International
Folau faces baptism of fire
Code-hopper Israel Folau will be thrown into the toughest international rugby baptism imaginable against the Lions.
South Africa give de Villiers fitness deadline
MARK GLEESON - Reuters
South African captain Jean de Villiers must prove his fitness by Friday or he will be replaced by 20-year-old sensation Jan Serfontein.Snook: French flair vanishing, crushed into turf
IAN SNOOK - © Fairfax NZ News
OPINION: Infiltrated at home by rich owners, and a torrent of foreign players, demanding nothing less than brute force and constant pressure, French rugby is losing its way.Goromaru guides Japan to win over Canada
Ayumu Goromaru scored all his team's points as Japan rallied to beat Canada 16-13 in the Pacific Nations Cup rugby tournament.
Lions' George North cleared ahead of first test
JIM MORTON - AAP
The British and Irish Lions have received a much-needed boost after their momentum-halting loss to the Brumbies.
Folau to make Wallabies debut against Lions
PAUL CULLY - Sydney Morning Herald
Israel Folau's stunning rise in his third code is complete as he starts at full back for the Wallabies against the Lions on Saturday.ACT Brumbies win a good sign for Wallabies
IAN RANSOM - Reuters
The Brumbies' stunning upset of the British and Irish Lions team should give heart to Australia, says Jake White.
Lions stunned by Brumbies in Canberra
DAVID BARBELER - AAP
The Brumbies have become the first provincial team to beat the British and Irish Lions in 16 years, clinging to a 14-12 win.Digby Ioane fit to face the Lions in first test
Wallabies wing Digby Ioane has declared himself fit for the first test against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane.
Christian Lealiifano ready to face touring Lions
JIM MORTON - AAP
Christian Lealiifano's remarkable return from his horrific ankle injury has been one of sport's most heart-warming stories of 2013.Springbok Arno Botha out for rest of 2013
South Africa loose forward Arno Botha has been ruled out for the remainder of 2013 after rupturing ligaments in his left knee.
Shane Williams ready to face ACT Brumbies
ADRIAN WARREN - AAP
Shane Williams says he would have told the Lions to stick their invitation if he thought for one second he wouldn't have been good enough.Barnes looms as super-sub against Lions
Berrick Barnes rates it the biggest rugby match on earth since the 2011 World Cup final but won't mind if he watches kick-off from the bench.
Centre Roberts in doubt for Lions first test
Lions centre Jamie Roberts is a 'grave doubt' for Saturday's first test against Australia because of a hamstring strain.
Injuries add to France's woes for final test
TOBY ROBSON - © Fairfax NZ News
Frederic Michalak's pained expression summed up everything about the French touring team as they limp toward the third test.Izzy wings it for Wallabies debut against Lions
Israel Folau will have the chance to shock the British and Irish Lions when he becomes a dual international on Saturday night.
Former Wallabies coach labels Lions cheats
Former Wallaby coach Bob Dwyer has labeled the visitors as cheats because of illegal scrimmaging and other rule infringements.
Shock Lions callup for Wales' Shane Williams
Shane Williams has received a shock call-up to join the British and Irish Lions and will start their tour match against the Brumbies.
South Africa fight back to overcome Scotland
MARK GLEESON - Reuters
South Africa staged a second-half comeback to record a flattering 30-17 win over a feisty Scotland in the four-nation tournament and set up a final clash with Samoa.Young Fijian flyer Nakaitaci chance for France
LIAM NAPIER - © Fairfax NZ News
Turning your back on the nation of your birth would usually be a difficult decision. Not for Noa Nakaitaci, the first Fijian to play for France.Samoa overpower Italians with five tries
MARK GLEESON - Reuters
Samoa powered to a 39-10 win over Italy in the four-team tournament, their third successive test win against Six Nations opposition.Halfpenny's haul see Lions thrash Waratahs
NICK MULVENNEY - Reuters
Leigh Halfpenny contributed 30 points as the British and Irish Lions crushed the New South Wales Waratahs 47-17.Blossoms upset under-strength Wales team
PATRICK JOHNSTON - Reuters
Rugby minnows Japan claimed their first win over Six Nations champions Wales after a clinical display against an inexperienced Welsh side sealed a 23-8 victory.Springboks debut would complete Kolisi's rise
MARK GLEESON - Reuters
If Siya Kolisi wins his first South Africa cap, it will complete a remarkable story of a player who overcame dire poverty in the black townships of the Eastern Cape to become a symbol of the potential of sport.Smith losing race to be fit for Lions tests
Brumbies coach Jake White says it's unlikely flanker George Smith will be ready for the Wallabies' second test with the Lions.
Young Kiwi prop ready to face mighty Lions
Young Kiwi prop Richard Aho is ready to lock horns with the British and Irish Lions when he comes of the Waratahs bench tomorrow night.
