New Zealand

Former New Zealand captain Benji Marshall is clear to return to rugby league after being freed from his contract with the Auckland-based Blues.

Colin Slade kicked every single point for the Crusaders as they rallied from behind to beat the Chiefs 18-17 in Hamilton.

The Hurricanes scored four second-half tries to come from behind for a 39-17 victory over the Blues in Wellington.

The Southern Hemisphere rugby union press are full of this story and their old friend Quade Cooper has added his opinions. Whenever there is rugby news or debate in this part of the world, we turn to Scott Donaldson.

England legend and Rugby World Cup winner Kyran Bracken chats to Talking Rugby Union Editor Austin Halewood about his thoughts on the current England team, the battle for number 9, his own rugby memories and the modern day scrum-half.

New Zealand half-back Piri Weepu has been ruled out for around a month after it was determined he had recently suffered a minor stroke.

One of the stars of this year’s 6 Nations competition, scrum half Danny Care, believes that England are perfectly equipped to topple New Zealand on home turf in the summer test series and then win the 2015 World Cup on English soil next year.

In the second of three instalments, we would like to take you inside the New Zealand franchises. Can the Chiefs make it three in a row or will the valiant Crusaders rise again to the challenge? Two young sides in the Hurricanes and Highlanders will look to their experienced campaigners for guidance and Ma'a Nonu rejoins the Blues with League convert Benji Marshall, it's all here...

Throughout 2013 Scott has brought Talking Rugby Union readers news, commentary and insights about Southern Hemisphere rugby.

Sonny Bill Williams is to make a second switch to rugby union in 2015 after signing a two-year deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Chiefs.

Hardly an unknown given he won his 50th England cap in November, but Dylan Hartley is a growing force in Test rugby.

With the calendar year drawing to a close we at Talking Rugby Union wanted to know who ‘your’ World XV of 2013 is.

With the Autumn Internationals now nothing more than a distant memory as the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup get underway again, we at Talking Rugby Union wanted to remind you all of what a brilliant test series it was.

All Black number eight and stand-out player of the international year, Kieran Read, has been named the world player of the year as New Zealand dominate the top spots in the International Rugby Board awards.

Jonah Lomu – the first true global rugby superstar – powered onto the international rugby stage in 1994 for his first cap in an All Black shirt against France.

With the calendar year drawing to a close we at Talking Rugby Union wanted to know who ‘your’ World XV of 2013 is.

The All Blacks have won every test match in 2013 and are named The Unbeatables, but could you pick a World XV the beat The All Blacks?

The November Autumn Rugby Internationals Round 4 features ten mouth-watering matches including the All Blacks vs Ireland match which is sure to see history made

The November Autumn Internationals Round 3 was highlighted by the All Blacks victory over England 30-22 which included Dan Carter's 100th test.

England have made one change from last weekend’s starting line-up that will face New Zealand on Saturday.