FIRST, something we expected — a New Zealand win.

New Zealand 41 Tonga 10

South Africa 18 New Zealand 5

New Zealand 29 Wales 10

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is confident the wholesale changes to the team this week will not lead to a drop in standards in the second Test against Wales on Saturday.

New Zealand 42 Wales 9

NEW ZEALAND are almost certain to be without three of their first-choice players for the one-off Test against Ireland next week, assistant coach Wayne Smith has said.

New Zealand have lost another midfield prospect for their upcoming Test matches against Ireland and Wales with Richard Kahui ruled out for three weeks with a rib cartilage injury.

WYNAND OLIVIER has been named in the Bulls starting line-up for the Super 14 final against the Chiefs on Saturday, despite having yet to recover from a hip injury that kept him out of the semi-final last week.

IF there is one thing more difficult than becoming an All Black, it is staying an All Black. No-one knows that better right now than Conrad Smith.

New Zealand 44 England 12

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made four changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s second Test against England in Christchurch.

Adam Thomson and Richard Kahui were the surprise selections among six new caps named in the New Zealand squad for the forthcoming Tests against Ireland and England.