New Zealand

Sonny Bill setback for All Blacks

All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams has been ruled out of the three-match Test series against France with a knee injury.

‘England needed All Blacks reality check’

Former Fiji Sevens coach Ben Ryan says England could have benefitted from playing regularly against the All Blacks.

‘Australian rugby being left behind’

Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones says Australia is no longer a powerhouse in rugby union and needs to confront the diminishing interest in the game.

Best 2017 Super Rugby runaway tries

The best long-range tries scored by New Zealand teams in the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Sopoaga confirms New Zealand exit

All Blacks flyhalf Lima Sopoaga says the decision to take up a contract with the Wasps in England was ‘one of the hardest decisions’ of his life. Sopoaga has confirmed that he will be leaving New Zealand at the end of the 2018 season, which is set to rule the 26-year-old out of contention for next year’s World Cup. In… Read more →

Four Kiwi players suspended for doping

Former New Zealand U20 player Glen Robertson is one of four Kiwi players to be suspended for doping offences. Robertson, Zoe Berry and Rhys Pedersen have been banned from playing rugby for the possession and, in some cases, use or attempted use of Clenbuterol. Ben Qauqau-Dodds has been banned for the possession and use or attempted use of Metandienone. Clenbuterol and… Read more →

Sopoaga signs with Wasps

All Blacks and Highlanders flyhalf Lima Sopoaga is reportedly heading to England at the end of the year. According to The Times, the 26-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the English Premiership club, effectively ruling him out of next year’s World Cup in Japan. Sopoaga has played 16 Tests for the All Blacks since making his Test against the… Read more →

Wayne Smith former All Blacks coach/Phil Walter/Getty

Ex-All Blacks coach in cancer scare

Former All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith has revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer last year. Smith ended a highly-successful 20-year association with the All Blacks in October, but his diagnosis apparently played no part in his decision to step down. However, Smith admitted that he kept the news largely to himself after an annual medical check-up saw the doctors pick… Read more →

Ioane could settle at centre

Rieko Ioane may end up moving to the All Blacks midfield, writes JOHN PLUMTREE in SA Rugbymagazine. It came as no surprise when Rieko Ioane won the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award. The 20-year-old was a revelation for the All Blacks in 2017, scoring 10 tries in 11 Tests. He played centre for the Blues in Super Rugby, but… Read more →