Rugby

All Blacks tossed in

Crusader's coach Todd Blackadder has hinted that his All Blacks would be pitched straight into battle and told to cop it sweet.

Sanzar and Sky decide it's time to titillate the fans

Brooke apologises for groping

Former All Black Robin Brooke says he is sorry for groping a 15-year-old girl in Fiji.

Time to titillate the fans

Referees will come out of the shadows and players and coaches will be expected to provide real-time comments during games as Sanzar and Sky Sport try to spice up the Super 14.

Time for young gun to fire

New Hurricanes first five-eighth Aaron Cruden has long been touted as a rugby star in the making. Toby Robson talks to the new kid on the block.

Sin-binned Jones keeps his place

Errant lock Alun-Wyn Jones has kept his place in the Wales team to face Scotland in the Six Nations championship, though coach Warren Gatland has made two changes from the side beaten 30-17 by England last weekend.

More Rugby headlines

'Very white' Australian rugby cops criticism

Robbie Robinson lines up Super 14 debut

Robin Brooke apologisies for Fiji actions

Ratepayers face footing Eden Park funding shortfall

Rugby icon Fred 'The Needle' Allen turns 90

Rugby's new rules slant tipped to favour Super 14 powerhouses

Wycliff Palu considers options

Reds and Rebels eye Gasnier

Hayman's Taranaki deal still some way off

Rugby stars take anti-violence message to Samoa

More Rugby headlines

France coach criticises referee

Counties in talks with Tana

Braced for rugged reception

Steve gets S14 whistle back

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Opinion

Rugged good looks the ticket

Form should be discarded as criteria for All Blacks selection with some females suggesting players be picked purely on looks.

Bok block to free-flowing rugby?

At the risk of being cynical, don't bet your house on South Africa joining the party when it comes to the Super 14 being instantly transformed into a free-flowing spectacle.

Time for better spectacle

Stop clock to speed up rugby

Super 14

S14 powerhouses to benefit

Crusaders-style continuity and the best breakdown burglars will rule under new interpretations.

Hurricanes No 10 dilemma

Manawatu star Aaron Cruden may be eased in, rather than unleashed, on the Super 14 this season with Willie Ripia appearing to have the inside running for the Super 14 opener.

Barnes braces for a rugged Reds reception

Spencer thrills in debut

Time for young gun to fire

New Hurricanes first five-eighth Aaron Cruden has long been touted as a rugby star in the making. Toby Robson talks to the new kid on the block.

International

Wycliff Palu considers options

Fresh on the heels of George Smith announcing his retirement form international rugby there are fears across the Tasman that Wycliff Palu is considering overseas offers.

Wallabies warned

Wallabies high-performance director David Nucifora says the future success of the Wallabies hinges on the performances of our Super 14 teams this season.

Bastareaud tries set up win

England beat Wales

France coach criticises referee

France coach Marc Lievremont accused Welsh referee Nigel Owens of denying his side an even bigger victory than their eventual Six Nations championship 18-9 win over Scotland at Murrayfield.

All Blacks

Hayman won't just 'waltz back in'

Taranaki and Hurricanes rugby fans will get their pound of flesh from Carl Hayman under a unique three-way deal designed to bring the All Blacks prop back to New Zealand.

Hayman to get farm to rejoin ABs

Carl Hayman is poised to be rushed back into the All Blacks as early as their end-of-year grand slam tour.

Richie at the ready

Ali down but not out

Lauaki gives up on All Blacks

Sione Lauaki will captain the Chiefs in their first three games. It's a huge recognition for the blockbusting No 8, but he's not expecting higher honours.

News

Aussie rugby 'very white'

Australian rugby has been accused of being ''very white'' in failing to embrace and cultivate indigenous talent.

Xavier Rush leaves Cardiff

Former All Black Xavier Rush has decided to leave the Cardiff Blues to link up with Irish club Ulster.

Reds and Rebels eye Gasnier

Wycliff Palu considers options

'The Needle' is 90

Former All Black coach Fred Allen was described as "the patriarch of New Zealand rugby" as he celebrated his 90th birthday today.

Provincial

Injured No8 hopeful

Turbos No8 and Manawatu player-of-the-year Brent Thompson is keeping his fingers crossed that they won't be beset by pins and needles for too much longer.

Macdonald gets Tasman job

Former All Black fullback Leon MacDonald has been appointed assistant coach of the Tasman rugby team.

Kirkpatrick signs on with Magpies

Pisi a 'good buy' for Taranaki

Counties line up Umaga

Counties-Manukau have had discussions with Tana Umaga about returning to NZ rugby.

Rugby World Cup

Ratepayers face Eden Park bill

Auckland City Council will not respond to requests for funding to underwrite some of the cost of the Eden Park revamp until it has seen a business case, Mayor John Banks says.