New Zealand

There have been some intense sports events this northern hemisphere summer, the football World Cup in Brazil, the Commonwealth Games in Scotland and currently the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup in France.

There is no doubt that the modern 10s throw themselves around far more than their predecessors. The modern game of rugby seeks to exploit defensive weaknesses and historically it was that guy stood at 10.

Danny Care believes England possess the time and potential to bridge the gap on New Zealand before next year's home World Cup.

The All Blacks selectors have named their team for The Rugby Championship 2014 with three changes from the June Internationals team.

We ask whether there Is room for sevens teams to include some exciting players from the 15-a side game, even though both Rugby Sevens and XVs are totally different games?

Scott Donaldson, our New Zealand reporter, looks at the issue of loyalty in rugby, as he continues his coverage of domestic rugby in the country.

Our reporter in New Zealand, Scott Donaldson, has started to think about the All Blacks squad for the Rugby World Cup in England during 2015.

Aviva Premiership new-boys London Welsh have landed the highest profile signing of the off-season so far with the signature of former All Black and World Cup winner Piri Weepu.

Scrums, rucks and mauls are the trademarks of every professional prop; however, this month World Cup winner Phil Vickery is swapping the gum shield and shoulder pads for an apron and knife as he helps support Team GB in a butchery Test match.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw played through the pain barrier against England on Saturday but he is now set to miss the rest of the Super Rugby regular season with a rib injury.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster says that the damaging 3-0 series whitewash for England at the hands of the All Blacks in New Zealand will be motivation for the players.

As the excitement finally dies down in the southern hemisphere, after a hugely successive weekend for their sides over their northern competition, Talking Rugby Union’s correspondent Scotty Donaldson reviews the final round from a sub-continent perspective…

England imploded at the Waikato Stadium to conclude their series against New Zealand with an error-ridden 36-13 defeat as the All Blacks amassed a record-equalling 17th successive victory.

The June Internationals and Pacific Nations Cup are almost over for another year. The Southern Hemisphere teams still seem to hold the dominance with exception of an understrength Argentina team.

England’s starting line-up for the final Test in Hamilton on Saturday took a massive blow, just the day before the game, as influential second-row Geoff Parling has been ruled out with a hamstring Injury.

He holds the record for the greatest amount of Test match points and is widely renowned as one of rugby’s greatest players of all time, but Dan Carter is not featuring for the All Blacks this summer, whilst England tour the country.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has made an enormous seven changes to the side that lost 28-27 in Dunedin last Saturday, with Manu Tuilagi and the mid-field at the heart of the discussion once again.

2013 Player of the Year Kieran Read has returned to the All Blacks starting lineup for this Saturday’s third and final Test with England.

With England’s Test series in New Zealand well underway, with two Tests and a tour match down with just this weekend’s game in Hamilton left, TRU looks at whether the All Blacks should be able to select overseas players.

Ahead of Stuart Lancaster’s team unveiling tonight, we at Talking Rugby Union wanted to highlight the key decisions he faces when selecting his starting XV?