The All Blacks continued their unbeaten record over Italy with a 47-17 win in Wellington but only after a scrappy first half turned into a benefit in the second spell.

All Blacks Head Coach Dave Rennie has named his team to play Italy in Wellington this Saturday with five changes to the starting 15 that beat France, and six new faces on the bench including two potential debutants.

New Zealand Rugby has appointed former All Black Conrad Smith as its Head of Men's High Performance.

Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu will miss the remainder of the international season after sustaining a hamstring injury.

It was the start of a new era and a night of firsts for the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday night.

In the Kutaisi, Georgia heat, New Zealand hold off a fierce Scotland challenge 36-26 to stay unbeaten.

Former All Black and assistant coach Tamati Ellison will join incoming Blues head coach Jason Holland as his assistant ahead of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The Highlanders have secured the signature of the Australian-born Tongan international Patrick Pellegrini, who will join the club for the 2027 and 2028 Super Rugby Pacific seasons.

Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau is leaving the franchis and Super Rugby to take up an opportunity with Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan.

Super Rugby Pacific has confirmed the new competition structure for the 2027 season, featuring an expanded regular season and a new Finals Series.

Blues and Samoa prop Jordan Lay has confirmed his retirement from rugby.

New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia have confirmed three Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup test matches in the years 2027, 2029 and 2031, all matches will be played in Australia.

The Māori All Blacks turned a 31-14 deficit into a memorable 38-31 win against Japan XV at a packed, humid and greasy Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.

Five players will debut for the Māori All Blacks team, to be captained by Hurricanes midfielder Bailyn Sullivan, when it plays a Japan XV in Nagoya on Saturday.

The Black Ferns are set to play England for the first time in nearly two years as part of the WXV Global Series.

After more than a decade at the Crusaders, captain David Havili has confirmed 2026 was his final season in the red and black, with the midfielder set to take up a new opportunity in Japan.

New Māori All Blacks Head Coach Tamati Ellison (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Whakaue) has named his first squad in charge of the team, selecting a blend of experienced campaigners along with six uncapped players for the 2026 season.

Chiefs' Isaac Hutchison makes a run during the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific semifinal between the Chiefs and Crusaders at FMG Stadium in Hamilton PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The Chiefs have delivered a remarkable 49-12 pumelling of the Crusaders to seal their place in the Super Rugby Pacific final. The home side scored 42 points in the first half hour in Hamilton over last seasons champions. LATEST HEADLINES: Guillermo May departs Akl FC Fox good start Canadian Open

All Blacks Sevens players Kele Lasaqa and Bradley Tocker have bolstered the New Zealand U20s squad named for the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championships (JWC) in Georgia.

All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby, the Hurricanes and Tasman through to the end of 2029.