Paul Walker • Jul 30, 2015 •
This is a question asked by Jeff Cisyk and Pascal Courty in a new column at VoxEU.org.That performance-enhancing drugs are used and that this use is a controversial issue has been clear since competitive sports first began. You could argue that drugs are just another way of improving performance, like better training methods or improved nutrition, … Read More
Paul Walker • Jan 06, 2015 •
One of the most important questions in economics has to do with whether pressure from home crowds affects decision making of sports officials. A new column at VoxEU.org investigates this problem using new data from cricket matches. The authors find that neutral umpires decrease the bias against away teams, making neutral officials very important for a … Read More
Seamus Hogan • Jul 26, 2014 •
In advance of the semi-final between the Crusaders and the Sharks this evening, it is timely to look at the fairness of the Super 15 schedule. The Crusaders are playing at home, a massive advantage that they earned by virtue of finishing one point ahead of the Sharks in the regular season. But was that a fair reflection of the … Read More
Seamus Hogan • Apr 22, 2013 •
Radio Sport yesterday was consumed with a debate about whether Steve Williams, the caddy for Masters winner, Adam Scott, is worth the money he is paid. For those who don't follow golf, here is the background. Steve Williams is a New Zealander who was ... Read More
Seamus Hogan • Nov 21, 2012 •
In their coverage of the Wellington-Auckland game in the HRV cup last Friday, Sky Sport introduced WASP—the “winning and score predictor” for use in limited-overs games, either 50-over or 20-20 format. In the first innings, the WASP gives a predi... Read More
Sam Richardson • Oct 26, 2012 •
This just out from stuff.co.nz - the tourism sector had a small win from the Rugby World Cup: Despite the brief boost from the Rugby World Cup last year, total tourism spending rose just 2.4 per cent to $23.4 billion in the year to March 31, acco... Read More
Sam Richardson • Oct 02, 2012 •
Yesterday was an intriguing end to the 2012 NRL season, with a grand final spectacle befitting of the season finale. (For a review of the game, read this from Phil Gould). The two teams contesting the final, the Melbourne Storm and Canterbury-Bankstown... Read More
Seamus Hogan • Sep 29, 2012 •
New Zealand play Argentina in the Rubgy Championship again this weekend, so there will likely be more discussion of the role that the immediate past New Zealand coach, Graham Henry, has as a coaching advisor to the Argentinian team. ... Read More