Steve Hansen has had his All Blacks coaching position extended through to the next World Cup.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will make a decision on his future with the side before this year's Rugby Championship begins in August.

Liam Messam can't wait to put on the Chiefs jersey for the first time in over a year when he faces the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.

All Blacks five-eighth Beauden Barrett grabbed two tries in his 26 point haul as the All Blacks completed a series sweep over Wales with a 46-6 third test victory at Otago Regional Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday.

All Blacks captain Kieran Read had a simple message on Friday for the newcomers to his side ahead of the third test against Wales - don't expect it to be easy.

• COMMENT

With the Cook Cup in the hands of the English, Michael Cheika and co. will be scrambling to try to come up with how best to address the deficiencies the Wallabies showed during the series in time for an onslaught from New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina.

As if a first ever series loss to England wasn't bad enough, a top analyst is predicting more Bledisloe Cup pain for Australia.

The next generation of superstars has emerged and while judgments about the 'best' players will always be subjective, these are the 10 men we think rise above the rest.

The shadow of Sonny Bill Williams looms over the candidates vying for All Blacks midfield slots later this year.

WELLINGTON: In-form playmaker Beauden Barrett is poised to make a rare All Blacks start in the third Test against Wales in Dunedin following the neck injury to Aaron Cruden.

Two moments of Beauden Barrett brilliance for the All Blacks have sunk Wales 36-22 in the second Test and clinched the three-match series.

There's no point in the All Blacks hoping for an invitation.

Prolific winger Julian Savea has been dropped from the All Blacks for the second Test against Wales while fullback Israel Dagg wins a recall.

Waisake Naholo's second try of the match with about 20 minutes remaining helped the All Blacks overhaul a combative Wales side to record a 39-21 victory at Eden Park on Saturday.

The Auckland Blues have won the race for Sonny Bill Williams' signature with the 30-year-old dual international shifting north from the Chiefs after agreeing a new deal with New Zealand Rugby.

Sonny Bill Williams will not return to Sydney Roosters next season and is deciding between the Blues and Chiefs before finalising a three year deal with the NZRU that will enable him to box and play sevens in the lead up to the 2019 World Cup.

The Roosters are still holding out hope Sonny Bill Williams will join the club next year.

New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens believes Sonny Bill Williams is nearing his rugby sevens best, and expects him to shine at this weekend's world series tournament in Paris.

Mack Mason booted a penalty goal after the full-time siren to lift Australia's under-20 rugby union side to a 25-24 win over New Zealand.