Food for thought for Wai-Bush

Opinion > Food for thought for Wai-Bush

by Christine Dornan | 2 Jul, 2018 | Opinion, Rugby, Sport

Masterton Red Star players celebrating their win in last year’s senior reserve final against Tuhirangi. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV JAKE’S TAKE JAKE BELESKI jake.beleski@age.co.nz It was clear after hearing the respective views of the Tuhirangi and Puketoi rugby clubs... read more

Concussion an ongoing issue

Opinion > Concussion an ongoing issue

by Bevan Wills | 30 Apr, 2017 | Opinion

By Jake Beleski jake.beleski@age.co.nz James Broadhurst’s retirement from rugby due to the ongoing effects of concussion is the latest chapter in a worrying trend that continues to envelop the sport. The former All Blacks’ and Hurricanes’ lock... read more

Barrett deserves call-up

Opinion > Barrett deserves call-up

by Bevan Wills | 22 Apr, 2017 | Opinion

By Jake Beleski jake.beleski@age.co.nz Is there anything more bemusing for a Super Rugby side than trying to find ways to contain Hurricanes’ first five Beauden Barrett? Yes — trying to contain two Barretts. Beauden has hogged the headlines in recent weeks... read more

Lack of killer instinct

Opinion > Lack of killer instinct

by Bevan Wills | 1 Apr, 2017 | Opinion

By Jake Beleski jake.beleski@age.co.nz Kane Williamson is rapidly racing towards the mantle of greatest ever New Zealand batsman, but he is a long way from becoming New Zealand’s greatest captain. Williamson’s majestic 176 in the Black Caps’ first... read more

No logic to record deal

Opinion > No logic to record deal

by Bevan Wills | 25 Mar, 2017 | Opinion

By Jake Beleski Earning $10.9m over 10 years might be a good decade’s work for most people, but Jason Taumalolo will likely live to regret it. The New Zealand-born North Queensland Cowboys wrecking ball will become one of the highest-paid players in the NRL from... read more

Smith facing toughest test

Opinion > Smith facing toughest test

by Bevan Wills | 18 Mar, 2017 | Opinion

By Jake Beleski jake.beleski@age.co.nz Far more than competition points will be on the line when the Hurricanes clash with the Highlanders in Wellington tonight. Aaron Smith will be able to kiss goodbye his hopes of wearing the No 9 jersey against the British and... read more

Bad pitch, thrilling cricket

Opinion > Bad pitch, thrilling cricket

by Bevan Wills | 13 Mar, 2017 | Opinion

By Jake Beleski jake.beleski@age.co.nz The second cricket test between India and Australia was one of the most riveting matches in recent memory. Not because of blazing boundaries or ferocious bowling, but because of a terrible pitch that had batsmen from both sides... read more

De Villers — the modern great

Opinion > De Villers — the modern great

by Bevan Wills | 5 Mar, 2017 | Opinion

By Jake Beleski How many current batsmen can captivate an audience across all three formats of the game? Of course, the usual suspects are always worth a watch – Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson are all word-class in their own right, but one man stands... read more