Geordan Murphy has spoken of his pride in captaining Ireland for the first time as they provide the opposition for New Zealand Maori’s centenary match tomorrow.

WITH their backs against the wall in the Maori’s backyard, Ireland will look to restore some semblance of pride in Rotorua tomorrow morning.

IN a part of the world where respecting tradition and heritage is imperative, Alan Gaffney yesterday said that Ireland have been guilty of paying too much respect to the host country. But he insisted that’s about to change.

THE New Zealand Maori squad has been named for next month’s Centenary series — which includes a clash with Ireland — with former All Blacks Corey Flynn, Hosea Gear, Tanerau Latimer, Luke McAlister, Liam Messam and Isaac Ross all named.

Hooker Andrew Hore looks set to miss New Zealand’s Tests against Ireland and Wales in June after dislocating his shoulder during the Hurricanes’ 32-16 Super 14 defeat against the Waratahs.

CLERMONT AUVERGNE have signed powerful hooker Ti’i Paulo from Super 14 outfit the Crusaders.

Barbarians 25 New Zealand 18

NEW ZEALAND rugby coach Graham Henry has made three changes from the team that beat England 19-6 for Saturday’s Test against France in Marseille.

NEW ZEALAND have named virtually their strongest side – including Richie McCaw and Dan Carter — for Saturday’s clash with England at Twickenham.

SIMON SHAW and Mathew Tait have both been included in the England squad for Saturday’s final Investec Challenge showdown with New Zealand at Twickenham.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry claims uncertainty over scrum laws is ruining the game for spectators after watching his second-string side labour to victory over Italy at the San Siro on Saturday.

Italy 6 New Zealand 20

New Zealand loose forward Jerome Kaino claims reclaiming the number six jersey is his priority on the All Blacks' upcoming tour.

ALL BLACKS captain Richie McCaw has delivered an emphatic message to the critics who question his style of play.

Hooker Corey Flynn has been ruled out of New Zealand’s remaining Test matches against Wales and England.

THE GREAT New Zealand wing Joe Rokocoko is the only starting member of Saturday’s All Blacks XV at Croke Park included in the lineup for tomorrow night’s clash with Munster at Thomond Park.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has given Ireland full respect by going for his strongest available side ahead of the meeting with Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday.

MILS MULIAINA will go straight into New Zealand’s test team against Ireland next Saturday as the All Blacks look to stiffen their selections for the most difficult tests of the tour.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named seven new players in his 35-man squad for the autumn tour to Hong Kong and Europe.

Canterbury will travel to Wellington for next weekend’s Air New Zealand Cup final after defeating Hawke’s Bay 31-21 in Christchurch.

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.

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

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.

NOW we’re getting serious. British and Irish Lions head coach Clive Woodward underlined the view that tomorrow’s meeting in Hamilton with New Zealand Maori is the unofficial fourth test of this 2005 series by naming his strongest side to date yesterday.

CARLOS SPENCER will make his farewell appearance in New Zealand from the bench after being named in the New Zealand Maori reserves for their match against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

Eleven current or former All Blacks including Carlos Spencer have been named in the New Zealand Maori squad for matches against Fiji and the British and Irish Lions next month.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has included two uncapped players in his starting line-up for Saturday’s Test match against Italy in Rome’s Flaminio stadium.

EIGHT newcomers have been named by the All Blacks coach Graham Henry in a bold selection policy for the upcoming European tour and a gruelling 2005 season.

New Zealand 91 Tonga 7

Leon MacDonald ran in two tries and kicked 12 goals from 12 attempts for a personal tally of 34 points as the All Blacks turned on the power to record the highest score of the tournament so far in a one-sided Pool D encounter at the Suncorp Stadium.

Brilliant fly-half Carlos Spencer ran the show as the All Blacks demonstrated their pace and power with a five-try performance in a one-sided first-half at the Suncorp Stadium.

Lock Ali Williams has returned to the New Zealand camp and will face Tonga on Friday after recovering from a fractured foot suffered in the build-up to the World Cup.

Ma’a Nonu was today named as replacement for injured centre Tana Umaga in a New Zealand side featuring nine personnel changes for Friday’s World Cup clash against Canada.

New Zealand have made nine changes for Friday's World Cup clash against Canada.

New Zealand’s World Cup squad includes three surprises – full-back Ben Blair, uncapped hooker Corey Flynn and Auckland flanker Daniel Braid.

New Zealand’s selectors have left Jonah Lomu and two other leading players - Christian Cullen and Andrew Mehrtens – out of their World Cup squad announced today.