New Zealand captain Sam Cane believes there is "not a whole lot" they need to improve to get back into top form after four losses in their last five Tests.
RugbyPass
The current iteration of the Springboks have built their reputation on kicking-oriented, forwards-dominated rugby - but the All Blacks aren't putting all their eggs in one basket when it comes to preparing to play against the world champions this weekend.
Former Flying Fijian wing Sireli Bobo has launched a blistering attack on the current international squad following the disappointing third place finish in the Pacific Nations Cup.
Tolu Latu has been thrown a rugby career lifeline by his former club the NSW Waratahs, who have signed the hooker.
World Rugby has recruited Neil Hallett as its first independent ethics officer, a role which will see him support its new integrity code.
The All Blacks have arrived in South Africa in preparation for their first game there in four years but despite the long break, Rieko Ioane is under no illusions about what they will meet in Mbombela.
Richie McCaw and his All Black pack had to rise up to the challenge to one of the most imposing South African forward packs in recent memory.
Fiji boss Vern Cotter has finally shared his thoughts on the sudden loss of forwards coach Jason Ryan to the All Blacks. The assistant has been working with the Pacific Islanders since 2020 and had been signed until the 2023 World Cup.
Having played with European heavyweights Toulouse since 2019, Arnold hoped his experience could make a difference to the Wallabies pack.
Ex-Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman has admitted he suffered approximately 25 concussions during his final year as a player, the majority of which he didn’t declare to his Leinster team doctor.
The Springboks could be in for a big shock if they don’t lift their performance levels for their upcoming Rugby Championship matches against the All Blacks.
Former All Black Jeff Wilson has criticised Scott Robertson for heaping pressure on New Zealand Rugby with his latest comments made on The Big Jim show.
Australia have booked their place in the women's rugby sevens gold medal match at the 2022 Commonwealth Games after an impressive 17-12 win over New Zealand on Sunday morning (AEST).
Joshua Thomas
Boyd will draw on his wealth of coaching experience to help guide new head coach, Clarke Dermody, and his coaching group in 2023.
Veteran lock Rory Arnold has shrugged off any injury concerns to put his hand up for selection for the Wallabies' opening Rugby Championship Test against Argentina.
In taking a mammoth squad of 36 players to South Africa, the All Blacks are perhaps risking leaving some of their men undercooked for the latter stages of the Rugby Championship.
Rugby Football Union (RFU) council members will decide on Friday whether to back a recommendation that would see transgender women banned from playing women’s rugby in England.
Legendary All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko has recalled the seminal elevator moment that convinced him that Joe Schmidt, Ian Foster’s new New Zealand team selector, was the real deal as a coach.
England boss Eddie Jones has added to the speculation that he would love the chance to swap codes and coach in the Australian NRL.
Much has been centred on coach Ian Foster, Hansen's long-term assistant, who took the reins in 2019 but boasts just a 67 per cent win rate - the team's lowest since 1980.
The Wallabies say their former coach Michael Cheika is making his mark on Argentina, who they face in two tests next month to open their Rugby Championship.
The idea of England coach Eddie Jones making a return to Australia rugby has support from within the ranks of the Wallabies.
Serial trophy winner Scott Robertson has included two ex-England players in the list of coaches he would love to work with in the future.
Aiming to keep up in the battle for a top-four spot, Cronulla Sharks head coach Craig Fitzgibbon has enlisted the help of a holidaying Frenchman by the name of Frederic Michalak.
All Black first five-eighth Richie Mo'unga says the team is motivated to prove the critics wrong in the aftermath of the historic Ireland series that saw a 2-1 loss, the first series defeat on home soil since 1994.
The All Blacks revealed that uncapped Crusaders youngster Fletcher Newell will join the national squad for their upcoming tour to South Africa after an injury to starting tighthead prop Ofa Tuungafasi.
The Highlanders have invested heavily in their future, signing five New Zealand U20 representatives on three-year deals from 2024.
Recalled All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot is ready to rip into action after receiving a special birthday present on Friday.
Tonga have reserved their spot at the Rugby World Cup in France next year after sweeping aside Asian Champions Hong Kong at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Australia.
Former Springbok Dan van Zyl has added his name to a list of players who voiced their descent at the direction the game has gone in recent years.
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has confirmed he has the support of the national playing squad after two of his assistant coaches were axed on Sunday.
Dagg surmised that sport fans in general are becoming disenchanted with the game of union as a result of the cardfests that have been issued in order to crack down on high contact and other indiscretions at the ruck.
