Nine All Blacks players are returning home prior to the fourth Test agianst the Springboks in Baltimore with either injury or aren't required for the final game.

All Blacks hooker, George Bell, will return home from South Africa after suffering a calf strain during training in Cape Town on Sunday.

A dominant first half delivers the Chiefs a 50-35 win over Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe.

The All Blacks XV completed their short European tour undefeated with a tenacious 31-13 win over Georgia.

Three All Blacks loose-forwards have been ruled out of Saturday weeks test against Japan in Yokohama.

Defending champions Taranaki have sent a warning to the rest of the National Provincial Championship.

The Chiefs have had little trouble dispatching Super Rugby Pacific's last-placed Western Force.