COMMENT: The All Blacks selectors will name their first squad of the season this Sunday, and there could be very little room for debutants, writes Scotty Stevenson.

From initially being reluctant to stay beyond 2017, Steve Hansen may soon be given a contract offer to stay as All Blacks coach until the next World Cup.

Former All Black Ian Uttley and his wife Christine died after overtaking vehicle caused their car to crash.

Crusaders halfback and former All Black Andy Ellis has announced this will be his last season of Super Rugby.

Former ABs coach Graham Henry has joined the growing chorus of those saying Damian McKenzie should be picked for the ABs to take on Wales next month.

COMMENT: It's time the All Blacks selectors took some 'risks' and picked their squad to play Wales on form.

The All Blacks Sevens to play in Paris this weekend still look a long way from full strength.

Decision time is looming for Beauden Barrett.

Aaron Cruden and Lima Sopoaga squared off at Waikato Stadium in a game where the All Blacks selectors had prime seats. Did they like what they saw?

COMMENT: We're getting close to the point when the All Backs selectors will be confirming their first squad of the year, to play Wales next month.

COMMENT: Will McKenzie be an All Black? Yes. Against Wales? I believe not. He may not be quite ready.

Just as there are swing states in the United States election, so too are there players whose form will have a significant bearing on the make-up of the All Blacks squad for the Wales tour to be announced at the end of this month.

There's a big swell of anticipation among fans that Damian McKenzie will be in the All Blacks squad next month.

New Zealand Rugby loves the idea that there is more than one All Black team.

Waisake Naholo, just as he did last year, is showing the natural timing of a comedian by returning from a broken leg to alleviate a growing angst about the All Blacks' meagre wing resources.

As the All Blacks' No10 in waiting following Dan Carter's move to France, Aaron Cruden will want the tee delivered to him.

The latest honour bestowed on the Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks is the tribute which best illustrates their extraordinary consistency.

There is a truer picture to Richie McCaw backing Ireland's Joe Schmidt as next All Blacks coach writes Wynne Gray.

London and even New York are being considered as venues for a Bledisloe Cup game in 2020.

Captain Sam Warburton has an emphatic message for his Welsh squad ahead of their June visit to play the All Blacks.

It's not really the done thing for All Blacks to revel in themselves but an exception can be made for Daniel Carter.

They have proven nearly unbeatable in the rugby world and now the All Blacks have seen off the very best of every other code.

Assumption could prove to be a handy weapon for the All Blacks this year.