The selection of uncapped Crusaders duo Luke Romano and Luke Whitelock and the omission of Rugby World Cup winners Zac Guildford and Corey Flynn are the talking points of the All Blacks’ wider training squad.

Fourie du Preez is available for Springboks selection, but is urging coach Heyneke Meyer to pick Francois Hougaard instead.

There is a possibility that Dan Carter may play second five for the All Blacks if his troublesome groin fails to come right.

James O’Connor could miss the Wallabies’ June tests against Scotland and Wales due to a rib injury.

The Wallabies will have a new-look coaching panel this year.

The Springboks’ most capped first five, Butch James, has announced his retirement from test rugby with immediate effect.

Rassie Erasmus is the new general manager of the South African Rugby Union’s high performance teams.

Speculation in South Africa is rife that Victor Matfield will come out of retirement to captain the Springboks this year.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has named a group of players that will be attending the first planning camp in Pretoria next week.

Tony McGahan is to be confirmed this week as the Wallabies’ new coaching co-ordinator, according to an Australian newspaper report.

The rock star All Blacks loose forward trio of Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and Jerome Kaino will be no more after the latter’s decision to wave sayonara to New Zealand rugby. BY DAVE CAMPBELL

The White card could feature in this year’s Rugby Championship if the International Rugby Board approves the use of them.

Robbie Deans will have a new-look Wallabies coaching team this season, including at least three new assistants.

The Springboks will return to Soweto next year when they play their final Rugby Championship test against the All Blacks.

An extra All Blacks test is set to be added to the team’s 2012 schedule, says New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew.

Argentina will be able to call on its top players for next year’s inaugural Rugby Championship.

The Wallabies and All Blacks will kickoff next year’s inaugural Rugby Championship.

Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin will host All Blacks tests next year.

Utility back James O’Connor could see game time at first or second five during the Wallabies’ two-match tour of the UK, says coach Robbie Deans.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has included three newbies in his squad for the side’s two-match tour of the UK.