All Blacks

Wallabies set to rise to the challenge

The All Blacks haven't lost at Eden Park since 2004 and it's been 30 years since Australia came home with a win in Auckland.

The New Zealanders are also on the verge of breaking the record for most consecutive Test wins by a top-tier nation - a win on Saturday would make 18 in a row.

Wallabies captain Stephen Moore says ending that streak will be a big challenge.

"They've been the best team in the world for a number of years and we're going to play them in their back yard, it's as simple as that, you've got to play well to win."

All Blacks star Aaron Smith apologizes for airport toilet incident

Aaron Smith was handed a one-game suspension and faces a misconduct hearing after members of the public spotted him following a woman into a disabled toilet last month, while he and his All Blacks teammates were waiting at Christchurch airport.

"I've made a huge mistake, a huge error in judgment," the 27-year-old told reporters at the team's hotel in South Africa Thursday.

"I'd firstly like to say a huge sorry to my partner Teagan, her family, my family. I'm also sorry to my teammates, NZRU and the New Zealand fans.

Cane and Cruden out for final two Tests

RNZ reports Kaino will rejoin the All Blacks squad for the final Test of the Rugby Championship against South Africa a week later.

Fellow loose forward Sam Cane and first five Aaron Cruden have been ruled out for the rest of the Rugby Championship due to injury.

Matt Todd and Damien McKenzie will travel as injury replacements for Cane and Cruden while George Moala and Waisake Naholo return from injury.

     

The All Blacks have created a gulf in world rugby, says Sean Fitzpatrick

The All Blacks won the Rugby Championship with two rounds to spare after beating the Boks 41-13 in Christchurch while the Wallabies halted Argentina in Perth later in the day.

Fox Sports reports New Zealand players are centrally contracted to the national side, with the NZRU having the ultimate say in player conditioning and welfare, and the 92-Test international believes it is allowing the All Blacks to create a gulf between them and the rest of world rugby.

Coetzee laments 'basic errors'

After taking an early lead through Bryan Habana in Christchurch, the Springboks handed back the initiative immediately, Elton Jantjies dropping the kick-off which led to Israel Dagg's try.

The All Blacks never looked back from there, running in five more tries in a resounding 41-13 triumph, with their Rugby Championship title confirmed following Australia's 36-20 win over Argentina in Perth.

Savea joins brother as starting All Black

After five impressive bench appearances, dynamic flanker Ardie Savea is in the run-on side to face South Africa in Christchurch on Saturday, replacing the injured Sam Cane.

It is the only starting change from the side who roared away late to a 57-22 win over Argentina in Hamilton last week, extending the unbeaten All Blacks' lead in the Rugby Championship.

Openside flanker Cane suffered a hamstring injury which will sideline him for at least a month, opening the door for 22-year-old Savea to show his prowess from the opening whistle.

No sign of complacency from All Blacks

The All Blacks are three wins from three heading into Saturday's match, while South Africa have won just once against Argentina, before losing to the Pumas and a struggling Australia side.

But Kaino said Argentina had put enough pressure on New Zealand in last weekend's test in Hamilton to encourage any side, let alone one with the pedigree of the Springboks.

Hansen revels in 'ideal game' for All Blacks

The Pumas put the world champions under significant pressure for more than 50 minutes in Hamilton on Saturday, claiming the lead on three occasions.

However, a one-sided final half-hour saw the All Blacks run in 33 points without reply to secure an ultimately emphatic victory.

"Just an ideal game for us, wasn't it," said Hansen. "We've come off two pretty successful weeks against Australia and then [we were] put under a lot of pressure in the first half and had to find some answers.

Rugby Championship: Crotty returns to All Blacks XV

Crotty scored New Zealand's opening try of the Championship in the first of two victories over Australia, as Steve Hansen's men retained the Bledisloe Cup.

The Crusaders centre missed the second clash through injury, with Anton Lienert-Brown coming in to make his debut.

However, Crotty is now fully recovered from his head knock and will don the number 12 shirt once again in Hamilton on Saturday.

"In selecting this team, we felt there was the need for consistency," Hansen said. 

Police haven't ruled out listening device was planted by All Blacks camp

 A listening device was discovered in the team's hotel ahead of last month's Bledisloe Cup in Sydney and the police in New South Wales are reportedly not ruling out the possibility someone in the New Zealand camp planted the device.

A police source has told the Sydney Morning Herald if it turned out to be someone within the New Zealand camp, they would "absolutely" look at criminally pursuing the matter.

Tew says he's waiting for the police to complete their investigation.