Find out where the next Rugby World Cup will be taking place and the details of the 10th edition of the flagship event on the 2023 rugby union calendar.
Ben Miller
Tonga will be without star internationals Israel Folau, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau for their World Cup playoff against Hong Kong on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Ireland have gained the most representation in the Best July Test Team XV named by retired referee Nigel Owens, who included picks from nine different countries - including Chile.
Ian Foster appears safe as All Blacks coach, though his captain and assistants less so, as New Zealand Rugby considers changes from its post-Ireland loss hibernation.
Argentina have included captain Julian Montoya as one of many key returnees in their 34-man squad for the two Rugby Championship matches against Australia.
Dave Rennie is set to push Rugby Australia's board to allow four overseas-based players in his Wallabies squad given their injury crisis in the second row.
The spirit of rugby has shone through in an incredible way, after Irish Rugby fan Sara Hartigan saved Hong Kong rugby icon Dean Herewini's life.
Jed Wells
Ulster have bolstered their squad for the upcoming 2022/23 season with the signing of 23-year-old Irish-qualified scrum-half Michael McDonald on a one-year deal from Western Force, the Super Rugby Pacific side.
The All Blacks have always possessed brilliant individuals who are capable of producing something from nothing - and the current crop of players is no exception.
Footage has emerged online of a Saturday night altercation in Wellington between All Blacks flanker Akira Ioane and legendary scrum-half Justin Marshall.
A new international rugby competition lined up for 2024 could see the best tier-two teams from Asia-Pacific take on their counterparts from the Americas.
Fullback Jock Campbell has earned his first call-up while lock Rory Arnold returned to the Wallabies fold for their two-Test Rugby Championship tour of Argentina.
In the aftermath of the Wallabies losing the Rugby World Cup final to England on home soil in 2003, Justin Harrison threw his RWC silver medal off the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Ireland have moved top of the men’s world rankings following their stunning Test series triumph against New Zealand.
The Queensland Reds' second-row stocks have been restored by the acquisition of a former Wallabies lock until 2025.
Former Kiwis coach Tony Kemp has questioned whether the All Blacks are heading the same way as the New Zealand Warriors, the NRL club that has underperformed long-term and been associated with mediocrity.
A ex-Crusaders star has given his old boss Scott Robertson a vote of confidence as the All Blacks head coach role comes under increasing scrutiny.
The Wallabies were brave in attack but saw many opportunities go begging due to errors or because of England's steely defence.
Eddie Jones was involved in an angry confrontation with an Australia fan after being called a “traitor”.
The winds of change have swept through international rugby in the past few weeks, with historic firsts and a potential changing of the guard at the top of the world game as northern hemisphere teams excelled down south.
Former England centre Will Greenwood has come to the defence of Eddie Jones after footage of an incident with a fan has gone viral on social media.
South Africa beat Wales in Cape Town to claim the three-Test series and ensure that at least one of the southern hemisphere’s big three triumphed.
England have clinched a series win in Australia thanks to a 21-17 victory over The Wallabies at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Feargal Brennan
Ireland made history in Wellington, a 32-22 victory over the All Blacks sealing a first ever series win for Andy Farrell's side against New Zealand.
South Africa vs. Wales meet in the decider of their three-test series on Saturday. The Sporting News explains how to watch the action.
New Zealand and Ireland meet in the decider of their three-test series on Saturday. The Sporting News explains how to watch the action.
Australia and England meet in the decider of their three-test series on Saturday. The Sporting News explains how to watch the action.
Star NRL recruit Suliasi Vunivalu is set to make his international rugby debut after being named on the Wallabies bench for their Sydney Test decider against England on Saturday.
Eddie Jones insists England are inspired to follow the example set by an epic State of Origin decider by putting on a display against Australia on Saturday that will “light rugby up”.
The All Blacks have made just four personnel changes to the starting line-up for Saturday's series-deciding clash with Ireland, with head coach Ian Foster opting to bring in a raft of experienced players into the 23.
This weekend, the All Blacks will take on Ireland in the first mid-year series decider the team has played since squaring off with the British and Irish Lions in 2017.
Eddie Jones wants test coaches to present a united front to World Rugby in order to speed the game up ahead of next year's World Cup.
Bashed up front in Brisbane, the Wallabies are promising to bring more physicality to the deciding Test against England in Sydney on Saturday as they look to clinch a rare series win over their old foe.
How did the Maori All Blacks perform in their second clash with Ireland for 2022, on a typically wet and windy night in Wellington?
