Opinion
International Rugby
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Adam Julian
Adam Julian is a freelance sportswriter and broadcaster based in Wellington. He's been a regular contributor on Clubrugby.co.nz and Te Upoko O Te Ika radio for a dozen years. Between 2010 and 2018 he was the official statistician for Sky Sports Land Rover First XV program. Adam is the author of the A to Z of the Black Ferns on allblacks.com, a member of the Association of Rugby Historians and Statisticians and a long-suffering Wellington Lions and Hurricanes supporter. His interests outside of rugby include blues music, history, travel, and food.
239 Articles
Latest
6 days ago Super Rugby Pacific
Who stood up in the Super Rugby Pacific final
11 days ago Super Rugby Pacific
Emoni Narawa and the best of wingers in Super Rugby final history
14 days ago Super Rugby Pacific
Top performers from the SRP semi-finals
16 days ago Super Rugby Pacific
The Kiwi who found a home in Canberra: Ollie Sapsford and the Brumbies
Interview
Crusaders' new 'diesel engine' doesn't mind 'being a grub' when needed
In 2025, Antonio Shalfoon has played a pivotal role in the Crusaders' resurgence and re-signed for another season last week.
Adam Julian
13 Jun 2025, 8:41
Interview
‘Why not’: Blues spark to life as Plummer warns the dog is barking again
Harry Plummer warns that the inner dog has its bark back ahead of the Blues' trip to Christchurch for a Super Rugby Pacific semi-f…
Adam Julian
13 Jun 2025, 8:08
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific performers of the week: Qualifying Finals
Since 1996, the Crusaders, Blues, Brumbies, and Chiefs have won 22 Super Rugby Pacific titles between them.
Adam Julian
10 Jun 2025, 6:45
Interview
'Why the hell is he playing for Australia?': How Tyrel Lomax became an All Black
Tryel Lomax comes from a huge family. Over 50 family members gathered at Sky Stadium in Wellington last Saturday to celebrate his …
Adam Julian
07 Jun 2025, 7:55
Interview
The family promise driving one-Test All Black toward a Samoa switch
In the Hurricanes' sixth-largest victory, Peter Umaga-Jensen scored two tries and accumulated the most metres run of any player.
Adam Julian
06 Jun 2025, 7:42
Interview
'I couldn’t run for two years': Olympic flyer's trying route to breakout Super season
Four years ago, Fineanganofo needed support to walk. Playing for College Rifles in a Gallaher Shield match, he suffered a serious …
Adam Julian
03 Jun 2025, 7:54
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific performers of the week for round 16
As the sixth and lowest-ranked qualifier for the playoffs, the Blues will need to replicate the success of the Crusaders (1998-200…
Adam Julian
02 Jun 2025, 10:50
Interview
Josh Fusitu'a: The Blues prop with an All Blacks guru's endorsement
Despite a 5-8 record, Josh Fusitu'a believes the Blues can still defend their Super Rugby Pacific title.
Adam Julian
30 May 2025, 11:25
Opinion
Pacific Four Series: Form XV of the tournament
New Zealand and Canada were each unbeaten in the Pacific Four Series. This 2025 form XV acknowledges outstanding performers in the…
Adam Julian
26 May 2025, 19:43
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific performers of the week for round 14
The Chiefs were scary against Moana Pasifika, the Crusaders heaped more misery upon the Highlanders, and the Waratahs are still al…
Adam Julian
26 May 2025, 6:31
Sylvia Brunt on taking positives from Canada draw: 'We’ll be better for it'
Sylvia Brunt, a World Rugby Dream Team selection in 2024, has hit the ground running in the 2025 international season.
Adam Julian
23 May 2025, 20:06
Interview
Wallaroos' Ashley Marsters admits how tough Pacific Four has been
Ashley Marsters summarised the Wallaroos' Pacific Four victory over the USA in typically laconic fashion last Saturday. “They're…
Adam Julian
22 May 2025, 22:58
Opinion
The three Super Rugby Pacific performers of the week for round 14
The Hurricanes topped the Highlanders in a thriller on Friday night while the Crusaders won handsomely in Sydney without Will Jord…
Adam Julian
20 May 2025, 5:29
Interview
From South Auckland to Christchurch, the Crusaders' emerging hooker
In Super Rugby Pacific, Moananu has often helped the Crusaders mop up messes when Codie Taylor has been rested or absent.
Adam Julian
18 May 2025, 7:41
Interview
Maia Joseph, the young Black Fern 'not shy about hard work'
Maia Joseph has paused her medical studies at the halfway point to become a full-time professional rugby player. The halfback has …
Adam Julian
16 May 2025, 1:53
Exclusive
'Hard work always beats talent': New Zealand U20's new hat-trick hero from humble beginnings
New Zealand rallied from 19-0 behind and survived the dying stages with only 13 players in a herculean triumph. Winger Harlyn Saun…
Adam Julian
14 May 2025, 10:48
Interview
Hurricanes winger Ngane Punivai is a transformed player in 2025
Punivai played 14 games for the Highlanders between 2020 and 2022, where he struggled to make a big impression. He scored five tri…
Adam Julian
13 May 2025, 12:35
Interview
Black Ferns prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu's incredible comeback
A quieter but no less significant milestone was the return of Awhina Tangen-Wainohu. The prop came off the bench in her first inte…
Adam Julian
13 May 2025, 3:00
Super Rugby Pacific performers of the week round 13
The Chiefs replaced the Crusaders at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table with a commanding second-half in Christchurch.
Adam Julian
12 May 2025, 11:03
Interview
Australia stalwart Michaela Leonard on how they can 'trouble' Black Ferns
Demotion to WXV 2 could have spelled disaster for the Wallaroos. Instead, stalwart Michaela Leonard believes Australia turned a pa…
Adam Julian
09 May 2025, 21:37
