Is that a shiver of apprehension under Kiwi bedclothes, the first sign of anxiety at what is coming their way?

If the Irish media are to be believed, the All Blacks are right up there as some of the dirtiest people alive.

New Zealand took revenge on a brave Irish side with a three-try 21-9 win in Dublin as the world champions put their first defeat by Ireland in a century behind them.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has revealed how the emotional significance of their match in Dublin this weekend extends far beyond simply avenging the defeat by Ireland.

The Aaron Smith toilet incident has taken a new turn after the woman involved says the pair didn't have sex in the airport bathroom.

Sam Cane will captain the All Blacks after the selectors made 12 changes to the side to start against Italy.

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Sweet home Chicago. The place where historical sporting droughts go to die in 2016.

One hundred and eleven years of frustration, and maybe even anger, ended for Ireland this morning when they stunned the All Blacks by beating them 40-29 in Chicago.

Lock Scott Barrett is set to make his New Zealand debut after being named on the bench for the test against Ireland in Chicago on Saturday.

Warren Gatland, the Lions head coach, has admitted he was "embarrassed" to be a New Zealander after the "arrogant" behaviour of All Blacks supporters and sections of their media when Steve Hansen's side set a record of Test victories with their win over Australia.

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Professional coaching is not a career for the sensitive soul, and if Michael Cheika wants to survive guiding the Wallabies, he must quickly develop a thicker skin than the one he displayed at Eden Park.

Wallabies flanker Dean Mumm has been handed a one-match ban for foul play during his team's third Bledisloe Cup Test loss to the All Blacks.

Enrique Rodriguez's body-slamming tackle on a charging Hika Reid seems like yesterday so memorable was that collision. The tackle led to the famous Wallabies victory against the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1986.

All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith has been ruled out of Saturday's Test against the Wallabies after being found guilty of serious misconduct.

Defiant Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has declared "bring it on," as his side looks to break a 15-year, 19-Test winless streak against the All Blacks in New Zealand.

Kiwis have won 35 on trot at Eden Park but fear Australian habit of foiling winning streaks

The shaky 33-21 victory over the Pumas at Twickenham entrenched the Wallabies in second place in The Rugby Championship. They won three matches in the tournament, both Tests against the Pumas and a home Test against the Springboks. Under the Zavos Achievement Rating system the Wallabies merit a 5 out of 10.

The Wallabies' 18-10 loss to the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld stadium at Pretoria was their sixth defeat in eight Tests this year. The All Blacks 36-17 defeat of the Pumas, in Argentina, gives them a clean slate of eight straight Test wins in 2016.

New Zealand will continue to oppose the wishes of Australia and South Africa and lobby to revamp the Super Rugby playoffs.