Just because the bottle thrown by George Burgess was empty doesn't mean a penalty should be a light one, writes Hugh McGahan

Imagine the anxiety levels if Ben and Aaron Smith fell over at All Blacks training next week, frets Wynne Gray.

Oh no. There's no holding Brendon McCullum and his white charger back.

He strode across the churned-up ground of Rugby Park with a walk of warning and half a smile.

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 Hayne Train is flying, with the player selected in the San Francisco 49ers roster. It's a cracking story, however it turns out, says Chris Rattue.

If the All Blacks wanted a taste of the type of scrutiny they will find themselves under at the World Cup, they got their wish at the first training run.

Wynne Gray writes: I'm astonished an All Black like Charles Piutau, who has performed with distinction, has missed the cut.

With New Zealand now out of Africa, and the home international cricket season revealed, thoughts turn to Brisbane.

The Warriors' captain has shouldered too much of a workload this year and desperately needs a rest, writes Chris Rattue.

Not long after midnight tomorrow, coach Stuart Lancaster will reveal the 31 players entrusted with English hopes for the Rugby World Cup.

He couldn't believe the size of the other kids. Keven Mealamu, aged 15, was playing his first trial game for the Aorere College 1st XV.

As the dissection of World Cup squads looms closer and teams play their last games before the tournament, it's worth noting Ireland's production, writes Wynne Gray.

The bad news for Warriors fans is that they are Warriors fans. But the good news for them is that they aren't Blues rugby fans, says Chris Rattue.

In naming his World Cup squad of 31 yesterday, Cheika appears to have dropped into muppet mode, writes David Leggat.

For all the flag-waving and trumpet-blowing about the expansion to 18 teams, there has been an awkward silence about the plans, writes Wynne Gray.

Whoever ends up winning the Rugby World Cup, you can bet there will be a Kiwi involved somewhere, writes Wynne Gray.

The whole honours system is a crock of you know what, a ridiculous throwback to times which have no relevance today, writes Chris Rattue.

Everyone finds different pieces of All Black rugby to thrill them and there were layers of excellence at Eden Park as they retained the Bledisloe Cup.

The good news is that Richie McCaw's reputation, the legend, is safe no matter what happens in the World Cup.

All Black coach Steve Hansen has floated the idea that it's possible they could take only three locks to the World Cup, writes Gregor Paul.

It's the All Black no-shows in the Bledisloe Cup side that are most intriguing, writes Wynne Gray.

The last time the All Blacks faced this level of Bledisloe Cup heat was in 2008. They'd fallen 19-34 in their first combat but responded with a victory in the next test at Eden Park.

The All Blacks aren't quite as good as the win-loss record and ranking and PR avalanche makes out, writes Chris Rattue.

National coach Steve Hansen has often talked about the All Blacks being the most analysed rugby team in the world.

Julian Savea owes the All Black coaches a big performance tonight - a really big one, writes Gregor Paul.

Watching Australia's spectacular demise for 60 all out at Trent Bridge brought the memories flooding back. Cape Town, January 2, 2013, to be precise.

Anyone who reckons they can name the 31 players the All Blacks are going to take to the World Cup is kidding themselves.

This weekend's clash between the All Blacks and Wallabies could be the last time we see two of the world's best players go head-to-head.

The combined effects of another crushing defeat and the damage that the exclusion of Brad Haddin at Edgbaston has done to team spirit threaten to open cracks in the Australian cricket camp so wide....