Dane Coles To Retire, Other All Blacks Move On.

At the age of 36, All Black hooker Dane Coles has today announced he will retire at the end of the current year. In the Rugby World Cup year, he is one of a number of All Blacks who are moving on following the tournament. Brodie Retallick also announced he is returning to the Kobelco Kobe Steelers following the Rugby World Cup after playing for them on his 2020 sabbatical, while both Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett will play for Toyota, and Richie Mo'unga for Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo.

Rugby Championship:

July 8: All Blacks v Argentina, Mendoza

July 15: All Blacks v South Africa, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, 7.05pm

July 29: All Blacks v Australia, Melbourne

August 5: All Blacks v Australia, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 2.35pm

Test match:

August 25: All Blacks v South Africa, Twickenham, London, 7.30pm

All Black Win Against Wales

The All Blacks have started their Northern Tour with a 55-23 win against Wales on Sunday morning. Hooker Codie Taylor scored the All Blacks first two tries, with second five Jordie Barrett and halfback Aaron Smith also getting two each. The All Blacks next face Scotland on Monday 14th November at 3.15am NZT at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

New Zealand All Blacks: 55 

Tries: Codie Taylor 2, Jordie Barrett 2, Aaron Smith 2, Ardie Savea, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Conversions: Richie Mo'unga 4, Beauden Barrett 2, Penalty: Mo'unga

Wales: 23 

Tries: Rio Dyer, Justin Tipuric, Conversions: Gareth Anscombe 2, Penalties: Anscombe 3

All Blacks Named To Face Australia

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Australia in the first Bledisloe Cup match at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday 7th August at 7.05pm. 

The side features Richie Mo'unga at first five, Damian McKenzie at fulback, and Aaron Smith at halfback in his 100th test. All three Barrett brothers are included in the reserves, while David Havili is named at second five-eighths to partner centre Anton Lienert-Brown, and Brodie Retallick partners captain Sam Whitelock at lock.

New Zealand All Blacks: 

Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane, Sam Whitelock (c), Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, George Bower. 

Reserves: 

Dane Coles, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Angus Ta’avao, Scott Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett.

Australia: 

Tom Banks, Jordan Petaia, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Andrew Kellaway, Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (c), Rob Valentini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper. 

Reserves: 

Jordan Uelese, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Matt Philip, Fraser McReight, Jake Gordon, Matt To’omua, Reece Hodge.