All Blacks

Speaking on Sky’s The Breakdown show on Monday evening, Moana Pasifika general manager Kevin Senio said that 80 per cent of the Moana Pasifika squad would either be already playing for a Pacific Islands nations such as Samoa or Tonga, or on that pathway.

That would invariably strengthen the test squad of the Pacific Island nations, but it also means that eight players out of their squad of 38 will be available for the All Blacks, Australia, or any other test nation.

“What we've done is use the New Zealand model and flicked it on its head,” Senio said.

The 34-year-old has played 74 Tests since his debut in 2012 and more than 120 games for the Hurricanes.

He said he was never going to play for another Super Rugby team and is looking forward to trying to trying to extend his All Blacks career.

"I'm so grateful to be playing the game I love, and grateful for the opportunity to continue with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby. The Hurricanes have been loyal to me, I'm a 'one club' man, so to continue my career with them will be awesome.

He can’t say he doesn’t know what’s coming. It’s inevitable that fit young players who march to work each weekend will return with cracked bones, torn tendons and concussions.

From there it’s a matter of determining how long it will take to patch them up. Crusaders centre Jack Goodhue, whose demeanour and defence have been an asset to the All Blacks midfield since 2018, won’t play again this year.

Neither will talented Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava. He, like Goodhue, has a serious knee injury and his hopes of making his All Blacks debut in 2021 have evaporated.

Cane is also expected to miss most of the All Blacks’ fixtures in 2021 after tearing the tendon in his right pectoral.

The 29-year-old loose forward could be sidelined for four to six months after suffering the injury in the Chiefs’ win over the Blues on March 27, but he has overcome the first hurdle in his recovery.

From his hospital bed, Cane said he would be “coming back stronger” after also having some shoulder issues fixed.

Players can switch their international allegiance by participating in Olympic sevens qualifying events, provided they have a passport for a second country and have completed a stand down period of at least three three years.

Tamanivalu moved to New Zealand as a teenager to attend Saint Kentigern College, before going on to represent the Chiefs and Crusaders in Super Rugby.

Tamanivalu played three tests for the All Blacks in 2016 but said he would love the chance to represent his Fijian heritage.

The proposed $460 million deal would give Silver Lake get a 15 percent stake in the game which is cause for concern for some current players.

Fitzpatrick told Checkpoint that those brokering the deal were rugby-loving guys from England who were the right fit to take the game into the future.

"In terms of the money the number they are proposing, it's as good as we'll get anywhere and they've got experience in private equity in sport so I think they're as good as anyone," he said.

As a trained pilot, McCaw began flying helicopters as his life after rugby began. Recently he competed in the gruelling GodZone competition, a 666km race that lasts days and requires running, kayaking and climbing over vast country terrain.

His latest gig is not what you would picture for the former captain of the All Blacks, becoming a member of The Wiggles for their latest concert in Christchurch.

In fact, Reece featured in just a solitary match – New Zealand’s loss to Australia in Brisbane.

Instead, new coach Ian Foster favoured utility back Jordie Barrett on the right wing, while the likes of George Bridge, Caleb Clarke and Rieko Ioane were given chances on the left.

That’s despite Reece playing a key role in the Crusaders securing a fourth title on the trot, featuring in all seven of their matches and finishing the season as the competition’s second-equal top try scorer.

In his latest post to his Twitter followers, the 35-year-old said “the new journey begins” while standing in a boxing ring. 

Reports had emerged in Australia in recent weeks that he would be making a return to boxing – and this latest post all but confirms those rumours about the latest sports switch. He could face a yet-to-be-determined opponent in a warm-up bout before fighting ex-AFL star Barry Hall.

The All Blacks will play France, Italy and two yet-to-be-determined qualifiers (Africa 1 and Americas 1) in pool play at the tournament.

The match against France will be played on 8 September 2023 at Stade de France in Paris.

The All Blacks then head to the south of France to the city of Toulouse to play Africa 1 a week later on 15 September at Stadium de Toulouse.

The team's last two Pool games will be played at Parc OL, Lyon: Italy on 29 September and Americas 1 on 5 October.