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.

The Families Commission is pleased to announce Ruben Wiki as the first White Ribbon Ambassador. Ruben will be actively raising awareness of men's violence against women as part of White Ribbon Day.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Sydney, Sept 16 NZPA - He predicted the Wallabies were on the verge of "something great" before their Springboks rugby upset, now lock Mark Chisholm reckons they can compound the All Blacks' lineout misery.

By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Wellington, Sept 16 NZPA - Another review into their weekly buildup is under way as the All Blacks' seek to end their trend of sleepy first-half performances in test rugby.

By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Wellington, Sept 16 NZPA - Another review into their weekly buildup is under way as the All Blacks seek to end their trend of sleepy first-half performances in test rugby.

By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Wellington, Sept 15 NZPA - Patience has run out for the All Blacks coaches, who are poised to wield the axe on their underperforming team for Saturday's final Tri-Nations rugby test against Australia here.

Wellington, Sept 14 NZPA - Hawke's Bay winger Zac Guildford has signed with the Crusaders for next season's Super 14 rugby championship.

Wellington, Sept 14 NZPA - Former Kiwi and Warriors league player Henry Aau Fa'afili, 29, was today convicted for driving with nearly three times over the alcohol limit.

Fa'afili was fined $1000 and disqualified from driving for 12 months when he appeared in Manukau District Court.