As his jaded players go their separate ways nursing post grand slam hangovers, All Blacks coach Graham Henry happily heads home immune to one headache - adverse public reaction.

In an era where winning the World Cup is everything, the fact the All Blacks go into Saturday’s match against England here at Twickenham on the verge of a grand slam may not seem like a big deal. But don’t tell that to New Zealand captain Richie McCaw.

All Black coach Graham Henry has warned England’s future success at international level is being harmed by the mass recruitment of New Zealand players into the elite Premiership club competition.

Returning No.8 Richard Brown says the Wallabies must outdo Wales in the enthusiasm stakes if they wish to complete an unbeaten spring tour of Europe on Saturday.

Phil Waugh has vowed to make up for lost time after being recalled for the Wallabies’ crunch match with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Danny Cipriani was dropped to the bench by England manager Martin Johnson in one of three changes to the team to face the All Blacks at Twickenham this Saturday.

As they eye a rare spring tour clean sweep, the Wallabies have been placed on notice that Wales will be anything but pushovers in Saturday’s Test at Millennium Stadium.

I was ordering my usual coffee at the Centennial Park deli (the best coffee in the Eastern Suburbs) on Sunday morning when a cranky 30ish man, with the look of a banker under stress, came in and said, apparently to no one in particular: ‘The Wallabies were pathetic against France. At this rate anyone can [...]

England manager Martin Johnson called on his players to show their true “character” after a record-breaking 42-6 defeat at the hands of world champions South Africa.

Rugby world champions South Africa rounded off their 2008 campaign in style with a record-breaking 42-6 thrashing of England at Twickenham here Saturday.

Amidst the hype of all the recent tour games, we forget that based on form, Wales and the All Blacks are effectively the two best teams in the world. Of course, aspects such as recent results and actual world rankings dispute this.

Robbie Deans has challenged his high-flying Wallabies to prove they’re no flash in the pan in Saturday’s showdown with the unpredictable French in Paris.

Coming towards the end of their first year as World Champions, question marks continue to exist over the Springboks team and coach Peter De Villiers.

Attacking ace Matt Giteau admits Australian training sessions have risen to ferocious heights this week as the Wallabies strive desperately to mend their battered reputation in England.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has warned England against living on past glories as Australia seized the psychological ascendancy in an intriguing build-up to Saturday’s much-hyped Cook Cup clash at Twickenham.

South Africa captain John Smit will equal Os Du Randt’s record of 80 Test caps as a Springbok forward after being named in an unchanged line-up for Saturday’s clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.

One game played, and the floodgates open against the Northern Hemisphere invaders. It’s a usual tirade, with the British press incredibly uncompromising on any antagonists that dare invade their hallowed shores.

Gavin Henson has withdrawn from the Wales team for the rugby international against South Africa on Saturday due to a nagging ankle injury.

World champions they may be, but South Africa play Six Nations champions Wales here on Saturday desperate to make up for a poor Tri-Nations that saw them win only two of their six games.

Without a hint of insincerity or gamesmanship, Italy coach Nick Mallett has all but written off his side’s chances of beating the Wallabies in Saturday’s Test in Padova.