Rugby Herald: Luatua, no surprise
Rugby Herald writers Gregor Paul & Patrick McKendy give their expert opinion and analysis after the All Blacks name their team to play the Springboks in Wellington.
Rugby Herald writers Gregor Paul & Patrick McKendy give their expert opinion and analysis after the All Blacks name their team to play the Springboks in Wellington.
Herald rugby scribes Gregor Paul & Patrick McKendry are joined by Radio Sport Nigel Yalden to give their expert opinion and analysis after the All Blacks were victoriuos against a difficult Pumas team in Napier 28-9.
The All Blacks picked up a bonus point with the win against the Pumas, head coach Steve Hansen was very pleased with that achievement and a very good defensive effort which kept Argentina tryless in the 28-9 victory.
Pumas captain Aqustin Creevy says they are happy with their preparation heading into the test against the All Blacks, a more experienced mature & experienced side who has confidence not just in their forward pack but also in their backline.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw knows it will be not just a battle up front for his team but the Pumas have the ability to score some good tries out the back after an impressive performance against the Sprinboks.
Israel Dagg is set to make a return to no.15 on his home ground, he and the team know the Pumas will be a tough task after an impressive games against the Springboks.
Beauden Barrett will make his first test start in the number 10 jersey for the All Blacks, replacing Aaron Cruden who is still recovering from the chest muscle injury suffered in the Bledisloe Cup test victory two weeks ago.
After the announcement of his team to play against the Pumas in Napier, head coach Steve Hansen knows they'll be a very tough side to play.
Herald rugby writers Gregor Paul & Patrick McKendry give their expert opinion and analysis after the All Blacks name their team to face the Pumas in Napier.
More than a year after his appointment was announced, Scotland coach Vern Cotter will finally get down to doing what he does best today.
It wasn't pretty but the All Blacks retained their 20-year winning record at Eden Park with a 20-15 victory over England.
This was England but not as we knew them. This was England as they were two years ago in their first duel against the All Blacks under coach Stuart Lancaster's command.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his team to play the All Blacks in test one of three. With the arrival of the last few players he is happy with his selected team and knows it will be a huge task especially playing at Eden Park.
England assistant coach Graham Rowntree knows first hand what it's like to win against the All Blacks, he says 'it's all about self belief at the end of the day 'we have enough on our plate without being in awe of the All Blacks'.
The England rugby teaem has arrived, head coach Stuart Lancaster was happy & confident with the team although injuries has ruled out some key players, Lancaster acknowledges that it's not ideal to play the world champs without your best team.
When he was coach of Wales, Graham Henry caused outrage across the valleys when he proposed importing South African schoolboys as a genuine development strategy for the national team.
Despite the Southern Hemisphere's urgency and pressing need for outcome on the proposal to shift the June test window to July, a decision remains some way off.
Wales prop Gethin Jenkins has acknowledged that a number of senior players will be fighting for their international careers in today's mouthwatering Six Nations clash against France at the Millennium Stadium.
England's three-cap centre Luther Burrell has to find a way to control the 139-test Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll - and he cannot wait to have a go.
Their friendship helped forge a new country, the white rugby player and the black President who came to represent South Africa's racial reconciliation.
The All Blacks completed their first perfect season as a last-gasp try by Ryan Crotty and an Aaron Cruden conversion defeated Ireland 24-22.
After witnessing Richie McCaw hand back the Webb Ellis Cup, Patrick McKendry and Gregor Paul wonder if the All Blacks will be able to win it back in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The prospect of finishing the year unbeaten will play a part in Steve Hansen's selections for the Ireland test.
The gold boots, complete with special "DC 100'' logo, were shining, but Dan Carter's big day ended in what has become a depressingly familiar way for him - injury.
Hard slog and a classy lineout got the All Blacks home this morning in London. Seriously hard slog as it happens as England were a tough nut to crack.
Raw courage, a bit of luck and some magic from Charlie Piutau saw the All Blacks cling on to victory this morning in Paris.