Jack McGrath will not be a happy loser but if the means justify the ends and the Lions win their Test series against New Zealand, then he will happily take defeats to Super Rugby teams.

Those looking for clues as to how Kieran Read went from being a promising but skinny kid to one of the best rugby players in the world should start at his modest secondary school at Papakura, a working class suburb south of Auckland.

Under-pressure Australia coach Robbie Deans said something fascinating in the wake of his side’s shock loss to Scotland in Newcastle a fortnight ago.

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.

Like many of his Irish comrades, Conor Murray was a different player in Christchurch from the opening night disaster in Auckland.

Jamie Heaslip and Gordon D’Arcy have been ruled out of the remainder of Ireland’s tour of New Zealand.

Kevin McLaughlin has vowed Ireland will have a "good go" at New Zealand in tomorrow's second Test after admitting they struggled with the All Blacks' pace last weekend.

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll has promised a more passionate and aggressive performance from his team this weekend.

The Irish rugby squad has taken part in a bus tour of the central Christchurch red zone.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has made four changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s second test with New Zealand at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

Meeting financial targets doesn’t seem such a problem for the RWC head honcho after the Christchurch disaster. Brendan O’Brien spoke to Mike Miller.

THREE days before England should have been opening their Rugby World Cup campaign in Christchurch, Martin Johnson led a red rose delegation on a goodwill visit to the earthquake-torn city.

TOP rugby referee Jonathan Kaplan has been rested from his August Test duties in order to maximise recovery from minor injuries sustained during a road accident last week.

THE recent, tragic earthquake which struck the New Zealand city of Christchurch resulted in the city’s legendary rugby team, the Canterbury Crusaders, losing the use of their home ground, the AMI Stadium, as a result of structural damage inflicted on it by the earthquake.

NEW ZEALAND centre Conrad Smith believes New Zealand are putting the foundations in place for their latest tilt at ending their recent World Cup hoodoo.

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.

The decision on which venues will host World Cup quarter-final matches in 2011 is expected to be announced in early September.