Paul Lewis
Sports columnist
Paul Lewis writes about rugby, cricket, league, football, yachting, golf, the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
About 1000 years ago, I was selected for the Auckland B rugby team. Unfortunately, fate intervened with a broken leg, and I never got the chance to play. The guy who took my spot went on to play for Auckland for over three years. I didn’t make it back because a career in journalism got in the way – though I still managed to play (lower level) club rugby and cricket in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and the UK, the latter during a stint with the Daily Mail and a couple of UK provincial papers. After serving as a political and crime reporter, as well as an editor of a national magazine, I made a switch to sports journalism. I covered first-class rugby and cricket, spending five years with the All Blacks, reporting on two Rugby World Cups, four Olympics, two Commonwealth Games, and three America’s Cups. In between, I wrote four books and took on roles as the managing director/Asia-Pacific managing director of two PR consultancies based in Singapore and Bangkok. Through all of this, I maintained my connection with sports by continuing to play rugby, along with a bit of cricket and football despite the long work hours.
Check out Paul’s latest content
World Rugby’s high kick law change a potential recipe for chaos – Paul Lewis
OPINION: Just what the game needs, right? More kicking and more penalties.
Paul Lewis: The All Black who had a 'coming-of-age' test in Ireland victory
OPINION: One player doesn't make a rugby team, right? Okay, what about three?
Paul Lewis: The 'almost certain' change All Blacks will make
OPINION: Another good reason why Cameron Roigard should be the ABs' starting halfback.
Paul Lewis: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot? More like Swing Low, Sweet Whining
OPINION: How England’s rugby culture struggles to respond to New Zealand’s haka.
Paul Lewis: Why this city is stronger than Auckland for next America's Cup host
Logic says Auckland has about as much chance as a tissue paper mainsail.
Paul Lewis: How mistakes, not speed, shaped recent America's Cup races
OPINION: Team New Zealand can't outrun tactical blunders.
From hero to heckler: David Campese's greatest off-field gaffes - Paul Lewis
OPINION: Campese has a history of making unfounded comments about coaches and players.
Paul Lewis: All Blacks XV look to the future, why didn't Scott Robertson?
OPINION: The All Blacks backed experience over youth for their northern tour.
Paul Lewis: The Achilles heel Team NZ must overcome to beat Britannia
OPINION: Peter Burling needs to overcome his 'walkabout' moments in the start box.
Paul Lewis: The ruthless selections Robertson must make for northern tour
OPINION: The All Blacks can't pick on sentiment as they prepare for the future.
Paul Lewis: Why dropping McKenzie would be a mistake
OPINION: The All Blacks No 10 is copping far too much of the blame.
Paul Lewis: Naive Black Ferns need change before bigger tests
OPINION: If the Ferns are to beat England next month, they’ll need more than they showed.
Paul Lewis: The players that let Scott Robertson down in losses to Springboks
OPINION: The All Blacks' record is now 4-3 under their new coach.
Paul Lewis: When will we start to see the best of America's Cup racing?
OPINION: Conditions are yet to play into the hands of teams in Barcelona.
Paul Lewis: Young guns need more game time - a call for strategic change
OPINION: Scott Robertson needs to start young stars like Cortez Ratima.
Paul Lewis: Team NZ crane debacle’s only certainty is uncertainty
OPINION: A Spanish crane hire company will have already received an urgent phone call.
Paul Lewis: Are challengers deliberately racing poorly against Team NZ?
OPINION: There had been some earlier rumours in yachting-land.
Paul Lewis: The contrast between All Blacks and Boks post-World Cup
OPINION: The All Blacks' selections for the upcoming tests will be fascinating.
The rule set to impact America's Cup before sailing begins
Vital decisions on the key variables of the AC75s must be made well ahead of racing.
Paul Lewis: Why All Blacks' loose forwards are failing to impress
OPINION: The All Blacks need to rethink their loose forward selection.
Paul Lewis: Our women Olympians are putting the men to shame
Over the last 20 years, New Zealand women have won 22 golds, double the men's tally of 11.
Paul Lewis: Put the feet first to find sprint champions
OPINION: He won but … did he really? What should we believe?
Paul Lewis: What the first week of Paris 2024 taught us
OPINION: Paris slays but the Seine's a hot mess - should the Olympics stay here forever?
Paul Lewis: New Zealand's Sevens strategy needs rethink
OPINION: The ousting of NZ's Olympic Sevens team may prompt a strategy overhaul.
Paul Lewis: The big selections Robertson must get right
OPINION: Certainty in playmaker roles is crucial for the ABs' prospects.
Paul Lewis: All Blacks' style is flawed without a Plan B
OPINION: The All Blacks need to be able to change strategy when it matters most.
Paul Lewis: Why the All Blacks should keep Barrett on the bench
OPINION: Why the All Blacks' old guard needs to step aside for new blood.
Paul Lewis: Razor’s not the Messiah. He’s just a very good coach
OPINION: There's some early excitement about the new ABs coach
Paul Lewis: Robertson’s Sotutu explanation reveals All Blacks intentions
OPINION: Defeat in the England series would be a disaster in a season full of tough sides.
Paul Lewis: The contenders to host New Zealand's SailGP leg
OPINION: Auckland or Queenstown? How about somewhere else? Analysing the best locations.
Paul Lewis: Heartbreak and hope – the tough choices in All Blacks team picks
OPINION: Brent Anderson missed '87 Rugby WC squad; bitter memory of televised rejection.
US Open: Dustin Johnson and the tyranny of having to play golf
Johnson's departure typifies what happens when money beats sport.
Paul Lewis: The $2b question over laughable America’s Cup claims
ANALYSIS: Economic gains from major events like the America's Cup are often overstated.
Paul Lewis: New strategy for All Blacks? How they might surprise England
Analysis: Why the All Blacks might abandon their signature style against old foes.
Paul Lewis: Who will be Razor's first All Blacks bolters?
OPINION: A few positions might accommodate test newcomers.
Opinion: Sam Cane deserved better from New Zealand’s rugby media
OPINION: The former captain had to endure more criticism than most.
Paul Lewis: World Rugby's law changes too timid to be good
OPINION: New rugby rules aim to entertain - but are they enough?
Paul Lewis: Coutts shows he's not like most New Zealanders
OPINION: How many other marine sanctuaries has SailGP raced on?
Paul Lewis: World Rugby changes fail to address blight on the game
OPINION: Rolling mauls are a boring eyesore.
Paul Lewis: Poua to the people! Hurricanes haka should be welcomed
OPINION: The Hurricanes women should be saluted and celebrated for sharing their message.
Is fan ownership the key to NRL success in the South Island?
OPINION: Paul Lewis examines the feasibility of fan ownership in the South Island NRL bid.
The stand-out young talent of Super Rugby so far
Paul Lewis outlines the best young players that have stood out to him during Super Rugby.
Guns for hire: Rugby's battle with nationality and identity
OPINION: Unpacking rugby's imbalances on and off the field.
Batter banter or burden? The dilemma of miking up cricketers
OPINION: Batters should be left to do their job without commentators' matey chatter.
Opinion: The hypocrisy of David Warner's crack at Kiwi fans
Opinion: The Aussie veteran has a long history of being a little more than passionate.
Paul Lewis: The end of the small bloke era in rugby
OPINION: Rugby's emphasis on size and power is setting up the end of an era.
Paul Lewis: The big-money reasons America’s Cup had to go offshore
It seems aeons ago that trouble flared when it became clear Team NZ were looking overseas.
Paul Lewis: The complex narrative surrounding Alexander Zverev
OPINION: Tennis needs a more comprehensive approach to domestic violence claims.
Paul Lewis: The T20 maestro the Black Caps can't afford not to play
OPINION: Why Finn Allen deserves a pivotal role in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Razor doesn't need overseas All Blacks... right now
OPINION: There will be no change in the immediate future in picking overseas All Blacks.
Herald sport classic: Richie McCaw’s quiet day at the office
A look back into the vault at one of Richie McCaw's 'quiet' games in 2008.
