Top ten sweeteners in All Black contracts
You can't go to the mail box without hearing stories of overseas teams pinching our best players and coaches. We haven't (always) got the readies to keep our rugby riches here, so we need to draw upon money can't buy experiences only we can offer.
Sport Review has been leaked a PowerPoint presentation on a 500 MB Hurricanes USB stick that details some of the carrots being dangled in front of our top rugby talent, to get them to re-sign with New Zealand - behold:
Exemption from creating content for the missus' Instagram stories for the duration of the contract
Working Justin Marshall voodoo doll
Exclusive use of Waiheke Island for stag weekend; all residents required to leave island for a minimum of 72 hours
Insomnia clause - player can call Sir John Key 24/7 for a six-minute lullaby of their choice
America's Cup yacht Uber / scotch and McDonalds delivery service
Panhead Lager in Steinlager bottles in dressing room after a win
Lawns to be mowed by Super Rugby referees every other week
Guarantee of never playing for the Blues
Vegas sabbatical
Koru Lounge 'Deep black' card - guarantees no politician selfies for contract period
Thanks for reading - Richard
The week's best NZ sport writing
Steve Deane meets Rosemary Mair, the 20 year old new WHITE FERN who's come up through the ranks and is about to face the Aussies in Perth [Lockerroom]
How do we get people off the couch and along to live sport? Dylan Cleaver has plenty of questions along these lines [NZ Herald]
Team New Zealand developed foiling boats by towing a catamaran behind a ski boat around a Waikato lake - make sure you watch the video [Stuff]
Daniel Bell-Drummond is an English cricketer who turned out for Auckland in the Burger King Super Smash - he's also doing his bit to develop the game in South London [Guardian]
Video nasty
Only true DVD fans will understand.
Long read
The story of the Latin American MS13 gang is pretty terrifying [New Yorker]
Selected weekend fixtures
The WHITE FERNS' first ODI against Australia from Perth starts at 3.30pm this afternoon, it's on SKY
Enjoy watching rugby with the heat pump on cold not hot, because tomorrow night is Crusaders v Hurricanes (7.35pm), Brumbies v Chiefs (9.35pm) then Sharks v Blues (2.05am even), they're all on SKY
The Phoenix play Sydney FC at the Cake Tin tomorrow night at 7.35pm, it's on SKY
Bring back the gif
When you've enjoyed six weeks of punishing heat but would like some rain now please.
