To date, the Highlanders and the Chiefs are the only 'Kiwi' sides excluding Moana Pasifika, to have played in Australia.
Jack Crowley has lost out to 21-year-old Sam Prendergast to face England this weekend.
Simon Mannix’s career as an international head coach gets underway for real this Saturday when Portugal take on Namibia in Windhoek.
It seems it’s always been that way, and Simon’s path to the Black Ferns co-captaincy has been far from linear. In fact, she was almost lost to New Zealand entirely.
Emoni Narawa has suffered a “minor setback” which will see him miss the start of the Super Rugby Pacific season along with another All Black.
The Fiji Rugby Union have appointed assistant Senirusi Seruvakula as interim head coach of the Fiji national team following the post-Rugby World Cup departure of Simon Raiwalui last month.
Zebre Parma claimed a converted try five minutes into stoppage time to salvage a 22-22 draw against United Rugby Championship opponents Cardiff in northern Italy.
Uncapped Cardiff centre Mason Grady is already drawing comparisons with Welsh greats Jamie Roberts and George North ahead of a potential Wales debut
Irish hopes that Munster can ambush Exeter in their round of 16 Heineken Champions Cup clash in England on Saturday evening have been dented by two late withdrawals from their matchday 23, with Simon Zebo among the casualties.