If yesterday’s press briefing was anything to go by then the Kiwi public have already lost interest in the Irish challenge on what is fast becoming a tour from hell.

First the good news. New Zealand are in disarray or at least they should be.

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.

Five players who’ll stamp their class on the pool stages

SUNDAY’S World Cup final was a pleasure to behold for many reasons, not least the honesty of endeavour and the sportsmanship on display from both sides.

FRANCE captain Thierry Dusautoir has been rewarded for an outstanding season by being named the IRB Player of the Year at a star-studded ceremony in Auckland yesterday.

France captain Thierry Dusautoir has been named International Rugby Board player of the year at a ceremony in Auckland.

WITH a perfect sense of timing, today is a bank holiday in New Zealand.

France 7 New Zealand 8

France 0 New Zealand 5

IRELAND, England, Wales and Scotland’s players have been snubbed by the IRB for the Player of the Year award.

THE bigger the game, the smaller the margins and the fewer the chances: never was that more obvious that in Saturday’s Wales-France semi-final.

NEW ZEALAND head coach Graham Henry hailed the All Blacks’ 20-6 destruction of Australia in the Rugby World Cup semi-final as “outstanding”.

IF THERE is one thing the All Blacks appreciate more than any other aspect of the game, it is the importance of controlling the breakdown.

A STONY-FACED Graham Henry drew a line under reports All Blacks had been drinking in the build-up to yesterday’s World Cup quarter-final, saying he had “dealt with it”.

New Zealand 33 Argentina 10

NEW ZEALAND fly-half Colin Slade is eager to grasp his opportunity to steer the All Blacks to the Rugby World Cup semi-final in tomorrow’s (8.30am Irish time) clash with Argentina in Auckland.

New Zealand full-back Mils Muliaina is focused on the task in hand when he wins his 100th Test cap in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final with Argentina.

New Zealand 79 Canada 15

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.

A host of fringe players will get the chance to stake a final claim for a place in New Zealand’s World Cup squad after being named in the starting XV for Saturday’s Tri Nations clash with South Africa.

New Zealand 30 Australia 14

New Zealand 60 Fiji 14

New Zealand international Ma'a Nonu has dismissed suggestions he is to join Montpellier - and denied he has been in talks with any French club.

NEW ZEALAND’S iconic midfielder Ma’a Nonu has been linked with a move to Munster after World Cup 2011.

Former New Zealand rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams will make his All Blacks Test debut against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

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 22 New Zealand 23

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.

GRAHAM HENRY expects his New Zealand side to face a much-changed South Africa one when the two countries meet in the Tri-Nations on Saturday.

New Zealand have drafted Jimmy Cowan and Ben Franks into their starting XV to face South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.

FRANS STEYN has been ruled out of next week’s Tri Nations encounter against New Zealand in Johannesburg due to injury.

New Zealand scrum-half Jimmy Cowan has been passed fit to travel with the All Blacks squad for their Tri Nations clash with South Africa a week on Saturday.

New Zealand 20 Australia 10

NEW ZEALAND have made three changes to the side that hammered Australia 49-28 in Melbourne on Saturday for this weekend’s return match in Christchurch.

New Zealand have made three changes to the side that hammered Australia 49-28 in Melbourne on Saturday for this weekend's return match in Christchurch.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has backed the new-look midfield combination of Berrick Barnes and Matt Giteau to thrive ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster clash against New Zealand in Melbourne.

New Zealand have made two changes ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Melbourne, with Jimmy Cowan and Joe Rokocoko both promoted to the starting line-up.

New Zealand 31 South Africa 17