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

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.

Captain Brian O’Driscoll insists Ireland “are not playing here for second best” as they look to respond to their emphatic defeat by the All Blacks when they meet again in Christchurch on Saturday.

New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter is expecting a “ferocious” response from Ireland on Saturday after the tourists were comprehensively beaten in the first Test.Carter was in majestic form in the 42-10 win in Auckland last weekend and slotted seven from eight kicks, including two successful efforts from the halfway line.

New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter is expecting a "ferocious" response from Ireland on Saturday after the tourists were comprehensively beaten in the first Test.

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll believes mistakes proved costly as his side lost 42-10 to New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland.

Captain Brian O’Driscoll is hoping a side containing two debutants can become the first Ireland team to beat New Zealand.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has rung the changes for the first Test against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday, with debuts for Simon Zebo and Declan Fitzpatrick.

All Black number eight Kieran Read has dismissed the notion Ireland will be easy pickings for New Zealand in this month’s three-test series.

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.

KEVEN MEALAMU has paid a glowing tribute to New Zealand coach Graham Henry as the All Blacks supremo prepares for his final game at the helm.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry today named an unchanged team for Sunday’s World Cup final against France at Eden Park.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named an unchanged team for Sunday’s World Cup final against France at Eden Park.

New Zealand 79 Canada 15

New Zealand today suffered a second blow ahead of their final World Cup Pool A clash with Canada after Dan Carter was forced to withdraw.

New Zealand 83 Japan 7

New Zealand 38 Japan 0

New Zealand head coach Graham Henry insisted he was not prepared to gamble on the fitness of captain Richie McCaw and full-back Mils Muliaina for the World Cup Pool A clash with Japan in Hamilton.

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 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.

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.

Injuries have forced the All Blacks to delay naming their team to play South Africa in the second Test of the Tri Nations in Wellington until Thursday morning.

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.

New Zealand 42 Wales 9

Jamie Heaslip’s five-week ban capped off a sorry weekend in New Plymouth for the Ireland rugby team.

Ireland’s Jamie Heaslip has been cited for striking during the heavy 66-28 loss to New Zealand and will face a hearing in New Plymouth tomorrow.

INJURIES and rich Super 14 form have prodded All Blacks coach Graham Henry into picking three new caps for the starting team for the Irish Test on Saturday, along with three more on the reserves bench.

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.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry clearly has one eye on the future when naming rising stars Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg and Victor Vito in his squad for Tests against Ireland and Wales next month.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry had one eye on the future when he named rising stars Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg and Victor Vito in his squad for Tests against Ireland and Wales next month.