All Blacks

The 37-year-old, a member of New Zealand's Rugby World Cup-winning squad in 2011, has this week joined the Chiefs as a replacement player.

The former Highlanders, Reds and Rebels loose forward played for Otago in last season's Mitre 10 Cup after a four-year stint in Japan with the Canon Eagles.

A Chiefs spokesperson told Stuff he was only signed on as All Blacks cover until early February at this stage, but said it was "highly likely" he would play in Friday's pre-season match against the Blues in Waihi. 

Such selections often reflect a regional bias, but All Blacks dominated Wales Online rugby correspondent Andy Howell's XV.

McCaw and Carter were joined by wings Ben Smith and Julian Savea, midfielder Ma'a Nonu, No 8 Kieran Read, lock Brodie Retallick and frontrowers Dane Coles and Owen Franks.

Of McCaw's selection, Howell wrote that there were other standout openside flankers in the 2010s, but "unfortunately for them, they have been eclipsed by one of the greatest rugby players in history. A world record 148 caps for the All Blacks says everything about McCaw."

Scarlets and New Zealand Rugby confirmed Mooar's appointment, looking after the attack, yesterday.

He completes Ian Foster's coaching team.

Scarlets general manager of rugby Jon Daniels said when they recruited Mooar both had a long-term plan, but he and the rest of the coaching staff had set the club on a path.

Daniels said Scarlets and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) would explore partnership opportunities with each other as part of the agreement to release Mooar.

Savea, who was named last week as New Zealand Rugby’s Player of the Year, was initially expected to be out of action for up to six months.

However former Hurricanes coach, John Plumtree, told reporters in Auckland the dynamic loose forward could be back within four months.

Plumtree was elevated into an assistant coaching role with the New Zealand team under new coach Ian Foster on Thursday.

Not much roving, however, was required for the All Blacks new head coach to pinpoint who he wanted.

As widely signalled, the appointment of the Hurricanes' John Plumtree, former All Blacks prop Greek Feek and incumbent defence coach Scott McLeod was confirmed.

Former Crusaders assistant Brad Mooar is expected to complete the coaching team, with New Zealand Rugby locked in negotiations for his release from Welsh Club Scarlets.

Foster said he decided on the trio he could confirm thus far using two clear criteria.

This week New Zealand Rugby named former assistant Ian Foster as Steve Hansen's replacement with Robertson the only other legitimate contender for the position.

Last night Robertson was named National Coach of the Year at the New Zealand Rugby Awards.

Despite the celebrations for his coaching award, Robertson says he has experienced some disappointment following New Zealand Rugby's decision to bypass him for the All Blacks coaching role.

Foster and Crusaders coach Scott Robertson were the two candidates interviewed for the role and Robertson's lack of international coaching experience appears to have counted against him.

Foster's lack of success with the Chiefs in Super Rugby had raised questions of whether he's the right person for the job, but New Zealand Rugby (NZR) believe they've made the right choice.

Foster, 54, has been given a two year contract by NZR, rather than a four year deal through to the next world cup in France.

Hansen stepped down from his job with the All Blacks following New Zealand's third place finish at the Rugby World Cup last month.

"I have a new job, it involves me mentoring and consulting and advising the Toyota Verblitz in Japan," Hansen told All Blacks TV.

"It's an interesting role, it's not one as head coach, it's more as an advisor, mentor and requires me up there somewhere between five to 17 weeks a year.

Rugby Australia confirmed the trans-Tasman rivals will play at Marvel Stadium for the first time since 2010, while their female counterparts - the Black Ferns and Wallaroos - will also feature in the doubleheader.

"Our Wallaby and Wallaroo doubleheader events in Australia have been extremely popular with fans in Sydney in Perth," said chief executive Raelene Castle. "And we are looking forward to staging the first ever doubleheader in front of packed Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

The former All Black has made his first official appearance as a Toronto Wolfpack player in London at a packed media conference at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, as he prepares to embark on his new sporting adventure.

Williams has signed a two-year contract worth $10 million to become the face of North America's first professional rugby league team ahead of their English Super League debut.