The All Blacks have finally been able to confirm their starting line-up for tomorrow's Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup rugby test at Eden Park -- three days after the squad was originally named.

Australia scrum-half Sam Cordingley is taking Saturday's Tri-Nations start against South Africa with both hands after he was named to play in his first run-on Test for Australia since last year's World Cup."

With Peter de Villiers (PDV) criticising his senior players earlier on Thursday, it seems one or two may be firing back, with Jean de Villiers (JDV) opting to praise his opposition's tactical thinking so far in this Tri-Nations."

There are only two Currie Cup games this week, but the first of them is set to be one of the best of the season as the defending champions head to Jo'burg on Friday."

The return from injury of flanker Rocky Elsom, and the placement of Drew Mitchell at full-back and Sam Cordingley at half-back, highlight the Qantas Wallabies side named today for Saturday's Tri-Nations match against South Africa at Durban.

Rocky Elsom has won his fitness battle and will start at blindside flanker for Australia when they take on South Africa in at the ABSA Stadium in Durban on Saturday."

South African administrators have proposed a schedule modification to the Tri-Nations that could see the All Blacks spend an additional week in South Africa next year."

Otago secured their third win in four outings as they fumbled and bumbled their way to a 22-8 Air New Zealand Cup win over Counties Manukau in Auckland on Thursday."

Six points separate the top six after three rounds in the Air New Zealand Cup, with two teams still undefeated and another two still searching for that elusive win."

Leicester Tigers have refused to comment on a report from Fiji that the Guinness Premiership finalists are signing the brilliant but controversial wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca.