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![Mark Richardson: Resting key players all very well but it's not okay to lose](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Mark Richardson: Resting key players all very well but it's not okay to lose
As much as I despise the way India has used its strength to manipulate world cricket to suit itself, I immensely respect the quality of the Indian cricketers.
![Chris Rattue: Let's learn from Belgians](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Chris Rattue: Let's learn from Belgians
There's a lot riding on these World Cup finals qualifiers, beginning with the high-altitude clash in Mexico in seven days time, writes Chris Rattue.
![Wynne Gray: Happy warrior put Samoa on rugby map](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Wynne Gray: Happy warrior put Samoa on rugby map
Peter Fatialofa was a larrikin and a leader, someone who was able to merge those traits in his own delightful way, writes Wynne Gray.
![Gregor Paul: French unable to back up fearsome reputation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Gregor Paul: French unable to back up fearsome reputation
France, forever touted as an All Black nemesis, are nothing of the sort, writes Gregor Paul. Their record against NZ is fairly dire.
![Dana Johannsen: US team brings life to Rugby League World Cup](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Dana Johannsen: US team brings life to Rugby League World Cup
Until the weekend I was wedged somewhere between ambivalence and bemusement when it came to the Rugby League World Cup.
![Chris Rattue: Little Luke makes massive contribution to Kiwis' cause](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Chris Rattue: Little Luke makes massive contribution to Kiwis' cause
Issac Luke is a marvel, writes Chris Rattue. The little Kiwis league hooker tormented France, as he has done to NRL defences throughout the year.
![Richard Loe: Pack gets a pass mark, but only just](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Richard Loe: Pack gets a pass mark, but only just
A messy game and some messed up their reputations a little but the All Blacks are lucky to have opportunities like this to help develop players. They'll take a bit out of that.
![Sean Fitzpatrick: European club rugby could be losing its soul](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Sean Fitzpatrick: European club rugby could be losing its soul
The All Blacks will be heading into an interesting foreign environment when they arrive on their northern tour - the stoush over the future of club rugby in Europe.
![Mark Richardson: Failure is not an option](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Mark Richardson: Failure is not an option
How much interest this current tour of Bangladesh has been generating is debatable. It's not been one of the more eye-catching, nor, anticipated series our team has been involved in.
![Chris Rattue: South Africa fed up with not-so-Super 15](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Chris Rattue: South Africa fed up with not-so-Super 15
South African rugby is crying foul and threatening to hold its mates to ransom, only this time with a little more feeling, writes Chris Rattue. Maybe it is not an idle threat on this occasion.
![Dylan Cleaver: Cricket just the starting point](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Dylan Cleaver: Cricket just the starting point
"Twenty professional cricketers have used mental health support programmes recently, and a clinical psychologist says more are waiting to be seen."
![Dana Johannsen: Teen's patience remarkable in picking the right time](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Dana Johannsen: Teen's patience remarkable in picking the right time
Just as in her smooth, unrushed golf swing, Lydia Ko's timing off the course has been impeccable.
![Quiet man is our wrecking machine](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Quiet man is our wrecking machine
At high school, Sam Kasiano was "heaps" lighter. It's a relative concept, given he was still 110kg, but his sheer size is what stood out.
![Patrick McKendry: Signing on Nonu comes with risks](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Patrick McKendry: Signing on Nonu comes with risks
John Kirwan comes across with such relentless positivity that it's easy to see the good things about Ma'a Nonu's return to the Blues, but even he must know his about-turn on the wandering midfielder comes with big risks.
![Dana Johannsen: NZ can't afford not to sail in Cup](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Dana Johannsen: NZ can't afford not to sail in Cup
Sinking money into sport is always a tough sell for governments, writes Dana Johannsen. No matter what reports they produce that point to tangible and intangible benefits to the country, opponents can always come with a list of more worthy causes.
![Chris Rattue: Time is running out for McCaw in captain's spot](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Chris Rattue: Time is running out for McCaw in captain's spot
McCaw will lead the campaign to Europe but the heat is on his playing position - make no mistake - particularly if there are more injury breakdowns, writes Chris Rattue.
![Mark Richardson: Come on spinners, get ready to roll](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Mark Richardson: Come on spinners, get ready to roll
The blow torch is seriously on the spin bowlers in this next test against Bangladesh.
![Paul Lewis: Fully cocked and ready to go](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Paul Lewis: Fully cocked and ready to go
All you have to do to understand how deeply entrenched drug-taking is in sport is to go to Google. Type in "fake penises for drugs testing" and up comes a website called Detox For Less, selling a US$150 Whizzinator.
![Patrick McKendry: Chance for Thrush to stake his claim](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Patrick McKendry: Chance for Thrush to stake his claim
It's probably not too much of a stretch to suggest this is the most important match of Jeremy Thrush's career, writes Patrick McKendry.
![Wynne Gray: Shambolic state of Australian rugby tough baggage for Wallabies](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Wynne Gray: Shambolic state of Australian rugby tough baggage for Wallabies
We have to wander back to 2001 when test rugby was still played at Carisbrook to find a Wallaby test win against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
![Chris Rattue: Thrusting Ben into midfield is asking a lot of winger](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Chris Rattue: Thrusting Ben into midfield is asking a lot of winger
Chris Rattue asks:"Is Ben Smith really the next All Black centre, or is this a case of wishful thinking by the selectors, who have been left in a hole by their Super 15 teams?"