All Blacks

Mains has come out swinging after hearing news the All Blacks could soon be partially controlled by American interests.

That's according to media coverage in the UK, where Sky News is reporting California-based private equity firm Silver Lake is set to acquire a 15 percent stake in New Zealand Rugby's commercial rights arm.

A deal could reportedly be reached as early as this month.

Mains said today he would hate to see any damage done to New Zealand Rugby's control of the All Blacks brand.

Speaking at a media conference in Japan on Wednesday, Barrett said he aims to remind New Zealand coach Ian Foster of his ability to run the game at first-five after playing mostly as fullback for the national side in recent times.

Barrett has joined the Suntory Sungoliath team in Tokyo to contest the 2021 Top League season, which begins next week, as part of a sabbatical overseas granted in his contract with NZ Rugby.

The 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year’s photos were deleted over the weekend, replaced by posts asking for his 53,000 followers to donate money via a mobile payment service.

Retallick is currently playing for Kobe Steelers in Japan’s Top League.

All Blacks fullback Beauden Barrett, who is also playing in Japan, warned his own followers to prevent them from falling for the scam.

“Big Brodie has been hacked so ignore his Stories people,” Barrett posted.

After an encouraging Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign, Ioane was handed the No 13 jersey for the All Blacks opening test against the Wallabies only to benched for the next match after bombing a certain try with a sloppy put-down.

He then spent some time back on the wing during the Tri Nations in Australia but the setback hasn't deterred Ioane from wanting to continue to prove himself in the midfield.

"[Midfield] is where I want to be from here on out - that's the plan," the 23-year-old told 1 News.

Cane, who led the All Blacks to the defence of the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri Nations title in his first year as skipper, claimed the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial award during a made-for-TV special on Sky Sport.

At the start of the year no-one dared predict openside flanker Cane, who replaced Kieran Read when he retired from test rugby after the World Cup in Japan, would have to negotiate such a difficult year.

Having completed their Tri Nations programme in Australia, where they won the competition and also retained the Bledisloe Cup, the All Blacks were required to spend a fortnight in quarantine when they came back to New Zealand.

Now they are free to go home and enjoy their off-season before returning for training with their clubs next year to prepare for Super Rugby Aotearoa.

All Blacks stars Ardie Savea and Aaron Smith posted similar photos to Instagram. They were wearing masks as they prepared to leave their hotels on Monday morning.

The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic meant the national men's side played just six matches this year.

But they were set to play more than double that next year, after NZR chief executive Mark Robinson provided an update on Thursday after the organisation's final board meeting of the year.

The proposed scheduled included an opener against Fiji and two matches against Italy in New Zealand in July, a return to a full rugby Championship and an end of year tour to Europe for games against Italy, Ireland, and France.

Squire last played for the team in 2019 and has been back in New Zealand rehabilitating an injury after a brief stint playing in Japan, he is expected to be back to full fitness by the time the competition starts on February 26th.

The former test blindside will join Japanese World Cup player Kazuki Himeno, Crusader Billy Harmon and James Lentjes in the loose forwards, with the latter returning from injury after missing Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2020.

The 38-year-old Carter has started a #keeptheballgoing social media campaign that encourages people to check in on three of their friends to "keep the conversation going" about mental health.

While Carter has achieved virtually everything in the game, including winning two World Cups and three world player of the year titles, his career has also had some difficult lows, particularly around injuries.

He said the groin injury that prematurely ended his 20121 World Cup at home had been particularly testing.

New Zealand captain Sam Cane laid down an All Blacks jersey with ‘10 Maradona’ – his regular playing number – imprinted on the back of it in front of the Pumas players prior to kick-off in Newcastle.

Maradona, one of the greatest footballers in the history of the game and Argentina's most revered sportsperson, died earlier this week.

There was a small hiccup in the pre-game ceremonies in the ‘Welcome to Country’ when Aboriginal elder Uncle Bill Smith referred to the All Blacks’ opposition as The Netherlands during the ritual.