Kiwi's Lions dream dashed by Robbie Deans
CHRIS BARCLAY - © Fairfax NZ News
Kiwi Terrence Hepetema was on the brink of entering the Lions' den but a rethink by Robbie Deans has ended his dream.Scrum worries for French ahead of test two
MATT RICHENS - © Fairfax NZ News
It seems the French are more worried about their faltering scrum than any domination over the All Blacks at breakdown time.Lions audition again against beefed up 'Tahs
Warren Gatland has given his team everything to play for against a belatedly beefed up New South Wales Waratahs.
'Bolter' Vunipola out to grasp his Lions chance
Mako Vunipola's name would have featured in precious few of the many conversations about the make-up of the British and Irish Lions.
Italy bring back three veterans to face Samoa
MARK GLEESON - Reuters
Italy restored stalwarts Martin Castrogiovanni, Marco Bergamasco and flyhalf Luciano Orquera to the starting line-up to play Samoa in Nelspruit.Yarde to make England debut, Eastmond starts
REX GOWAR - Reuters
Winger Marland Yarde will make his England debut in the second test against Argentina as coach Stuart Lancaster made two changes to the team who romped to a 32-3 victory over the Pumas.Uncapped Ben Mowen eyeing Wallabies start
JIM MORTON - AAP
Uncapped Brumbies captain Ben Mowen and the reactivated Hugh McMeniman are battling for the contentious No 6 jersey in the Wallabies pack.Scotland name three new caps for Boks test
NICK SAID - Reuters
Scotland named three new caps in their starting team for their test against South Africa in Nelspruit.Lions clash to unearth next Waratahs stars
ADRIAN WARREN - AAP
The British and Irish Lions clash is the ideal opportunity for the next generation of NSW Waratahs stars to emerge, says team stalwart Tom Carter.O'Connor the Wallabies 'weak link' - Barnes
JIM MORTON - AAP
Stuart Barnes has lashed James O'Connor's credentials, claiming the Wallabies will lose the first Lions test with him at No 10.French hope Michalak brings clinical touch
MARC HINTON - © Fairfax NZ News
Philippe Saint-Andre wants his team to be more clinical this week, so it's no surprise Frederic Michalak is back at No 10.Sexton at first-five for Lions against Waratahs
Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton will get his chance to nail down a Lions test spot against the Waratahs on Saturday night.
Wallabies duo released for Tahs-Lions clash
Dave Dennis and centre Rob Horne have been released by the Wallabies' for the Waratahs' game with the Lions.
First test selection has Lions on tenterhooks
DARREN WALTON - AAP
Warren Gatland has his British and Irish Lions on selection tenterhooks nine days out from the series with Wallabies.Tonga coach in hot water over racial comments
Tonga coach Mana Otai is facing a investigation by the IRB for his racial-based comments following his side's loss to Canada.
Waratahs don't expect to face Lions' big guns
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika doesn't expect the Waratahs to face the Lions' big guns on Saturday.
Only perfection can top All Blacks - Michalak
Veteran playmaker Frederic Michalak senses confidence in the French camp but warns only perfection will do.
Tongans suspended for Pacific Nations Cup
Tonga backs David Halaifonua and Siale Piutau and prop Edmund 'Aholelei will miss the rest of the Pacific Nations Cup after being suspended.
Du Plessis returns from injury on Boks bench
MARK GLEESON - Reuters
South Africa stuck with a winning outfit for Saturday's rugby test against Scotland, making just two enforced changes to the side that beat Italy.Lions call up England's Twelvetrees for tour
ED OSMOND - Reuters
England centre Billy Twelvetrees has been called into the British and Irish Lions squad in Australia, the Lions said on their website.Fiji beat Classic All Blacks in centenary game
Fiji scored three second-half tries to beat a Classic All Blacks selection 33-14.
Former AB expects France to add experience
TOBY ROBSON - © Fairfax NZ News
John Schwalger is picking France to add a dose of experience and a dollop of flair to their side for the second test.Scotland skipper Kelly Brown ruled out of tour
MARK GLEESON - Reuters
Scotland captain Kelly Brown has become the third player in successive days forced out of their tour of South Africa.French take care of young Blues outfit 38-15
This was exactly what French coach Philippe Saint-Andre wanted.
Young guns set to debut for the All Blacks
Robson: Hansen misses midfield opportunity
Highlanders' struggles force Joseph to rethink
Court Session: All Blacks preview
France ring the changes for final test
Series lost, France still have plenty to play for
Baby Blacks lament patchy performance in loss
New Plymouth test a family affair for Read
Matu'u stuck on sideline,'Canes back to work
Weather puts 'Canes, Crusaders match in doubt
Snook: French flair vanishing, crushed into turf
Snow falls as cold snap strikes south
Burglar's horror at dead man find
Sportspeople stand out as most trusted Kiwis
Kiwi's first baseball game goes wrong
Warning on overuse of hillbilly heroin
Woman gets stuck in laundry lift
Big Chill: What you need to know
