The last lines of Timatanga – the New Zealand Māori rugby team’s haka, seem to aptly describe the journey of the team in the modern era under its coach Matt Te Pou:

“Climb up, strive to the pathway of knowledge to achieve excellence spiritually, mentally, physically.”

For results suggest this team has achieved excellence. Few, if any, sporting teams of any code can boast of the record of the New Zealand Māori rugby side.

With Te Pou in charge the team went seven seasons undefeated, winning 36 of the 40 games they played.

Few would forget the epic 19-13 win over the touring British and Irish Lions – arguably the best team in the world behind the All Blacks - in 2005.

And, a quick word about those four losses – two were close fought affairs against world champions of the day Australia, and another was at the hands of the England team that went on to win the Rugby World Cup later that same year.

The arrival of a new book Against the Odds, written by Te Pou and Matt McIlraith is an opportune vehicle for understanding the culture of success that now surrounds this team.

McIlraith was the team’s media officer in 2001 while he held the position of media manager for the New Zealand Rugby Football Union. He is a former editor of the Rugby News, and is his second book having previously published Ten Years of Super 12.

McIlraith was able to follow the team and interview Te Pou, so this book is a rare opportunity to get behind the scenes and into the minds of some of our most skilled rugby players and coaches.

Te Puni Kōkiri provided funding support to assist with additional research and the gathering of information for the book.

Against the Odds is published by Huia Publishers and is available in good book stores.