Series win will secure the coveted ICC Test Championship mace for South Africa

Whoever finishes top will win the annual US$175,000 prize while Australia could yet finish second by the annual cut-off date and pocket US$75,000

By Chris Barclay of NZPA

Auckland, Dec 28 NZPA - While the All Blacks marvelled at Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper in Milan's Santa Maria della Grazie, New Zealand rugby's own backdrop for 2009 hardly qualified as a masterpiece.

By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Wellington, Dec 20 NZPA - One hundred tests won in a decade of rugby, yet still the long faces from All Blacks supporters.

The past 10 years has seen one team dominate the international landscape more than any team in the game's history.

A clean sweep will put England ahead of the Proteas in fourth place

Rain denies New Zealand sixth spot in Test Championship

ICC Test Championship predictor function available on http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/match_zone/test_predictor.php

By Mark Geenty of NZPA Tokyo, Dec 7 NZPA - The All Blacks' brains trust will meet the five Super 14 rugby coaches on Friday in the hope of agreeing on periodic breaks for leading players to avert burnout amid a crippling schedule.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA London, Dec 4 NZPA - All the focus might be on the Barbarians stars and Richie McCaw, but a fair few All Blacks will be quelling test match-like nerves as they run onto Twickenham for Sunday's tour finale.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

London, Nov 30 NZPA - You know the rugby job description's getting ridiculous when you're reduced to passing the ball from a mass of bags and jerseys, or a tyre inner tube.

Taylor, Dravid and Sehwag vault into top 20; Bond and Asif return to bowling chart in top 10 while Muralidaran drops to third

India needs to win Mumbai Test to claim top spot in Test Championship table

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Marseille, Nov 29 NZPA - From boring to breathtaking. As the jubilant All Blacks cradled the Dave Gallaher Trophy at Stade Velodrome, they reflected on a night when they did themselves, and test rugby, a huge favour.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Marseille, Nov 27 NZPA - He described himself as "a walking carcass" after the All Blacks' rugby test win over the Wallabies in Sydney.

That was five tests ago, and Brad Carnegie Thorn was by no means finished.