We are now over halfway through the NPC competition. You cannot tell from here who is playing the best rugby and could win everything. It has been a very tight competition for the most part. Upsets galore. The Super rugby unions have had to work harder to win in the competition.

By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Wellington, Sept 16 NZPA - None of the All Blacks players axed from the side to play the Wallabies here on Saturday have been blamed for the debilitating rugby defeat to South Africa in Hamilton.

By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Wellington, Sept 16 NZPA - Steve Hansen was rugby's version of a marked man as he walked into the media room today but the All Blacks forwards coach had a steely glare and bagful of ready-made responses for those who doubted him.

Auckland, Sept 16 NZPA - The number of rugby players in New Zealand increased 4 percent this year, the New Zealand Rugby Union said today.

The total of 145,472 players registered this year with the 26 provincial unions was 5193 more than last year.

Community rugby is alive and thriving with a total 145,472 players signing up to play rugby in New Zealand - a four per cent increase on last year's total.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Sydney, Sept 16 NZPA - Rugby didn't feature too highly on Sanchez William Genia's radar as a child growing up in Papua New Guinea.

Do we really care…about anything?