Argentinian’s transformation of Aussie scrum means Welsh pack must up game, says Baldwin...

The great and the good had been queuing up all week to predict an England win at Twickenham on Saturday night, among them three captains from World Cups long gone, writes Peter Jackson.

World Cups can be yawn-inducing events for players who have so much time to kill between their daily duties and Steve Hansen’s All Blacks could do worse than spend an afternoon staring at the walls of their Lensbury Park Hotel.

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.

Isaac Boss and Mils Muliaina go back a long way, 15 years at the very least, so there are few men better qualified than the Leinster scrum-half to judge just what the All Black legend brings to his new home in Connacht.

No matter what else the television sports year offers up, we think we saw its most delightful touch last Saturday night.

England imploded at the Waikato Stadium to conclude their series against New Zealand with an error-ridden 36-13 defeat as the All Blacks amassed a record-equalling 17th successive victory.

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 will hit Ireland for six unless Joe Schmidt’s men sharpen up from last weekend’s Australia loss, according to Brian O’Driscoll.

Whatever the result in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, history will be made.

New Zealand's assistant coach Ian Foster says he and the squad are determined to finish their season on a high.

Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton has until Friday to prove his fitness to face New Zealand, provided he emerges in reasonable shape from today’s medical assessment on an injured hamstring.

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

New Zealand 24 France 9

Wales 10 New Zealand 33

Kieran Read will captain New Zealand for the first time when the All Blacks tackle Italy on Saturday.

Australia 18 New Zealand 18

New Zealand 22 Australia 0

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.

So who is Ronan Loughney? The Connacht prop emerged from relative obscurity this season and has anchored the Westerners’ scrum in what has arguably been the province’s most consistent season since rugby went professional.

IF THERE is one attribute that defines New Zealand rugby players, it’s that they never rest on their laurels for too long.

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

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

Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek has backed rookie Ulster tighthead Declan Fitzpatrick to step up for Ireland against the All Blacks on Saturday should first-choice Mike Ross fail to recover from a hamstring injury.

Uncapped Ulster tighthead Declan Fitzpatrick is set for a baptism of fire against the All Blacks with Mike Ross being confirmed as a major doubt for the first test at Eden Park on Saturday.

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 have announced a 35-player squad to attend two training camps ahead of the three-Test Series against Ireland in June.

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.

Israel Dagg has revealed New Zealand’s sense of “great relief” at ending a 24-year wait to be crowned world champions.

MARC LIEVREMONT admitted he could not have asked for any more from his players after they went agonisingly close to destroying New Zealand’s World Cup dream.

NEW ZEALAND captain Richie McCaw hailed his team’s courage and desire after they ended 24 years of hurt by winning the closest final in World Cup history.

THE All Blacks never forgave Stephen Donald for the missed touch kick which ultimately condemned them to defeat by Australia in Hong Kong this time last year.

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

Marc Lievremont admitted he could not have asked for any more from his players after they went agonisingly close to destroying New Zealand’s World Cup dream.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw hailed his team’s courage and desire after they ended 24 years of hurt by winning the closest final in World Cup history.

France 7 New Zealand 8

France 0 New Zealand 5

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

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.