He may occasionally be caricatured wearing a Superman outfit, but the All Blacks' other rugby superhero has warned against expecting too much from Richie McCaw when he returns from injury against Australia here tomorrow night.

Aussie McLean has resigned from his position as assistant coach of the Hurricanes Super 14 rugby team.

Northampton Saints today announced that Bruce Reihana has been named as captain for the 2008/09 season.

As New Zealand adjusted to the loss of full-back Leon MacDonald their captain, Richie McCaw, was quick to highlight the magnitude of Rocky Elsom's absence from the Australian team."

New Gloucester signing Olly Barkley is relishing the chance to rekindle his partnership with former bath team-mate Mike Tindall."

When South Africa take on Argentina next weekend, in a game that marks Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday, they will do so with the final three Tri-Nations games in mind."

Gloucester boss Dean Ryan believes rugby union's controversial new law variations do not match their ''scaremongering'' reputation.

Having fought to survive in the professional era London Welsh, once giants of the game in the 1970s, are preparing to enter the coming season as a professional club."

It's Round One of the Air New Zealand Cup, and with Northland and Bay of Plenty seeing off Waikato and Tasman in the tournament openers on Thursday - expect the unexpected again this weekend."

Just two points separate the first five sides as the Currie Cup hits the half-way mark. This weekend's fixtures sees the best saved for last as Western Province travel to Johannesburg for a mid-table scrap with the Lions that will leave the losing side in trouble in terms of semi-final qualification. "