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Alex Chapman: All Blacks question marks, Nweke's mic drop, Ryder Cup's sporting theatre
Alex Chapman • September 29th, 2025 10:47 am
Leroy Carter celebrates his try against the Wallabies | Photo: Photosport
Eventually, a fortress will fall or flake.
It may not completely crumble but it will crack.
For now, the All Blacks fortress remains in tact, albeit, without the flaws of its defenders.
So, the Eden Park streak now stands at 52, and along with the Bledisloe Cup, is safe until next year. But as the All Blacks head overseas for the rest of their 2025 games, where do they stand?
Let’s start with the obvious.
Cam Roigard may be their most influential player. He certainly takes them to a level that no other halfback can. His speed of pass, snipes from the breakdown, running support play and lines, and kicking game, all emphasised the asset he is. Put simply, he’s a threat everywhere and without hyperbole, is one of the world’s best nines.
Who's up if Cam Roigard goes down? | The Rugby Run
They almost certainly now know who their starting wings are. Caleb Clarke’s tears and Eroni’s pipes hit right in the feels before the former’s burst of pace was the memory jog of how dangerous he can be. However, he remains under an injury cloud for Perth, and so the question of “who” may once again be asked.
Damian McKenzie was assertive in his nearly three quarters at first five which will be a comfort given Beauden Barrett’s been ruled out of the Rugby Championship decider with a shoulder issue.
Individually and collectively, there were moments and periods of brilliance. But it wasn’t perfect.
In fact far from.
Crucially, the set piece, which was ripped to shreds in Wellington, has seemingly been amended. Whether by glue or just sellotape will be proven in Perth. Their tackle accuracy hugely improved, missing just 11 compared to the 46 in Wellington, and 30 fewer than the Aussies. Their first half line speed and possession dominance gave them the scoreboard advantage that they’d cling onto for victory.
But, they’re still patchy. To the point they may as well be covered in sour crystals and sold in bags. And even with a 17-point halftime lead, they once again allowed the gate to be opened, though the Aussies couldn’t squeeze through the gap. Harry Potter’s binning after getting greedy seeking the snitch may have saved the AB’s heading to Azkaban.
Ardie Savea said after the game that “The challenge now is embracing this win but then getting back on the horse and trying to go back-to-back.” they’d best hope it doesn’t buck them off or refuse to get out of the stalls.
Black Ferns Questions
It was the wrong coloured medal, but the Black Ferns still managed to finish with one at the World Cup.
They will return home without the silverware they so dearly wanted to bring back, and it’ll be a long flight, as the what ifs and could’ve beens circle their heads.
As is always the case after big tournaments, there will be a review into this campaign. And it will both celebrate the continued emergence of young stars and laud veterans, but also may raise questions.
Essentially, it’ll shed light on why they didn’t either win or make the final, and what systems need to be implemented to ensure that doesn’t happen again in 2029. It should go beyond just this team and squad. It needs to include what support can be given if they’re to improve on this result.
It shouldn’t be harsh, just honest.
Unsurprisingly, England were the ones to lift the trophy in front of 81,885 fans. Build it and they will come. They have and will continue to be the benchmark and standard for the women’s game, as proven by their now 33 consecutive wins, and having won 63 of their past 64 matches. It’s a benchmark and standard that the Black Ferns now must chase for the next four years.
So What Now For The Ferns?
In one of the bigger mic drops in recent times, Grace Nweke showed she’s firmly in Camp Noels.
Her grabbing of the microphone to plead for Dame Noeline Taurua to return to the group after being stood down for the Taini Jamison Trophy, speaks volumes.
“We want you back here.”
The fact that the Ferns most important player chose that moment to say something so powerful, can’t be underestimated.
As is often the case, Nweke shot, and didn’t miss. Maybe she’d be an option at the other end of the court with that sort of defence.
The details, or some at least, are public, after the initial Sport Nation report, and there’ll be more to come in the coming weeks.
Watch this space.
The Greatest Game Of All
Empires eventually fall. History is littered with proof of that. And the dynasty many thought may never end, finally has. We may never again see what Penrith accomplished in the NRL. A run of more than 1456 days as premiers with four consecutive titles and within 85 minutes of a fifth.
But rugby league does it again. That preliminary final between the Broncos and Panthers was something special.
And so it will be the might of Melbourne against the bullheadedness of Brisbane to decide who will be etched again on the Provan-Summons.
Ryder Cup Chaos
Speaking of madness, among the gross crowd behaviour and idiotic MC work, the Ryder Cup continues to deliver theatre that very few sporting events can.
Enough said.
World Cup Awaits White Ferns
The White Ferns’ 50 over World Cup campaign begins on Wednesday with the toughest task in the women’s game to kick things off; the Aussies.
The defending champions and seven-time winners are the overwhelming favourites with the bookies, with New Zealand at 13s. But as they showed last year in the T20 event, they’re capable of upsetting anyone and delivering performances worthy of winning the whole thing. The usual suspects of Kerr, Bates and Devine will be hugely influential for New Zealand, as will the batting and off-spin of Maddy Green (Cornwall), while Izzy Gaze also showed in the warm-ups what a threat she is in the middle-lower order. The ever-present Jess Kerr and Lea Tahuhu will be tasked with doing a job with the ball, while expect the left arm swing of Bree Illing (Cornwall) to be a key weapon for this side.
And as if the jumping forward of clocks, mowing of fields, opening of pavilions and distant sounds of leather on willow didn’t suggest it, the home summer also gets underway on Wednesday with the Blackcaps T20 series against Australia.
Catch it all on Sport Nation. Bring it on.