All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao has been handed a three week ban following his red card against Ireland on Saturday in Dunedin.
Former Wales and British & Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts has announced his retirement from rugby at the age of 35.
Both England and Australia have suffered multiple injuries across their first two Tests, with a number of players getting head knocks.
England must enter their series decider against Australia without both of their ‘Kamikaze Kids’ after Sam Underhill was ruled out of the third Test because of concussion.
England’s summer test series against Australia is there for the taking, with both teams heading into the third and final test with a win apiece. Eddie Jones’ men recovered from a humbling opening loss to Australia with a convincing 25-17 win...
All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson was tempered in his praise for Ireland after their historic first win over the men in black on New Zealand soil.
Former England captain Dylan Hartley believes that England are 'spoilt for choice' when it comes to squad depth.
A former England rugby player who was arrested on suspicion of the rape of a teenage girl will not be charged over the incident.
The Wallabies might need outside reinforcement for Sydney's decisive third Test against England after a likely serious knee injury for Izaia Perese headlined the carnage in Brisbane.
Fabien Galthie's France will officially become the best team in the world tomorrow when World Rugby update their rankings tomorrow.
All Blacks star Brodie Retallick has aired some of the frustrations that have stuck with him and his teammates after their historic defeat to Ireland in Dunedin.
Two former All Blacks, and an ex-Ireland halfback, have called for selection changes as New Zealand aim to bounce back against the Irish this weekend.
Uncapped wing Mark Nawaqanitawase joins Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in being called into the injury-hit Wallabies squad ahead of this week's decisive test against England.
Test rugby, with the laws of the game again the major talking point after his side's win over the Wallabies.
England showed resolve to weather a second-half storm from Australia to clinch a 25-17 victory at Suncorp Stadium that takes their series to a decider in Sydney next Saturday.
Johnny Sexton praised Ireland's "fantastic" coaching team after Ireland earned their first ever win in New Zealand to level the three-Test series with a 23-13 victory.
Ireland took the lead early on before being soundly beaten 42-19 by New Zealand last weekend. Can the All Blacks close out the series in Dunedin?
Dom Farrell
Ireland face a dauting test ahead of the autumn internationals programme as Andy Farrell's side head off to face New Zealand. Here is the schedule.
England gear up for a summer trip to Australia after a poor Six Nations campaign. Here is the schedule for their Test tour.
Australia claimed a 30-28 win in a thrilling first Test against England in Perth. Can the visitors hit back in Brisbane?
World Rugby is calling for research grant applications to help broaden understanding of the impact of the use of artificial surfaces at all levels of the sport.
Eddie Jones claims he has never heard of Bradley Stubbs, the self-proclaimed ‘Coach Whisperer’ who says he has become too mellow since they worked together six years ago.
Denied a Wallabies jersey in Brisbane, Suliasi Vunivalu has been ordered to go "balls out" by his coach before he is handed a test debut.
Argentina boss Michael Cheika has issued an update on injured star Pablo Matera as Los Pumas aim to clinch a test series win over Scotland this weekend.
England star Ellis Genge has responded after Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou outlined his intention to "smash" his opposite in their first meeting this weekend.
Seven Hurricanes have played their final matches for the New Zealand franchise and will head elsewhere for 2023.
Two Super Rugby centurions have rubbished comments from Eddie Jones that suggested the Wallabies had the rub of the green in their win over England on Saturday.
Former Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell has a very good Joe Marler reason to fully believe that Dave Rennie’s Australia will close out their three-game Test series with England this Saturday with a match to spare.
The 24-year-old is aiming to leave a mark at the secondary position and emulate some of the deeds of his former club teammate and All Black legend Jerome Kaino.
Noah Lolesio retains the number 10 jersey after a composed performance in the opening Test last weekend and will again partner Brumbies teammate Nic White in the halves.
French club Toulon have confirmed the signing of Sitaleki Timani, the ex-Wallabies second row who had his ties with Western Force cut at the start of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season when the 35-year-old opted against having the Covid-19 vaccine.
Wallabies flyhalf Quade Cooper withdrew at the last minute from Australia's impressive win over England in the first of their three-match series and a report out of Australia suggests the X-year-old won't feature for the remainder of the series.
Sam Underhill is poised to fill the void in England’s back row created by Tom Curry’s tour-ending concussion.
Wallabies lock Darcy Swain will miss the final two tests against England after his red card for foul play was upheld by World Rugby.
