New Zealand

It is a rarity to see a number of uncapped players in a New Zealand side, but Coach Steve Hansen has had to make a hold host of changes for their test against Samoa next week.

The Hurricanes dominated from start to finish as they recorded a 29-9 victory over the Brumbies at Westpac Stadium to reach the Super 15 final.

The Highlanders defeated the Waratahs 35-17 in Sydney to set up an all-New Zealand Super Rugby final against the Hurricanes.

With the World Cup now just 12 weeks away, the conversations about who will lift the trophy have already begun and it is clear that New Zealand are favourites to retain the Webb Ellis Cup.

Former New Zealand captain Tana Umaga has been named as the new coach of struggling Super Rugby side the Blues.

The World Rugby U20 Championship will come to a conclusion this Saturday, when New Zealand and England go head-to-head in the final for the fourth time since the tournament’s inception in 2008.

Former New Zealand back row Jerry Collins has died in a car accident in France in the early hours of Friday morning.

The All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad appears to have plenty of depth in the midfield, with established pair Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith putting their hands up for another campaign.

The countdown until the naming of the All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad continues with Part 2 of the series which will hopefully provide some insights into what the squad looks like when named.

The All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad will be named shortly and while there is still some water to go under the bridge with some international rugby and Super Rugby matches, it is fun to try to predict the 31 man All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad.

New Zealand fly-half Aaron Cruden feels like he has been "struck down by a sniper" after discovering the extent of a knee injury that looks set to keep him out of this autumn's Rugby World Cup.

As the 2015 Rugby World Cup draws ever closer Mike Stanton continues to look at some of the best young players that could feature at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. This week it is New Zealand and recently signed Ulster full-back, Charles Piutau.

This week, Scott Donaldson hypothesises on a game between All Blacks based in NZ and their compatriots around the rugby world.

Perhaps the greatest strength of southern hemisphere rugby is that its flagship teams come into Rugby World Cup years with settled and complimentary XVs.

This afternoon the highly respected Chris Jones of BBC Rugby tweeted "The average Top 14 club budget at €21.2m, with €7.4m of that going to player wages last season". The expectation must be with the TV money from Canal + that figure will rise this season and again next season.

Munster have signed New Zealand international Francis Saili on a two-year deal.

Ulster have announced the signing of New Zealand international Charles Piutau.

The Highlanders picked up their first Super Rugby win of the season as they beat the Reds 20-13 in Dunedin.

A last-gasp penalty from New Zealand fly-half Aaron Cruden guided the Chiefs to a 19-17 Super Rugby victory against the Brumbies earlier today.

Fly-halves are seemingly in the news every day. The wonderful creative folk at Guinness have produced a fitting tribute to Mr. J Wilkinson, which captures what he means to English rugby and now the French rugby public.