Paul Lewis: Time for a new reality in test cricket
OPINION: Steve Waugh is right. NZ Cricket should say thanks, but no thanks.
Paul Lewis: Jon Rahm and the price of principle
OPINION: The integrity of professional golfers is on the line.
The All Blacks selection dilemma for Scott Robertson
Opinion: Many are expecting Robertson to bring a new approach.
Paul Lewis: Difficult question surrounds English rugby star's mental health break
OPINION: When does criticism stray into harmful harassment?
The billionaire blueprint for Auckland's waterfront stadium
OPINION: The stadium-entertainment precinct sounds less sunken and more aspirational.
Paul Lewis: Rugby must stop treating referees like a protected species
OPINION: Fans of the game deserve to have match officials' decisions explained.
Paul Lewis: Why I'll be cheering for India to beat Australia in World Cup final
OPINION: Kane Williamson sets the bar high for how to respond to a loss.
Super Rugby overhaul: Why it's time for a draft
Using a draft system can elevate competency and reduce predictability, writes Paul Lewis.
Help me understand the most ridiculous law in sport - Paul Lewis
OPINION: Arbitrary lawmaking leaves no room for the drama of the game.
Paul Lewis: Clareburt move sad reflection of underfunded country
Opinion: If Kiwi swimmer gets among medals, he will have done so by beating bureaucracy.
Paul Lewis: Well done to South Africa, the best at not playing rugby
OPINION: Their possession, kick, defend, kick the goals style is an effective way to win.
Paul Lewis: A logical look at the Bongi Mbonambi race slur accusation
OPINION: World Rugby may be happy if Mbonambi is not excluded from the final.
Paul Lewis: Why I stopped caring about 'tedious' Rugby World Cup semifinal
OPINION: I watched sumo wrestling for 28 minutes before I realised it was a rugby match.
Paul Lewis: What the Irish analysis of the All Blacks got totally wrong
Opinion: React Rugby’s searing pre-game analysis was about as wrong as you can be.
Paul Lewis: The one saving grace in ‘dumb’ Mark Telea saga
Opinion: What was Mark Telea thinking – and how badly will it affect the All Blacks?
Paul Lewis: What the All Blacks can learn from the 1987 quarter-final
OPINION: There is one thing that stands the test of time for a good rugby side.
Paul Lewis: Shattered Ranfurly Shield is a sign of the modern game's woes
OPINION: Today's Magpies have reduced a proud province's reputation to rubble.
The approach used against Italy that can help All Blacks beat Ireland
OPINION: The All Blacks want to run – but the game is tuned more to those who don’t.
World Cup newsletter: Australia in all sorts and the disappointing Pacific
OPINION: Aussie mess comes as no surprise and the Pacific has been largely underwhelming.
What we can learn from Australia: The three big worries for ABs
OPINION: Take it easy on Eddie Jones. His present, or part of it, could be our future.
Bring back the super-sub: All Blacks should bench Barrett, start Jordan
OPINION: Beauden Barrett remains the ideal player to bring on in the last quarter.
Paul Lewis: Stat that should worry the ABs
OPINION: There is a statistic that starkly shows the biggest issue facing the All Blacks.
Le Cup newsletter: Pick 'em, play 'em - Here's hoping Blackadder gets game time
OPINION: Le Cup has all the latest information from France 2023.
Paul Lewis: Lunacy to write off ABs but they need some magic
'For these All Blacks, world-class opponents are presenting a bit of a problem.'
Le Cup: All Blacks and Ian Foster confront foreign climate
OPINION: Le Cup has all the latest information from France 2023.
Paul Lewis: Why rugby's rules around reserves must be red-carded
OPINION: Paul Lewis says the current rules around the bench should be benched.
Paul Lewis: All Blacks were shocking, but the grand old game of rugby was worse
OPINION: Believe it or not, that horrible record loss will benefit the All Blacks.
Paul Lewis: The curious case of Hansen and All Blacks mis-communication
Coaching intrigue highlights curious lack of communication
Paul Lewis: The reality of the Football Ferns' 'media trashing'
OPINION: What constitutes fair and reasonable criticism of an emerging sport?