An outspoken English rugby columnist has deemed Sam Cane as "not good enough" to carry out his role as All Blacks captain.
Kurtley Beale will target a Rugby Championship return for the Wallabies as he battles a hamstring rupture that has kept him off the park for five months.
England are one defeat away from surrendering their series to Australia after a dismal 30-28 loss in the first Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium where they crumbled in the final quarter.
London Irish have signed another Wallaby, confirming that scrum-half Joe Powell has put pen to paper to join the Gallagher Premiership side.
One of the biggest talking points to come out of England's first Test defeat to the Wallabies in Perth is whether or not the Marcus Smith at 10, Owen Farrell at 12 axis should be persisted with.
Two All Blacks stars have been ruled unavailable for this week's second test against Ireland at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
Rugby League star Regan Grace is reportedly changing codes, leaving St Helens to cross the channel and join Racing 92 this summer. The news comes from Rugby Rama who have suggested that Grace’s career in rugby league is coming...
Australia claimed an incredible 30-28 win over England. The hosts lost Quade Cooper to injury during the warm-up before having Darcy Swain sent off.
New Zealand ran in six tries as they claimed a 42-19 win over Ireland in the first Test at Eden Park.
Wayne Pivac's struggling Wales side head off to South Africa for their summer tour on the back of a difficult 12 months. Here is the schedule.
England head Down Under for a summer tour, with the first of three games against old enemies Australia in Perth on July 2.
Eddie Jones says he's accepts and even enjoys the pressure amid critics' suggestions his role as England rugby coach could hinge on the outcome of the Test series against the Wallabies.
New Wallabies hooker Dave Porecki says he can't rely on his years of toil in English rugby to give him an upper hand when he makes his test debut in Perth.
Head coach Jason Gilmore has named Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergan captain of the Australia A side or the team's Pacific Nations Cup clash with Samoa this Saturday.
Israel Folau will return to test rugby for the first time since 2019 when Tonga take on Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday - and he'll be joined by former All Blacks Salesi 'Charles' Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa.
Already highlighting the benefits of Moana Pasifika's introduction to Super Rugby Pacific in 2022, 13 players from the composite Pacific Islands side will run out for Samoa in the opening game of this year's Pacific Nations Cup.
Ireland kick off a three-game Test tour of New Zealand with an intriguing tie against the All Blacks in Auckland on July 2. Here is how you can watch.
Newly-named All Blacks playmaker Stephen Perofeta has secured his playing future for the next two years after re-signing with the Blues.
England hooker Jamie George has sung the praises of coach Eddie Jones, saying the veteran mentor has filled his players with such confidence they can now simply laugh off external criticism.
The Highlanders have confirmed the signing of young halfback James Arscott, who joins the Super Rugby Pacific outfit on a two-year deal.
The Western Force have continued their off-season raid, signing former Chiefs and Hurricanes flyer Chase Tiatia on a two-year deal.
Settling into his role as full-time Wallabies forwards coach, ex-Brumbies boss Dan McKellar wants Australia to develop the best maul in international rugby.
Jack Nowell and Manu Tuilagi may pass like “ships in the night” when on England duty, but they have still developed a strong bond amid the shared misery of injury.
Who were the best performers for the Maori All Blacks in their victory over Ireland on Wednesday evening?
Controversial former Wallabies star Israel Folau is primed to make his long-awaited return to test rugby when Tonga open their Pacific Nations Cup campaign this weekend.
It’s daft how these World Rugby tour schedules create yawning gaps in between particular types of fixtures... you have to go back six years to find the last time England played on tour in Australia.
Former Australia captain George Gregan believes Eddie Jones possesses the leadership qualities required to revive England’s ailing fortunes.
The Wallabies look like they are likely to be without star tighthead Taniela Tupou - who according to the Sydney Morning Herald, is losing a race against time to make the first Test against England next weekend.
The Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby have apologised to Luther Burrell after the former England centre said racism was “rife” in the sport.
Former All Blacks halfbacks Brad Weber and TJ Perenara have been named as Maori All Blacks co-captains for Wednesday's clash against Ireland in Hamilton.
Iryna Arkhytska, the secretary general of URU, despite impeccable English, is struggling to find the right words to the fact her beloved country was invaded by Russian forces on Feb 24, in the depths of winter.
England's rugby side are in a rut, but coach Eddie Jones says they will become a special team if they come up trumps in Australia.
Only a few days after being appointed as Highlanders head coach, Clarke Dermody is already adding to his 2023 squad.
