NEW Zealand rugby selectors picked scrum-half Brendon Leonard and prop John Schwalger for the first time and omitted winger Rico Gear for the All Blacks’ final matches before the World Cup.

WALES lock Ian Gough has dubbed New Zealand “honest cheaters” just four days before the two countries clash at the Millennium Stadium.

New Zealand head coach Graham Henry has made seven changes for Saturday’s clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry has made eight changes from the All Blacks side which beat Australia for the Tri-Nations game against South Africa in Wellington.

ALL BLACKS captain Tana Umaga may be shielded from playing in front of irate Irish rugby fans next month as coach Graham Henry looks to keep his players’ workloads in check during a rare Grand Slam tour.

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.

New Zealand international Taine Randell has been appointed tour captain for the Barbarians.

Six Irish players have been named on the Barbarians team for the three-match tour of Britain. Two Irish forwards have been selected, and four backs.

Matt Dawson is out of England’s Test match against New Zealand in Wellington after failing to overcome a thigh injury.

England will be unchanged when they take on New Zealand this Saturday after head coach Clive Woodward today named the same starting line-up that defeated Ireland in the Six Nations Grand Slam decider.

David Wallace is believed to have regained his fitness ahead of Ireland’s clash with New Zealand in Lansdowne Road tomorrow.

Jeff Wilson and Christian Cullen have been omitted from John Mitchell’s first New Zealand squad.