A major All Black selection surprise has been sprung ahead of their European tour, with Isaac Ross to be left at home to bulk up.

Comments by Graham Henry suggest there is little chance a "special project" will be unveiled for the ABs tour end of year tour.

Wales and England will fancy their chances of beating the All Blacks on their spring tour to the Northern Hemisphere, former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick has warned.

The All Blacks did some much-needed face-saving against the Wallabies but how many forced their way into nzherald.co.nz's Tri-Nations XV?

A defiant Joe Rokocoko has no problem singing the praises of two backline colleagues clambering for his regular berth on the All Blacks wing.

Coach Graham Henry is already talking up the All Blacks' shot at rugby redemption against the Springboks next year.

Lack of unity and the looseness of the Super 14 - two of the main culprits Gregor Paul found when he examined the state of health of our national game after the Tri Nations.

The world may well seem a better place this morning for the All Blacks and their coaching trio in particular.

Defence the highlight as All Blacks pound Wallabies into submission.

Everything surrounding the 135th trans-Tasman rugby test in Wellington tomorrow is brimming with intensity.