Robert van Royen

Canterbury

Sports Reporter at Stuff.co.nz

Christchurch-based sports reporter for Stuff and The Press.

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Articles

Christchurch, Tauranga the big winners in Black Caps home season schedule

4 days ago | stuff.co.nz | Robert van Royen |Phillip Rollo |Hamish McNeilly |Paul Cully

Rob Walter unveiled as new Black Caps coachThe banks of Bay Oval and Hagley Oval will be prime places for Black Caps fans this summer. The Tauranga venue will host one of the three tests the New Zealand men’s side will play in the 2025/2026 home international season. It will also get visits from Australia and England to start the season, which has a focus on the buildup to the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka for the Black Caps.
Why matchmakers are conflicted about the new rom-com about matchmakers

5 days ago | stuff.co.nz | Sanda Arambepola |Charlotte Grieve |Rachel Moore |Robert van Royen

Materialists trailerThe tickers of the New York Stock Exchange flashed with a surprising array of options last week. Instead of showing the prices of Microsoft or Amazon shares, the boards lit up with the ages, heights, incomes and more of single men across the city. The Big Board also included a rating for each man, showing their falling or rising “romantic value” on the market.
Recovering from surgery isn’t easy. Exercising in the water can help

5 days ago | stuff.co.nz | Ava Whitworth |Mildred Armah |Robert van Royen

The thought of getting back to an exercise routine after surgery might make you wince. It can be a struggle to know where to begin, especially if your body isn’t working the way it used to. The good news is that heading to your local pool or aquatic therapy can be a great alternative to land-based physical therapy and exercise. Research, including a 2024 study, says aquatic exercise can significantly help patients recover both mentally and physically after most surgeries.
Super Rugby Pacific: Crusaders coach Rob Penney 80 minutes away from ultimate redemption

1 week ago | stuff.co.nz | Robert van Royen

James O'Connor confirms his Crusaders swansongThe Crusaders will host the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday night. The match kicks off at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch at 7.05pm, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sport. Stuff will have live coverage from 6.30pm. The Chiefs have won six of the last 10 matches between the teams, including both regular season matches this year.
Deja vu for All Blacks hooker George Bell ahead of Super Rugby decider

1 week ago | stuff.co.nz | Robert van Royen

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Shoes on or off indoors? What your household rules say about you

1 week ago | stuff.co.nz | Michael Daly |Annemarie Quill |Robert van Royen

When Gwen, a 35-year-old lawyer from London, first met her fiancé, there was one notable difference in their upbringings. Not politics, class or any of the other typical dividing lines, but an everyday issue which cleaves people into opposing camps. “He grew up in a shoes-off house, whereas in mine we always kept them on,” says Gwen. “But I loved him so, eventually, I got into the habit of taking my shoes off when I came in from work.”Still, old habits die hard, Gwen adds.
Super Rugby Pacific: Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor gives cowbells the green light

1 week ago | stuff.co.nz | Robert van Royen

Super Rugby boss discusses finals format reviewCodie Taylor has a message for Chiefs fans that will no doubt surprise them. Indeed, if the Crusaders hooker was put in charge of security ahead of the Super Rugby Final in Christchurch on Saturday night, he would have no problem with Chiefs fans being armed with cowbells. “Oh, I say bring them. Who cares, it's a final. They were up there going hard two years ago [during the final in Hamilton].
Super Rugby Pacific: Should a Chiefs title carry a big, fat asterisk?

1 week ago | stuff.co.nz | Robert van Royen

Super Rugby boss discusses format reviewJudging by the way some Chiefs fans took the idea of cowbells being barred from the Super Rugby final, the following question is sure to go down like a bucket of cold sick. If the Chiefs beat the Crusaders and are crowned Super Rugby Pacific champions, should the title be accompanied with a big, fat asterisk? Somewhere those cowbell-loving fans who sent Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge threats this week are losing their marbles.
Louvre visitors forced to go through ‘Mona Lisa journey’ to see painting

1 week ago | stuff.co.nz | Mike Mather |Robert van Royen

The Mona Lisa will get its own room under a major renovation of the LouvreVisitors to the Louvre will be forced to traipse through a “Mona Lisa journey” covering a vast 3000 square metres reception area to get a glimpse of the painting, the museum’s director has announced.
Crusaders boosted by return of prop Tamaiti Williams for Super Rugby Pacific final

1 week ago | stuff.co.nz | Robert van Royen

James O'Connor confirms his Crusaders swansongThe Crusaders have been boosted by the return of All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams for the Super Rugby Pacific final. His return from a knee injury coincides with wing Chay Fihaki being replaced by Macca Springer after the former took a head knock last weekend against the Blues. The Crusaders host the Chiefs in Christchurch on Saturday night, with the match kicking off at Apollo Projects Stadium at 7.05pm. It was Sam Whitelock ahead of the 2023 final.