All Blacks

As much as individual brilliance bubbles through the All Blacks, it is the team ethos which creates their momentum.

Not only did Forsyth Barr Stadium get the thumbs up from the All Blacks, the rugby test against the Springboks on Saturday was great for the Dunedin retail and hospitality sector, with many tills ringing red-hot over the weekend.

Gibbston teenager Sophie Newbold celebrates her 18th birthday with All Black captain Richie McCaw at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday during the captain's run, before the side's win over South Africa on Saturday night.

Aaron Smith thought some of his Highlanders team-mates were playing a prank when he received a text message from All Black manager Darren Shand on Sunday night.

All Black Andrew Hore added another trophy last night to his recent haul - this one a "homegrown" award.

The world champion All Blacks finally tasted defeat after missing out on the Team of the Year category at the prestigious Laureus sports awards in London this morning.

Former Chiefs coach Ian Foster is the new assistant coach of the All Blacks and Grant Fox is to join as a selector, it was announced today.

The All Blacks picked up the one piece of silverware they were after in winning this year's Rugby World Cup but they look set to scoop a number of Halberg Awards after the finalists were announced today.

As one of the most dramatic years in New Zealand rugby history draws to a close, Patrick McKendry of APNZ looks back on the highs and lows of 2011 and what to look out for over the next 12 months.

One of the most frequently heard criticisms of professional sport is that the players are paid too much. But does that argument stack up? Steve Hepburn (rugby) and Adrian Seconi (cricket) investigate.

A major new endorsement with Powerade, a million dollar boxing sideline and an increasing love of the 15-man code are the pillars on which Sonny Bill Williams' rugby career currently sit.

Former New Zealand scrum coach Mike Cron has accepted a role as forwards coach in the All Blacks' new team headed by Steve Hansen.

A Kiwi bride had a string of All Black "ex-boyfriends" appear at her wedding, including Sonny Bill Williams, who said he believed they could have been happy together.

Richie McCaw has turned down a knighthood for leading the All Blacks to Rugby World Cup victory.

For the last decade, Steve Hansen's rugby coaching career has coat-tailed Graham Henry's.