NZ Rugby

Dan Carter confirms retirement from rugby

The 38-year-old, with 112 test caps to his name, played his last test in 2015 when he produced a man-of-the-match display to help the All Blacks to victory over Australia in the World Cup final.

The Canterbury first-five was also part of the New Zealand team that won the 2011 edition of the tournament, though he missed the final after tearing his groin tendon.

He leaves the game as the highest point scorer in test rugby with 1598, more than 350 points clear of England's Jonny Wilkinson.

"I officially retire from professional rugby today," Carter wrote on Twitter.

Ardie Savea knew it was time to step up

"Alfie (Hurricanes coach Jason Holland) approached me and Colesy (Dane Coles) talked to me and at first I was like, 'Oh nah', you know, playing it down. But, I knew deep down in my heart that this season, at this time of my career, I think it's time for me to step up and step out of my comfort zone and try something that I'm not used to. I usually just go out there and play, but it's time to lead."

The loose forward succeeds All Blacks teammates Dane Coles and TJ Perenara, who shared the leadership duties in 2020.

Savea said he's been inspired by the hooker and halfback.

Robbie Deans reveals he is 'anxious' about rugby's direction in NZ, Australia

All Blacks Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick, Springbok Malcolm Marx and Wallaby Samu Kerevi, among many others, will ply their trade in Japan's domestic competition this year, before it turns fully professional in 2022.

Foreign coaches such as Robbie Deans (ex Crusaders), Todd Blackadder (ex Crusaders) and Frans Ludeke (ex Bulls) are also passing on their intellectual property, but even as they forge ahead in Japan they keep an eye on rugby's direction in their own countries – and there are concerns.

Sony-backed Whisper makes its move in NZ with an eye on the All Blacks

In the middle of the year, the 40-year-old Aucklander will return home after more than a decade in the UK, with wife Olivia and young sons Teddy (2) and Toby (4 months) on board for the adventure.

And when he settles back into life in Aotearoa, the fast-changing sport, media and entertainment landscape could also be in for a serious shake-up.

Gemmell will head up the Auckland office of Whisper, the production company that Spark Sport recruited to produce its coverage of the Black Caps in the deal with NZ Cricket. But Whisper sees that as only the first step.

Former All Black and Tukapa 'legend' Ash Gardiner dies aged 74

Gardiner, a tight head prop, played 11 games, including one test, for the All Blacks in 1974, touring Australia and Ireland. His test cap came against Australia in Sydney.

Gardiner died in New Plymouth on Monday, January 18, aged 74.

Taranaki Rugby chief executive Laurence Corlett said he first met Gardiner in 2005.

‘’He was a big powerful man. Loved a beer, loved a chat.’’

He played 102 games for Taranaki, Corlett said.

“A great guy. He epitomised everything that is good about rugby in Taranaki.’’

Rugby ace Anna Richards on Black Ferns' career: 'It was for love, not money'

Instead, she lodged it in her bank account. And there it has stayed.

Richards, one of New Zealand’s greatest female rugby players, recalls the momentous moment she was told she would be compensated for sacrificing time to attend a training camp.

Then the cash rolled in.

“The first time I got paid by the NZRFU (as NZ Rugby was previously known) was, I think, in ‘92 or ‘93, at a regional camp, and I was paid $5 a day for a three-day camp,’’ Richards recalled.

“I actually banked that money, and I think it is still there. That is actually a true story.’’

New Zealand Rugby awards contenders announced

The other nominees are hooker Dane Coles and halfback Aaron Smith.

The nominees for Black Ferns player of the year are Chelsea Alley, Kendra Cocksedge and Kennedy Simon.

Aaron Smith is also in the running for the Tom French Memorial Māori Rugby Player of the Year, as is Māori All Blacks Captain and hooker Ash Dixon and World Sevens Series winner midfielder Stacey Fluhler.

A breakthrough season for Fluhler also sees her a nominee for Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year, along with playmaker Kelly Brazier and halfback Tyla Nathan-Wong.

Pacific Super Rugby bids have work to do - NZ Rugby

Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua are NZR's "preferred partners" to join the new-look competition, alongside the existing five teams from New Zealand and five from Australia.

But NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said the respective bids still had to finalise how they would be structured, their business/financial models and what their potential playing rosters and facilities would look like.

New Zealanders scoop player of the decade awards

World Rugby decided not to hold any Player of the Year Awards this year, instead holding a virtual Decade of the Year Awards voted for by fans and an international panel.

Former All Black captain McCaw was named fifteen's player of the decade while Woodman was named women's sevens player of the decade.

Woodman won three awards including sevens' try of the decade and was also named in the fifteen's team of the decade.

McCaw headed off a cast of stars including fellow New Zealanders Dan Carter, Brodie Retallick, Kieran Read and Beauden Barrett for his honour.

Five years on: Jonah Lomu's widow's insides 'crushed beyond repair'

Nadene Lomu posted a heartfelt message on social media on Wednesday, saying her “insides are hurting and crushed beyond repair”.

Lomu, 40, died unexpectedly at his Auckland home on November 18, 2015 of a heart attack, which was linked to his rare kidney disorder.

The giant wing had not long returned from Dubai, where he had been holidaying after the Rugby World Cup in the UK, when he collapsed and couldn't be resuscitated.