element still provide some charm? More about Is technology the answer to cricket’s umpiring woes?

• The ICC have tied their own hands

  on 17.12.07

  After the Twenty20 game in Perth the Black Caps camp subtly raised questions over the legality of Australian tearaway bowler Shaun Tait’s action. While Tait angrily denied these allegations, it would seem the ICC’s own rules leave officials hamstrung for the time being. More about The ICC have tied their own hands

• NZRU set to score own goal over Crusaders’ coach

  on 14.12.07

  The NZRU board met yesterday to discuss whether Super 14 coaches Robbie Deans and David Nucifora should be allowed to remain in charge of New Zealand franchises for the 2008 Super 14 should one of them be appointed to the vacant Wallabies coach’s role. More about NZRU set to score own goal over Crusaders’ coach

• What has Beckham-mania done for New Zealand football?

  on 04.12.07

  There was only one name on the lips of New Zealand sports fans this weekend: David Beckham. Overshadowing the New Zealand Golf Open and two ODI cricket matches, it was the exhibition match between the LA Galaxy and the Wellington Phoenix which everyone was More about What has Beckham-mania done for New Zealand football?

• Experimental laws

  on 24.10.07

  IRB chairman Syd Millar has called for the use of rugby’s experimental laws in next year’s Super 14, but that call has come a little late for one Super 14 coach. More about Experimental laws

• Experimental laws

  on 24.10.07

  Foster said that some of the new laws are common sense, such as moving the corner posts out of the field of play, but others needed further analysis. The laws have already been trialled in New Zealand’s provincial B competition as well as the More about Experimental laws

• IRB credibility crisis

  on 19.10.07

  The IRB have finally admitted what All Blacks fans knew all along, Wayne Barnes made a number of mistakes in the quarter-final between New Zealand and France. However their public backing of Barnes raises a number of questions. More about IRB credibility crisis

• IRB credibility crisis

  on 19.10.07

  Even at local level, referees who control a semi final are almost never selected to then control the final. This pattern was repeated at the World Cup where none of those who controlled a quarter-final were given a semi. Instead of attempting to be More about IRB credibility crisis

• ABs autopsy

  on 09.10.07

  After the All Blacks crashed to their earliest exit ever in a World Cup, the calls for blood letting and the search for a scapegoat has already begun in New Zealand. But the blame rests entirely with the players. More about ABs autopsy

• France shock AB's

  on 08.10.07

  France have shocked the rugby world by dumping the tournament favourites out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup by 20-18 in Cardiff. More about France shock AB's

• Festival is over

  on 04.10.07

  The Rugby World Cup began a little over three weeks ago and has treated fans to some wonderful rugby so far, but the festival atmosphere and high scoring games are about to come to an end as the tournament shifts gear into the More about Festival is over

• Lauaki suspension

  on 03.10.07

  Overnight in Paris an IRB judicial hearing found All Black Sione Lauaki guilty of a dangerous tackle and handed down a two week suspension. Given the minor nature of the infraction, it would appear that the IRB crack down has finally reached ridiculous proportions. More about Lauaki suspension

• Fijian victory

  on 01.10.07

  The draw said yesterday's Pool B clash between Wales and Fiji in Nantes was just another pool game, but it was effectively sudden death to decide which team would qualify as the runner up in Pool B. In perhaps the best game of More about Fijian victory

• England underdogs?

  on 14.09.07

  The clash of these two rugby powerhouses will not only determine the winner of Pool A, but with the prospect of facing either Scotland or Italy it also provides the winner with an easier road to the semi final. The loser of this game More about England underdogs?

