TROY FLAVELL, New Zealand’s try-scoring hero last week, was nearly lost to All Black rugby when he went to play in Japan two years ago.

ALL BLACK coach Graham Henry yesterday reiterated his opinion that Ireland are the best team in Europe.

New Zealand staged a second-half fightback to deny Ireland their first-ever win over the All Blacks in Hamilton this morning.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan will not employ a rotation policy on his team’s tour of New Zealand and Australia.

England World Cup winner Richard Hill faces four weeks on the sidelines after being told he needs surgery to repair his broken nose.

Clive Woodward has described the demise of Six Nations A international rugby as a “backward step”.

NEW ZEALAND Barbarians forward Troy Flavell has been cited after Richard Hill suffered a broken nose during Saturday’s Zurich World Champions Challenge at Twickenham.

England 42 NZ Barbarians 17

New Zealand Maori 9

Scotland 15 Barbarians 24