Rugby: Smith to steer Black Ferns to World Cup

Black Ferns fullback Selica Winiata on her way to score against Manusina Samoa. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Former Waikato coach Greg Smith has been appointed head coach of the New Zealand women's rugby team through to the next World Cup in 2017.

Smith, a former hooker who played 46 times for Fiji, replaces Brian Evans, who has coached the Black Ferns since 2009.

Smith has been a resource coach for the Black Ferns for the past two years, and recently was an assistant coach to Manu Samoa. He coached in Japan for five years, and held a number of provincial coaching roles including time as a specialist resource coach for the Chiefs, a franchise for which he played 48 times.

"This is an exciting challenge - there's some work to be done to get us back to being the best in the world, but I'm really looking forward to that."

The defending champion Black Ferns finished a disappointing fifth at last year's World Cup in France.

"There are some very talented athletes out there - I have been keeping an eye on competitions this year, and I know that as well as the experience we have in abundance, there is plenty of undiscovered talent, and that's always exciting."

Former Wallabies winger Nick Cummins is set to return to Australia and play for the Western Force.

It is believed he is finalising a move from Japan so he can play Super Rugby in 2015 and potentially be part of the Wallabies' World Cup plans.

Cummins has played five months of rugby with the Coca-Cola West Red Sparks after being allowed a release from his Force contract for compassionate reasons.

He left in order to pick up a rich contract with the Japanese side so he could support several sick family members.

Cummins has spoken on several occasions about attempting to broker a deal which would get him back to Australia for 2015 and be available for World Cup selection. The 27-year-old has played 15 tests for the Wallabies.

Former NRL star Sam Burgess has scored his first try in rugby.

Playing at blindside flanker, Burgess crossed just before half-time to put Bath 20-0 up in what became a 44-5 win over London Irish yesterday.

The 26-year-old Englishman had an earlier try effort ruled out after it was deemed to have been held up following a scrum.

Burgess joined Bath from NRL champions South Sydney and has made four first-team appearances, mainly at centre, with his debut from the bench against Harlequins last month.

His obvious potential has attracted the attention of England coach Stuart Lancaster and next year's World Cup is an obvious goal if he can adapt well enough to his new code in that time.