Black Gold

Power, Money and the Team that Reshaped Rugby

How did one of the smallest nations in the world produce the jewel in world rugby's crown?

In the professional age, the All Blacks have evolved to become rugby's most marketable asset and a blueprint for building high-performing teams. But as the All Blacks became commercialised, the tug-of-war between performance and making money has intensified.

From the battle between Nike and Adidas for ownership of the black jersey to the newly minted deal with Silicon Valley private equity group Silver Lake, Black Gold reveals how the lure of monetising the brand has impacted the performance of the players and coaches. What sacrifices are being made to increase profit? And is the golden goose at risk of being overcooked?

Black Gold is a gripping, revealing book about the inner workings of the All Blacks, the balance of power and what lies ahead for the world's best-known rugby team.

About the Author

Gregor Paul is The New Zealand Herald's most respected rugby columnist and is a regular contributor to publications around the world. He has won multiple journalism awards for news, features and opinion writing, and is a sought after guest on radio and TV.

His bestselling biography Steve Hansen: The Legacy was shortlisted for the The Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2023.

Gregor was born and raised in Scotland, and has lived in Auckland with his wife and three children since 2003.