All Blacks get a huge fright from Munster
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE in Limerick
Munster invoked the famous spirit of the their 1978 predecessors but ultimately it wasn't quite enough as the All Blacks came back to snatch a nerve-wracking and precious 18-16 victory on Wednesday.Read More
Tipoki proud to lead the Munster haka
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE in Limerick - RugbyHeaven
Proud Munster Maori Rua Tipoki said performing the haka for the All Blacks was "a once in a lifetime opportunity" and he was thrilled with both his performance and the response from the men in black as the pre-match ritual set off a dramatic evening here. Audio: We review the Munster match
History nearly repeats at Thomond Park
By JIM KAYES in Limerick - Fairfax Media
Bedlam – 80 minutes of absolutely glorious, manic, deafening bedlam. Thomond Park was that and more today with the return of the All Blacks after a 30-year absence. Video: Watch all the tries
Video: The Munster haka
Henry happy as young side digs in for win
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE in Limerick - RugbyHeaven
All Blacks coach Graham Henry declared the occasion as being bigger than the result but he was till delighted with the way his young midweek side fought back to eventually overhaul an enormously passionate Munster side today.
NZRU poised to add three big-money games
By JIM KAYES in Limerick - Fairfax Media
The New Zealand Rugby Union is on the verge of securing up to three extra, revenue-earning games for the All Blacks next year. One will be in Denver, USA, probably against the Wallabies, while one of the others is likely to be a test against Wales in Cardiff.
Hansen says there's plenty of gas in tank
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE in Limerick - RugbyHeaven
Don't expect many – if any – changes in the All Blacks test team to play Wales this weekend with forwards coach Steve Hansen giving the senior players his vote of confidence to get through the rest of the tour.
Compromise over Springbok emblem
RugbyHeaven
The South African Rugby Union and the government have struck a compromise deal involving the wearing of the Springbok logo on the national team's jerseys.
Henry claims award - for NOT bagging Barnes
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE in Limerick - RugbyHeaven
All Blacks coach Graham Henry's silence over Wayne Barnes' World Cup refereeing has paid off – he has won the prestigious World Fair Play trophy for his "exemplary attitude" following last year's shock quarter-final loss to France. Video: Debut for Franks
Video: ABs-Ire highlights
NZRU digs in to keep 'hot' Hansen and Smith
By JIM KAYES in Limerick - Fairfax Media
New Zealand rugby boss Steve Tew admits the All Blacks coaches are "hot property". But he is not panicking over reports All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen will join Wayne Smith in defecting to Ospreys.
Ward proud of latest Munster heroes
10:45PM
As Paul Warwick rolled back the decades with a consummate dropped goal, the consternation among a delirious crowd was unmistakable – were Munster really about to recreate rugby history?
Henry: Wales will play just like us
Player choices expose burnout myth
By TONY SMITH - The Press
The burnout theory has been blown out of the water by an announcement in London late last week.
No-one's laughing at Aussie pack now
England bring in Haskell to beef up pack
Reuters
Martin Johnson has refused to panic after England's defeat by Australia and his only change for Saturday's South Africa game is the introduction of hefty flanker James Haskell for Tom Croft.
No apology needed, say Australians
S14 plan may lead to more 'away' games
By RICHARD KNOWLER - The Press
More franchises may follow the Highlanders' lead and move matches to new fields if the Super 14 is expanded.
Highlanders to make history in Palmerston North
Three added to professional refs roster
RugbyHeaven
Keith Brown, Vinny Munro and Garratt Williamson are New Zealand's latest professional rugby referees, replacing retirees Lyndon Bray, Kelvin Deaker and Paul Honiss.
Canty coach's fate undecided
By HAMISH BIDWELL - The Press
He still answers his Canterbury Rugby Union phone and still turns up for work at its Rugby Park offices, but neither he nor we have any idea whether Rob Penney is still coach of his beloved red-and-blacks.
2009 Tri-Nations draw confirmed
Reuters
The All Blacks will play tests against the Springboks in Bloemfontein and Durban next year as southern hemisphere rugby's governing body Sanzar confirmed the following fixture list for the 2009 Tri-Nations championship.
Black Ferns make one change for rematch
The Black Ferns have made one change to their starting XV to play the Australian women's side in the second test of their series in Canberra on Saturday.
Wallaroos' hopes dashed by stoic Ferns
- All Blacks get a huge fright from Munster
- All Blacks v Munster
- Tipoki proud to lead the Munster haka
- Henry happy as young side digs in for win
- History nearly repeats at Thomond Park
- NZRU poised to add three big-money games
- Henry claims award - for NOT bagging Barnes
- Hansen says there's plenty of gas in tank
- Oliver's twist: My rugby life is over
- When pressure forces you to pay the penalty
When pressure forces you to pay the penalty
If you want a statistic that vividly illustrates the consistent record the All Blacks have in test rugby then it is difficult go past penalty tries, writes veteran rugby scribe Lindsay Knight.
Chabal happy to be 'cart horse' for France
Sebastien Chabal will make yet another international return against Australia on Saturday determined to prove he deserves a regular place in France's team.
Wales revert to Boks lineup for All Blacks
Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland has reinstated the entire starting line-up that lost 15-20 to world champions South Africa on November 8 for Sunday's test with the All Blacks at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
Woodcock Dublin-bound to face judiciary
The All Blacks survived one close shave -- now they are hoping to clear another obstacle as focus turns to the third leg of their Grand Slam bid in Cardiff this weekend.
Franks ready to further propping education
The rugby tutors at Christchurch Boys' High know a classy first five-eighth when they see one. But New Zealand's second most prolific finishing school for future All Blacks let an international prop slip through their fingers.
Waratahs win before the season even starts
The NSW Waratahs know they are in for a tough season next year, but their fortunes took a turn for the better with the release of the 2009 Super 14 draw after months of delay.
The man who brought rugby to New Zealand
Clive Akers, already warmly regarded for his outstanding work over the past 14 years, as co-editor of the Rugby Almanack, has enhanced his standing as one of the country's foremost rugby historians, with his biography on Charles Monro.