New Zealand put Italy to the sword as they ran in 10 tries at Rome's Stadio Olympico in a 68-10 victory.

New Zealand overcame the absence of suspended half-back Aaron Smith to seal a clean sweep in the Rugby Championship with a nine-try, 57-15 victory over South Africa in Durban.

Israel Dagg scored two first-half tries as New Zealand made it back-to-back wins over defending champions Australia in the Rugby Championship.

Defending champions New Zealand have announced their 31-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, with Waisake Naholo included but Israel Dagg and Cory Jane among those to miss out.

Sonny Bill Williams scored twice on his All Blacks return as New Zealand thrashed the United States 74-6 at Soldier Field, Chicago.

New Zealand clinched the 2014 Rugby Championship with a bonus-point 34-13 win over Argentina in La Plata last night.

The use of sleeping pill and energy drinks ‘cocktails’ may be a problem among rugby players in the southern hemisphere, but Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor says it is not an issue in this part of the world.

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.

Ireland 22 New Zealand 24

New Zealand 30 France 0

Scotland 22 New Zealand 51

New Zealand 22 Australia 0

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.

New Zealand 60 Ireland 0

Oh boy. If Ireland were up against it last weekend then they face the mother of all tasks in Christchurch this weekend. The All Blacks will playing their first test in the earthquake-ravaged city in almost two years.

Oh boy. If Ireland were up against it last weekend then they face the mother of all tasks in Christchurch this weekend. The All Blacks will playing their first test in the earthquake-ravaged city in almost two years.

He’s been one of Ireland’s most enduring and consistent players during Declan Kidney’s rein, but even Rob Kearney found the going tough in Eden Park last weekend.

It was a tough night at the office for Fergus McFadden last Saturday.

Ireland 10 New Zealand 42

All Black number eight Kieran Read has dismissed the notion Ireland will be easy pickings for New Zealand in this month’s three-test series.

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.

Israel Dagg has revealed New Zealand’s sense of “great relief” at ending a 24-year wait to be crowned world champions.

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 20 Australia 6

NEW ZEALAND rolled over Canada in their World Cup encounter in Pool A in Wellington but the performance of Dan Carter’s replacement gave the All Blacks cause for concern.

GRAHAM HENRY will take charge of his 100th All Blacks Test match when New Zealand conclude their World Cup Pool A campaign against Canada in Wellington tomorrow (3.30am Irish time).

New Zealand 37 France 17

New Zealand 41 Tonga 10

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

South Africa 22 New Zealand 29

ROBBIE DEANS has faced pressure before, but the vultures are circling after Saturday’s disaster in Melbourne.

Dan Carter is one of several New Zealand players in doubt for Saturday’s series finale against Wales in Hamilton.

Keven Mealamu is under no illusions that the Tri-Nations series will present far greater challenges for New Zealand than they have encountered against either Ireland or Wales so far this month.

New Zealand 42 Wales 9

New Zealand 66 Ireland 28

Daniel Carter’s self-proclaimed “patchy” form in the Super 14 has not lulled Ireland into a false sense of security heading into Saturday’s one-off Test against New Zealand.

Israel Dagg, Benson Stanley and Ben Franks will make their New Zealand Test debuts against Ireland on Saturday after being named in a new-look starting line-up for the one-off match in New Plymouth.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry clearly has one eye on the future when naming rising stars Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg and Victor Vito in his squad for Tests against Ireland and Wales next month.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry had one eye on the future when he named rising stars Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg and Victor Vito in his squad for Tests against Ireland and Wales next month.

St Michael’s College 22 Kilkenny College 0

LEADING from the start, Derek McGarrity and co-driver Chris Patterson withstood pressure from defending champions Andrew Nesbitt and James O’Brien to take their first win in the Buy & Sell Circuit of Ireland Rally.