Rugby's new-look Nations Championship has been launched with northern and southern hemisphere nations set to face off more often.

Allan Bunting will leave the head coach position at the Black Ferns with New Zealand Rugby announcing a recruitment process following a review into the failure to defend their World Cup title.

NZR confirm All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald has departed the coaching group.

New Zealand Rugby has made a loss of almost $9 million for the last financial year, it's second consecutive deficit. .

Provincial unions have rejected NZ Rugby's proposed governance reforms at a special general meeting.