Dalton Papalii is ready to play blindside if required in the test series against Ireland

The All Blacks have plumped for lock Scott Barrett to start there in the first test, although Papalii is still working his way back to full fitness and Akira Ioane also has a troublesome foot issue.

Papalii says if he comes off the bench tomorrow in the opener and has to slot in at blindside, he'll do it.



The New Zealand women's hockey team is enforcing strict Covid protocols at the World Cup - despite the rest of Europe having seemingly moved on.

The Black Sticks face China in their opening pool game in the Netherlands tomorrow night... they were decimated by the virus in the recent trans-Tasman series against Australia.

Coach Darren Smith says they need to stay healthy if they are to emerge from a tough pool involving China, England and India.