Wellington, March 18 NZPA - The New Zealand Maori rugby team's centenary celebrations have received a fillip with today's announcement they will take on Ireland and England in June.

NZPA Correspondent

Sydney, March 17 NZPA - New Zealand rugby sevens' supremo Gordon Tietjens has distanced himself from reports linking him to a coaching role at South Africa's Eastern Province.

2010 ITM Cup draw released New Zealand-owned building suppliers' co-operative ITM will sponsor the premier national provincial competition this year through to 2012, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has announced today.

Wellington, March 12 NZPA - Wellington's Jamie Joseph will coach New Zealand Maori with Daryl Gibson assisting him, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) announced today.

Joseph, 40, said he was thrilled by the challenge of coaching NZ Maori in their centenary year.

Wellington, Feb 27 NZPA - Question marks surround the fitness of former All Black Aaron Mauger and whether he will return to New Zealand rugby.

Wellington, Feb 27 NZPA - Former All Black and current Crusaders assistant coach Mark Hammett has been appointed head coach of the Hurricanes for two years from 2011, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Hurricanes franchise announced today.

Popular All Blacks, Highlanders and Southland halfback Jimmy Cowan has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Rugby Southland through until the end of 2012, it was announced today.

Wellington, Feb 17 NZPA - All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Rugby Southland until the end of 2012.

Auckland, Feb 9 NZPA - Former All Black coach Fred Allen was described as "the patriarch of New Zealand rugby" as he celebrated his 90th birthday today.

The accolade came from Sir Brian Lochore, his skipper during his time as test coach from 1966 to 1968.

Wellington, Feb 8 NZPA - Former international referee Steve Walsh continues his road to rugby redemption when the Super 14 rugby competition kicks off this weekend.