The days when Courtney Lawes was happy just to be known for making thunderous tackles appear over.

Presence is part of Richie McCaw's rugby authority. When he turns out in black, as he did on his return to test rugby last night, his appearance inspires and motivates.

Wynne Gray selects his strongest All Blacks side from players who donned the black jersey since 1990

The next 12 months may not pan out the way everyone expects in regard to the All Black first-five pecking order.

What chance of another Dipak Patel moment or, for those with longer memories, a John Beck chapter in tonight's start to the Bledisloe Cup series.

Rested, rehabilitated and ready, Richie McCaw will begin his final career ascent tonight, determined to push on and lead the All Blacks in a successful World Cup defence.

With the beard and his frame filling out by the day, Sam Whitelock looks every bit the All Black hard man.

Mercifully free of the Australian affliction of talk-ing more than performing, the All Blacks haven't made any grandiose statements about this year being the one where they want their forwards to become the dominant pack in world rugby.

A change of coach and the arrival of new faces has filled the Wallabies with optimism ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash. But the All Blacks are viewing things a little differently.

It's been a rough week for coaches Robbie Deans and Jamie Joseph and I have a bit of sympathy for both.

There was no let-up when the bulk of the 1987 World Cup-winning All Blacks toured Japan at the end of that season.

While his Wallaby side went through their usual parabolic form graph, Deans ploughed on. He had a job to do, writes Wynne Gray.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has stood down from the role effective immediately, the Australian Rugby Union has announced.

Australian rugby team coach Robbie Deans has been released from his two-year contract six months early, according to media reports across the Tasman.

As Leigh Halfpenny, headed into the players' tunnel half an hour before the Sydney series decider, injured tour captain Sam Warburton flicked out a hand in a good luck gesture.

The Wallabies' next battle will be fought in the board room as Ewen McKenzie and Jake White lay out their credentials to coach the side in the opening Bledisloe Cup match.

It came down to which New Zealand coach could wring the most from their troubled teams.

That settles that, then. Robbie Deans will leave the Wallabies with a big F for failure stamped on his record, writes Chris Rattue. "His selections have been amazingly inconsistent."

Jerome Kaino has had an offer to come home - but must decide whether he's willing to take an estimated $500,000 pay cut to play for the Blues next year and have a crack at making the All Blacks World Cup squad.

Touring Australia with the Lions, a tilt at the Commonwealth Games next season, a World Cup in 2015 and a repeat Lions trip to New Zealand in four years time.

Robbie Deans carries the impassive stare of a man who would do well in the Las Vegas casinos.

Subplots regularly threaten to overpower the main act in Australian rugby.

It seems incredible a team with four straight defeats and a losing record could still sneak into the playoffs, but the Blues are hoping to beat the odds.

Wallaby legend Mark Ella remains exasperated by the present side.

The Lions have got more than a test series to win on Saturday night, writes Chris Rattue. They need to discover a spirit for the game and restore some excitement and honour.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has no intention of using Sonny Bill Williams as a five-eighth at this year's World Cup, even though the rugby league world is marvelling at his ability to flourish in the halves.

The remarkable George Smith will start his 111th and final test for the Wallabies in Saturday's series-deciding test against the Lions.

Comparisons were made at the 2011 World Cup but now they seem much more real. Is George North this era's Jonah Lomu?

I can only wonder, given the New Zealand team's selections for this round, who is singing off which hymn sheet.

The British and Irish Lions are set to share a jackpot of £2.3 million ($4.6 million) if Warren Gatland's side clinch the series against Australia in Melbourne.