All over New Zealand, local authorities are looking for ways to make the most of the tournament and its tourism opportunities.

McCaw and Carter have been offered four-year contracts to stay here, with unprecedented levels of flexibility and payment.

A decision on the reallocation of rugby World Cup pool matches is close.

Auckland ratepayers are facing a multimillion-dollar bill for gaining two quarter-final Rugby World Cup matches at Eden Park and a likely pool match from quake-damaged AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

So what chance do any of the Six Nations have of shaking the World Cup tree in September-October?, asks David Leggat. On the evidence of the past few weeks....

Prime Minister John Key has hit back at a British rugby writer who has declared there's no way Rugby World Cup matches can be held in Christchurch.

Police tonight named 12 more people who died in last month's Christchurch earthquake. Meanwhile, The people of Christchurch remain nervous about the future of rugby World Cup games in their earthquake-ravaged city.

Questions have been raised about whether Christchurch will be able to host World Cup games.

They say you always learn most, not from your victories but your mistakes. If true, England took a quantum leap forward at Twickenham.

Regardless of what happens at the World Cup or whether Graham Henry wants to stay on, the All Black coaching job will be opened to challengers at the end of this year.

The Six Nations rugby tournament kicks off on Saturday morning (NZT) with an unprecedented Friday night match. Paul Lewis figures that's not all that is different in Rugby World Cup year.

He admits he is still at the bottom of the mountain and it's a long way up. But there was no mistaking the sense of delight and relief on the face of All Black Ali Williams after he had wrapped up his brief sojourn in English rugby with Cha