Rugby news from New Zealand:
Leigh Halfpenny available for British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand: Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has confirmed that he has received permission from Toulon to participate in the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand next summer.There had been fears that Halfpenny, who was the Lions’ man of… nzherald.co.nz – Rugby
Rugby: Springboks captain to retire: Springboks captain Adriaan Strauss will quit international rugby at the end of the season.The hooker took over the captaincy of the side this year, but says he informed new coach Allister Coetzee of his plan to retire before being… nzherald.co.nz – Rugby
Rugby: Counties Manukau dominate Hawke’s Bay: Three years ago the Steelers marched into Napier and won their first Ranfurly Shield.They brought similar intent to consign the Magpies to their third consecutive Premiership defeat and win their second match of the Mitre 10 Cup… nzherald.co.nz – Rugby
Wynne Gray: Michael Cheika must look more in the mirror: Any coach leaking passion will not cut it at the top level. That’s part of the puzzle Steve Hansen had to answer when he was deciding about an extension to his All Black contract.He loved his footy, there was no doubt about that…. nzherald.co.nz – Rugby
Rugby: Fatialofa to be fitted for his blazer: Several Auckland players will be getting fitted in the next week for their blazers.Among them will be lock Michael Fatialofa, an Auckland boy who spent four, often injury-plagued seasons learning his trade for Southland before returning… nzherald.co.nz – Rugby
Leigh Halfpenny’s pledge to play proves the Lions are still the pinnacle for Britain and Ireland’s finest
