All Blacks

All Blacks have time to adapt to heat and humidity, says professor

Images of the All Blacks visibly struggling in the heat and humidity in Japan have filtered back to New Zealand but Jim Cotter, a professor at the school of Physical Education at the University of Otago, reassured New Zealanders that they had given themselves enough time to adapt before their Rugby World Cup opener against South Africa on September 21.

"That's plenty of time," Professor Cotter told Stuff. "They'll have full adaption of what they need by then.

"You don't want it too much more, that's too much time away. That's the time you need.

Former All Black takes charge of New Zealand Rugby

NZR board chair Brent Impey announced Robinson's appointment following an intense recruitment process over the past two months.

Robinson, 45, officially takes up his new role in early January 2020, taking over from outgoing CEO Steve Tew, who announced in June, that he was standing down.

"We are delighted that Mark has put his hand up for this role. He has been an incredibly insightful director on the board, and at the international rugby table, he has been a sound and respected voice," Impey said.

Tags: 

All Blacks lose top ranking ahead of World Cup

Ireland will head to the world cup in Japan as the world's top ranked side after a 19-10 win over Wales.

The elevation was irrelevant however, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said.

"I didn't realise that we were until I did an interview after the game, that's how far away from our thoughts it has been. It's a label, it's a nice label to get but that label is not going to be relevant for anyone," he said.

"We all know who the favourites are for the rugby World Cup and it's not us."

Ngani Laumape breaks silence after missing out on All Blacks Rugby World Cup selection

Laumape failed to make the four-man midfield chosen by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen last month, which includes two-time World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown.

Despite 108-cap veteran Owen Franks also missing out on the squad, the reaction to Laumape’s omission caused arguably the biggest stir on social media.

The Hurricanes centre hasn’t spoken to media since the squad announcement but has since posted to his Instagram.

All Blacks shift Beauden Barrett to No 10 for test against Tonga

Richie Mo'unga, who retired with a sore shoulder in the second half of the All Blacks' 36-0 win over the Wallabies on August 17, has not been asked to play against the physical Tongans so close to the World Cup in Japan.

The absence of Mo'unga, who started the previous three tests at first-five, has resulted in the experienced Barrett shifting back to No 10 - where he has spent much of his test career - from fullback.

ABs prop ready for potential ticket rush to Tonga Test

With just two Test caps off the bench to his name, the Chiefs prop was one of the big winners when the New Zealand squad was named last week for the looming World Cup.

Moli made his All Blacks debut in their Rugby Championship opener in Argentina in July but after being left out for the decisive win in the Bledisloe Cup decider, looked far from a dead-cert to go to Japan.

But the selectors showed their faith in the 24-year-old loosehead, stamping his ticket to the tournament and also setting him up for what could be a special first Test on New Zealand soil.

Josh Ioane called in to All Blacks for Tonga Test to cover injured Richie Mo'unga

Ioane missed out on selection for the Rugby World Cup with coach Steve Hansen opting for just two first-fives in his squad of 31, but Mo'unga's shoulder injury sustained in the All Blacks' Bledisloe win at Eden Park last month will keep him on the sideline this weekend.

The injury has seen the All Blacks call in Ioane who was named in the wider squad earlier this year.

Owen Franks breaks silence over World Cup axing

The 108-test, dual World Cup-winning veteran was the biggest name left out of Steve Hansen’s 31-man squad, which was announced at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday.

Hansen and his fellow selectors – Ian Foster and Grant Fox – have instead opted for the likes of Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Angus Ta’avao, who they believe present a bigger ball-carrying threat than Franks.

All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad named

Hansen congratulated the players named in the squad and offered his commiseration's to those who missed out.

"Over the last couple of months we've spent a lot of time building our game, working on the individual skill sets we want and as selectors, taking the time to get really clear we wanted to put together from a selection point of view, for this team.

Sevu Reece named in the All Blacks squad to the Rugby World Cup

Reece had an impressive season where he was the leading try scorer in Super Rugby for the Crusaders and also produced a scintillating performance against the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Cup match.

Coach Steve Hansen has also selected stars such as the Barrett brothers, Beauden, Jordie and Scott, Kieran Read, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Tj Perenara, Sam Cane, Dane Coles and Reiko Ioane.

Hansen has also included Brodie Retallick and Ryan Crotty who had suffered injuries earlier in the season.