Hailing him the king of mind games, coach Eddie Jones has an open invitation to dinner with Wallabies halfback Nic White
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan will be casting a glance over the riches stored away by some of the other Super Rugby sides around the country and assessing whether he can lure a few talented individuals to the Waikato.
Despite missing out on the national side, Cullen Grace still has an opportunity to press his case at a higher level and has been called into the Maori All Blacks squad ahead of their two-match series with Ireland.
A tongue-in-cheek advertising campaign is reportedly set to mock the Irish rugby team when they arrive in New Zealand for their three Test series in July.
There is a very good chance that the latest comments out of Rugby Australia regarding the future of Super Rugby Pacific are nothing more than posturing.
Chief World Rugby medic Eanna Falvey has reported he has received little negative feedback ahead of the July 1 changes to rugby’s concussion protocol. The latest alterations will result in the vast majority of players not returning to play within twelve days.
Crusaders second five-eighth David Havili may have played himself back into the starting No 12 role for the All Blacks based on his superb showing in the Super Rugby Pacific final against the Blues.
Billy Vunipola sealed his recall for England’s series against Australia next month after producing what Eddie Jones viewed as a Test-calibre appearance in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final.
Rugby has a funny relationship with the back of the heel. It's an outlaw practice in the game which in many instances explicitly forbids its use in the Law book.
Leinster scrum-half Nick McCarthy admits he previously contemplated quitting professional rugby due to his sexuality after announcing he is gay.
After much speculation about whether he will stay in rugby union or return to rugby league, uncapped Wallabies star Suliasi Vunivalu has confirmed his playing future.
Former Wallaby hooker Jeremy Paul has slammed the idea that Australian Rugby should break away from Super Rugby Pacific in order to form a domestic-only competition.
Australia has once again sought to stir the pot ahead of England's three Test series against the Wallabies in July - with Stan Sport taking a good natured pop at English rugby fans.
Harlequins No.8 Alex Dombrandt is a doubt for the England's tour of Australia, after it was revealed that the all-action backrow suffered an injury in training.
Giant Australian lock Will Skelton has become the first Barbarian FC player to ever receive a red card.
England fell to a third successive defeat as the Barbarians overcame a first-half red card shown to Will Skelton to win 52-21 at Twickenham and secure their biggest victory in the fixture. Skelton became the first player sent off in Barbarians
With the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific campaign done and dusted, here's a selection of competition's standout player in this Team of the Season.
However, that advantage up front did not materialise against the Crusaders in the final as George Bower, Codie Taylor, and Oliver Jager held their own for the most part.
Barbarians lock Will Skelton has revealed the team that he finds the toughest to play against and the best player he has ever faced. The La Rochelle second row is in London this week to represent the Baa-Baas against England.
Not only is Eden Park sold out for this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific final between the Blues and the Crusaders, but additional standing space has also been set aside as a throwback to the past.
Argentinian international Pablo Matera faced a tough week ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific final, not knowing whether he'd be available or not to play for the Crusaders at Eden Park.
A Wallabies star has brandished a core group of England players as "world-class" ahead of the highly-anticipated test series between the two countries next month.
After a decade at three different Super Rugby clubs and a club in Japan, an uncapped 33-year-old lock is primed to make his long-awaited Wallabies debut.
Wallabies' giant Will Skelton has been selected for the Barbarians and will test out England in an emotional match before their tour to Australia.
Wallabies star James O'Connor says he's open to moving positions for next month's test series against England amid hot competition to wear the No.10 jersey.
An unstoppable force will meet an immovable object when the Blues take on the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific final at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday.
All Blacks star Damian McKenzie's return to New Zealand has been confirmed following a six-month spell in Japanese club rugby.
The Black Ferns will be without star wing Ruby Tui for their final Pacific Four Series match against the United States this weekend.
New All Black halfback Folau Fakatava is one of six new faces in Ian Foster's All Blacks squad but the young No 9 is no stranger to competing with incumbent starter Aaron Smith.
The Crusaders are preparing for a massive clash in front of a full house at Eden Park on Saturday night, when they take on the Blues in the highly-anticipated final of DHL Super Rugby Pacific.
On the eve of the All-Kiwi Super Rugby Pacific final between the Blues and Crusaders a 'bombshell' has been dropped by Rugby Australia to their New Zealand Rugby (NZR) counterparts, according to a report by Fox Sports Australia.
Captain Dalton Papalii is poised to return via the bench for the Blues in Saturday's sold-out Super Rugby Pacific final against the Crusaders.
