Steve Hepburn

England used its get out of jail card to defeat a gallant Argentina 13-9 in Dunedin

The All Blacks got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start in Auckland last night, beating Tonga 41-10, but it was a spluttering effort with the side coughing up plenty of errors and getting on the wrong end of the penalty count.

These are the men who will score the tries which may well make the difference when the final whistle goes. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the All Black back three.

Hosea Gear is a Highlander, coming south in the hope it propels him back into the All Blacks.

Will a certain man from Kurow have his career defined in the next month and a-half? Many think so, but the man himself is not buying into that, preferring to look at the big picture.

All Black coach Graham Henry gave his side five out of 10 for last night's win over Tonga and admitted it made too many mistakes.

Nearly six years in the making, after incalculable man hours, seemingly countless dollars and some dramas, the Rugby World Cup kicks off in Auckland tonight.

There are 40 pool games at the World Cup but some are more important than others. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at five key games which will decided the quarterfinalists.

World Cup boss Martin Snedden says this Saturday night in Dunedin will be a special moment for the whole tournament, and the city will benefit from the new stadium for years to come.

The Highlanders green jersey is on the way out with the boss of the franchise admitting it might have been a mistake.

England kicker Jonny Wilkinson is hoping his return to Dunedin this time is better than his first visit to the city.

England will be without its captain Lewis Moody when it takes on Argentina on Saturday.

Even the financial whiz kids and men who crunch the numbers reckon the All Blacks will do the business this time around.

They are big and bruising and make the breaks that often lead to tries. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the midfield backs for the All Blacks.

They are the linchpin of any team - the ones who can win or lose a game. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn continues our series on the All Black squad by looking at the halfbacks and first five-eighths.

Brad Thorn walked down memory lane yesterday, meeting his first rugby coach, and rumbling around the fields of Cromwell, the town where it all started.