John Daniell (born 1972) is an English-New Zealand rugby player and journalist. He was born in New Zealand, and educated both there and in England. After studying English at the University of Oxford, he worked as a journalist for Radio New Zealand and Capital Television.
Rugby career His early rugby career included playing for England Schoolboys (1990), New Zealand Under 19s (1991), New Zealand Colts (1992), Marist St Pats (1992–97), Oxford University (Blue, 1992–1994) and Wellington Lions (1994–96). In 1996 he turned professional, playing for French clubs Racing (Racing Club de France) (1997–2000), Perpignan (USA Perpignan) (2000–2003), and Montpellier (Montpellier Hérault RC) (2003–2006).
Journalism Currently a freelance journalist, he has been published in The Observer, The Sunday Telegraph, Financial Times, The Times, The Evening Post, The New Zealand Listener, L'Equipe and Le Monde.
Daniell and his wife, Noelle McCarthy, had a daughter in 2017 and were married the following year. Since 2017 they have made podcasts together as Birds of Paradise Productions. Their podcast "Getting Better", produced by McCarthy and Emma Espiner, won an award at the 2021 Voyager Media Awards.
Publications Inside French Rugby: Confessions of a Kiwi Mercenary (2007), Awa Press Confessions of a Rugby Mercenary (2009), Ebury Press 2009 William Hill Sports Book of the Year shortlistBest sports writers in the business compete for William Hill Book of the Year Award The Telegraph, 26 November 2009 2010 British Sports Book Awards (Best Rugby Book)
References
External links Confessions of a Rugby Mercenary, Ebury Publishing One in the eye for Perpignan – John Daniell, Financial Times 12 Dec 2008 Tonga's gentle giants turn their eyes on England – John Daniell, Guardian 26 Sept 2007