When the best female rugby players on the planet depart Aotearoa after the Rugby World Cup, the enduring legacy of their time here won't just be whether they won or lost. It will also be the people they met, cultures they glimpsed, and experiences they shared.

A shift to the right wing for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck served as little more than a surprise for viewers in Auckland's 38-24 win over Taranaki on Saturday, with atrocious conditions dictating the game.

Northland have kept alive their shot at history with a second win in five days - but now face the toughest task in provincial rugby.

The players are ready, the music is sorted and excitement is ramping up as we count down the days to Rugby World Cup 2021.

All Blacks midfielder Quinn Tupaea has revealed what was running through his mind the moment he suffered a season-ending knee injury at the hands of Wallabies lock Darcy Swain and says he's still keeping his 2023 World Cup hopes alive.

All Blacks and Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea has been ruled out of rugby for nine months following the ugly cleanout by Wallabies lock Darcy Swain in the first Bledisloe test.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland says he's never seen public morale so low following the All Blacks' run of defeats this season.

Try-scoring missile Portia Woodman is already one of the great Black Ferns - but this Rugby World Cup could elevate her to the top. And then she still has more to give.

Former Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili will be inducted into World Rugby's Hall of Fame at a special ceremony during the World Cup in November.

Teams playing their pool matches in Whangārei during the women's Rugby World Cup will start arriving into the city from Monday and organisers are on track to meet attendance targets for all games.