Back to Blacks: game's top brand in search of its sheen
The Independent|November 02, 2024
For New Zealand, these have been weeks of a sort of national nirvana.
HARRY LATHAM-COYLE
Back to Blacks: game's top brand in search of its sheen

A country so used to punching above its weight on the sporting field has seldom seen such success. Last month, the nation's female cricketing White Ferns won the T20 World Cup for the first time just days before their male counterparts secured a first Test series win in India. In Barcelona, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron dominated Ben Ainslie’s Brits to hold on to the America’s Cup; it is a Kiwi in Chris Wood that is powering Nottingham Forest up the Premier League.

So you’d forgive the All Blacks, New Zealand’s highest-profile sporting export, for feeling a little extra pressure as they begin a demanding European tour with a tango in Twickenham this afternoon.

“You look on extremely proudly when you see the country at the bottom of the world punching like that,” Scott Robertson, the New Zealand head coach, said on Thursday. “I just think it shows our fighting spirit. We draw on it, we’re aware of it, we celebrate it as well. It’s something that will inspire us.”

The problem for Robertson’s men is that this has been far from a vintage year for a side so used to being their country’s standard-bearer. Twelve months and one week ago, the All Blacks lost a World Cup final by the barest of margins, the curtain brought down on the Ian Foster era with a flash of red and bowed heads of disappointment.

The hope was that the all-singing, all-breakdancing “Razor” Robertson would inject extra energy and fun back into a brand beginning to lose its sheen. Having built a Christchurch dynasty with the Crusaders, his credentials were impeccable; while the July series win over England was not without problems, it represented a solid start to life in a role where success is a prerequisite.

This story is from the November 02, 2024 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 02, 2024 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView All
Rugby's head injury issues underlined by Curry return
The Independent

Rugby's head injury issues underlined by Curry return

A hush descended on Allianz Stadium as an apparently unconscious Tom Curry received treatment from the medics while he lay prone on the Twickenham turf.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Sin City promises an even greater show as F1 returns
The Independent

Sin City promises an even greater show as F1 returns

As fans trudged away from their expensive acquired seats on night one of the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, having seen just eight minutes of cars on track before “manhole gate”, one question sprung to mind: how could the sport come back for this?

time-read
4 mins  |
November 22, 2024
FINDING NUNO
The Independent

FINDING NUNO

A return is a reminder of the day when Nuno wasn’t really Nuno.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Late strike helps resurgent Arsenal into WCL quarters
The Independent

Late strike helps resurgent Arsenal into WCL quarters

Renee Slegers allowed herself a moment to pump her firsts on the touchline.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Britain's borrowing surge may mean another tax rise
The Independent

Britain's borrowing surge may mean another tax rise

The latest public sector borrowing figures are enough to have anyone inside 11 Downing Street heading for the drinks cabinet.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 22, 2024
TfL enlists Tokyo Metro to improve the Elizabeth line
The Independent

TfL enlists Tokyo Metro to improve the Elizabeth line

Japan’s reliable railways are coming to London as Tokyo Metro takes over the operation of the Elizabeth line to make journeys more punctual.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024
No customer cash for water bosses' bonuses, says Ofwat
The Independent

No customer cash for water bosses' bonuses, says Ofwat

Nine water companies, including stricken Thames Water, have been stopped from using customer money to fund “undeserved” bonuses for top bosses worth £6.8m.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Labour firebrand who kept peace for Blair and Brown
The Independent

Labour firebrand who kept peace for Blair and Brown

Former deputy PM John Prescott was known for that punch but he was a prolier-than-thou crucial part of New Labour

time-read
10 mins  |
November 22, 2024
pro-democracy Hong Kong activist Lai denies inciting hatred against China in trial
The Independent

pro-democracy Hong Kong activist Lai denies inciting hatred against China in trial

Pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai said yesterday he was against violence and had not sought to incite hatred against China and Hong Kong authorities by calling for protests to defend basic rights, speaking on his second day of testimony in a landmark national security trial.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Gaetz drops out of running for US attorney general role
The Independent

Gaetz drops out of running for US attorney general role

Ex-congressman among most controversial of Trump allies

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024