All Black

Luatua heading to Bristol

RNZ reports the 25-year-old Blues player is expected to leave after the Super Rugby season.

Luatua has played 15 Tests for the All Blacks, debuting in 2013 and playing his most recent game against Italy on the 2016 end-of-year tour.

He will link up with his former Blues coach Pat Lam at Bristol.

"The signing of Steven - beating off competition from a number of high profile clubs - underlines the ambition of Bristol as well as Stephen Lansdown and the board's desire to drive us forward," head coach Mark Tainton told website bristolrugby.co.uk.

All Black Dagg will stay in NZ

RNZ reports Dagg made the announcement on social media.

"I've decided to stick around in New Zealand for the next three years and do my time with the Crusaders."

It means he will be available for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

The 28-year-old has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby, the Crusaders and Hawke's Bay Magpies through to 2019, spurning offers from overseas.

All Black Aaron Smith gives tearful apology

Yesterday the team's coach, Steve Hansen, said Smith was seen entering a toilet cubicle with a female friend at Christchurch Airport the day after the test against the Springboks last month.

RNZ reports Hansen said Smith had been suspended for one test for breaking the team's behaviour protocol.

Speaking to the media from the All Blacks' hotel in Durban, Smith said he had made a huge mistake and it was an error in judgement.

He also apologised to his partner, Teagan Voykovich, both his and her families, his team-mates and New Zealand fans.

All Black suspended for airport incident

RNZ reports the All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said Smith was seen entering a toilet cubicle with a female friend at Christchurch Airport the day after the test against the Springboks last month.

Smith is on his way back to New Zealand and will miss Sunday morning's Rugby Championship test in Durban.

Hansen said Smith had been suspended for one Test after breaking team protocol regarding behaviour.

Pacific communities mourn Jonah Lomu

Lomu, 40, died suddenly on November 18, prompting a huge outpouring of messages from around the world for the former All Black.

Lomu's wife Nadene and two sons greeted his casket when it arrived, and his mother Hepi is there.
The `Aho Faka Famili, or day of the family, event at the Vodafone Events Centre in south Auckland is an opportunity for communities from the Pacific to honour Lomu.

Many of the thousands of people wore bright Pasifika shirts, black skirts and traditional dress.