By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Hamilton, Sept 11 NZPA - The All Blacks' Tri-Nations home record is a comfort blanket to cling to as they seek to prevent another raid on their rugby trophy cabinet and to ignite an international campaign that has spluttered for oxygen.

By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Hamilton, Sept 11 NZPA - The All Blacks' not-so-secret rugby weapon hopes he can make the difference when his considerable influence in unleashed on the Springboks here tomorrow.

By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Hamilton, Sept 11 NZPA - Any suggestion the Springboks will simply aim to finish close to the All Blacks has been squashed by captain John Smit ahead of tomorrow night's rugby test.

Hamilton, Sept 10 NZPA - Two decades of rugby pain ended for Taranaki in New Plymouth tonight as the province savoured a 29-16 Air NZ Cup defeat of Wellington.

By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Hamilton, Sept 10 NZPA - The history book, stodgy form and rugby bookmakers all agree -- the All Blacks' chances of scoring four tries against South Africa here on Saturday fall into the pipe dream category.