All Black No 8 and new captain Kieran Read is one of those imposing components in an emerging group of special talent. He demands the ball for those menacing runs off the ruck where hesitation is a curse.

He may be one of the most talented players on the planet, but Neymar caught the eye for all the wrong reasons in New York last night at the end of a thrilling friendly between Colombia and his native Brazil. Video / Youtube - LigaMistrzowBramki

Bob Scott, one of the best fullbacks to pull on the All Blacks jersey, has died aged 91. This video is an excerpt from 'The Khaki All Blacks' which was about the Kiwi rugby team Scott played in after WWII. He debuted for the All Blacks against Australia in 1946 and retired from first-class rugby in 1951 but was asked to make himself available for the 1953-54 tour of the UK and France when he established his legacy. Scott was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and was awarded the MBE in 1995 for his services to sport. video courtesy oxygen television.

Euphoria turned to disbelief and anger may now be the next emotion in the evolution of the prolonged case of Adam Thomson and his charge of stomping on Scotsman Alasdair Strokosch. The All Black flanker had been relieved, delighted even, to learn that he was only being punished with a one-week ban. But between receiving his punishment in London and flying back to Rome, everything changed. He arrived at the All Blacks Italian hotel to learn that the IRB chief executive Brett Gosper had been on Twitter announcing that the case would be reviewed as the governing body has the right to do.

Herald Rugby scribes Wynne Gray and Gregor Paul are reporting on the All Blacks during the Northern tour, and give their expert opinion and analysis on the team selections to play the Italians.

New skipper, new players and a new style of play. It is all change for the All Blacks on Sunday as, for the first time, Kieran Read leads them into combat against Italy. There was natural acclaim for Read from his teammates and coaches with midfield back Ma'a Nonu weighing in with his approval. For the last three years Read had been a world class No 8, he was a leader in the forwards and had captained teams when his good buddy Richie McCaw was absent.

Atletico Rafaela goalkeeper Guillermo Sara was guilty of an horrific blunder as his side were beaten 3-1 by Estudiantes last weekend.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic capped a four-goal performance with a stunning overhead kick from 35 yards as Sweden beat England 4-2 in a friendly Wednesday to open its new national stadium. Video / Youtube - AllinthisHD

Flamboyant West Indies opener Chris Gayle became the first player to hit a six from the first ball of a test match when he launched his big-hit against Bangladesh today. Video / Youtube.

All Black skipper Richie McCaw says the key to beating Scotland at home is to start well and that will 'earn them the right' to play an expansive game.

Brazilian midfielder Taison scored an early contender for goal of the season yesterday with a spectacular volley in his Ukrainian side's Europa League clash win. Video / Youtube - iNashFootball

Marseille midfielder Joey Barton scores directly from a corner kick. Video / Youtube - Actus port

It all happened 4000km away with rookie big-game angler and 66-year-old Mr Perry catching a 544kg black marlin on a whirlwind fishing trip off the North Queensland Coast on Friday. While still short of the World record for a marlin - a specimen of over 700kg caught over 60 years ago - it is thought to be the biggest ever to be satellite tagged.

A one-legged high school soccer player scores an incredible volley from a corner for his high school team

NZ Herald motorsport correspondent and nzherald.co.nz motorsport show host Eric Thompson chats with Bob McMurray who has god alone knows how much experience in F1. We cover the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where Raikkonen finally made it on top of the podium and Vettel went from last to third. Then we look at the V8 Supercars where Whincup put every one to the sword and has surely clinched his fourth championship. We talk about Kiwi young guns testing GP3 and GP2 and touch on the opening night of the Speedway at Western Springs.

A number of Liverpool supporters received a dousing after a sprinkler malfunction during the side's Premier League match with Newcastle.

There was plenty of excitement among the All Blacks as they assembled in Auckland and prepared for their long flight to Edinburgh today.

