Sideline wisdom: What you can and can't get away with saying at First XV rugby

OPINION: You can't beat the nonsense that gets talked on the sidelines of First XV rugby.

lunedì 13 luglio 2026 New tab

90 words~1 min read

PremiumOpinionOpinion byBruce Holloway and Adam JulianNZ Herald·13 Jul, 2026 05:00 AM11 mins to readChris Reive and Nathan Limm from Herald sport react to Brendon McCullum's sacking, the World Cup semi-final line-up, and the All Blacks' win over Italy. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAYBy Bruce Holloway and Adam JulianYou can’t beat the nonsense that gets talked on the sidelines of First XV rugby.Part of the joy of rugby at this level is its language of silliness, incomprehension and the mindless verbiage indulged in by everybody.

From passionate fans to coaches to

Sideline wisdom: What you can and can't get away with saying at First XV rugby

Sideline wisdom: What you can and can't get away with saying at First XV rugby

Related reading

A different game: The inequalities at the heart of rugby's Nations Championship

Gregor Paul: Rugby's emergence out of box-kicking dark ages

Winners & Losers: What to make of New Zealand Rugby's Code Brown

Gregor Paul: How the All Blacks leadership reset loosens Crusaders dominance

Referees make a stand – it’s time rugby supporters did too

The fine print: Top referees' boss explains some of rugby's quirkiest laws

Related reading

A different game: The inequalities at the heart of rugby's Nations Championship

Gregor Paul: Rugby's emergence out of box-kicking dark ages

Winners & Losers: What to make of New Zealand Rugby's Code Brown

Gregor Paul: How the All Blacks leadership reset loosens Crusaders dominance

Referees make a stand – it’s time rugby supporters did too

The fine print: Top referees' boss explains some of rugby's quirkiest laws