All Blacks

Reece suffered a serious knee injury in the Crusaders Super Rugby win over the Blues earlier this month and this morning it was confirmed he had ruptured his ACL and will be sidelined for the rest of 2023.

The Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said the 26-year-old wing won't be back this year.

"Sevu's out for the whole of the 2023 season. He's back in '24.

"We really feel for him. He's been incredible for us. It's a big loss.

"A lot of work will get him back to where he was beforehand, being a world class wing."

New Zealand Rugby chair Dame Patsy Reddy today confirmed the timeline for the appointment process for Foster's successor.

"Following wide ranging consultation and after carefully weighing up all scenarios and the key lessons from 2019, New Zealand Rugby is now commencing a process for selecting the All Blacks head coach from 2024," Dame Patsy said in a statement.

Foster told Newstalk ZB on Wednesday he believes there is a "mood for change" at New Zealand Rugby.

"I think it's pretty highly unlikely that I will be in this job next year, but I keep getting asked about whether I'm going to apply. I think that's not the big question for me - the big question is what's the best thing for the All Blacks in 2023."

Foster concedes he's "rocking the boat" by making his views public.

Scrum-half Smith, 34, looks set for his last season in New Zealand having signed long-term with Toyota Verblitz.

Fly-half Barrett, 31, could still return home to play after 2024 following his spell with the same club.

Barrett took a sabbatical to join Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath in 2021 before returning to New Zealand.

All Blacks full-back Damian McKenzie played in Japan last season while fly-half Richie Mo'unga has signed up for the 2024 campaign.

The Rugby Championship schedule will see the All Blacks play South Africa at Mt Smart Stadium on 15 July.

The second game is a Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Dunedin. It is the first time since 2017 that the Bledisloe Cup has been to the city and will be a rare afternoon home Test match at Forsyth Barr Stadium on 5 August.

New Zealand open the Rugby Championship on the road against Argentina in Medonza on 8 July and have another game against South Africa at London's Twickenham Stadium on 25 August.

Heading into the new Super Rugby Pacific season, Holland said the Hurricanes management have set themselves the goal of getting as many new players into the All Blacks set-up as possible.

Holland believed there were three or four knocking on the door, including promising playmaker Ruben Love.

Helping his cause, the 21-year-old is set for a consistent run at fullback with Jordie Barrett being retained as a second-five, a move Holland insisted was not influenced by the All Blacks, but one that should please Ian Foster and co nonetheless.

Johnstone, who played three test matches in the black jersey, has been praised by some of New Zealand Rugby’s biggest following his ground-breaking announcement.

All Blacks halfback Brad Weber called Johnstone a “legend” on social media, while test veteran Aaron Smith praised him for his “bravery and mana.”

Black Ferns superstar Ruby Tui has also celebrated the momentous news, saying she’s ‘never been more proud of an All Black.”

Payton is the son of former Blues and All Blacks first-five Carlos Spencer.

All Blacks Sevens head coach Clark Laidlaw said it's great to have the youngsters, who were all at high school last year, in the the squad.

"We are really excited about for the next couple of seasons, these three young players have lots of potential, it will be great to see them develop as rugby players but personally too on and off the field."

After making his mark in rugby league, Tito-Harris has decided to focus on rugby sevens.

This will be the talented rugby couple’s last summer in New Zealand, leaving for France late next year, after the conclusion of the NPC and FPC seasons.

The past few months have been hard for the family, with Sowakula missing out on national selection.

“It was pretty tough at times,” the 28-year-old admits. “Plans have been put in place to go (to France), and we are doing it together.”

His 22 Test capped Black Fern partner, Natua, agrees.

“The opportunity has been presented, so we are here to make the most of it,” she said.

The double World Cup winner, his San Diego Legion teammates, Franklin and Dan Pryor, and Rugby United New York loose forward Kara Pryor worked with Nkombe Rhino, an organisation dedicated to the protection of endangered species.

Nkombe Rhino recently shared images on social media of the quartet’s hands-on effort, which was concluded by a performance of Ka Mate.

Nkombe Rhino wrote on Instagram: “Over the last 8 days, we were privileged to host All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu and Maori All Blacks players Dan Pryor, Tom Franklin and Kara Pryor on a rhino conservation safari!