New Zealand

Heyneke Meyer has branded New Zealand the best side in rugby history - but still insisted South Africa can topple the defending champions in Saturday's World Cup semi-final.

New Zealand centre Conrad Smith has described World Cup semi-final opponents South Africa as the All Blacks' "ultimate rival” ahead of the two southern hemisphere sides’ clash at Twickenham on Saturday.

New Zealand scored nine tries to demolish France and record the biggest victory in World Cup quarter-final history.

New Zealand concluded their World Cup pool campaign in style Friday night, crushing Tonga 47-9 in front of a crowd of over 50,000 at St. James Park

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has dismissed any injury anxiety surrounding All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

New Zealand moved into the World Cup quarter-finals by predictably beating Georgia in bonus-point fashion - but it was a performance laced with errors.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen admits the lower-ranked nations are catching up following the so-called minnows' performances at the World Cup.

New Zealand cantered to their second win in Pool C with a 58-14 victory over Namibia at the Olympic Stadium.

Flanker Sam Cane will captain New Zealand for the first time in Thursday's World Cup clash against minnows Namibia.

A final-quarter surge saw New Zealand open their World Cup defence with a 26-16 victory over an impressive Argentina at Wembley.

2003 World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio says that New Zealand have to be ranked as the favourites to win the 2015 competition.

Steve Hansen has refused to outline defending champions New Zealand's biggest threats to making history by retaining their Rugby World Cup crown.

Defending champions New Zealand have announced their 31-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, with Waisake Naholo included but Israel Dagg and Cory Jane among those to miss out.

When it comes to predicting who will lift the Webb Ellis trophy, it is always hard to look past New Zealand. The All Blacks have long dominated the sport and are always tipped to go the distance on the biggest stage.

New Zealand roared to a 41-13 win at an emotional Eden Park to retain the Bledisloe Cup against an Australia side who had no answer to the power running of Ma'a Nonu.

Richie McCaw has banned all talk of his world record 142nd Test appearance ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia in Auckland.

The Rugby Championship 2015 is over with the Wallabies the unlikely winners given that they started the competition as the third ranked team. Here are seven things we've learnt over the last month.

New Zealand have made a great start to The Rugby Championship, seeing off the challenges of Argentina and South Africa, and now only Australia stand between them and lifting the southern hemisphere’s grandest prize.

The Rugby Championship may still have a round of fixtures left to play, but the four games played so far have highlighted a lot of the respective strengths and weaknesses of the quartet from the southern hemisphere.

Ellis Park played host to one of the most compelling international matches of the last few years on Saturday, as New Zealand came from behind to beat South Africa, 20-27, in an enthralling contest.