England imploded at the Waikato Stadium to conclude their series against New Zealand with an error-ridden 36-13 defeat as the All Blacks amassed a record-equalling 17th successive victory.

New Zealand 28 England 27

Jerome Kaino will replace Kieran Read in New Zealand’s team to face England in the first Test at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

Having faced an All Blacks back three of Israel Dagg, Cory Jane and Julian Savea, Dave Kearney pretty much ticked every box in one 80-minute period in terms of defending attacking threats.

Andrew Hore has been named to start against Ireland in what could possibly be his last All Blacks Test.

Leinster may have lost Jonathan Sexton to France over the summer but the province has gained an element of unpredictability at out-half which the most inventive of tens would be unable to match.

Munster winger Simon Zebo put pen to paper on a three-year contract yesterday and was told he has at least a decade of top-flight rugby ahead of him with the province.

Kieran Read will captain New Zealand for the first time when the All Blacks tackle Italy on Saturday.

New Zealand 21 South Africa 11

Australia 19 New Zealand 27

Sonny Bill Williams made a triumphant return to ANZ Stadium as New Zealand claimed victory over Australia in the Rugby Championship opener.

Aaron Cruden feels the new-found confidence he has in his game means the team will not miss the presence of the injured Dan Carter as keenly as anticipated.

If yesterday’s press briefing was anything to go by then the Kiwi public have already lost interest in the Irish challenge on what is fast becoming a tour from hell.

First the good news. New Zealand are in disarray or at least they should be.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has drafted in seven new caps for the forthcoming Steinlager Series of three Test matches against Ireland.

All Blacks veteran Keven Mealamu is facing a battle to keep his place for the June test series against Ireland.

New Zealand have announced a 35-player squad to attend two training camps ahead of the three-Test Series against Ireland in June.

ALL BLACKS full-back Israel Dagg has expressed his sympathy for disgraced England centre Mike Tindall and believes he could have been the one taking all the flak had New Zealand not won the World Cup.

WITH a perfect sense of timing, today is a bank holiday in New Zealand.

THE bigger the game, the smaller the margins and the fewer the chances: never was that more obvious that in Saturday’s Wales-France semi-final.

NEW ZEALAND head coach Graham Henry hailed the All Blacks’ 20-6 destruction of Australia in the Rugby World Cup semi-final as “outstanding”.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw hailed his side’s intensity in their World Cup semi-final win over Australia, and called for a repeat in next week’s final.

New Zealand 20 Australia 6

IF THERE is one thing the All Blacks appreciate more than any other aspect of the game, it is the importance of controlling the breakdown.

JUST in case New Zealand were lacking a bit of inspiration ahead of their World Cup semi-final meeting with Australia, Quade Cooper provided it.

A STONY-FACED Graham Henry drew a line under reports All Blacks had been drinking in the build-up to yesterday’s World Cup quarter-final, saying he had “dealt with it”.

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS may have joked about replacing Dan Carter at fly-half, but he was deadly serious in vowing New Zealand would not abandon their attacking principles in pursuit of World Cup glory.

New Zealand 37 France 17

New Zealand 83 Japan 7

THERE have been few more intimidating rabbits in the headlights than Radike Samo but Australia’s back-row giant greets his late-blooming success in a Wallabies jersey with something approaching wide-eyed incredulity.

A number of New Zealand fringe players have been given their chance to impress along with a solid mix of experience for Friday’s World Cup opener against Tonga.

Australia 25 New Zealand 20

AT last, the waiting is over. The Rugby World Cup squads have been announced and the players can get down to the business of fine-tuning their games for the challenges ahead.

NEW ZEALAND have named what appears to be their first-choice side for Saturday’s Tri-Nations decider against the Wallabies.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has announced his 30-man squad for the Rugby World Cup with no place for quintet Sitiveni Sivivatu, Wyatt Crockett, Liam Messam, Jarrad Hoeata and Hosea Gear.

A host of fringe players will get the chance to stake a final claim for a place in New Zealand’s World Cup squad after being named in the starting XV for Saturday’s Tri Nations clash with South Africa.

Israel Dagg’s World Cup is in jeopardy after the New Zealand and Crusaders star outside back had surgery on his injured thigh.

ALL BLACK legend Sean Fitzpatrick has defended the Irish provinces’ right to sign Kiwi talent in the face of stinging criticism from New Zealand rugby’s top official, but has questioned whether such a policy is in the best interests of the game here.

New Zealand have restored hooker Keven Mealamu to their starting line-up for Saturday’s potential Grand Slam-clinching clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

THEY were committed, they were smart. They played with imagination and were clever.

Stephen Ferris has expressed his dismay that New Zealand escaped punishment for their cynical play at the breakdown in yesterday’s 38-18 victory over Ireland.

New Zealand lock Brad Thorn has been ruled out of tomorrow’s match with Ireland having failed to recover from a hamstring strain.

YOU wouldn’t catch Declan Kidney reminiscing about his coaching career two days before a major Test, but Graham Henry had no qualms about strolling down memory lane yesterday ahead of a game that promises to hold special significance for the All Blacks.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named his side to face Ireland in the 2010 Guinness Series at the Aviva Stadium.