NZ Rugby

New Zealand Rugby confirm Joe Schmidt's appointment as All Blacks selector

Schmidt joins the All Blacks in place of long-standing selector Grant Fox, who will stand down from his position following next year’s mid-year tests against Ireland.

News of Schmidt’s arrival at the All Blacks comes in the wake of reports from various media outlets that linked the Kiwi coach to the role.

The 56-year-old’s position with the New Zealand national side coincides with his new part-time role with the Blues as a support coach for next year’s inaugural edition of Super Rugby Pacific.

Moody becomes latest player to extend his contract with New Zealand Rugby

He's played 57 Tests and 100 Super Rugby matches.

"It's a bloody good footy scene here in New Zealand and I've got a great set up down here in Christchurch, so looking forward to getting stuck in again over the next few seasons and playing my part," he said.

All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster says the signing is great news.

"He's a hugely respected member of our squad and goes about his work in a quiet, understated way.

Cane re-signs with NZ Rugby, Chiefs and Bay of Plenty

The 29-year-old played his first game for the Chiefs in 2010 and made his All Blacks debut two years later.

The 2015 Rugby World Cup winner has played 77 Tests and captained the team ten times. He has played 126 times for the Chiefs.

As part of his contract, Cane has the option of taking a non-playing or playing break from the New Zealand game in 2024.

NZ and Moana Super Rugby squads confirmed for 2022

Each of New Zealand's five Super Rugby Pacific squads have been bolstered by notable players who were plying their trade on foreign shores in 2021 including Beauden Barrett (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), TJ Perenara and Dominic Bird (Hurricanes), Pablo Matera (Crusaders) and Marty Banks and Rhys Marshall (Highlanders).

There has also been some movement on the transfer market with 12 players making a move between New Zealand's five clubs, and a further nine players moving to a newly minted Moana Pasifika squad featuring Wallabies veterans Sekope Kepu and Christian Lealifano.

Nine debutants in Black Ferns squad

With four debutants in the run on XV and five on the bench, Black Ferns Head Coach Glenn Moore has picked a side that is a true balance of youth and experience.

"We've had some really good talent coming through back in New Zealand and the players we have brought into our environment have really stepped up and I think those that debut this weekend will all make an impact on the game," said Moore.

Experienced players Portia Woodman and Kelly Brazier weren't considered because of injuries.

Blacks Ferns join Pacific Four Series

The new series will give four of the top nations - New Zealand, Australia, Canada and USA - regular international fixtures.

The World Rugby-funded competition will soft launch this year with Canada and USA going head-to-head on 1 and 5 November and New Zealand and Australia will join in 2022 due to current Covid-19 restrictions.

The annual cross-regional series has been developed to meet the governing body's commitment to providing consistent high performance competition for elite women's international teams.

NZ Rugby to trial new rules in school and club rugby

NZR said the aim is to enhance the safety and appeal of the sport and have called the changes Experimental Domestic Safety Law Variations (EDSLVs).

Eight of the fifteen approved EDSLVs will be rolled out nationally across Small Blacks, Teenage Rugby and Senior Rugby; with the other seven being trialled in selected competitions, in consultation with Provincial Unions.

National changes include reducing tackle height, enhancing breakdown and scrums, and ensuring players remain grounded whilst contesting high balls, in a bid to reduce aerial collisions.

Jordie Barrett 'rapt' after Bledisloe Cup red card dismissed

Barrett was given a red card in the first half of the final Bledisloe Cup test when his boot made contact with the face of Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete after jumping in the air to catch a high kick.

But he would be free to play in Sunday's Rugby Championship test against Argentina on the Gold Coast after a Sanzaar judiciary on Tuesday night found the fullback not guilty of dangerous or foul play.

Barrett said he was grateful to avoid further sanction.

"It was a long process, very thorough and [the panel] handled it very well ... I'm rapt with the outcome.

12-a-side rugby tournament proposed for next year

The new tournament, World 12s, is intended to feature 192 of the world's best players, picked via auction to represent eight franchises.

World 12s Limited says the competition will take place over three weekends in a round-robin format before knockouts.

The goal is to bring $485 million into the sport over the next five years, though it is likely to face a tough battle to force its way into an already overcrowded calendar.

Tags: 

Pacific Super Rugby teams to finalise squads

The Drua also have to decide where they will be based next season, with Fiji's ongoing Covid-19 problems ruling out plans to play on home soil.

Flying Fijians prop Haereiti Hetet said the Drua was a hot topic of conversation when national squad during their recent test series against the All Blacks.

"It's just like another platform really for Fijian players to showcase their skills for the world stage, in terms of it's a step up from just playing their club and comps and stuff in Fiji and playing against the best," he said.