New Zealand coach Graham Henry remained convinced his team were on the right track, despite being given a reminder of a recurring World Cup nightmare when a second-string side were beaten 18-5 by South Africa in a Tri-Nations Test at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this weekend.
Australian flyhalf Quade Cooper could assume the kicking duties in the Wallabies' Tri-Nations decider against New Zealand on Saturday, if James O'Connor is suspended for disciplinary lapses.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers was a mightily relieved man after his side's 18-5 Tri-Nations victory over the All Blacks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Wallaby star James O'Connor on Sunday apologised for missing last week's World Cup squad announcement and said he was willing to take his punishment.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has put his team on notice, after their a scrappy 23-3 Currie Cup win over the Leopards in Durban last Friday.
Felix Jones has been ruled out of contention for Ireland's World Cup squad with the foot injury sustained in the 26-22 defeat by France.
Johannesburg-born-and-raised Demetri Catrakilis, seen as the new saviour of Western Province, may well have established himself as the Cape Town team's most pivotal player ... literally.
Toulouse flank Thierry Dusautoir will skipper France's 30-strong World Cup squad to travel to New Zealand for the September 9 to October 23 tournament.
When their plans fail, they fail miserably, but when those plans work as it did in last Friday's 44-20 victory over the Griquas, the Blue Bulls will remain one of the top contenders in the Currie Cup competition.
Jerry Flannery's inclusion in Ireland's World Cup squad on Monday will end a battle with injury that left him "mentally broken".
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson will reveal his World Cup squad on Monday after securing a 100 per cent record from two warm-up matches.
Hawke's Bay's eased to a 44-14 win over Counties-Manukau in the NPC at McLean Park in Napier on Sunday.
Declan Kidney has defended the fixture list that threatens to send Ireland into the World Cup full of apprehension.
Leigh Halfpenny offers a heartening good news story for Wales ahead of their World Cup campaign in New Zealand.
Scotland wing Nikki Walker has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a knee injury in the 23-12 EMC Test win over Italy on Saturday.
