Berrick Barnes has been retained at first five while Quade Cooper has sensationally missed out altogether on a place in the Wallabies side to face the All Blacks in Sydney this Saturday night.

New players in the All Blacks have received a history lesson about the importance of the Bledisloe Cup from their older counterparts.

Lock Craig Clarke, halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow and first five Beauden Barrett are training with the All Blacks ahead of the Saturday’s opening Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies in Sydney.

Sonny Bill Williams has been cleared to play for the All Blacks in their first two Rugby Championship matches against Australia.

The absence of Sonny Bill Williams at All Blacks training in Auckland today has raised question marks about his availability for next week’s test against Australia.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is considering turning to Bakkies Botha to help his side out of a locking crisis.

Richie McCaw has scaled every rugby mountain there is during his illustrious career, but there is one thing he has yet to do in his 106 tests in the black jersey. BY LEE STACE

Reds No 8 Radike Samo is a surprise inclusion in the Wallabies’ squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship.

Blues prop Charlie Faumuina is the only new cap in the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad.

Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore believes his side’s opening Rugby Championship test will make or break their campaign.

The Wallabies have suffered a major blow, with midfielder Pat McCabe set to miss at least the first month of the Rugby Championship after being diagnosed with a stress fracture to his lower left leg.

Chiefs midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has no hesitation in answering an All Blacks SOS call for the first two Rugby Championship tests.

Mick Byrne will join the All Blacks’ coaching team for the upcoming Rugby Championship.

Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles is the only newbie amongst a group of players in a wider All Blacks training group who will assemble in Wellington ahead of the Rugby Championship.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is searching for a new centre after it was revealed that Conrad Smith will miss the side’s first two Rugby Championship tests against Australia.

Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale will be available for his side’s opening Rugby Championship match, despite having his assault charge referred to a mediation hearing in August.

Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore found himself playing second-fiddle to Tatafu Polota-Nau in June, but should be restored to his usual starting spot for the Rugby Championship. BY LEE STACE

More than 40,000 tickets have been sold for the All Blacks’ first home test in the Rugby Championship.

Waratahs wings Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner have both been included in the Wallabies’ train-on squad ahead of next month’s Rugby Championship.

The All Blacks’ Rugby Championship match against South Africa in Dunedin could be played in front of a full house at Forsyth Barr Stadium.