Round Four of the Air New Zealand Cup sees the return of several All Blacks who have been released from Tri-Nations duty by coach Graham Henry in a bid to give his bench-warmers some much-needed game time. FULL STORY >>
All Blacks scrum-half Piri Weepu has extended his New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) contract in a deal that will keep him in the country until 2010.
Twelve members of the current All Blacks squad will be available to their provinces for the next two rounds of the Air New Zealand Cup.
Pat Lam is confident the Blues will be a force in the 2009 Super 14, that is despite a large-scale player drain and a worrying start to the Air New Zealand Cup by the franchise's three provincial sides.
After a thrilling 33-23 win over Taranaki on Saturday, a win that moves them to fifth place in the 14-team Air New Zealand Cup, the Tasman Makos' players and coach Todd Blackadder gave a frank appraisal of the pain they are feeling following the NZRU's decision to remove the side from next year's competition.
Wellington and other tales Six Nations finale Understanding the ELVs
Never ones to miss a couple of moments of mirth, here are a few choice 'De Villierisms'!