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.

Auckland, Dec 8 NZPA - Five rugby test wins and a strengthened team culture has left All Blacks coach Graham Henry a happy man at the end of the northern hemisphere tour.

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 - Having safely packed his debut All Blacks test jersey, and even scored a replica for his Otago club, Ben Smith might allow himself some souvenir hunting against Bryan Habana at Twickenham on Sunday (NZT).

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Marseille, Nov 30 NZPA - The All Blacks have been told not to drop their standards in a difficult final tour week as the second-stringers get one more chance in the spotlight against a powerful Barbarians side.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Marseille, Nov 29 NZPA - After their best test effort of the year, the All Blacks rugby coaches remain uncertain as to whether their reshuffled roles will continue in 2010.

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 24 NZPA - As a run-on test rugby debut for the All Blacks, it was one to forget.

For Cory Jane, that feeling of helplessness from that Dunedin night five months ago still nags away, but is almost extinguished.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Marseille, Nov 23 NZPA - Ma'a Nonu can brush off defenders as well as anyone. But this was more persistent than any test rugby opponent.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Marseille, Nov 23 NZPA - Two years ago the All Blacks arrived in Marseille full of optimism.

They started strongly, demolished Italy in their World Cup rugby opener ... but we know how it all ended, not here but at the hands of the French in Cardiff.