World Cups can be more about enduring than enjoying - a feeling with which All Black captain Richie McCaw is more than familiar.

All Blacks' second-five will miss tonight's flight to London after he fell ill before the side's departure for the Rugby World Cup.

One possibility will loom large over pool play at the World Cup and engender an unwanted case of deja vu among Kiwi fans.

As the All Blacks prepare to fly out for Rugby World Cup video reveals what they got up to during the official photo shoot.

But at least they escape the extravagant descriptions afforded to partners of players from other nations.

Sir Graham Henry credits changing the All Blacks' macho culture for Rugby World Cup triumph.

The All Blacks squad were put through their paces during a training session at Eden Park as they prepare to depart for Europe.

The All Blacks are satisfied the Rugby Championship then several training camps are the right diet for their opening World Cup test.

The ABs will come under enormous pressure both physically and mentally at the World Cup and it's part of the reason why they've focused on increased physicality.

Sir Clive Woodward has claimed France would have won the 2011 Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks if the match was 'refereed properly'.

It was quite a sight - Alex Wyllie and John Hart playing doubles tennis together before the All Blacks 1991 World Cup quarter-final in Lille.

The Super Rugby final remains a painful memory for Hurricanes first five Beauden Barrett, but the lessons could be beneficial.

A captains' embrace, an unhappy alliance, and a rampaging youngster who became the face of the game are defining images of past campaigns.

While Richie McCaw has received plenty of accolades over the years, and there are no doubt more to come, this one - from a UK paper - might be the oddest.

Wynne Gray writes: If the All Blacks go through with their plan to pick their strongest side, the discussion about the starting XV will be brief.

The squad Steve Hansen picked for the World Cup was the one I expected but not the one I would have gone with, writes Sir Graham Henry.

Jerome Kaino will have a special reason to smile over summer regardless of the All Blacks' fortunes at the World Cup.

We know them as the All Blacks whose shoulders bear the weight of a nation's hopes, but to a unique group of Kiwi blokes, they are simply much-loved sons. On Father's Day those dads send a message to their cherished boys.

Having played at three World Cups, it all comes down to the mental side of things, Ali Williams writes.

I was downtown when I saw him, walking through Greenwich Village on a corner of Sixth Ave, not far from Carrie's house in Sex and the City, Jack Tame writes.

After more than 120 years of our national rugby team wearing black jerseys, the AB's jersey is now set for the movie theatre.

Talking up the All Blacks for the World Cup doesn't jinx them, writes Paul Lewis, because the opposing teams aren't looking all that flash.

His daughter-in-law told Newstalk ZB Terry Lineen was found after a member of public reported seeing a distressed man they thought had been in an accident.