When Brazil saw its football team go to pieces before their eyes this week, there must have been many rugby fans in NZ thinking, could it happen to us?

While New Zealand fans were still recovering from the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Paul Thomas asks: Isn't it about time New Zealand rugby stopped believing its own PR and faced the ugly truth?

Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands are on the hunt for players and are putting pressure on those eligible for the Island nations.

Big Ben Tameifuna has a big decision to make — stay with the Chiefs or sign with Toulouse and most likely commit to playing for Tonga at next year’s World Cup.

The New Zealand Rugby Union's refusal to play tests in the Pacific Islands remains a shame on the national game.

The NZRU has confirmed that All Blacks Cory Jane and Israel Dagg took sleeping pills while they were out drinking ahead of the Rugby World Cup quarter final.

Shameful chapters in New Zealand rugby have reduced but the NZRU's inability to unite with Jonah Lomu remains one of their neglectful episodes.

South Africa appear to be the clear and present danger but there is a more basic threat nearer to home that has potential to bite New Zealand rugby harder.

The NZRU responds to allegations of rape leveled at members of the South Canterbury rugby team.

Sanzar wants to unveil the format for their next Super rugby deal by Christmas.

The All Blacks are likely to take the field in Sydney with at least one important piece of work out of the way - the players' collective contract agreement.

It's official. The New Zealand Rugby Union lacks imagination and soul.

Perhaps money really is the root of all evil. In the week the New Zealand Rugby Union announced a $3.2 million profit and news broke of a major pay rise on the cards for professional players, three young men hit the headlines.

For more than a year, New Zealanders have had a front-seat view of Zac Guildford's struggle with liquor. His misdemeanours were so outrageous and so public that they could not be swept under the carpet.

No one wants to see the door shut on these youngsters - let alone be the one responsible for slamming it closed.

Rugby boss Steve Tew says his organisation is looking at more opportunities to get leverage from the All Blacks brand this year.

Dylan Cleaver concludes our countdown of the 25 biggest powerbrokers in New Zealand sport with the top five

Nearly 120 years since the electoral bill granting women franchise was passed, women still can't get a vote at the NZRU boardroom table

Controversial five-eighth Quade Cooper has reportedly quit the Wallabies and the Australian Rugby Union and may pursue a career overseas or in rugby league.

The New Zealand Rugby Union sponsorship deal with AIG is understood to be worth around $80 million.