Graham Henry insists his team is not obsessed with winning the World Cup but concedes the New Zealand public may be.

A strong performance by Ireland against New Zealand will mean nothing to Eoin Reddan unless Ireland win the Wellington Test.

THERE IS sufficient evidence to suggest that the international game as we know it in the southern hemisphere is under serious threat.

Michael Bradley has challenged his Ireland squad to “make a statement” on their tour of New Zealand and Australia.

ALAN GAFFNEY has admitted that he has been styling his current Saracens side very much on the qualities and strengths that Heineken Cup opponents Munster hold so dear.

New Zealand flanker Jerry Collins has set his sights on a switch to Europe.

Ian Gough is in no mood to rest on his laurels this season – despite helping Wales land the RBS 6 Nations title, Triple Crown and Grand Slam.

Saracens 45 Biarritz 16

Saracens 71 Viadana 7

NEW ZEALAND will monitor Dan Carter’s fitness closely after selecting him for Saturday’s World Cup clash with France in Cardiff.

New Zealand 85 Romania 8

NEW ZEALAND have recalled their big stars for Sunday’s World Cup Pool C clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw expects to sign a new contract with the New Zealand and Canterbury unions before the end of the World Cup.

AS EXPECTED, coach Graham Henry has made a number of changes to the All Black team that enjoyed a big win over Italy last Saturday for this weekend’s meeting with World Cup minnows Portugal.

EARLY DAYS and all that but if first impressions count for anything, then New Zealand have set an awesome standard. I was fortunate to be in the Velodrome in Marseille on Saturday where the men in black delivered as clinical a performance as one could expect against respected Six Nations opposition.

New Zealand 76 Italy 14

World Cup favourites New Zealand will parade their big guns in Saturday’s Pool C opener against Italy.

New Zealand lock Keith Robinson has been ruled out of Saturday’s World Cup opener against Italy with a calf strain.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry will keep faith with the bulk of his Tri-Nations winning-squad when the World Cup favourites pursue glory in France this autumn.

All Blacks inside centre Luke McAlister has claimed he is “seriously considering” a move to Sale – but insists no deal has yet been done with the Guinness Premiership club.

Former New Zealand captain Reuben Thorne has been recalled to the All Blacks side for their Tri-Nations clash with South Africa in his home city of Christchurch on Saturday.

Australia 20 New Zealand 15

New Zealand coach Graham Henry predicts Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia will be a classic.

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

THE ALL BLACKS have been forced to call up the seventh and eighth locks on their pecking order yesterday, after Ali Williams and Keith Robinson joined a growing list of seriously injured middle row forwards.

New Zealand 61 France 10

Nick Evans has replaced fly-half Dan Carter in the New Zealand starting line-up for the second Test against France in Wellington on Saturday.

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

NEW ZEALAND rugby players taking up lucrative contracts in Europe have been warned by All Blacks manager Graham Henry that they are endangering their international careers.

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.

New Zealander Clarke Dermody is to join his fellow All Blacks prop Carl Hayman in moving to the Guinness Premiership next season.

New Zealand lock Jason Eaton has been ruled out of this year's Rugby World Cup with a knee injury.

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

A REBEL “Super 14” style breakaway by many of Europe’s top clubs is on the cards.

Northampton prop Tom Smith has demanded Saints once again cast aside the shackles of their dismal league form when they meet Wasps in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup semi-final.

The two leading New Zealand franchises have adopted different approaches to reintroducing their returning All Blacks to Super 14 action.

PRIOR to Saturday’s clash of France and New Zealand I met a number of former French internationals invited to the stadium to celebrate the inaugural game between these two great countries 100 years ago.

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.

DONNCHA O’CALLAGHAN counts his blessings every time he looks at the CV of his international second row understudy.

NEW ZEALAND may have crushed France 47-3 last week, but All Blacks coach Graham Henry is demanding his team keep their feet on the ground and continue to improve.

NEW ZEALAND boss Graham Henry claims the Twickenham factor makes a mockery of suggestions that stricken England will be crushed by the All Blacks on Sunday.

New Zealand wrapped up their fourth Tri-Nations title in five years after a narrow victory over Australia at Eden Park in Auckland.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made eight changes from the All Blacks side that beat Australia in the starting 15 for the Tri-Nations game against South Africa in Wellington.