Scotty Stevenson

Senior Sports Writer

Scotty Stevenson is a senior sports writer for The Spinoff, and a commentator and columnist.

Sports
Sep 24, 2018

League of Nations could be a gamechanger for international rugby

In what could be World Rugby’s most game-changing play since the introduction of the Rugby World Cup in 1987, plans for an annual ‘League of Nations’ tournament show the governing body’s intent to keep the international game on top.

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Sports
Aug 4, 2018

The Super Rugby final has everything it needs, but not what it deserves

Tonight's Super Rugby final will be a repeat of last year’s match up. No matter what you may think about Super Rugby’s complex format, there's no doubt both Crusaders and Lions deserve to be there, writes Scotty Stevenson.

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Sports
May 30, 2018

Isa Nacewa: almost an All Black, a Leinster legend instead

Isa Nacewa hung up his boots yesterday after leading his beloved Leinster to Champions Cup and Pro14 Glory. It has been a remarkable career for a man who deserves to be known for so much more than not playing for the All Blacks.

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Sports
May 24, 2018

In praise of the Heritage Hotel, home of the All Blacks

Scotty Stevenson pays tribute to the charms of Auckland's Heritage Hotel, where the new All Black squad was announced over the weekend.

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Sports
May 9, 2018

Scotty Stevenson: Ben Lam is good enough to make the All Blacks

Hurricanes winger Ben Lam has been a revelation this season, but looks unlikely to be in the All Black’s thinking for June. Scotty Stevenson discusses the reasons why, and what it says about how tough it is to make the team.

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Sports
Apr 18, 2018

Israel Folau has Rugby Australia stuck between a stone tablet and a hard place

If Israel Folau really wants to stay in Australian rugby union, he’s got a funny way of showing it, writes Scotty Stevenson. Oh, and Rugby Australia is being played.

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Sports
Apr 16, 2018

Watching for the love of the game

As the Hurricanes held off the Chiefs on Friday night, Scotty Stevenson had a chance to reflect on the simple joy of watching a game.

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Sports
Apr 7, 2018

In Auckland, rugby union’s got the blues

New Zealand Rugby needs its biggest city to be in love with rugby union. But, if last weekend is anything to go by, Auckland may be considering a love affair with that other rugby code. Can the Blues win over a jaded public?

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Sports
Mar 24, 2018

The lost boys who find a home at the Highlanders

Last week the Highlanders reigned victorious over the Crusaders in the southern derby. Scotty Stevenson explores the metaphysical reasons why they beat the old foes from up the road.

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Sports
Feb 3, 2018

When the level playing field is just not big enough

There are more problems than solutions when it comes to the integration of Sevens World Series events, but, as Scotty Stevenson discovered in Sydney, it is clearly the way forward for the sport.

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Sports
Jan 28, 2018

Two Aussies, three games – a road trip through New Zealand provincial rugby

From Auckland to Methven, two Aussie lads chased the essence of New Zealand rugby. Scotty Stevenson recounts their journey.  

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Sports
Jan 10, 2018

All Black Lima Sopoaga to sign with Wasps

Another big name All Black has been tempted to the Northern Hemisphere. Scotty Stevenson reports. 

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Sports
Nov 29, 2017

A group of amateur women are undeniably the best rugby team in the world

The Black Ferns recognition as the World Rugby Team of the Year is a big deal for women athletes around the world.

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Sports
Nov 21, 2017

Brad Shields is no villain

Wellington and Hurricanes stalwart Brad Shields may be in line to play for England at the next World Cup after turning down the chance to join the All Blacks on tour. Cue predictable outrage. But spare us the guilt trip, writes Scotty Stevenson.

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Sports
Nov 9, 2017

Samoa Rugby Union hates the players and the game

The Samoa Rugby Union needs a hand up, not a hand out, writes Scotty Stevenson. It also needs a complete administrative overhaul and an end to the culture of intimidation, cronyism and silence that disrespects the players and the game.

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Sports
Oct 21, 2017

Who’s afraid of the big, bad Wallaby? Not the All Blacks

There's not a lot of hope for Australian rugby ahead of tonight's test, says Scotty Stevenson.

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Sports
Oct 14, 2017

The undying hope of the Taniwha: a memoir of Northland rugby

To the sound of country music, long suffering Northland rugby fan Scotty Stevenson fears a winning season could be inevitably lost.

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Sports
Sep 16, 2017

The only All Black who remembers losing to the Springboks in New Zealand

There will be motivation aplenty for both teams tomorrow when the All Blacks face the Springboks at Albany, but the most motivated of all might be the only guy in the All Blacks team who remembers what it is like to lose to South Africa in New Zealand.

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Sports
Sep 8, 2017

No fuss, no drama: Luke Romano is the All Blacks’ quiet achiever in a noisy age

The All Blacks have chosen to share the love in the selection this weekend – that’s good news for one man who continues to graft away in the background, and would be just as happy hunting pigs in the Canterbury high country, writes Scotty Stevenson.

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Sports
Sep 2, 2017

The Battle of the Bridge is a provincial rugby rivalry worth reviving

It should be New Zealand provincial rugby’s greatest rivalry, but the Battle of the Bridge barely rates a mention on the list of great contests. Is 2017 the year to change all that? Scotty Stevenson certainly hopes so.

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Sports
Aug 25, 2017

From Feilding High School to the Rugby World Cup final

At least one person will have a bob each way when the Black Ferns take on England in the final of the women's World Cup on Sunday morning, writes Scotty Stevenson.

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Sports
Aug 18, 2017

Relationship goals: What the All Blacks and Wallabies could learn from Justin Marshall and George Gregan

New Zealand and Australia have always enjoyed a well, special, sporting relationship. But if this week has proved anything it is that the Wallabies and the All Blacks barely have a relationship at all any more, writes Scotty Stevenson.

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Sports
Aug 10, 2017

Scotty Stevenson: The rise and rise of David Havili

The All Blacks have lost Jordie Barrett to injury, so they have simply called up another kid with a bottomless bag of tricks – the Crusaders’ David Havili. Here's how he got there.

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Sports
Aug 3, 2017

Scotty Stevenson: The Crusaders won’t fear the Ellis Park factor

Home advantage is a very real thing in the history of Super Rugby finals, but the Crusaders don’t mind a road trip, and won’t be worried about being away from home this weekend.

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Sports
Jul 28, 2017

Old hands vs new philosophers: The Super Rugby semifinals coaching battles

It’s only fair that most of the focus ahead of this weekend’s Super Rugby semi-finals will be on the players but, as Scotty Stevenson writes, both crucial clashes will also be defined by a battle between the old and new schools of professional coaches.

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Sports
Jul 26, 2017

Secondary school rugby players to be tested for drugs

For the first time in NZ school sports history, players at this year's National 1st XV top 4 semi-finals will be subject to anti-doping testing, reports Scotty Stevenson.

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