All Blacks

All Black Fainga'anuku confirms move to France

In a move that could possibly affect his All Black selection chances for the tournament in France in September and October, the 23-year-old has confirmed he's signed an 18-month contract with French Top 14 club Toulon.

He'll join the side after the culmination of the World Cup.

Fainga'anuku said the move away from New Zealand "ticked a lot of boxes for me both on and off the field".

"I feel like I've achieved a lot playing in New Zealand, and I cherish those accomplishments as some of the proudest moments in my life so far," Fainga'anuku said.

Rieko Ioane scores All Blacks mega-deal

The 59-Test All Black has re-signed with the Blues Super Rugby Pacific side and remains aligned with Auckland in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC.

Ioane’s impressive resume started with his first-class debut at the age of 17. He has since gone on to make 50 starts in his 59 Tests for the All Blacks, been named the 2017 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year, competed at an Olympic Games with the All Blacks Sevens, and represented the Maori All Blacks.

'Expect it!' Spencer, Rokocoko recall iconic RWC try 20 years on

Carlos Spencer's through-the-legs pass to Joe Rokocoko in the quarter-finals of the 2003 Rugby World Cup stunned the Springboks and delighted fans, helping the All Blacks seal a 29-9 win.

Almost 20 years on from the moment, World Rugby got the two All Blacks greats together to reflect on the try and how the piece of magic was conjured.

"Just a classic Springboks-All Blacks Test match," Rokocoko said.

"It's just so physical and quick and to add more spice to it, it's a quarter-final at a World Cup."

All Blacks wing Sevu Reece won't return this season

Reece suffered a serious knee injury in the Crusaders Super Rugby win over the Blues earlier this month and this morning it was confirmed he had ruptured his ACL and will be sidelined for the rest of 2023.

The Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said the 26-year-old wing won't be back this year.

"Sevu's out for the whole of the 2023 season. He's back in '24.

"We really feel for him. He's been incredible for us. It's a big loss.

"A lot of work will get him back to where he was beforehand, being a world class wing."

Next All Blacks coach to be named next month

New Zealand Rugby chair Dame Patsy Reddy today confirmed the timeline for the appointment process for Foster's successor.

"Following wide ranging consultation and after carefully weighing up all scenarios and the key lessons from 2019, New Zealand Rugby is now commencing a process for selecting the All Blacks head coach from 2024," Dame Patsy said in a statement.

Ian Foster doesn't expect to stay with All Blacks post-World Cup

Foster told Newstalk ZB on Wednesday he believes there is a "mood for change" at New Zealand Rugby.

"I think it's pretty highly unlikely that I will be in this job next year, but I keep getting asked about whether I'm going to apply. I think that's not the big question for me - the big question is what's the best thing for the All Blacks in 2023."

Foster concedes he's "rocking the boat" by making his views public.

Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett: All Blacks to join Japanese club

Scrum-half Smith, 34, looks set for his last season in New Zealand having signed long-term with Toyota Verblitz.

Fly-half Barrett, 31, could still return home to play after 2024 following his spell with the same club.

Barrett took a sabbatical to join Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath in 2021 before returning to New Zealand.

All Blacks full-back Damian McKenzie played in Japan last season while fly-half Richie Mo'unga has signed up for the 2024 campaign.

Two home tests for All Blacks ahead of World Cup

The Rugby Championship schedule will see the All Blacks play South Africa at Mt Smart Stadium on 15 July.

The second game is a Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Dunedin. It is the first time since 2017 that the Bledisloe Cup has been to the city and will be a rare afternoon home Test match at Forsyth Barr Stadium on 5 August.

New Zealand open the Rugby Championship on the road against Argentina in Medonza on 8 July and have another game against South Africa at London's Twickenham Stadium on 25 August.

Hurricanes coach backs young star to crack All Blacks as a fullback

Heading into the new Super Rugby Pacific season, Holland said the Hurricanes management have set themselves the goal of getting as many new players into the All Blacks set-up as possible.

Holland believed there were three or four knocking on the door, including promising playmaker Ruben Love.

Helping his cause, the 21-year-old is set for a consistent run at fullback with Jordie Barrett being retained as a second-five, a move Holland insisted was not influenced by the All Blacks, but one that should please Ian Foster and co nonetheless.

'All about togetherness': Savea praises 'courageous' openly gay All Black

Johnstone, who played three test matches in the black jersey, has been praised by some of New Zealand Rugby’s biggest following his ground-breaking announcement.

All Blacks halfback Brad Weber called Johnstone a “legend” on social media, while test veteran Aaron Smith praised him for his “bravery and mana.”

Black Ferns superstar Ruby Tui has also celebrated the momentous news, saying she’s ‘never been more proud of an All Black.”