Here are the winners and losers from Dave Rennie's first Wallabies squad of the year, named ahead of next month's test series against England.
Despite receiving two yellow cards in the Crusaders' semi-final victory over the Chiefs and two further yellows throughout the season, Argentinian international Pablo Matera is free to play in this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific grand final.
For much of last weekend's win over the Chiefs, the Crusaders had to cope without three of their seasoned performers thanks to injury.
Andy Farrell believes the forthcoming Ireland tour of New Zealand will provide the ultimate test and serve as vital preparation for next year’s World Cup.
There were always due to be some significant omissions from the first All Blacks squad of the year after 42 players ran out in the silver fern last season. Perhaps the bigger surprise, then, is the men who somehow defied the odds.
Ian Foster was going to struggle to narrow down his loose forward selections for the All Blacks' upcoming test series with Ireland but the loss of Ethan Blackadder to injury will perhaps may the picture a little bit clearer.
ASM Clermont have confirmed the capture of seven players ahead of the 2022/23 Top 14 season, including a Wallaby, a French international and a Puma.
Melbourne skipper Michael Wells has been lured across to the Western Force with the Rebels farewelling a swag of experienced players.
Two Crusaders coaches have blasted the ongoing delays that have halted the construction of a new stadium in Christchurch.
The Blues have swept virtually all before them in Super Rugby Pacific but are wary of what the Brumbies will bring in Saturday's semi-final.
The Blues have made three changes to their run-on XV for their skirmish with the Brumbies on Saturday night - the most of any side involved in the semi-finals.
Star forward Rob Valetini is clear to return to the Brumbies' line-up for their crunch semi-final against the Blues on Saturday night.
Scrum-half Harry Randall has urged England to deliver another series whitewash of Australia during next month's tour.
New Zealand Rugby has issued a public apology to Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate following the Black Ferns hooker's decline in wellbeing during last year's tour of Europe.
If the Brumbies are to qualify for the Super Rugby Pacific final, they will need to pick up their first win at Eden Park in many years.
The All Blacks name their first squad of the year next Monday where it is expected that some maiden All Black inclusions will be named.
It’s been a gradual transition into rugby union for Blues star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has had a solid, if unspectacular, debut Super Rugby Pacific season so far.
Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio has outlined how his side plan on troubling the Blues to keep their Super Rugby Pacific title hopes alive.
While none of the players from the Gallagher Premiership top four sides feature in Eddie Jones 35-man due to the playoffs, it's the absence of one player not involved with the knockout stages of the league that will raise eyebrows.
Australia's quest for a historic victory over New Zealand has fallen short with the Wallaroos going down 23-10 in a rain-sodden Test in Tauranga.
It's the toughest test in rugby, but if the Brumbies want to taste Super Rugby Pacific championship success, it's one they simply must pass.
Fears of Brodie Retallick's demise may have been somewhat premature - if the big All Black lock's performance against the Waratahs on Saturday afternoon is anything to go by.
Blues first five and stand-in captain Beauden Barrett has praised the work of his teammates following the team's 35-6 win over the Highlanders but remained remarkably humble concerning his own performance on Saturday night.
The Brumbies are set for a huge boost ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the ladder-topping Blues on Saturday with powerhouse flanker Rob Valetini almost certain to return.
Former All Blacks midfielder Seta Tamanivalu has been included as one of 10 new caps in the Fiji squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup.
Three All Blacks stars are in doubt for the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, as well as next month's test series against Ireland.
Brumbies and Wallabies fullback Tom Banks is heading to Japan at the end of the season on multi-million dollar contract.
The Reds will line up for the sudden-death clash on Friday night after also taking on the Crusaders in the final round of the regular season.
Sale have confirmed that Manu Tuilagi won’t be touring Australia with England in July despite recent projections that he was on track to make the trip.
Wallabies flyhalf James O'Connor has revisited the Toulon bus incident that acted as the first of a series of 'wake-up calls' for the playmaker who was going off the rails.
New Zealand Rugby's Silver Lake has finally been given approval after the 26 provincial unions voted 89 to 1 in favour of the proposal.
Veteran Agustin Creevy has had his wish granted regarding a Test level recall as new Argentina coach Michael Cheika. The 37-year-old last represented his country at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
It may have taken until the sixteenth week of the competition but for the first time this year, the Chiefs are finally able to field what might be their most dangerous possible back three in their quarter-final showdown with the Waratahs.
