Northland broke Bay of Plenty's unbeaten start to the National Provincial Championship by defeating their more fancied opponents 30-23 in a spirited performance in Whangarei on Thursday.
Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi will make his England debut in Saturday's Investec international against Wales at Twickenham.
Yoann Huget was expelled from the French World Cup squad on Thursday for not observing the anti-doping rules announced French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Pierre Camou.
Columnist Grant Ball looks at a video and stats of Ruan Pienaar's performance against the All Blacks, where the Bok scrumhalf looked a shadow of his former self.
Newcastle have bolstered their pack with the signing of Samoa international Taiasina Tu'ifua.
Springbok assistant coach Gary Gold believes that the decision to rest several of the players on the Tri-Nations away leg was the right one.
Hoër Volkskool Graaff-Reinet captain MC Marais feels that his side are the underdogs going into their FNB Classic Clash against Union High School this Saturday.
Robbie Deans believes Australia's improved scrummaging will stand them in good stead ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match with New Zealand.
Back row forward Alexandre Bias signed for French Top 14 side Brive for a second time on Wednesday after battling against Hodgkins disease.
Lions backline coach Carlos Spencer has confidence in the team's new halfback pairing who were set to face the Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup clash in Pretoria on Saturday.
England prop Matt Stevens hopes to once again be given the "incredible feeling" of representing his country at Twickenham on Saturday.
Warren Gatland believes the decisions taken by Wales and England to wear black change kits at next month's World Cup should be viewed as a mark of respect towards hosts New Zealand.
Rory Lawson wants Scotland to "hit the ground running" in Saturday's EMC Test against Ireland at Murrayfield.
New Zealand have announced seven changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash against Australia at Eden Park in Auckland.
Wales veteran Tom Shanklin warned that the ever-improving Pacific Island teams pose a real danger to Wales' chances of escaping from their World Cup group.
