The Junior All Blacks suffered a shock defeat in their final warm-up ahead of the 2026 World Rugby U20 Championship, going down 22-19 to Georgia's Junior Lelos in Rustavi.
Ardie Savea has been named All Blacks Captain for 2026 and will lead a 34-strong squad in the Nations Championship.
The addition of Tony Brown to the All Blacks' coaching setup will bring a much-needed element to their attacking play, says former winger Jeff Wilson.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster has explained why the organisation moved quickly to secure Tony Brown as an All Blacks assistant coach from 2028.
Following the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown will return home to take up a coaching position with the New Zealand Rugby Union in 2028.
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett is set to undergo surgery that will put him on the sidelines for the next five months.