Paul Cully
@paulcully.bsky.social
The Post/Stuff/Sydney Morning Herald.
Not even the world's best player and top referees understand rugby's rule book. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360693...
Super officials admit refs got it wrong in Moana v Blues fiasco
Ardie Savea’s side should not have had their 55th minute try disallowed. But in the upcoming international season, the goalposts shift again.
www.thepost.co.nz
May 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Not even the world's best player and top referees understand rugby's rule book. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360693...
Confirmed: A $19.5 million loss for New Zealand Rugby. www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360681...
‘Unsustainable’ New Zealand Rugby reports $19.5m loss
Chief executive Mark Robinson says NZ Rugby’s ‘high fixed-cost structure’ is not working despite record revenues of $285m in 2024.
www.stuff.co.nz
May 7, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Confirmed: A $19.5 million loss for New Zealand Rugby. www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360681...
At this point Schmidt might as well stay on. www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...
Schmidt to stay on as Wallabies coach until 2026 as part of Kiss handover
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has extended his contract and will take the national side on the Spring Tour as part of a handover to his successor Les Kiss.
www.smh.com.au
April 29, 2025 at 5:10 AM
At this point Schmidt might as well stay on. www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...
Super Rugby up marginally, NRL a fraction lower, but big winners are football and F1. And digital. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360658...
Sky Sport data reveals what Kiwis are really watching - and how
Overall Super Rugby audiences are up modestly, the NRL is down by 1% and A-League, Formula 1 and golf have recorded strong increases.
www.thepost.co.nz
April 18, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Super Rugby up marginally, NRL a fraction lower, but big winners are football and F1. And digital. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360658...
Reposted by Paul Cully
It was a pleasure to talk to @paulcully.bsky.social a few days ago about my analysis of the Super Rugby Pacific season. His article is now up on the Sydney Morning Herald website: www.smh.com.au/sport/the-nu...
The numbers don’t lie – why Super Rugby is the best club comp in the world
A rugby-loving French data scientist has examined the figures and found that Super Rugby is superior to its European counterparts.
www.smh.com.au
April 11, 2025 at 7:15 AM
It was a pleasure to talk to @paulcully.bsky.social a few days ago about my analysis of the Super Rugby Pacific season. His article is now up on the Sydney Morning Herald website: www.smh.com.au/sport/the-nu...
Lolesio heads to Japan. www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...
Lolesio’s Japan move puts Lions and World Cup hopes at risk
Wallabies five-eighth Noah Lolesio has agreed to move to Japan to play club rugby in 2026, with an option to play until the end of 2027.
www.smh.com.au
April 4, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Lolesio heads to Japan. www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...
Concernimg news Pt II. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360636...
Hurricanes seek $1m injection as financial strain persists
The Super Rugby club lost $700,000 in 2024 after a $1.4m deficit in 2023 as depressed crowd numbers hit hard in the capital.
www.thepost.co.nz
April 1, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Concernimg news Pt II. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360636...
Concerning news for Wellington rugby fans Pt I www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360635...
Wellington rugby woes: Troubled union posts another $1m-plus loss
The WRFU has paid the price of not living within its means as gaming revenue target proves wildly over-ambitious and NPC playoffs cost $75,000.
www.thepost.co.nz
April 1, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Concerning news for Wellington rugby fans Pt I www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360635...
BledisNo. www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...
‘Not viable’: Kiwis kill RA plan to stage lucrative Bledisloe Cup on Anzac Day
After initial enthusiasm, New Zealand Rugby bosses say they won’t support an annual clash between the Wallabies and the All Blacks in April - despite the fact it could earn them millions.
www.smh.com.au
March 24, 2025 at 4:42 AM
BledisNo. www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...
Understand that Mo’unga is keen to face the Lions for Aus-NZ side. Would be a big coup for that fixture. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360621...
How Mo’unga could play against the Lions as All Blacks play France
The world-class No 10 has made no secret of his desire to keep playing international rugby, and the ‘Anzac XV’ could well grant him the chance.
www.thepost.co.nz
March 22, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Understand that Mo’unga is keen to face the Lions for Aus-NZ side. Would be a big coup for that fixture. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360621...
Hurricanes-Blues attracts 639,000 viewers. Super Rugby appears to be on track for another year of double-digit growth. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360602...
Sky flexes muscles with strong Super Rugby, Warriors numbers
As NZ Rugby talks with broadcast rival DAZN, Sky has recorded significant growth across rugby, the NRL and - in particular - the A-League.
www.thepost.co.nz
March 5, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Hurricanes-Blues attracts 639,000 viewers. Super Rugby appears to be on track for another year of double-digit growth. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360602...
Interview with NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360588...
