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My Instagram grid circa 2014 after the Warriors missed out on the finals. (Image: The Spinoff)

Warriors fans, you know how this goes

This was supposed to be our year. Then came a sold-out Mt Smart, a second-half collapse and that old familiar feeling.
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By Liam Rātana | 15th September, 2026
Ātea editor
The Springboks celebrate a series win after defeating the All Blacks in Baltimore on Sunday (Photo by Scott Taetsch – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Opinion

Everything about rugby right now favours the Springboks (yes, even the refs)

It’s hard to believe there’s ever been a team whose rugby DNA and personnel are so perfectly aligned with the laws as they stand and the way the game is being officiated.
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By Paul Thomas | 14th September, 2026
Guest writer
Phil Gould spent less than a year with the Warriors, but has had a larger impact than most realise. (Photo: Warriors. Additional design: Tina Tiller).

Phil Gould spent one year at the Warriors. Six years later, his fingerprints are all over their success

The Warriors owe a large part of their current success to one man.
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By Liam Rātana | 11th September, 2026
Ātea editor
Jonah Lomu (Photo: supplied)

Review: Lomu shows why Jonah became a global phenomenon

No All Black – not Richie, or Dan, or Ma’a, or Ardie – has captured the imagination of the international rugby fans like the Tongan/Kiwi winger
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By James Nokise | 5th September, 2026
Guest writer
The Warriors deserve to play their finals at Mt Smart. (Photo: Liam Rātana. Additional design: Emily Wong).
Opinion

The Warriors have earned a home final. Don’t take Mt Smart away from them

Why the Warriors could be forced to play their finals elsewhere.
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By Liam Rātana | 4th September, 2026
Ātea editor
Sophie Devine at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, Jason Sudeikis, who plays Ted Lasso, and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe at the Women’s Rugby World Cup (Photos: Getty Images)

Ted Lasso could well be a NZ show and it makes me want to throw shit at my TV

The new season plays the indignities of women's sport for laughs, but they're grounded in reality.
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By Zoe George | 30th August, 2026
Guest writer
Mullet legends only (Photos:NZ Olympic Museum; Getty Images; NZ Rugby; New Zealand Warriors. Composite image: Tina Tiller)

The Spinoff hall of fame: New Zealand’s greatest sport mullets

Legends only.
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By Emma Gleason | 28th August, 2026
Staff writer
The Northern Mystic celebrate winning the 2026 ANZ Premiership (Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

New Zealand netball has the fans – so where’s the money?

A million plus viewers. Millions in losses. Players heading offshore and billionaires at the door. What the hell is going on with professional netball?
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By Zoe George | 24th August, 2026
Guest writer
The All Blacks celebrate a hard-fought victory over the Springboks in South Africa (Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

How a Muhammad Ali approach paid off for the All Blacks

Sometimes it's less about attack and more about letting your opponent grind themselves to a halt.
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By Paul Thomas | 24th August, 2026
Guest writer
Warriors aura farming. (Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The story behind Ngā Tamatoa, the Warriors’ history-making haka

Before their victory over the Panthers on Friday night, the Warriors performed a haka for the first time ever. Here's how it came to be.
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By Liam Rātana | 11th August, 2026
Ātea editor
All Blacks number 8 Wallace Sititi faces the Springboks scrum (Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images)

This is where Rugby's Greatest Rivalry will be won and lost

The old adage 'no scrum, no win' has never been truer than right now.
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By Paul Thomas | 7th August, 2026
Guest writer
Tottenham and Auckland FC players take the field at Eden Park in July (Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty)
Opinion

Auckland gets to host the big football matches now but it has Wellington to thank for the honour

In the space of a month, Auckland will host two premier international clubs. One of those matches should've been held in Wellington.
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By Jesse Gerritsen | 3rd August, 2026
Guest writer
David Liti (Image: Sky Sport via YouTube)

I thought I wouldn’t cry this Commonwealth Games, then along came David Liti

Sometimes all it takes is a smiling weightlifter to remind us what makes the Commonwealth Games so great.
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By Madeleine Chapman | 31st July, 2026
Contributing editor
New Zealand athletics is stacked

We are so good at athletics right now

Never before has New Zealand boasted so many world contenders on both the track and the field. How long will it last?
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By Madeleine Chapman | 31st July, 2026
Contributing editor
Samoa v Georgia in…. Chile, obviously (Photo: Marcelo Hernandez – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Pacific rugby’s bad year just got even worse

'You can’t call it the Pacific Nations Cup if two of your main Pacific nations aren’t there...'
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By James Nokise | 30th July, 2026
Guest writer
Just a few of the athletes representing New Zealand at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Jump scare: The Commonwealth Games start in 48 hours

Everything you need to know to jump on the Team NZ bandwagon.
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By Madeleine Chapman | 22nd July, 2026
Contributing editor
How to keep watching football now the World Cup is over

How to keep watching football now the World Cup is over

Tips for extending your case of World Cup fever into a chronic lifelong affliction.
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By Calum Henderson | 21st July, 2026
Production editor
Luke Jacobson is tackled at Eden Park during the All Blacks’ test against Ireland (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

There’s a reason Luke Jacobson is an All Black again

The All Blacks under Dave Rennie are confident and optimistic. Even the yellow-carded Luke Jacobson serves a considered purpose.
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By Paul Thomas | 20th July, 2026
Guest writer
How New Zealand could (and why we should) co-host a Fifa Men’s World Cup
Opinion

How New Zealand could (and why we should) co-host a Fifa Men’s World Cup

A bold and beautiful vision for 2038.
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By Michael Burton Smith | 17th July, 2026
Guest writer
I’m a referee – I want to quit because of the abuse

I’m a referee – I want to quit because of the abuse

Wellington rugby refs refused to take the field over the weekend due to ongoing abuse. But it’s not just a rugby problem.
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By Guest Writer | 13th July, 2026
Guest Post

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