Latest from Best of Sport Analysis

Wynne Gray: McAwesome record for McAwesome player

Richie McAwesome. Absolutely. Love the ads, fairly happy with the way the All Blacks skipper goes about his real work, too.

Chris Rattue: To England, where the excuses are primed

Looks like that poor little English rugby team is already running up the white flag or at least a distress signal. In other words, one con job over, and on to the next one.

Wynne Gray: Fresh-looking Carter appears ready

If Daniel Carter was a golfer, he'd have reloaded after a couple of stray drives from the first tee, writes Wynne Gray.

Justin Marshall: Rugby really was the winner as All Blacks put on a show

Before a ball had even been kicked yesterday, rugby had already got a result out of it and the All Blacks had already achieved what they wanted to by bringing the game to Chicago.

Justin Marshall: SBW has ultimate skillset

Wynne Gray: Chiefs make big changes to squad

Successful sports teams always tinker and work on their next ideas. The All Blacks are top of the world ratings and continue to unpick and remodel their strategies.

Dylan Cleaver: Sports fans found in all corners on both sides of divide

The All Blacks took their travelling show to Toyota Stadium yesterday, home of football team the Chicago Fire.

Dylan Cleaver: Faster-paced game clearly new to SBW

It seems likely Sonny Bill Williams will get his first start for the All Blacks since 2012 on Sunday at Soldier Field.

David Skipwith: Kiwis face major obstacle

The Kiwis' Four Nations win over Australia may have been hard fought but Saturday's clash against Samoa will provide just as big a test for Stephen Kearney's side.

Dana Johannsen: ARU boss blames everyone else for coaching debacle

Far be it for a Kiwi to stick their beak into what is going on across the Tasman, but for heaven's sake, can Australian Rugby just get their act together already?

Richard Loe: Wallabies rose to occasion

David Leggat: Ryder carving a path to World Cup squad

A few weeks back, Mike Hesson made the point that the World Cup door was not shut on Jesse Ryder.

Justin Marshall: Time to take stock of our halfbacks

The big question for the All Blacks is now that their unbeaten streak has been broken, do they look to experiment against the Wallabies in the third Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane on Saturday....

Justin Marshall: Ellis Park minor blip in solid campaign

Yesterday saw a terrific game of footy that produced an excellent note on which the All Blacks' Rugby Championship campaign ended.

Chris Rattue: Defiant Mealamu proves he's still got what it takes

It was more a relief than anything else watching Keven Mealamu zooming about against Argentina, turning the clock back far enough to remind everyone how good he has been, or still might be.

Chris Rattue: Hansen's handling of Cruden fair

Tempting as it is to scream Free Aaron Cruden in the name of giving a bloke a break, it's difficult not to go along with All Black coach Steve Hansen's temporary sacking of the little playmaker.

Paul Lewis: Archer paid a big price in name game

The impending perjury trial of Chris Cairns calls to mind the strange tale of author, former convict and lord of the realm, Jeffrey Archer.

Chris Rattue: McCaw showing little sign of slowing down

Chris Rattue writes: It's that time again, a moment as good as any for paying homage to Richie McCaw.