Hosea Gear is looking forward to getting some game time with the Wellington Lions after a frustrating few weeks on the sidelines with New Zealand.

Former North Harbour lock forward Bernie Upton has joined Michael Bradley's Connacht.

CLERMONT AUVERGNE lock Jamie Cudmore has received a five-week ban after being sent off in last weekend’s Heineken Cup clash against Munster at Thomond Park.

Connacht's new signing Samoan centre Niva Ta'auso has arrived in Galway.

Connacht have signed 28-year-old Samoan centre Niva Ta'auso for the forthcoming season from Super 14 side Highlanders.

The New Zealand Rugby Union held interviews with the four candidates for the vacant All Blacks head coach on Thursday.

IT IS an integral part of the All Black media routine that everyone gets exposure and takes his turn in the hot seat. Young and old, shy and verbose, as part of their duty as an All Black all are expected to talk.

Wellington forwards John Schwalger and Ross Filipo will make their New Zealand debuts against Canada in Hamilton on Saturday.

WITH the preliminaries against Wales and Fiji out of the way, Australia’s World Cup preparations begin in earnest with next Saturday’s Tri-Nations opener against South Africa in Cape Town.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made six changes to his starting line-up for the second Test against France in Wellington on Saturday.

Junior All Blacks captain Daniel Braid has called on a number of ousted New Zealand internationals to prove their worth in the team’s IRB Pacific Nations Cup title defence.

Uncapped duo Brendon Leonard and John Schwalger have been called up to the New Zealand squad for the Tests against France, Canada and the upcoming Tri-Nations tournament.

Highlanders and Otago captain Josh Blackie has continued the exodus from New Zealand after agreeing a deal to play in Japan.

FORMER New Zealand winger Stu Wilson has hailed the performances of the Australia backline ahead of the Bledisloe Cup triple header, claiming the Wallabies are favourites.

London Irish centre Seilala Mapasua has been named by Manu Samoa coach Michael Jones for the Pacific Five Nations campaign.

Warren Gatland is facing an early headache after returning to New Zealand.

Junior All Blacks Joe Rokocoko, Ben Atiga and Saimone Taumoepeau will start for Auckland against the British and Irish Lions today.

THE Lions and the All Blacks are continuing to assess the intense physical cost that Saturday’s bruising second Test had on their players.

New Zealand have called up North Harbour’s Luke McAlister and hooker Corey Flynn into camp for the third and final test against the British and Irish Lions.

THE midweek Lions face their toughest assignment when they take on NPC hotshots Auckland in their final game at Eden Park tomorrow morning (8.10).

WAIKATO flanker Marty Holah will make his first start for the Junior All Blacks when they take on Australia A in the second and final international in Sydney tomorrow.

Marty Holah has been called into the New Zealand squad just three days before the first Test against the Lions as Richie McCaw battles to recover from a “minor back strain“.

Nick Evans will bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on All Blacks selection by making his debut for Otago against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

LIONS captain Brian O’Driscoll is relishing the chance to quickly atone for his side’s defeat to the New Zealand Maori against Wellington on Wednesday.

Poor form has cost Joe Rokocoko his place in the All Blacks squad to face the British and Irish Lions.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry had one eye on the future when he named the two teams for the All Blacks trial next month.