Stories by Joe Porter
News
Rugby World Cup: 'Steve Hansen ... he's a smart dude'
Steve Hansen and the All Blacks have won a vote of confidence from a group of fans from the Asian country with the oldest rugby union - Sri Lanka.
Rugby fans flock to famous dog statue in Tokyo
It's not just rugby players that fans are queuing up for photos with at the World Cup in Japan.
Brilliant off the field, but game day problems loom for Rugby World Cup
All Blacks fans will have a brilliant time outside of the stadiums at this year's World Cup, but there could be more than a few fans frustrated on game day, according to Joe Porter.
All Blacks favourites but Rugby World Cup is wide open
This year's Rugby World Cup should be the most fiercely fought yet, with half a dozen teams a genuine chance of usurping the All Blacks from their throne.
All Blacks: Are they ready for the Rugby World Cup?
The All Blacks fly to Japan this morning for the Rugby World Cup. Are they on track for an unprecedented third straight title?
All Blacks dream: A Bridge not too far
Born and raised in Manutuke in rural Gisborne, George Bridge didn't look destined to be an All Black, before a phone call when he was 17 set him on the road that's now taking him to the World Cup in… Audio
Steve and Liam: A seer and a squire
Sports Call - Liam Squire can be expected to be named in the All Blacks squad. Rugby reporter Joe Porter envisions that it all came to Steve Hansen in a dream...
Horses and rugby - a love that nearly ended the other for Aleisha Nelson
Black Fern Aleisha-Pearl Nelson shouldn't be playing rugby, at least that's what the doctors said, though the Auckland prop has beaten the odds twice to achieve her ultimate dream. Audio
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate: A singer, a joker, a lineout thrower
Dual rugby and league international, now Black Ferns hooker, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate is forging her own path in the black jersey and is helping to blaze a trail for rugby loving girls in Northland. Video, Audio
All Blacks: What does the Bledisloe Cup squad reveal?
Analysis - RNZ rugby reporter Joe Porter looks at who the biggest winners and losers are from the latest All Blacks cull and what it means for the world cup.
Capital Crime - can the Springboks roll the All Blacks again?
The All Blacks host South Africa in a sold out test in Wellington tomorrow night and all eyes will be on whether the Springboks can conjure up another boil-over in the capital.
Crusaders: One of sport's greatest dynasties?
Analysis - The Crusaders have the chance to create a dynasty that's never been matched in Super Rugby, writes Joe Porter.
What a Super Rugby title means to Canterbury
A Crusaders Super Rugby three-peat looms, but how much will a win mean to a region and city recovering from earthquakes and the Christchurch terror attacks, writes Joe Porter. Audio
Few surprises expected in All Blacks squad
Sports Call - Don't expect many bolters or shock selections, Steve Hansen's first All Black squad for a World Cup year will be typically conservative, writes Joe Porter.
Can the Hurricanes give the Crusaders the hurry up?
The semi-finals have arrived in Super Rugby and the big question is, can anyone stop a Crusaders three peat?
Japan: Is it really a rugby pro's paradise?
Japan is becoming a leading destination for New Zealand rugby players heading offshore, but is it a rugby pro's paradise or a field of disappointment?
NZ and Japan rugby: A blossoming affair
Sports Call - The connection between New Zealand and Japanese rugby is growing all the time, with partnerships popping up all over the place, writes RNZ's Joe Porter.
The birth of rugby in Japan: Conflicting claims
While Japan might not be famous for its love of the oval ball, its connection with rugby dates back further than New Zealand's.
Rugby:Joseph faces up to Japan challenge
Former All Black Jamie Joseph is tasked with getting Japan to the knockout stages of a rugby World Cup for the first time.
Japan not ready for World League: Jamie Joseph
Japan rugby coach Jamie Joseph says his side aren't ready to be involved in something as big as the proposed World League.
Japan faces roadblocks in growing rugby
Japan, hosts of this year's rugby World Cup, appear set to be kneecapped by their own union in their lofty bid to bring a million new players into the game in the land of the rising sun.
Will Super Rugby throw up All Black World Cup bolters?
Jandals and bare feet are still the choice of footwear and New Zealand's summer is in full swing, but yes, Super Rugby is about to kick off.
Barbara Kendall: Plenty of ceilings yet to shatter for women's sport
Fear and a desire to protect the status quo can get in the way of progression in women's sport, according to New Year's honours recipient Barbara Kendall.
All Blacks 2018: Sprinting or stumbling towards next year's World Cup?
The All Blacks of 2018: World Cup winners in waiting? Or pretenders to their predecessors throne?
Rugby: The Six Nations where non All Black Kiwis go to play
Analysis - Are New Zealand the biggest poachers of rugby talent world-wide? Some stats released this week suggest the northern hemisphere sides are worse by a country mile.