Rugby

Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has praised the Rugby Football Union's decision to raise the Pride flag above Twickenham for the World Xv match against the Barbarians this weekend.

Opinion: After a mid-season Super Rugby Pacific lull, the past couple of weeks' worth of action has provided a pretty effective counter argument to the critics.

Fijian Drua can be expected to perform better this Saturday against the New South Wales Waratahs than they did last week against the Western Force in Super Rugby Pacific.

All Black halfback Brad Weber is heading to Europe following this year's World Cup.

World Rugby will trial the first smart ball to help officials during the Under-20 World Cup in South Africa.

The Fiji Rugby Union has reportedly been suspended from the World Rugby Council - losing its voting rights.

For Moana Pasifika, defence is at the heart of their game and they will need it when they face off against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday afternoon in round 12 of Super Rugby Pacific.

Former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith thinks the Wallabies could spring a surprise at the World Cup in France later this year.

Fijian Drua failed to make the most of the opportunities against the Blues in Lautoka going down 30-14 in Super Rugby Pacific round 10.

Analysis - It's become annoyingly de rigueur to bash Super Rugby, and while some of the criticism is warranted, there can be no such complaints here and now, writes Jamie Wall. Video

The so-far unbeaten Chiefs have won on home turf 34:24 against defending champions the Crusaders. Read Jamie Wall's play-by-play of the match.

The Tonga Women's Rugby team playing in Auckland this weekend hopes such matches will become a permanent fixture to help develop the game.

New All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland says trust is a key for the new coaching setup.

The success of the Fijian Drua at home has made the Moana Pasifika quite envious.

South Africa are sweating on the fitness of captain Siya Kolisi amid reports he will miss this year's World Cup.

Analysis - the Blues' demolition of the Waratahs bent to a pattern for New Zealand teams in Aussie, but the Western Force win over the Highlanders bucked that, Jamie Wall writes. Video

World Rugby will trial a Television Match Official Bunker concept aimed at reducing lengthy stoppages and making correct decisions on foul play.

Moana Pasifika will have around 20,000 local fans cheering them on Friday evening in a Super Rugby Pacific showdown against the Reds at Apia Park in Samoa. Audio

New Zealand Rugby's adamant it's got the right people on the coaching staff of the world champion Black Ferns.

A trio of male coaches have been named as assistants for the Black Ferns.