NZ Rugby poised for lucrative revenue-share deal with Springboks
New Zealand Rugby is closing in a tour deal that will allow it to benefit from South Africa’s current strength and rivalry with the All Blacks.
www.thepost.co.nz
February 22, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Interview with NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360588...
Its still a No from NZ Rugby. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360579...
The Mo’unga debate: Why NZ Rugby won’t shift on All Blacks eligibility
The man at the forefront of rugby’s player retention battle has made it clear that regulations around national selection are here to stay.
www.thepost.co.nz
February 15, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Its still a No from NZ Rugby. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360579...
An interview with Valynce Te Whare on weight, his Japan move, the future and Wayne Bennett. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360580...
Trimmed-down Te Whare grabs Japanese rugby chance
The Kiwi cult hero was cut by the Dolphins but he’s now down to 108-110kg and helping his new side beat Richie Mo’unga in Japan Rugby League One.
www.thepost.co.nz
February 14, 2025 at 8:06 PM
An interview with Valynce Te Whare on weight, his Japan move, the future and Wayne Bennett. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360580...
Reposted by Paul Cully
Here are my thoughts on Wales’ 22-15 defeat to Italy in Rome and what it means for Warren Gatland after the worst performance yet during his 14-match losing run.
nation.cymru/sport/wales-...
nation.cymru/sport/wales-...
Wales' defeat against Italy leaves Warren Gatland running out of road
Simon Thomas They say all roads lead to Rome, but for Warren Gatland the road must soon surely lead to the exit ramp. There’s no guarantee that a win over Italy alone would have seen him retain his jo...
nation.cymru
February 8, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Here are my thoughts on Wales’ 22-15 defeat to Italy in Rome and what it means for Warren Gatland after the worst performance yet during his 14-match losing run.
nation.cymru/sport/wales-...
nation.cymru/sport/wales-...
No new Super entrants on the horizon - with one caveat. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360570...
Super Rugby chief takes expansion off the table for now
The final touches are being put on strategy work until 2028 and Super Rugby Pacific is set for a period of consolidation.
www.thepost.co.nz
February 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
No new Super entrants on the horizon - with one caveat. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360570...
🇮🇪 x 🇦🇺 www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...
O’Gara keen on Wallabies job as RA opens door to overseas candidates
The highly rated Irishman has thrown his hat into the Wallabies’ coaching ring with Joe Schmidt set to step down in October.
www.smh.com.au
February 7, 2025 at 10:34 AM
🇮🇪 x 🇦🇺 www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...
Second part of interview with Tony Brown. Springboks in no hurry to get rid of veterans+their No 10 battle.
www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360568...
www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360568...
Boks aren’t too old to win third RWC in a row, says Brown
Springboks attack coach Tony Brown says South Africa’s veterans are key to their bid to eclipse the ABs’ feat of back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins.
www.thepost.co.nz
February 3, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Second part of interview with Tony Brown. Springboks in no hurry to get rid of veterans+their No 10 battle.
www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360568...
www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360568...
The new deal, if agreed, is a 40 per cent increase on the current arrangement which includes the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour. It is unclear how much Nine will provide in cash versus contra (free advertising). www.afr.com/companies/sp...
Wallabies stand to bank millions under new TV bonus linked to wins
Nine is in the final stages of securing a new five-year deal to broadcast rugby union worth more than $210 million that pays up if the Wallabies can turn their form around.
www.afr.com
February 3, 2025 at 2:46 AM
The new deal, if agreed, is a 40 per cent increase on the current arrangement which includes the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour. It is unclear how much Nine will provide in cash versus contra (free advertising). www.afr.com/companies/sp...
I catch up with the Springboks attack coach in the world’s greatest city. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360565...
Brown opens up on Boks, beating the ABs - and huge Eden Park test
The Sunday Star-Times catches up with the former All Black who is now plotting their demise as attack coach of the Springboks.
www.thepost.co.nz
February 1, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I catch up with the Springboks attack coach in the world’s greatest city. www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360565...
Some great detail in this story - including the flat fee RA is getting for 2027 RWC. www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...
Sydney to host 2027 Rugby World Cup final as Melbourne secures 11th-hour deal
Twenty-four years after Jonny Wilkinson kicked that drop goal to win the Rugby World Cup at Homebush, another decider will be played at the Olympic venue.
www.smh.com.au
January 29, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Some great detail in this story - including the flat fee RA is getting for 2027 RWC. www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...
Interesting development in sports broadcasting - 🏉 x 🏏 = 💰💰? www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360558...
Rugby, cricket hold “conversations” on bundling broadcast rights
New Zealand’s sporting codes are getting creative as they attempt to create leverage for their content in a softer broadcast market.
www.thepost.co.nz
January 25, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Interesting development in sports broadcasting - 🏉 x 🏏 = 💰💰? www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360558...