Senior members of the World Cup favourite All Blacks on Sunday denied that their Achilles heel was an inability to switch tactics mid-game if things are not going their way.
If the All Blacks end a 24-year drought and lift the World Cup on October 23, then the unglamorous club of Nottingham in England will have reason to celebrate their role in the success.
Sex workers in New Zealand expect to be rushed off their feet as 95,000 sports fans arrive for the World Cup, with brothels across the country doubling condom orders for the tournament.
International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset declared New Zealand ready Sunday to host an "extraordinary" World Cup despite questions about the tournament make-up and unsold tickets.
South Africa's players have carefully sidestepped the bait laid out by Welch coach Warren Gatland, just a week ahead of their opening encounter at the World Cup.
The Rugby World Cup 2011 referees have arrived in New Zealand and will be in peak physical condition for the World Cup, thanks to an innovative physical monitoring and conditioning programme.
World Cup All Black Cory Jane has explained why he decided to buck the trend and remain in Wellington - playing or the Hurricanes (Super Rugby) and Lions (NPC) next year.
Dartmouth Rugby has officially announced its schedule for the 2011-12 academic year. Tradition holds, as the Big Green look forward to competing in the 54th year of the Ivy Rugby Cup, vying to win its 12th Ivy championship in 15 years.
A Saturday of surprises set Round 2 of the Top 14 going. From the low-scoring, tryless draw in Biarritz to the lavish match in Colombes, the shock result in Montpellier, the whitewash in Toulon, the floundering of the Parisians down Toulouse way and a first victory for the newly promoted in Bordeaux.
Champions Munster got their Pro12 title defence off to a winning start keeping the Newport Gwent Dragons tryless in their 20-12 victory at Musgrave Park on Saturday.
Munster began their title defence with a 20-12 victory over the Dragons in the RaboDirect PRO12 at Musgrave Park on Saturday.
Leicester Tigers flyhalf George Ford missed two drop goals as the Exeter Chiefs secured a shock 30-28 win at Welford Road on the opening day of the new Premiership season on Saturday.
After his side's 39-27 victory over the Blue Bulls in Pretoria Sharks coach John Plumtree admitted that there was room for improvement on both attack and defence.
Harlequins, Exeter, Worcester, Wasps and Bath all secured wins in Saturday's Aviva Premiership action, with the Chiefs beating Leicester.
Bath fly-half Sam Vesty scored 17 points as the visitors claimed a comfortable 22-9 Aviva Premiership victory at Newcastle on Saturday.
