All Blacks

Now there is a very real possibility two of those three high-profile stars will leave these shores by the end of this year.

It is enough to make the All Blacks coach sit up in his summer deckchair. Should that scenario eventuate, it would again create cause for concern around the vulnerability of elite New Zealand players.

Where previously NZ Rugby have been "quietly confident" of keeping the likes of All Blacks captain Kieran Read, Owen Franks and Beauden Barrett, when it comes to Smith indications are his decision remains very much "in the balance".

RNZ reports the union has tabled its final deals for Ben Smith, Israel Dagg and Aaron Cruden, and says it will give them the time they need to make a decision.

The trio's contracts end after the British and Irish Lions tour in June and all three have received lucrative offers to join French clubs.

While conceding New Zealand Rugby would never be able to match the big money bids from overseas, NZR chief executive Steve Tew said they had done all they could to retain the services of the three key backs.

The All Blacks Sevens have improved to fifth in the overall standings after their third place finish in the second round in Cape Town.

The New Zealanders beat Kenya 28-7 in the quarter-finals, but lost 14-7 to South Africa in the semi-finals.

They then beat Scotland 24-19 in the play-off for third.

It’s an improved performance by the New Zealanders after they finished 8th in the opening leg in Dubai.

England beat South Africa 19-17 in the final.

Waldrom is happy with the improvement his side showed from the first round.

The All Black sevens were crushed 40-nil by South Africa in this morning's Cup quarter-finals before being beaten by Australia 20-12 in the fifth place playoff.

New Zealand finished equal seventh/eighth alongside France and sit in the same place in the standings with 10 points.

South Africa claimed top prize after they beat last season's series champions and Olympic gold medallists, Fiji, 26-14 in the final.

Centre Portia Woodman scored a hat-trick of tries as the Black Ferns eased past Ireland 38-8 in their rugby international in Dublin to complete their season unbeaten.

Fullback Selica Winiata also scored two tries and first five-eighth Kelly Brazier one in the Black Ferns' comfortable six-try win to make it three wins from three on their northern tour.

Prior to the tour-ending Dublin international, the Black Ferns had also beaten world champions England 25-20 in London and Canada 20-10 in Dublin.

The All Blacks had two players sin-binned during the game and two players - Sam Cane and Malakai Fekitoa - have been cited for dangerous tackles.

A number of Irish reports described the All Blacks performance as brutal.

In his BBC column Guscott says referees need to look harder at New Zealand.

"World champions New Zealand play everything at an incredible intensity. They understand the laws of the game, where the boundaries are and how the referee might react. They use it to their advantage.

The All Blacks had two players sin-binned during the game and two players - Sam Cane and Malakai Fekitoa - have been cited for dangerous tackles.

A number of Irish reports described the All Blacks performance as brutal.

In his BBC column Guscott says referees need to look harder at New Zealand.

"World champions New Zealand play everything at an incredible intensity. They understand the laws of the game, where the boundaries are and how the referee might react. They use it to their advantage.

RNZ reports the traditional white of the alternate All Blacks jersey remains the primary colour, but the colour black is retained in a graphic design through the collar, chest and shoulders, with the players also wearing black shorts and socks.

adidas Rugby spokesperson Simon Cartwright said it was "a striking, new design inspired by the team's creativity and their dynamic style of play".

RNZ reports both players have been cited for dangerous tackles.

Cane stayed on the field after his incident in the 11th minute, which left Irish mid-fielder Robbie Henshaw unconscious, while Fekiota was yellow-carded for a head high tackle in the second half.

Cane is unavailable for this weekend's game against France after picking up a high ankle sprain in yesterday's game.

Fullback Ben Smith is also unavailable after breaking a finger.

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu is returning home for personal reasons.

No replacements will be brought into the squad.

Steve Hansen's men became the first All Black team to ever lose to Ireland two weeks ago, and the Irish are bracing for an almighty backlash.

Ireland's historic win in Chicago would have done wonders for their confidence and diluted some of the All Blacks' unbeatable aura.

However the Irish know a black storm will hit Dublin on Sunday morning, with their New Zealand born coach Joe Schmidt conceding they've "poked the bear".