Stories from Massey University, the engine of the new New Zealand
From sports historians, to sport and exercise scientists, to nutritional experts, Massey has New Zealand's national sport covered. And as New Zealand's leading provider of distance education, the university is the natural choice for athletes of all kinds who need to travel and train while, at the same time, preparing for life after sport.
In 1997 a computer called Deep Blue took on the world chess champion and won. In 2011 a computer called Watson took out the game show Jeopardy. Now the question was whether a goal-kicking robot could humble a kicker with a pedigree, All Black legend and representative of all humankind Andrew Mehrtens.
Images from the Rugby World Cup and surrounding events from some of New Zealand’s best photographers.
Never try to compete for popularity with an All Black, writes Steve Maharey. Especially if you are dealing with primary school children.
New Zealand-born Fijian Deacon Manu completed his Bachelor of Business Studies (Management) degree in the nick of time, handing in his last assignments just before taking on the captaincy of the Fijian national team in the Rugby World Cup. He talks to Kathryn Farrow
Historian Geoff Watson on the stories we tell ourselves about New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup record.
The investment by the official Rugby World Cup sponsors is in the tens of millions. Brands such as Heineken, Emirates Airlines and MasterCard will be looking to recoup this investment by pushing their products in front of our faces at every possible opportunity. Kane Hopkins discusses the Public Relations behind the RWC.
For a man whose principal interest is sport, Stephen Berg has spent a lot of time worrying about clothes. As the Director of the New Zealand Rugby Museum, Berg is the steward of an astonishing collection of clothing; from Harry Roberts’ 1884 jersey to Richie McCaw’s 2011 jersey, Berg’s collection tells the tale of New Zealand rugby through the ages.
From 1905 to 2005 the size of the average All Black grew massively. Jeremy Hapeta and Steve Stannard from the School of Sport and Exercise discuss the changing physique of the All Blacks.
