New Zealand

New Zealand flanker Jerome Kaino believes Kieran Read is making huge strides as the skipper of All Blacks after the retirement of Richie McCaw.

All Blacks first five-eighth Aaron Cruden, who suffered a neck injury against Wales in Wellington might become available to play in Dunedin on coming Saturday after it became evident that the injury is not serious in nature.

Five tries from New Zealand were too much to handle for Wales as they succumbed to a 36-22 defeat in the second Test in Wellington on Saturday thereby conceding the series 2-0 to the All Blacks.

Wales have made just two changes to their line-up for the second Test against All Blacks in Wellington from the side that lost the opening game of the series by 39-21 in Auckland.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has made two changes to the All Blacks side for the second Test against Wales, which kicks-off at the Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

Day three of the 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship at the AJ Bell Stadium saw both Argentina and England confirm their places in the tournament semi-finals writes Lewis Hughes. However a narrow victory for New Zealand over Wales was ultimately not enough to secure the All Blacks’ progression into the next round, with wins across the city for Ireland and South Africa completing the top-four seeding for Monday’s knockout games.

England have displaced South Africa from the third position in the World Rugby Rankings after their historic 39-28 victory over Australia in Brisbane last weekend.

After finishing the 2015 U20 Six Nations in 3rd place and failing to set the tournament alight, it is fair to say expectations were low for Ireland heading into the World Rugby U20 Championship in Manchester.

The second round of games in the World Rugby U20 on Saturday at the at the Manchester City Academy Stadium saw thrilling encounter between Wales and Georgia, Ireland pulling of an upset against New Zealand and England dominating Scotland.

The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed on Monday that George North has been ruled out of the remainder of the series against New Zealand after suffering a hamstring injury in the first Test against the All Blacks in Auckland.

Wales lock Luke Charteris will have the opportunity to lead his country for the first time when they take on the Super Rugby side Chiefs at the FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Tuesday.

Wales wing George North's participation in the remainder of the New Zealand tour is under a cloud after he sustained a hamstring injury in the first Test in Auckland.

The All Blacks scored three impressive tries in the second half to overcome Wales' half-time three points lead to register a 39-21 victory at Eden Park on Saturday.

Wales' injury woes ahead of the Test series against New Zealand continues as scrum-half Lloyd Williams and prop Paul James have been ruled out of the tour without playing a game.

It’s that time of year again when the northern hemisphere’s finest travel south of the equator (or staying above it in the case of Scotland) to do battle with the best of the southern hemisphere and, more often than not, take quite the beating.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has backed the experienced players in his squad to deliver when they take on New Zealand in a three-Test series which begins on Saturday.

Steve Hansen has announced that Hurricanes flanker Ardie Savea and Chiefs centre Seta Tamanivalu are set to make their debut for New Zealand in the first Test against Wales at the Eden Park on Saturday.

The opening day of the World Rugby U20 Championship threw up a number of surprises, shocks, and statements writes Lewis Hughes as he recaps all the action from the first round of games at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards has warned his team to be at their absolute best when they face New Zealand in a three-Test series which kicks-off on Saturday.

The World Rugby U20 Championship kicks off this week and whilst international head coaches will be focused on their upcoming tests, they will also be paying plenty of attention to the next generation of players showcasing their abilities in Manchester.