New Zealand

NZ prop cops three-week ban

New Zealand prop Angus Ta’avao will miss the third and deciding Test against Ireland after receiving a three-week suspension for a head-clash incident that resulted in his sending-off in the second Test.

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 09: Johnny Sexton of Ireland celebrates a try during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Ireland at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 09, 2022 in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Ireland punish ill-disciplined All Blacks for historic win

Ireland produced a clinical performance in Dunedin on Saturday to claim their first win against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.

Test picks: Boks to win series, or Wales to make history?

The SARugbymag.co.za team formed a ruck over this weekend’s Test matches and there’s a cheeky red hand on the ball in Bloemfontein.

Farrell: We’ve got to have the stomach for pressure

Ireland coach Andy Farrell says “not over-playing the emotional card” will be essential if they are to beat New Zealand in the second Test and send the three-match series to a decider.

Barrett gets off scot-free from potential ban

New Zealand will have all three Barrett brothers available for the second Test against Ireland after flanker Scott escaped a citing for dangerous play in the series opener in Auckland.

Test predictions: Back Boks to thump Wales

On the first weekend of big Test match action, the Springboks are favourites when they take on Wales at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park (centre) celebrates after Ronan Kelleher (not pictured) scores his sides second try during the Autumn International match at Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Picture date: Saturday November 13, 2021. (Photo by Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images)

Gibson-Park leads Ireland’s Kiwi quartet for first NZ Test

Ireland on Thursday named all four of their New Zealand-born players in their lineup for the first Test against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.

PAIHIA, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 22: Leicester Fainga'anuku runs through drills during a New Zealand All Blacks training session at Bledisloe Domain on June 22, 2022 in Paihia, New Zealand.

Fainga’anuku to debut as NZ spring surprise at flank

Powerhouse wing Leicester Fainga’anuku will make his All Blacks debut after being named in the side to start against Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday.

Kirwan: New Zealand ‘the underdogs’ against Ireland

John Kirwan started a heated debate when he said that New Zealand are going into the upcoming three-Test series on home soil against Ireland as ‘underdogs’.

Schmidt gets call as New Zealand, Ireland hit by Covid

New Zealand’s preparations for the first Test against Ireland were thrown into disarray on Monday after head coach Ian Foster, two of his assistants and two players were forced to withdraw from training after testing positive for coronavirus.