Italy make three changes, name 6/2 bench for All Blacks
After a first-round loss to Japan, Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada made three changes to his starting team to play New Zealand in…
Ned Lester
08 Jul 2026, 23:12
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Five changes in starting All Blacks team for Italy, two debutants poised on bench
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has made five changes to his team's starting XV to play Italy, while Cortez Ratima is the only b…
Ned Lester
08 Jul 2026, 20:40
Analysis
England talisman and Fijian illusionist top Nations Championship stats after round 1
The 12 best national teams in rugby have been pitted against one another in the new Nations Championship, and while rugby is proud…
Ned Lester
08 Jul 2026, 19:52
Opinion
Damian McKenzie proved to be the perfect fullback for Ruben Love
Despite missing out on the No.10 jersey, McKenzie has found a perfect role at fullback that complements, not detracts, from Love.
Ben Smith
08 Jul 2026, 15:19
Wallace Sititi has fitness revelation in Rennie's new All Blacks playbook
The All Blacks got their first taste of Test match rugby in Dave Rennie's new game plan against France, and the speed of play made…
Ned Lester
07 Jul 2026, 22:26
Opinion
This feels like a formidable All Blacks squad but the benchmark is perfection
The All Blacks’ explosiveness and athleticism enabled them to overcome the French and I’d be disappointed if that obscured the…
Hamish Bidwell
07 Jul 2026, 19:17
New Zealand Rugby appoint 94-Test All Black as head of men's high performance
New Zealand Rugby has found Mike Anthony's successor as Head of Men's High Performance, and it's a familiar face who will be stepp…
Ned Lester
07 Jul 2026, 15:58
Opinion
Paul Williams: 'The Nations Championship is right up there with any of the summer blockbusters.'
A new competition takes time to bed in but the signs with the Nations Championship were of a tournament that will soon become a fa…
Paul Williams
07 Jul 2026, 7:46
Will Jordan backed to break iconic All Blacks record against Italy
Will Jordan is just three tries away from becoming the All Blacks' all-time leading try-scorer, trailing Doug Howlett's record of …
Ned Lester
06 Jul 2026, 23:22
The four All Blacks who impressed Steve Hansen in France win
Sir Steve Hansen has weighed in on the first All Blacks Test of the year, highlighting four players who impressed him and identify…
Ned Lester
06 Jul 2026, 21:25
Sam Darry: 'Conceding 32 points isn't acceptable for us'
"I can't call me too much on last year, I was only in for the back end of the year, but the coaches have brought an awesome, I gue…
Henry Lee
06 Jul 2026, 20:17
Neil Barnes hints standout All Blacks performers could still miss Italy Test
Former Italy assistant coach and now All Blacks senior assistant Neil Barnes, has explained what the thinking is around this weeke…
Henry Lee
06 Jul 2026, 18:12
'Long term, it's the best plan': Jordie Barrett on All Blacks changes against Italy
Hints from within the All Blacks camp point to some selection changes coming for round 2 of the Nations Championship against Italy…
Ned Lester
06 Jul 2026, 17:15
'He's earned my respect': Neil Barnes on Luke Jacobson's performance against France
"We thought he was outstanding, so it's not a surprise to me. He's earned my respect, and I thought he showed the rest of the coun…
Henry Lee
06 Jul 2026, 14:21
Analysis
How rugby found its 'lightbulb moment' in the Nations Championship opener
The cracker in Christchurch not only raised the curtain on the Nations Championship, it showed the way for Test rugby.
Nick Bishop
06 Jul 2026, 5:48
Six Boks make our Nations Championship team of the week - Round 1
No one could have asked for a better start to the Nations Championship, which, in its opening round, offers some of the best Test …
Francisco Isaac
06 Jul 2026, 2:37
