Blues captain Ali Williams has announced he is retiring from international rugby, but will keep playing for the Blues.

Former Wallabies halfback Luke Burgess has confirmed he will return to Australia in time to be considered for the British and Irish Lions series in June and July.

Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale and Drew Mitchell are just three of a long list of top Australian players who have missed out on the Wallabies training squad for their series against the British and Irish Lions in June.

Junior World Championship-winning  South African Under 20 stars Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jan Serfontein are the surprise inclusions in Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer’s training squad.

All Blacks tight forwards Brodie Retallick and Wyatt Crockett have re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union for two more years.

Nathan Sharpe says he wants a few days to decide whether he will again delay his retirement plans to help Australia out.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has labelled his injury-hit side’s victory over Argentina in Rosario as one of the gutsiest of his tenure.

Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer says the All Blacks are the best team in the world by a considerable distance at the moment.

Nick Cummins and Ben Tapuai have been included in a heavily-altered Wallabies team to take on Argentina in Rosario on Sunday afternoon (NZT).

Hosea Gear has been surprisingly selected on the left wing ahead of Julian Savea for the All Blacks’ clash against the Springboks in Soweto on Sunday morning (NZT).

Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer is chasing consistent wins over the All Blacks between now and the 2015 Rugby World Cup, saying it is vital to the side’s psychological state.

Australian skipper Nathan Sharpe says his battered and bruised side needs to prove it has character by rebounding against Argentina in Rosario this weekend.

The All Blacks are in two minds as to what type of approach South Africa will utilise when the two teams collide in Soweto this weekend.

New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Mike Eagle says his mugging in Buenos Aires last weekend was a “bit of a blur”.

Under-siege Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has called for reinforcements as his battered and bruised side gets set to take on Argentina in Rosario this weekend.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says slight alterations made by the Springboks have improved their game.

Springboks midfielder Francois Steyn is out for the remainder of the season and will undergo surgery on his damaged ankle later this week.

The return from injury of first five Dan Carter and the reinstatement of halfback Aaron Smith are the only changes to the All Blacks side to face Argentina in La Plata on Sunday (NZT).

Kurtley Beale will line up at flyhalf for the first time at test level against South Africa in Pretoria this Saturday in what is the only change to the Wallabies’ starting side.

Kieran Read would jump at the opportunity to lead the All Blacks should he be the man coach Steve Hansen turns to in the absence of Richie McCaw next season.