The All Blacks are sticking with a more traditional way of preparing for wet weather rugby at the World Cup

Welsh coach Warren Gatland's revealed they've been putting baby oil on the ball during their practices, to get his side ready for moisture caused by rain or humidity.

New Zealand are using water.



England captain Owen Farrell is understood to have changed his tackling technique amid fears of a flurry of red and yellow cards at the World Cup.

Farrell has a history of no-arm tackles and has been working with England's strength and conditioning coach John Carrington to make adjustments.



The Brumbies have dropped their season membership prices to a 10-year low in response to declining Super Rugby crowds.

The past two seasons have been the worst-attended in the club's history.



Rugby Australia hopes to grow the number of gay recruits and educate people about homophobia through an alliance with homosexual-inclusive clubs.

A new committee will be formed with four Australian clubs - the Sydney Convicts, Melbourne Chargers, Brisbane Hustlers and Perth Rams.



NRL referee Ashley Klein has paid the price for blunders in Melbourne's loss to Canberra.

He's been demoted to a stand-by role for the second week of finals.



Breakers basketballer Tom Abercrombie believes Corey Webster is crucial to the club's play-off aspirations.

A strong World Cup has seen the Tall Blacks guard offered a lucrative deal from Turkish side Darussafaka .

However, the Breakers have denied his release request, as Darussafaka isn't willing to buy out his contract and they aren't willing to let him go for nothing.



Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will miss the rest of the NFL season after having an MRI on his right elbow following his side's loss to Seattle.

It requires surgery.

Elsewhere, the New Orleans Saints will be without quarterback Drew Brees for an extended period due to a torn ligament on his throwing thumb.

The initial timeframe for recovery is approximately six weeks.



Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has signed a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least June 2023.