Joe Schmidt insists this evening’s match with Argentina has nothing to do with revenge, but he does not deny that the 2015 World Cup quarter-final defeat has informed the Ireland boss’s approach to this Guinness Series finale.

Israel Dagg has promised the All Blacks are going to come back even stronger when they face the British & Irish Lions for the second Test in Wellington next Saturday, writes Simon Lewis.

Here's how we rated the players at tonight's clash at the Aviva.

Few people understand what it takes to be a successful All Blacks coach more than Richie McCaw and the two-time World Cup-winning captain happens to believe that Joe Schmidt has exactly what it takes to do the job.

To qualify for selection on Donal Lenihan’s best ever World Cup XV, the players had to have at least one winner’s medal in the pocket

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.

England 21 New Zealand 24

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has warned his players to expect Brian O’Driscoll to have a massive impact on tomorrow’s Test against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

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

New Zealand have selected uncapped scrum half TJ Perenara ahead of veteran Piri Weepu in their squad for the Investec Rugby Championship.

It’s now or never for the Irish rugby squad if they wish to create history and beat New Zealand on their own hollowed turf.

At 19-points apiece and with six minutes remaining in an epic Test, the Irish and New Zealand packs got ready to pack down on the right-hand side of the pitch in a pulsating AMI Stadium.

Gert Smal will require all his motivational skills to get his injury-hit pack ready for a manic onslaught from a fired-up New Zealand pack this weekend.

Ireland hooker Rory Best has backed his Ulster team-mate Declan Fitzpatrick to shine on his international debut against New Zealand tomorrow.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen faces a public backlash after naming scrum-half Piri Weepu in his 30-man squad for this month’s three-test series with Ireland.

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

At a time of year when things should be slowing down, last week proved one of the busiest for those charged with the responsibility of running the game in Munster.

STRANGE in a way that what has been a fantastic tournament has produced a paucity of real individual star quality.

THE one area of consistent performance from the unpredictable French has been the solidity of their set piece.

WALLABIES Pat McCabe and Sekope Peku could be forgiven for blanching at the prospect of facing the All Blacks in the World Cup semi-finals having just nursed themselves back to health after a bruising encounter with the Springboks last weekend.

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.

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.

ANOTHER back-three speedster will miss the World Cup after it emerged Scotland wing Nikki Walker’s knee injury suffered against Italy on Saturday will rule him out of the tournament.

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

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

Fly-half Dan Carter returns to the New Zealand side for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia but there is no place in Graham Henry’s 22-man squad for Sonny Bill Williams.

Former rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams has been named in New Zealand’s 30-man squad for their end-of-season tour of the northern hemisphere but there is no place for Aaron Cruden, Robbie Fruean or Colin Slade.

Australia skipper Rocky Elsom has urged South African referee Mark Lawrence to adopt a zero-tolerance policy at the breakdown when his side meet New Zealand tonight to ensure a free-flowing contest.

WITH a year to go to Rugby World Cup 2011, tournament organisers in New Zealand says preparations are well on track, despite last week’s earthquake near Christchurch.

Australia 28 New Zealand 49

TONY BUCKLEY might have a bright rugby future following some fine displays on Ireland’s recent tour of Australia and New Zealand, but he is no closer to nailing down an alternative job once his playing days are over.

The New Zealand selectors have gone for experience in Saturday's first Tri-Nations Test against South Africa at Auckland's Eden Park.

John Afoa, Corey Flynn, Liam Messam and Ma'a Nonu have been recalled to the New Zealand squad for the Tri-Nations series with Australia and South Africa.

Gert Smal is confident the Ireland pack have the power to match New Zealand in Saturday’s Test in New Plymouth.

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.

France 12 New Zealand 39

NEW ZEALAND rugby coach Graham Henry has made three changes from the team that beat England 19-6 for Saturday’s Test against France in Marseille.

NEW ZEALAND have named virtually their strongest side – including Richie McCaw and Dan Carter — for Saturday’s clash with England at Twickenham.