All Blacks

Kieran Read out of All Blacks' Test against Wales

Read didn't train with the team on Thursday (Wales time) and has been replaced by Luke Whitelock who will start at No. 8.

With Read out, lock Sam Whitelock will lead New Zealand against the Welsh at Millennium Stadium on Sunday morning (NZ time). 

"Whilst it's disappointing to not have 'Reado' [Kieran Read] available, it's a great opportunity to further grow the leadership of the team and, in this case, Sam Whitelock gets the opportunity to captain the side," said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. 

All Blacks put on notice over attitude adjustment needed ahead of Wales finale

They have been put on notice about sub-par mindsets at Murrayfield last weekend, and given a stern message about what it will take to continue their 64-year dominance of the Welsh at Principality Stadium.

As thoughts inevitably turn to summer breaks, beaches, barbies and beers, the coaching staff are working furiously at keeping those minds from jumping on a plane before the bodies are due to at Heathrow on Sunday. It's a delicate balance.

Ioane out of final ABs test

Another day, another injury blows for the All Blacks as they stagger towards their 2017 finish-line.

Steve Hansen's battered team will have to play their final test of 2017 without their standout performer of the season, with star wing Rieko Ioane ruled out of Saturday's clash against Warren Gatland's Wales.

Scrappy All Blacks hang on to beat Scotland

The All Blacks outscored their hosts three tries to two in Edinburgh on Sunday (NZ time) but were scrappy at times and were given a tough test by a side who are still to beat them in 33 meetings.

There was last-ditch hope for Scotland when Stuart Hogg broke free with just seconds remaining but first five-eighth Barrett arrived in cover to push the fullback into touch only a few metres from the line.

A try would have sealed at least a draw for the home, which they have only acheived once against the All Blacks, a 0-0 stalemate in 1964.

One change to All Blacks fifteen

Codie Taylor starts at hooker for the injured Dane Coles, with Nathan Harris going onto the bench.

Loosie Liam Squire comes onto the bench replacing Scott Barrett.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "This Test against Scotland will be an opportunity for this group of players to take on the challenge of raising the bar on the performance which was set down by their teammates on Tuesday (against the French Selection).

Scotland weakened further

Prop WP Nel (arm fracture) and lock Tim Swinson (hand) will miss the remainder of 2017, which also includes a test against Australia on November 25, after picking up injuries in the 44-38 victory over Samoa on Saturday.

Flanker Rob Harley, who injured his knee in training last week, will also not feature again this year.

Newcastle Falcons prop Jon Welsh has been added to the squad as cover and could play his first test in more than two years having last appeared in the 2015 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal loss to Australia at Twickenham.

Coles to miss up to six months

Coles was substituted 24 minutes into Saturday's Test in Paris, which ended in a 38-18 victory for the All Blacks.

The Hurricanes man had opened the scoring for Steve Hansen's side but will play no further part in their Northern Hemisphere tour.

The injury requires surgery and carries a recovery period of four to six months.

New Zealand have also confirmed the team that will take on a France XV in Lyon on Tuesday, with six players set to make their first appearance for the All Blacks.

All Blacks overcome French

From the sublime to the ridiculous, the All Blacks produced a two-paced opening effort to open the test component of their northern tour with a victory over France that was a lot less comfortable than it need have been.

In the end the All Blacks rather held on to prevail 38-18, five tries to two, after they had produced an irrepressible first 40 minutes to lead 31-5 at the halftime break.  Remarkably the French somehow flipped a switch in the second half to play the world champions off the park, and starve them of the possession they had used to efficiently through the first 40.

Whitelock called into All Blacks

Highlanders and Canterbury loose forward Luke Whitelock has been called into the All Blacks squad on tour in France.

He replaces injured loosie Jerome Kaino who suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury against the Barbarians last weekend.

The 26-year-old Canterbury skipper played against the All Blacks for the Barbarians at Twickenham last Saturday (Sunday NZT), and has been called up out of the invitation side which meets Tonga in Limerick on Friday.

'No way' Wallabies and All Blacks would train together

England and Wales had a 40-minute hit-out that featured 12 scrums and 16 line-outs under the scrutiny of top international referee Nigel Owens in Bristol.

The idea was suggested by England coach Eddie Jones to his Welsh counterpart Warren Gatland ahead of their teams' encounters with Argentina and Australia respectively this weekend.

Sio admitted he'd be intrigued by the prospect of a similar session with the All Blacks but couldn't envisage Wallabies coach Michael Cheika ever picking up the phone to Steve Hansen or any other international coach.