Test number 14 for the season, and always a match the All Blacks struggle with (remember Ireland last year) join Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry in Wales for their opinion and analysis on tour with the All Blacks.
Sonny Bill Williams is a father, his wife having given birth to a girl in the early hours this morning. The 22-cap All Black missed training to stay in contact during the birth but he will not be flying home to New Zealand until after the test against Wales in Cardiff.
Ben Franks, Dane Coles and Keven Mealamu visited the famous Celtic Football Club in Glasgow recently for a tour of the historical stadium
The All Blacks have arrived in Cardiff with question marks around who will wear the No10 jersey against Wales and there is a similar debate brewing around Warren Gatland's selection for first-five.
One test left on the Northern tour for the All Blacks which is against Wales,coach Steve Hansen is treating this tour as a RWC rehearsal to role play what he expects to happen in 2015.
Having made a million mistakes and afflicted by a malfunctioning lineout, the All Blacks gave a performance in Edinburgh so ugly that only their coach could love it. And love it Steve Hansen did. For everyone else it looked awfully like the All Blacks were fairly dire against a Scotland side that, while vastly improved, are still not top echelon. It looked awfully like the All Blacks caught a few lucky breaks from the referee and were still in danger of losing until a heavy-duty bench was sent into action.
Hear from he Captains and coaches after the test, the Kiwis forwards paved the way for their side's thrilling Four Nations final win over the Kangaroos in Wellington on Saturday night. Their efforts were overshadowed by a stunning individual performance from halfback Shaun Johnson but the big men were just as deserving of praise and attention.
Join Tony Veitch and his panel of sporting celebrities and commentators as they discuss their unique and entertaining review of the weekend’s sport. Bravely tackling the issues behind the weekends winners and losers. ..
t was another scrappy start from the All Blacks, who looked overly eager to push passes and as a result many were spilt. Most worrying was the fact they didn't improve much as the test wore on. The failed to win enough quick ball and the stop-start nature of the match also counted against them.
Why wouldn't a McCaw be happy in the highlands and cities of Scotland, the All Black captain has sliped to number 6 for this test and feels the new AB's need to take thier chances while the old hand Daniael Carter can't wait to return.
Gregor Paul is back in his native Scotland with Patrick McKendry (actual kiwi) following the All Blacks with the New Zealand Herald, here their pre test opinion and analysis.
Some of the world's best water sports athletes - including surfers and stand-up paddleboarders - will be based in Auckland next March competing for the title of the The Ultimate Waterman. Competitors in the elite section will compete in six different disciplines; shortboard surfing, longboard surfing, stand-up paddleboard endurance and stand-up paddleboard surfing, waka ama endurance and tow-in surfing.
Dan Carter has admitted to doubts but also excitement as he prepares to return from yet another injury to the All Blacks' No10 jersey against Scotland on Sunday. "There's been a lot of frustration throughout the year," he said. "There has been doubt that has crept in in certain periods
James Parsons will make his debut at hooker, Colin Slade will start on the right wing, and Richie McCaw will play at blindside flanker... and the waterboy Dan Carter starts at first five — it’s all change for the All Blacks against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.
An impromptu game of beach cricket provided an opportunity for local children to test their skills against former international Gavin Larsen – as well as getting up close to the Cricket World Cup trophy.
As the trophy visits Hobbiton near Matamata, Chris Harris single-handedly acts out how sees the final ball of next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup final.
The Far North Cricket Association has seen a surge in junior players over recent years and they moved games to the A&P Showgrounds to be next to the World Cup trophy tour event. The cows were relocated and the mower sent. As Gavin Larsen says: “you can’t get any more grassroots than this.”
New Zealand born Scottish wing Sean Maitland looking ahead to playing his country of birth this weekend.
The Canterbury A&P show is famous for town meeting country and a showcase for all things 'Kiwi', Simon Baker meets former Axe World Champion Ray Hallaway who reveals the secret of the 'chop' and also the future of the sport in young Jack Simpson.
Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry give their analysis on Scotland beating Argentina and what the All Blacks can expect in this weekend's test match against Scotland.
All Blacks Ben Smith and Charlie Faumunina are getting ready to face the Scots who have never beaten the AB's, and Ian Foster says Dan Carter will be getting game time as he eases back into international rugby.
Cricket legend Shane Warne is excited to be guest of honour at Cup Day in Christchurch and joked that by the end of today, rumours will be rampant that he's dating several local fillies. The colourful sportsman and Liz Hurley's ex, known simply as 'Warney', flew into Christchurch last night. It's believed the cricketer, who has a reputation for being a ladies' man, was at a city night spot last night and arrived 20 minutes late to his press conference at Addington this morning.
All Black veteran Keven Mealamu is set to past the legend Sir "Pinetree" Colin Meads world record of 361 first class games when he runs out to play Scotland this Saturday.
All Blacks centre Conrad Smith has left the squad to return home to New Zealand for what coach Steve Hansen has called a "family matter". However, Hansen is confident Smith, a recent new father, will return after this weekend's test against Scotland at Murrayfield to be available to play Wales in Cardiff the following week.
Join Tony Veitch and his panel of sporting celebrities and commentators as they discuss their unique and entertaining review of the weekend’s sport. Bravely tackling the issues behind the weekends winners and losers. ..
Hear post match reaction, expert opinion and analysis from The New Zealand Herald team of Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry in London.
Here's the post match reaction from the England and All Blacks' captains and coaches. Whatever it may have looked like, the All Blacks can take a fair amount of pride and satisfaction from their efforts at Twickenham. It's not a fortress, but it is a tough place to win.
All Blacks skipper is excited and ready for the England test, the AB's got tripped up last time in London and McCaw doesn't want a summer thinking about a loss.
NZ Herald's Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry give you the latest update before the All Blacks' test against England.
The All Blacks considered ditching the Ka Mate haka shortly after Graham Henry took over as coach, Britain's Daily Telegraph has reported. A decade ago, many All Blacks felt that the haka was no longer appropriate, All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka Enoka told the Telegraph. Management and senior leaders, led by Tana Umaga, held discussions on how the haka could be maintained and kept relevant and consultations were held with Ngati Toa.
Aaron Cruden has admitted to his surprise at being named as starting first-five against England on Sunday, adding that it gives him the perfect opportunity to win back the respect of his teammates and New Zealand rugby fans after his high-profile mistake saw him miss the All Blacks' trip to Argentina and South Africa.
Aaron Cruden has been given the nod over both Dan Carter and Beauden Barrett for the All Blacks No10 jersey against England at Twickenham on Sunday (NZT).Cruden is one of only four players to retain their starting positions from the big victory over the USA in Chicago. The others are second-five Sonny Bill Williams, who was selected ahead of Malakai Fekitoa and Ryan Crotty, and No8 Kieran Read and fullback Israel Dagg.
The white collar has been dropped and it's gunmetal silver for numbers and logos. Revealed overnight in London, the new All Blacks strip will see the boys running out against England at Twickenham in the "blackest jersey ever" this weekend. The flash new threads have taken more than two years to develop and are expected to take the team through to next year's Rugby World Cup in the UK. Made from woven carbon fabric, the uniforms have been designed to accommodate player movement as well as hold their shape - ensuring our top rugby men can pull off all their on-field moves.