Injured New Zealand backs Colin Slade and Mils Muliaina have been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand winger Hosea Gear is not taking a place in the All Blacks World Cup squad for granted, despite scoring five tries in four games on their Grand Slam tour of the Home Unions.

New Zealand’s new “superman” Sonny Bill Williams revealed today how Jonny Wilkinson inspired his remarkable rise from rookie centre to All Blacks international.