The All Blacks’ defence is being rated their most lethal weapon heading into the World Cup after their 30-14 Tri-Nations win over Australia.

The pace-setting Crusaders will be boosted on Friday by the first Super Rugby appearance of the year by captain Richie McCaw.

The homeless Canterbury Crusaders say losing is not an option this weekend as they play the Coastal Sharks in London.

Derbies featuring the Bulls against the Stormers and the Crusaders against the Highlanders threaten to shake up the Super 15 table this weekend.

The grief was palpable as sombre Christchurch residents arrived on Sunday in small groups at a hastily arranged outdoor church service.

Hundreds of rescuers swarmed over twisted buildings on Wednesday in a frantic search for survivors after New Zealand’s catastrophic earthquake.

Helicopters and cranes plucked terrified survivors from quake-hit buildings in New Zealand on Tuesday, but many remained trapped as night fell.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has made three changes for the Tri-Nations rematch against the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday.

The All Blacks are geared for a "huge battle" in Saturday’s Tri-Nations clash as the wounded Springboks look to ignite a form revival.

The Bulls have the opportunity to pull well clear of the chasing Super 14 pack this weekend with a match against the Force, who are bottom of the log.

The Hurricanes have axed five players from Friday’s starting line-up in a desperate bid to halt the Bulls’ rampant charge in the Super 14.

One crewman was missing after a fire erupted on a Japanese whaling ship in icy Antarctic waters on Thursday, following weeks of running battles between the hunters and militant…

A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7,8 rocked the island nation of Tonga on Thursday, triggering a panic evacuation in a New Zealand town after tsunami warnings were…