Rugby

Respected specialist website Planet Rugby has named their favoured XV from a year that saw the international game dominated by the All Blacks again as they swept to back to back World Cup titles.

But there was no room for sentimentality for McCaw who stepped away from the game in the wake of that success, with record numbers next to his name.

McCaw was nominated for the No 7 jersey but it was awarded to Springboks and Bath flanker Francois Louw, whose record tackle count at the World Cup and in English club play got him the nod.

Lomu died on 18 November aged 40, most likely from a blood clot following long-distance travel.

He had suffered kidney problems since 1995 - the year he burst onto the international stage with his blinding form in the Rugby World Cup, in a performance credited with helping to turn the sport professional.

Fe'ao Vunipola has appointed interim chairman and president of the Tonga Rugby Union until May next year following the sudden resignation of Epeli Taione.

The former test hooker and national Under 20s coach has returned to Tonga from the UK to take up his new role.

He says there is plenty of talent within Tonga but its being ignored in favour of overseas-based players.

The draw for the HSBC Wellington Sevens was made before the Cup final at the second round of the series in Cape Town, with winners South Africa heading Pool A at the Westpac Stadium after a 29-14 over Los Pumas in their home tournament.

Neil Powell's side will come face to face with New Zealand, Scotland and Russia, while the runners-up Argentina compete against series leaders Fiji, Wales and the only non-core side in Wellington Japan.

Retired New Zealand great Carter admitted he was nervous yet ran the game smoothly at five-eighth in his first appearance since a starring role in the All Blacks recent World Cup title defence.

Nonu, who's now playing in France, played in 103 tests for the All Blacks, was part of New Zealand's successful title defence at the Rugby World Cup in England last month.

The second-five scored five tries for the Hurricanes on their way to the Super Rugby final where they fell just short against the Highlanders.

The appointments have been hugely popular within the 'Canes camp, with head coach Chris Boyd saying it was Coles' dedication and passion for the team which made him deserving of the leadership role.

"Dane is a proud and passionate Hurricanes player who has always led, and will continue to lead by example.

Writing on the U.S. based Players Tribune website Carter said it was his wife Honor who kept in the game.

Two years ago Carter thought his body was telling him it was time to give up.

Fiji dominated the match right from the start and scored eight tries in the first half to lead Vanuatu 58-6 at the break.

Vanuatu’s only points in the match came from two first half penalties.

Meanwhile, Tonga beat Papua New Guinea 55-16.

Tonga will meet with Fiji this Saturday to see who will qualify for JWRT Zimbabwe 2016

He has never watched another game since.

Not through any sense of disgust at what he saw, just that he was too busy making a name for himself playing, instead of watching.