Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

The All Blacks have won the last two World Cups

New Zealand boss fully focused on World Cup

While much of the rugby world next month will be focused on New Zealand's Tests against Ireland and England, the eyes of All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will be resolutely fixed on next year's defence of the World Cup.

Rugby • 29 Oct 18

Conor Murray's injury outlook is unclear

Hansen quips about 'Irish trick' on Murray injury

New Zealand rugby head coach Steve Hansen has quipped that Conor Murray's injury could be an "Irish trick" ahead of their meeting later this year, before admitting the loss of the Munster player is a blow to the fixture.

Rugby • 28 Oct 18

Steve Hansen: "The tour has a lot of benefits from a Rugby World Cup point of view."

Hansen loads up All Blacks squad for World Cup dry run

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has made no secret of the way he prepares for the Rugby World Cup and the selection of 19 additional players to join his squad ahead of their Test against Japan next month is the continuation of a long-standing policy.

Rugby • 15 Oct 18

Steve Hansen: "The expectations are that we win every Test match and we've got to win them well."

No let-up for All Blacks in constant pursuit of success

New Zealand are expected to win every Test match and will be looking to beat hosts South Africa on Saturday even if they have clinched this year's Rugby Championship, their coach Steve Hansen said.

Rugby • 01 Oct 18

Recap: Your morning sports updates

Read back on all of the sport news from this September Thursday morning.

Other sport • 13 Sep 18

Hansen wants more funding to protect All Blacks 'brand'

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has repeated his call for the country's government to look at helping fund the team in order to retain its top-level players amid claims the lure of the All Blacks' jersey had waned.

Rugby • 13 Sep 18

Australia face New Zealand in Brisbane this Saturday

Wallabies desperate for some All Blacks redemption

The term 'dead rubber' has become drearily familiar for Australian rugby fans at the tail end of a Bledisloe Cup series, but the Wallabies' desperation for any kind of win over the All Blacks should ensure a spirited clash in Brisbane on Saturday.

Rugby • 19 Oct 17

Joe Moody receiving treatment on a dislocated shoulder

Moody out for rest of season with dislocated shoulder

All Blacks prop Joe Moody has been ruled out for the rest of the year after dislocating his shoulder in Saturday's 39-22 victory over Argentina in the Rugby Championship.

Rugby • 10 Sep 17

Steve Hansen has urged his team to flex their muscles in the Rugby Championship

Hansen wants All Blacks backlash to Lions frustration

New Zealand's failure to overcome the British and Irish Lions may end up being very bad news for their Rugby Championship rivals as the world champions look to wash away the bitter aftertaste of the drawn series over the next seven weeks.

Rugby • 22 Aug 17

Steve Hansen: 'Every week, there is pressure.'

'It's only a game' - Hansen puts decider in perspective

New Zealand boss Steve Hansen has put pressure into perspective ahead of Saturday's Test series decider against the British and Irish Lions.

Rugby • 06 Jul 17

The Lions huddle after victory in Wellington

'Happy clown' Gatland all smiles after Lions victory

Warren Gatland has urged his chief detractors to keep on mocking him - to help the British and Irish Lions chase a Test series win over the All Blacks.

Rugby • 01 Jul 17

Steve Hansen: 'I think it is really disappointing.'

Steve Hansen slams Gatland clown cartoon

All Blacks boss Steve Hansen has leapt to Warren Gatland's defence after the New Zealand Herald mocked up the British and Irish Lions head coach as a cartoon clown.

Rugby • 29 Jun 17

New Zealand were too strong for the Lions in the first test

New Zealand boss wary that Lions could bite back

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has warned "the job is far from done" ahead of Saturday's second Test against the British and Irish Lions.

Rugby • 28 Jun 17

Robbie Henshaw has defended the All Blacks approach

Henshaw: All Blacks don't overstep physical boundaries

Robbie Henshaw insists New Zealand do not overstep rugby's physical boundaries as the war of words around Conor Muray's Test match treatment rages on.

Rugby • 26 Jun 17

We showed we can get 'down & dirty' - Hansen

Steve Hansen took a swipe at the British and Irish Lions' bid to become the world's best forward pack after the All Blacks' muscular first Test victory.

Rugby • 24 Jun 17

Lions' Owen Farrell and Ben Te'o tackle Sonny Bill Williams of the All Blacks

Gatland: Lions weaknesses 'fixable' for second Test

Lions head coach Warren Gatland believes the mistakes made by his side in their 30-15 defeat by New Zealand today can be remedied ahead of next Saturday's second Test in Wellington.

Rugby • 24 Jun 17

Conor Murray believes the Lions can end New Zealand's unbeaten run at Eden Park

Conor Murray believes Lions can storm Eden Park

Conor Murray believes that if any team can end the All Blacks' 23-year unbeaten run at Eden Park it is the British and Irish Lions side that will line up against them on Saturday.

Rugby • 23 Jun 17

Steve Hansen: 'The referee's got the hardest job in the world, I reckon.'

Hansen turns the screw on Gatland

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen appeared to accuse British and Irish Lions counterpart Warren Gatland of attempting to "bully" referee Jaco Peyper ahead of Saturday's first Test in Auckland.

Rugby • 22 Jun 17

Warren Gatland: 'I'm not worried about Steve (Hansen), he can say whatever he likes.'

'No more trash talk' - Gatland ready to rumble

Warren Gatland has called for an end to any "trash talking" heading into the British and Irish Lions' first Test against New Zealand.

Rugby • 22 Jun 17

Kieran Read returns to the side at number 8

Captain Read returns for All Blacks to face Lions

All Blacks captain Kieran Read has been cleared to face the Lions, while left winger Julian Savea has been dropped and replaced by Rieko Ioane for the first test at Eden Park on Saturday.

Rugby • 21 Jun 17

Hansen the 'horse whisperer' has the golden touch

New Zealand boss Steve Hansen's supreme coaching ability filters back to his innate "gift" for horse whispering, according to family friend and thoroughbred breeder Denny Baker.

Rugby • 21 Jun 17

Steve Hansen will be happy with how his side's preparations to face the Lions are going

All Blacks coach warns Lions - we can still improve

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen believes his side "have a lot of work to do" despite dismantling Samoa in a 78-0 victory at Eden Park.

Rugby • 16 Jun 17

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen was pulling no punches

All Blacks coach Hansen piles pressure on Lions

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has piled the pressure on the British and Irish Lions, saying they have to start delivering results.

Rugby • 09 Jun 17

Hansen critical of Lions' late arrival

Steve Hansen has cast doubt on the British and Irish Lions' schedule ahead of their three-Test series against New Zealand.

Rugby • 30 May 17

Japan celebrate their famous defeat of South Africa at the 2015 World Cup

All Blacks to make Japan detour in run-up to World Cup

The All Blacks will face Japan in a Test match next year before heading to Europe for their end-of-season tour in an effort to boost interest ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in the country.

Rugby • 17 May 17