Discussions Bryn is involved in

• Xmas a Cracker

  Last post: Kristy Dekker New Member on 22.12.09 at 18:58 | Started by Dave Wells on 14.12.09

  

  What would it take for you to really enjoy Christmas? More about Xmas a Cracker

• Win a Canadian Club Mini Mal Surfboard on getfrank.co.nz

  Last post: E Murph on 09.12.09 at 15:13 | Started by Warren Stubbs on 31.08.09

  

  Okay, so there isn’t much surf in Canada, but there is plenty in New Zealand!  And to celebrate summer CC has produced a limited run of retro surfboards that can be won in selected bottle stores nationwide. We have also scored one here at More about Win a Canadian Club Mini Mal Surfboard on getfrank.co.nz

• How to Talk to Anyone in a Bar

  Last post: Prettyboy on 16.10.09 at 09:24 | Started by karl potter on 26.09.09

  

  It's been observed that there are only seven unique plotlines in the world, and all books, movies and plays are just variations on those themes. The same is true for barroom conversations, except there are only five. As someone who gets paid to be More about How to Talk to Anyone in a Bar

• The 10 Commandments For Drinking Like a Man

  Last post: Keri Henare on 02.10.09 at 14:50 | Started by Oliver Reid on 17.04.09

  

  Guys, I hate to say it…but a lot of you are letting me down. More importantly, you’re letting yourselves and your gender down. Every time I go out to a bar and I see a guy with a purple or pink shot in More about The 10 Commandments For Drinking Like a Man

• How to appreciate whisky

  Last post: Kyle B on 10.09.09 at 19:58 | Started by Hippynz on 06.09.09

  

  A good single malt whisky is not meant to be knocked back as one might a ‘shot’. It should be savoured slowly and appreciated. More about How to appreciate whisky

• More
• Buenos Aires: Football Fervor

  Last post: thochaos on 09.09.09 at 19:28 | Started by Clayton Hutton on 17.08.09

  

  “Which team are you supporting?” he demanded in a thick Argentinean accent. “Yours,” I replied cautiously. The squat teenager considered me for a moment. “I think you’ll need this,” he finally ventured, offering me the blue and gold flag wrapped around his shoulders. He More about Buenos Aires: Football Fervor

• A brief history of rum

  Last post: Fozzie on 09.06.09 at 17:25 | Started by Fozzie on 09.06.09

  

  The technical definition of rum is: an alcoholic beverage made from sugar, cane juice, molasses or syrup. Sugar cane, of which there are 23 different varieties, is a member of the grass family. Even though rum was first produced in the Caribbean, sugar cane is More about A brief history of rum

• In Defense of Canned Beer

  Last post: Keinzley on 31.10.08 at 11:14 | Started by Bryn on 17.04.09

  

  For some reason once upon a time, someone decreed that beer in bottles was classier and cooler and better than beer in cans. That bottles should forever and for always be the gold standard of drinking and quality beer. Well guess what, kemosabe? They More about In Defense of Canned Beer

• What does it take to not get bail?

  Last post: Bryn on 12.06.08 at 15:46 | Started by Sam East on 17.04.09

  

  There is a legitimate debate about when someone does or does not get bail, as people are innocent until found guilty. But as it can take well over a year for someone to come to trial, you need some ability to protect the More about What does it take to not get bail?

• Aston Martin- A Car With a Movie Screen History

  Last post: Bryn on 12.06.08 at 16:19 | Started by Steve Groves on 17.04.09

  

  Have you ever wondered where the car company name of Aston Martin originated? With headquarters situated in Warwickshire, England, the Aston Martin Lagonda Limited line of luxury cars gathered its name from a hill climber named Aston Clinton and one of the founding fathers More about Aston Martin- A Car With a Movie Screen History

• The Fourth Dimension of Flight

  Last post: Bryn on 15.07.08 at 11:55 | Started by Bryn on 17.04.09

  

  Mention the word “airship” and folk inevitably think of the Hindenberg. I’m told, however, that the principal cause of that disaster wasn’t bad design. Apparently, the Germans couldn’t lay their hands on a supply of helium that was necessary to show off the craft, More about The Fourth Dimension of Flight