Clarke, Smith stand out in patchy year
The All Blacks’ season was a bit all over the place. It featured some excellent performances, a few mixed ones and a shocker. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks over the year.
Rugby
England do enough to subdue Wales and secure top spot
England do enough to subdue Wales and secure top spot
England did just about enough to subdue a spirited but limited Wales with a 24-13 victory in Llanelli on Saturday to secure top spot in Autumn Nations Cup Group A and set up a probable title...
Celebration for Tasman as Auckland fall just short in final
Celebration for Tasman as Auckland fall just short in final
As halfback Finlay Christie ran out the clock to see Tasman collect their second straight Mitre 10 Cup Premiership title, the emotion of the season was apparent on both sides.
All Blacks get revenge on Pumas
All Blacks get revenge on Pumas
What a difference two weeks makes.
Running the rule over Mitre 10 Cup finalists
Running the rule over Mitre 10 Cup finalists
The climax of the provincial season takes place this weekend with the finals of the Mitre 10 Cup. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the two finals.
All Blacks received apologies from officials
All Blacks received apologies from officials
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has revealed the team have received apologies from match officials for some of the decisions made during their recent tests.
Pumas out to honour Maradona against All Blacks
Pumas out to honour Maradona against All Blacks
Argentina will honour Diego Maradona in their Tri-Nations test against NZ on Saturday by trying to match his passion for playing for the country, coach Mario Ledesma says.
Three changes to All Blacks for Argentina match
Three changes to All Blacks for Argentina match
Akira Ioane replaces Highlander Shannon Frizell in the All Black team to take on Argentina at the weekend.
Battle of Brown v Mauger
Battle of Brown v Mauger
The new Highlanders coach will go up against the former one when the Maori All Blacks take on Moana Pasifika in Hamilton early next month.
Ioane in Moana Pasifika to recognise Samoan side
Ioane in Moana Pasifika to recognise Samoan side
Josh Ioane has played for the All Blacks and the Maori All Blacks.
Losing season gave coach insight to change focus
Losing season gave coach insight to change focus
A losing season proved a pivotal moment in the coaching career of Jamie Joseph.
Former French winger Dominici dies
Former French winger Dominici dies
Former France and Stade Francais player Christophe Dominici, whose dazzling runs made him one of the country's best wingers, has died aged 48.
Weak season finish costs Otago dearly
Weak season finish costs Otago dearly
Otago once again fell at the semifinal stage. The season had looked so promising a month before. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back at what happened and why.
Dixon to lead Maori All Blacks, eight new caps
Dixon to lead Maori All Blacks, eight new caps
Māori All Blacks coach Clayton McMillan has named eight new caps in a 24-player squad to prepare for a one-off match against Moana Pasifika in Hamilton.
All Blacks ready for redemption test
All Blacks ready for redemption test
The All Blacks say they're not feeling more pressure from the "haters" than they already put on themselves ahead of Saturday's crucial Tri Nations clash with Argentina.
Park trust cannot afford work
Park trust cannot afford work
The charitable trust which owns Rugby Park is cash strapped and unable to make any improvements or carry out maintenance.
Black Ferns win but play messy
Black Ferns win but play messy
The Black Ferns ended their season with a rather messy effort against the Barbarians in Nelson on Saturday.
Loss extends poor record in playoffs
Loss extends poor record in playoffs
The weekend did not make it any easier to stomach Otago’s loss on Friday night.
Foster backs Cane as captain
Foster backs Cane as captain
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has addressed comments made by Sam Cane following the team's loss to Argentina, standing by his captain's decision to speak his mind.
France claims win to top group
France claims win to top group
France centre Virimi Vakatawa muscled over the line to break open an absorbing clash this morning.