Coaching legend Sir Steve Hansen says a split between New Zealand Rugby and top players has contributed to the All Blacks' test struggles.

A former New Zealand Rugby boss has launched a blistering attack on New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson, calling for his resignation amidst the 'chaos' in the organisation.

Scott Robertson has dropped a bombshell on New Zealand rugby saying he is open to offers from rival test nations.

Richie Mo'unga made it absolutely clear that he backs under-fire All Blacks coach Ian Foster, saying he is "the right man for the job".

On this week's edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith (Newstalk ZB's lead rugby commentator) and Liam Napier (chief sports writer at the NZ Herald) assess another week of drama related to the All Blacks that has culminated in two assistant coaches being dumped and Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan being rushed in to assist the front eight.

The All Blacks have been handed another injury blow with prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi being ruled out of the upcoming South African tour.

The 37-strong Bay of Plenty Steamers squad for the 2022 season has been named.

Canterbury have continued their unbeaten start to the Farah Palmer Cup season, sneaking past Auckland to take a 33-27 win in Christchurch.

The All Blacks have confirmed two major changes to their coaching group following their test series loss to Ireland.

Broadcaster Sky TV will retain ex-All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall for the upcoming crunch tests against the Springboks despite his late-night verbal stoush with loose forward Akira Ioane.

"I'm Ian Foster and I'm the All Blacks head coach."

After six days of silence from New Zealand Rugby and All Blacks, tense private meetings and feverish speculation, Ian Foster emerged to tell us change is coming but that he is going nowhere.

Melodramatic meltdowns and even national mourning are expected bi-products of poor results for the All Blacks. In that respect, the fall-out from New Zealand's current run of four losses in five test matches is delivering. This time, though, it feels like a more serious malaise has descended.

Ian Foster has selected his squad for the tour of South Africa.

World Rugby has been weighing up the introduction of a centrally-contracted group of referees to oversee international matches, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

Embattled head coach Ian Foster is expected to be retained for the All Blacks' upcoming tour of South Africa.

All Black Akira Ioane and Sky TV commentator Justin Marshall were involved in a late-night standoff and appeared to be separated by onlookers, a video has revealed.

The argument for sacking Ian Foster was given a major boost on Saturday night when a collective groan across the country punctuated the All Blacks' defeat at the hands of resilient Irish.

English rugby commentator Stuart Barnes has saluted the Irish touring squad for a series win that "stamped a psychological superiority all over New Zealand" — but he warned the result could spark changes that will make the All Blacks stronger at next year's Rugby World Cup.

All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan says now is not the time to change the All Blacks coach as pressure mounts on Ian Foster following the 2-1 series defeat to Ireland.

In the aftermath of Ireland's first Test defeat by the All Blacks, I sent a text message to Andy Farrell.

Wellington's Sky Stadium has added additional seating for the first time since 2017 to prepare for this weekend's rugby test match which will bring the largest crowd it's seen in years.

Eddie Jones will lobby World Rugby to cut back on the "incessant use" of the television match official, which he fears is ruining rugby as a spectacle.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has welcomed back a wealth of experience for Saturday's series decider against Ireland at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

On this week's podcast, Elliott Smith (Newstalk ZB's lead rugby commentator) and Liam Napier (NZ Herald's chief sports writer) discuss Ireland's first ever win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil and examine how they were able to win in such convincing fashion to set up a series decider this weekend in the capital.

The bigger issue for rugby, other than whether we want to have a crack at Ian Foster, is to accept that Japan are 10th in the latest rankings.

Four Kihikihi women have been selected in the Waitomo Group: Waikato Farah Palmer Cup squad for 2022.

Health officials are deeply concerned tonight's All Blacks rugby test against Ireland could turn into a superspreader event for Covid-19 and various winter ailments.

Concussion activists have suggested that rugby union's head injury assessment process is not fit for purpose after Ireland selected Johnny Sexton to start against the All Blacks a week after the veteran first-five was helped from the field in the first test.

On his return to New Zealand, 40-test All Black Damian McKenzie has been named at fullback for Woodlands to take on Star tonight in Go Bus Southland Wide Senior Club Rugby.

All you need to know ahead of the second test between the All Blacks and Ireland at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin (kickoff at 7.05pm):

A touring Irish fan has given the kiss of life to a Waikato rugby stalwart whose heart stopped beating as he parked his ute ahead of Saturday night's international clash at Eden Park.

The All Blacks have made one change and a positional switch for the second test against Ireland on Saturday.

A former secondary school teacher of a Kiwi rugby star turned Irish international has revealed how giving a ride home from central Auckland spared his pupil, who was being spoken to by police.

England head coach Eddie Jones claimed Kiwi referee James Doleman tried to help Australia after sending off Wallabies lock Darcy Swain as his side slumped to their fourth successive defeat in Perth

The All Blacks opening win of the season was built on a well-planned set-piece performance, but it was finished on finely-tuned instincts.

It was the most iconic moment in English rugby union history but Nadine Dorries, the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, got her codes confused when she mistakenly referred to the 2003 World Cup final win over Australia as a rugby league game.

New Zealand Rugby has revealed a communication error led to Ireland prop Jeremy Loughman being allowed to return to the field against the Māori All Blacks, despite the player suffering clear concussion symptoms.

In spite of placement on opposite sides of the globe, there are many sporting ties that join Ireland to Aotearoa.