The beast is finally to be unleashed in the boxing ring. League winger Manu Vatuvei has got the Warriors to reverse their stance on charity boxing and organisers hope to pit him against a current All Black in the Woodstock Honey Fight for Life.

Dane Coles and Tawera Kerr-Barlow are the newcomers to a predictable All Blacks European touring squad named this morning. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has predictably kept faith in veteran lock Ali Williams and halfback Piri Weepu, despite the duo's ordinary form this year.

Bushwhacker Luke is one half of New Zealand's most successful wrestling duo. Last weekend, he returned to Auckland to be honoured at an Impact Pro Wrestling event. With upcoming star Travis Banks, and New Zealand heavyweight champion Kingi, Luke tells nzherald.co.nz what it takes to wrestle here and overseas.

In a moving ceremony, Sir Wilson was described as a loving father, inspirational sportsman and successful businessman. Rugby legends are among the crowds farewelling All Blacks great Sir Wilson Whineray at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell this afternoon.Former players Sir Colin Meads, Sir Brian Lochore, Waka Nathan and John Graham are among them. Dean of Auckland, the Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, said the hundreds filling the cathedral were "a tribute" to the significant life led by Sir Wilson and a symbol of the "immense respect" for him. Sir Wilson, considered one of the greatest All Blacks, is survived by his wife Lady Elisabeth and children James, Kristen and Susan. He died at Auckland City Hospital on Monday, aged 77.

Hong Kong's first Red Bull Soapbox Race was a smashing success at Shatin, Hong Kong! On October 14th, 2012, more than 35,000 spectators crowded at To Shek Street to witness 44 teams zoom down the 372 meter long windy race track.

A mass on-pitch brawl during a junior league football match in Paraguay resulted in 36 players, including both teams and substitutes, being sent off. In the last five minutes of the game on Sunday, referee Nestor Guillen handed out two red cards, one to a player from each team, but the pair ignored him and continued their fight on the field. In a matter of seconds the clash spun out of control, involving players from both teams and all substitutes. courtesy YouTube/DorkNightRises

Watch this halftime performance of The Ohio State University Marching Band in a game against Nebraska. The theme was video games and it included parts from Zelda, Halo, Pokemon, Tetris, and other favourite video games. Nearly 14 million views in Youtube proves this is a 'blast from the past'. courtesy YouTube/handmrow gobucks

The New Zealand Herald motorsport correspondent and nzherald.co.nz motorsport host Eric Thompson chats with Ross MacKay, editor of Kiwi Rider and a man with interests in many other pies. We talk about the Malaysian MotoGP, why New Zealand hasn't a world class road racer at the moment and hat the solution might be. Also, we discuss karting and how it helps youngsters get into motorsport and what might happen at the Gold Coast 600 with all the international drivers turning up.

All Blacks legend Sir Wilson Whineray has passed away peacefully in Auckland Hospital. Watch historic match highlights and fellow All Black great Sir Colin Meads talk about Sir Wilson as a man and player. Regarded as one of the great All Blacks legends, Sir Wilson also made significant contributions to the community through his work with sport, charities and business. Video: The TEST/oxygen television.

One year on from the All Blacks winning the Rugby World Cup at Eden Park, Gregor Paul and nzherald.co.nz remember the drama and emotion to end 24 years of pain, the All Blacks themselves candidly recall 'that moment' and the year that has passed.

All Black coach Steve Hansen lost his father Des this week and says of playing the Wallabies,"Dad would kick my arse if I didn't do the job right". We have managed to beat them twice this year but the last time we played them at Suncorp they beat us. They have a record of 17 out of 20 there so that makes them a dangerous animal.

A look back at the five greatest Melbourne Cup moments. Racing expert Brendon Popplewell digs into the archives from the last 50 years to show these gems.

The All Blacks head to Brisbane for the third test in the dead Bledisloe rubber against the Wallabies, the big interest is if they can equal the World Record for the most consecutive victories by a top-tier nation. Gregor Paul and Wynne Gray give their insight towards this Test match.