The 50 best rugby players of the year, part two: 40-31

The scribes here at Planet Rugby towers put their heads together and nominated their top 50 international players of the past year. Here's 40-31.

Two Cents Rugby: Five uncapped players who could make their Test debut in 2024

Two Cents Rugby picks out five players who he believes could make their international debuts for their respective country in 2024.

‘Richie McCaw was fine by me’ – Wayne Barnes feels All Blacks legend’s cheating tag was ‘lazy’

Former referee Wayne Barnes has defended All Blacks legend Richie McCaw in his autobiography.

New Zealand Rugby confident of All Blacks’ future despite departure of several legends

New Zealand Rugby are not concerned over the future of the All Blacks despite losing some of their best players in history recently.

All Blacks legend says if Australian rugby is strong it helps New Zealand

All Blacks legend Richie McCaw believes regaining their confidence is crucial for the Wallabies to overcome their annus horribilis and to bounce back in 2024.

All Blacks captain Sam Cane reveals ‘long chat’ with Scott Robertson before leaving New Zealand

Sam Cane is looking to put himself in the frame for an All Blacks call-up in 2024 after having a “long chat” with new head coach Scott Robertson.

Michael Cheika makes up his mind on Los Pumas position – report

Argentina head coach Michael Cheika is set to continue his stint as Los Pumas' mentor, according to a report in the Argentine media.

‘The world has caught up’ – Former All Black is worried for Scott Robertson

Ex-All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall shares his thoughts on what Scott Robertson’s first year in charge of New Zealand could look like.

Two Cents Rugby: Five players new All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson must back

Two Cents Rugby looks at five players new All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson must back during the start of his tenure?

All Blacks skipper leaves the Chiefs for short-term contract in Japan

Sam Cane will take up a sabbatical option in his new New Zealand Rugby contract in 2024 to play a season for Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan League One.

The long list of potential Eddie Jones replacements at Australia

The front runners, outside bets, in with a shot and surely nots to replace Eddie Jones.

Siya Kolisi mulling over Springboks retirement after World Cup success – report

Inspirational captain Siya Kolisi has hinted that he could hang up his Test boots after the tournament in France.

Eddie Jones ‘so pissed off’ and set to quit as Australia head coach after Rugby World Cup debacle – report

Eddie Jones and Rugby Australia have taken the first steps to negotiating the Wallabies head coach’s departure, according to reports.

Ex-All Black Lima Sopoaga slams Nations Championship as a ‘slap in the face’

Samoan fly-half and former All Black Lima Sopoaga has blasted the recently greenlit Nations Championship which sees a big negative impact on tier-two teams.

World Rugby greenlight controversial Nations Championship

The tournament is set to make its debut in 2026 but be ring-fenced until 2030.

All Blacks and Springboks in talks to revive ‘traditional tours’

New Zealand Super Rugby teams could face the Springboks and All Blacks tackle South African URC teams.

Quade Cooper: ‘There will be a statue of the phenomenal Aaron Smith’

The great All Blacks and Highlanders scrum-half Aaron Smith has been praised by his Australian rivals ahead of his final game in Dunedin.

Argentina full-back banned for two weeks after knocking out South Africa’s Grant Williams

Juan Cruz Mallia has received a suspension after knocking out Springboks scrum-half Grant Williams, but he will be available for the Rugby World Cup.

Australia explain the meaning behind unique boomerang response to the All Blacks’ haka

Quade Cooper discusses the Wallabies’ response to New Zealand’s haka in last weekend’s Rugby Championship clash at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Rugby Championship awards: Scott Barrett and All Blacks claim top gongs

After the denouement of the 2023 Rugby Championship, we hand out a number of gongs to those that both impressed and disappointed over the past few weeks.

Loose Pass: Mark Telea’s tap, Grant Williams incident and clarity on Clermont comments

Loose Pass is here to delve into the major talking points in the sport.

Rugby Championship: Five things we learnt from the tournament including the All Blacks are back

What we learnt from this year's Rugby Championship.

‘The man for the big occasion’ – Schalk Burger pays tribute to Duane Vermeulen

Schalk Burger pays tribute to Duane Vermeulen.

Scott Barrett dubbed a ‘next level lock’ after ‘full-throttle’ Bledisloe shift

All Blacks second-row Scott Barrett has been widely praised after his performance in the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia.

All Blacks look to ‘reset to zero’ after Rugby Championship triumph

The All Blacks are looking to refocus after claiming the Rugby Championship title last weekend with a 38-7 win over the Wallabies.

The All Black half-back trying not to think about the World Cup squad

All Blacks half-back Finlay Christie is trying not to worry about being picked for the Rugby World Cup squad ahead of Bledisloe II.

Rugby Championship Team of the Tournament: All Blacks dominate with 12 players selected

Check out our Team of the Tournament after a truncated Rugby Championship that saw the impressive All Blacks win all three of their games.

Rugby Championship: Two Cents Rugby picks his top five players from Round Three

Check out Two Cents Rugby's top five players from the third and final round of the Rugby Championship, which includes a video on his selections.

Who’s hot and who’s not: All Blacks title win and Scotland duo sparkle, Leinster’s kit blunder and Wallabies

Check who's hot and not following the week's on and off-field action.

Rugby Championship: The nine individual stat leaders at the end of the competition

The individual stat leaders after the completion of the Rugby Championship, including the most tackles, carries, lineouts, points and much more.