New Zealand Rugby yesterday confirmed that Sonny Bill Williams will be given a special exemption to fast-track his way into the All Blacks' end-of-year tour.

As many as 10 current All Black squad members could appear in the ITM Cup over the next few days.

Counties Manukau are steeling themselves for their first stern Ranfurly Shield defence of the season in Pukekohe this afternoon.

Southland saved the best until last to fend off Bay of Plenty by 34 - 23 in Invercargill.

Staring at the changing room floor of Invercargill's Rugby Park, trying to keep the nausea at bay, Shane Cleaver knew the day wasn't going to end well.

Nature abhors a vacuum and so does a genuine rugby fan, so we shall use this rugby-free weekend to recharge the batteries and to prepare for the ITM Cup.

The Auckland Rugby Union is looking at the possibility of shifting their ITM Cup home games away from Eden Park as paltry crowds hit them financially.

Loose forward Luke Braid will see out the Blues' season and then go under the knife, possibly on both his shoulders, which have troubled him the last two years.

The past 12 months have been heady ones in the rugby life of Atu Moli.

Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams has signed a two-year deal with the Counties Manukau Steelers.

John Kirwan is advocating the return of transfer fees so Auckland and the Blues do not continue to be castigated for losing players they may have helped develop.

Tim Bateman has put family first in his decision to leave the Hurricanes at the end of the Super Rugby season.

The search for a new coaching team for Sir John Kirwan and the 2015 Blues will kick off in earnest next month, but it appears Tana Umaga has ruled himself out of contention.

European clubs snaffle the coaches and Australian Super Rugby teams nab the players — the ITM Cup is certainly filling its brief as a development competition.