The All Blacks forwards have loads of experience but the backline looks as though it was pulled out of a hat, writes Chris Rattue.

The Apia test takes Wynne Gray back almost to the birth of Super Rugby, when the All Blacks last played midweek matches on tour.

Welcome to the Manu Samoa way of doing things - one which is a world away from the All Blacks, finds Patrick McKendry in Apia.

Five days from the historic test between the All Blacks and Manu Samoa, Apia - and the villages which line the road from Faleolo Airport to Samoa's capital - have put on quite a show.

The latest impasse is nothing new in relations between the Manu Samoa players and the Samoan Rugby Union during the professional era.

The stand-off between Samoa's top players and their rugby union was always going to happen. The only question was when.

The Kiwis' Four Nations win over Australia may have been hard fought but Saturday's clash against Samoa will provide just as big a test for Stephen Kearney's side.

The All Blacks have taken the first step towards treating Pacific Islands rugby with the respect it deserves and laying the groundwork for activating brilliant sporting rivalries laying dormant.

The All Blacks’ charge to their World Cup defence will begin in the Samoan sun in July next year.

The New Zealand Rugby Union and Samoan Rugby Union will this afternoon confirm next year's historic All Blacks test in Apia.

Manu Samoa should, in theory, have easier access to its best players in the lead-up to Rugby World Cup 2015 after announcing a major sponsorship deal yesterday in Auckland.

A poster of the 2005 Blues rugby development team adorns one wall of Sapolu Law's reception area.

A stack of former All Blacks will eye up their chances of another World Cup.

An international sports team due to fly to France on Malaysia Airlines is changing carriers because the players fear for their safety after the MH17 tragedy.

The All Blacks are putting the final touches on their World Cup preparations which will see them play a midweek test in Samoa, a truncated Rugby Championship and a second Bledisloe encounter.

We were slightly disappointed with the way we went on Monday against Samoa, but the objective of that game was to come away with five points plus a bit of a points margin, writes Simon Hickey.

As much as Keven Mealamu has done to inspire a generation of Pacific Island players, he knows it pales in comparison with the reach of Peter Fatialofa.

Papali'itele Peter Fatialofa died suddenly this morning in Samoa aged 54 and his passing has left shock waves across the rugby community.

Rugby's shameful treatment of the Pacific Islands may never end - a sad fact that becomes ever harder to refute given events of recent weeks.