S&C coaches have moved rugby away from a ‘bulk at all costs’ mindset, but Reds prop Taniela Tupou is chuffed to have joined the bench press 200-club.
It's a sports' cliché, but the bench press continues to occupy a uniquely macho seat in the pantheon of weight training disciplines, and professional rugby players are by no means immune.
There's no question that the decade spanning from 2010 to 2019 has been the most successful period in the Chiefs' short history, with two titles and eight consecutive finals appearances to their name. Who, then, have been their best performers since 2010?
Richard Kahui's decorated career includes trophies for the All Blacks, Chiefs and Waikato. Despite winning a World Cup with New Zealand, however, it's one of the less lustrous championships that he remembers most fondly.
So when the All Blacks selectors sit down to name their 31-man Rugby World Cup squad, they will need a No 3 No 2 and a No 3 No 9, if you follow me.
Which French clubs have been busy recruiting players ahead of the new Top 14 season? James Harrington checks out the key deals club by club
Given the overflow of talent in New Zealand, as well as the money on offer in Europe, many Kiwis head north to ply their trade. What would be your top New Zealand 23 consisting of only players currently playing in Europe? Connor Whittick takes a look at some of the options and puts forward a proposed squad: