Rugby Union

New Zealand

Read to become All Blacks' $1m man

Cash boost: Kieran Read is in for a big payday.

New Zealand Rugby has boosted its fund of top-up retainer payments used to discourage its best players from heading overseas to pursue more lucrative contracts as part of a new collective bargaining agreement.

All Blacks take revenge on Ireland

Revenge: Malakai Fekitoa breaks through to score as the All Blacks beat Ireland in Dublin.

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.

'Embarrassed' Gatland sides with Wallabies in bitter stoush

Warren Gatland

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.

Being drawn as a clown is least of Cheika's problems

Emotional: Michael Cheika's outburst after the Wallabies lost to the All Blacks has been poorly received across the Tasman.

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.

Mumm banned for striking All Black

More woe for Wallabies: Dean Mumm has been cited for striking Brodie Retallick in the final Bledisloe Cup game.

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.