Stories by Joe Porter

The All Blacks coach insists he is relaxed and full of belief that his team can upset Ireland in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Richie Mo'unga is adamant the All Blacks are happy to be underdogs against Ireland and he can't wait to lock horns with Johnny Sexton.

Ireland believe they can do what they've never done before, reach the World Cup semi-finals.

The All Blacks continue to talk up Ireland as the best side in the world but they insist they don't fear them.

The four best teams at the World Cup are on one side of the draw and only two of them can progress past the quarter-finals, but which pair will it be?

The All Blacks have revenge on their minds.

The All Blacks concede their slow start against Uruguay is a cause for concern, but they're bullish about their chances of winning their World Cup quarter-final.

All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams keeps ticking boxes.

He's rested some frontline players but All Blacks coach Ian Foster insists a Uruguay side with nothing to lose will challenge his team.

While All Blacks fans would usually consider Italy easy beats, recent form has some questioning whether the Azzurri could pull off an upset in Lyon.

The All Blacks coach is adamant they've learnt the lessons from the defeat to France and are determined to mark Sam Whitelock's milestone with victory.

It's the Rugby World Cup opener that's too close to call - with the All Blacks slight favourites among local bookmakers but France given a small edge overseas.

The Rugby World Cup kicks off in just over a week, so who are the title contenders, the pretenders and the dark horses? Audio

Richie Mo'unga has cemented himself as the All Blacks first choice first-five and he and the team are reaping the rewards.

All Blacks first-five Richie Mo'unga believes England captain Owen Farrell should not have escaped punishment after being sent off for a dangerous tackle.

There are several All Blacks heading to their third World Cup where they will try to win back the title they lost four years ago.

Tomorrow's second Bledisloe Cup test in Dunedin may be a dead rubber, but it's the last chance to impress for players hoping to earn a spot at the World Cup. Audio

Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read believes Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder must go to the World Cup.

The 8th World Dwarf Games start this weekend in Germany and New Zealand will have a team at the largest international sporting for short statured athletes. Audio

The All Blacks are expected to beat the Wallabies on Saturday night, but Australia coach Eddie Jones is doing his best to heap pressure on the favourites.

The All Blacks and Black Ferns are in action on Sunday morning, with the men kicking off their season and the women searching for another big win.

Six debutants will make their Black Ferns debut tonight and they all have good stories, though Kate Henwood's may be the most compelling.

The Crusaders are determined to send coach Scott Robertson and veterans Sam Whitelock and Richie Mo'unga off as winners.

There are five fresh faces in the All Blacks squad including a genuine "bolter" and coach Ian Foster is confident he has the team to win the World Cup.

The World Champion Black Ferns have a big year ahead.