THE VENT: When Michael Campbell won he got a ticker-tape parade and Wellington was shut down. Will Lydia Ko get the same treatment?

Rugby World Cup chiefs instruct referees to be firm with players who try to influence their decisions.

Italy's captain, Sergio Parisse, has declared himself unfit for their first World Cup clash, against France at Twickenham next weekend.

Perenara has become one of the best with his speed and fitness. But the Halfback says being in same team as the world's best has paid off.

The All Blacks want the rest of the world to love them.

This year, England has predicted to bring in more than $977,236,000 for the Rugby World Cup. Making England a winner before it begins.

Victor Vito is a tremendous athlete who is on the verge of appearing in a major event. It would be quite handy for New Zealand if he could peak in the next few weeks.

Chris Rattue presents 10 things that could bring down the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup.

The All Blacks haven't played for the better part of a month and had only five tests before picking their squad - less football than nearly every other team at the tournament.

Sir Graham Henry is picking Australia to be finalists at the upcoming World Cup and says they will be battle hardened after emerging from Pool A.

Kiwi fans will be glued to their TVs when the All Blacks launch their Rugby World Cup defence but for one young fan it will be even more special.

When the All Blacks are romping to what could be a record victory over Georgia at the World Cup, spare a thought for commentator Grant Nisbett.

World rugby needs another seismic shift to force the top nations to once again get serious about creating a genuinely global game.

The All Blacks touched down in London late Friday night and soon our men in black will be spoiled with the finer comforts in life.

It's been great to witness the fanfare which greeted the All Blacks' arrival in the UK for the World Cup.

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, World Rugby's player of the year in 2014, has made it clear that, as far as he's concerned, he isn't a defending champion.

The 2015 All Blacks are better than Sir Graham Henry's World Cup-winning side - says the man himself.

Steve Hansen says that the All Blacks used to fear losing, but now he doesn't worry about losing the Rugby World Cup.

A leading statistician has pencilled the All Blacks in as heavy favourites to lift the William Webb Ellis Cup in 2015.

Zinzan Brooke tells Jim White why this World Cup is the closest yet and shares his thoughts on turning 50.

There were 10 minutes left in the quarter-final and the All Blacks led 18-13 thanks to a Rodney So'oialo try on 63 minutes.

Rugby World Cup fever is creeping into stores and supermarkets as a number of All Blacks-related products are rolled out.

Nine All Blacks who started the last World Cup final are looking to triumph again overseas.

Of all the things the All Blacks were expecting to encounter on arrival in England, glorious late summer sun was probably not one of them.

Goalkicking takes on added significance come World Cup time. Names like Joel Stransky, Stephen Larkham, Jonny Wilkinson and Stephen Donald spring to mind, and not for scoring tries.

And football-mad England suddenly gets Rugby World Cup fever.

Imagine the anxiety levels if Ben and Aaron Smith fell over at All Blacks training next week, frets Wynne Gray.

World Cups can be more about enduring than enjoying - a feeling with which All Black captain Richie McCaw is more than familiar.