The All Blacks XV squad naming offered a key insight into which players are on All Blacks selectors' radar at the start of this new World Cup cycle.
In just a few days another season of the Top 14 kicks off with the likes of Owen Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Josua Tuisova, and Davit Niniashvili making the numbers of the overseas players ready to make the headlines and wrestle for the title.
Sharks head coach John Plumtree has named seven World Cup-winning South Africa internationals in his starting XV to face ASM Clermont Auvergne in the Challenge Cup semi-final on Saturday at the Twickenham Stoop.
Ulster rugby star Stuart McCloskey criticised former player Stephen Ferris for his social media post about the current crop of players.
Edinburgh exited the EPCR Challenge Cup after suffering a 36-30 quarter-final defeat against the Sharks in Durban.
The Chiefs will head into the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season as heavy favourites after a stellar 2023 season ended in a devastating loss to perennial winners the Crusaders.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane will play for Tokyo Sungoliath in the upcoming Japan Rugby League One season, but the flanker will still be available for international duty in July.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane is expected to miss the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the Chiefs after taking up a sabbatical in Japan, according to a report out of New Zealand.
Coach Clayton McMillan expects backrower Luke Jacobson to “play an integral part” in the Chiefs’ quest for Super Rugby Pacific glory in the years to come after the All Black re-signed with New Zealand Rugby.
Ireland are precisely who New Zealand coach Ian Foster wanted to meet in the quarter-final of this World Cup.